Kenyon College Top Questions

I would tell the high school version of myself to stop wasting time trying to be cool by hiding your intelligence. The pursuit of knowledge and the curiosity that results in learning new things are beautiful instincts that should not be suppressed. In high school I had an irrational fear of being branded with the dreaded label of “nerd”. In college and beyond I now am liberated by the freedom to express my inner nerd and let it flourish. I want to look my high school self in the eye and let him know what he is missing. I want to let him know how it is exponentially more exhilarating to discuss the impact Edouard Manet had on the Impressionism movement than it is to argue over the impact Adam Sandler had on comedy movies. As a teenager it is easy to allow peer pressure and the fear of embarrassment squelch intellectual curiosity. As an adult you begin to realize that fear, especially the fear of embarrassment, only prevents you from experiencing what is truly enjoyable.

No, we didn’t totally mess up college, but I’m sure we could have done it better. Here are a couple of things you should consider this time around: Firstly, there’s no shame in using the Pass/Fail option, especially your first year. A difficult class or professor can influence more than just one semester. Your GPA is important in the long run and it’s better to have a Pass on your record than a C, which will lower you GPA and ultimately keep you from Cum Laude status. Also, don't allow that one bad professor deter you. There are many advantages to studying higher math, even if it isn’t your major. When it comes to campus life, take advantage of every opportunity, volunteer, get to know as many people as you can. Don’t try to find your niche so quickly; most of your classmates are smart and engaging people. Looking back, I wish I had gotten to know many of them my first year. It would have given me more time to enjoy their company. Otherwise, dress warmly and enjoy, you only get to go to college once and four years fly by.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a highschool senior I would tell myself to slow down. Don't get in a big hurry to head away from home to dome big four-year college. Take some community classes first to get use to how college classes work. I know you think that they are going to be just like highschool classes but there not, they are so much more advanced. The four-year college can wait. It will still be there in a couple years when you are fully ready to go, because with some college classes under your belt you have a world of possibilities at your doorstep. Do not let anyone discourage you though, because you will do great your senior year. You should still dump that guy and focus on your studies a little more, because now you have a husband who encourages you to live your dreams instead of dragging you down. Be brave and face your fears, because you never know what life has in store for you.

An education. I know how to think critically, read anything and be able to understand it. I have learned how to approach topics I know nothing about with an open mind so that I can better understand them. I feel like I could be thrown into almost any situation or job and be able to figure it out.

Although people say that college will be the best four years of your life, the first semester will not be easy. Do not assume the ?freshman blues?, loneliness, homesickness, and doubt will just pass you by. At times you will feel helpless, and even if they say everyone is going through the same thing, it will not always seem apparent. You will read more than you ever have, do homework every weekend, discover every school is a party school, meet people from all backgrounds and deal with people who have always lived privileged lives. But eventually you will find people who appreciate you for who you are-who will have hysterically in depth conversations about time travel and philosophy at the lunch table- but it will be a process, a slow one at that. You will have to stand up for yourself, defend your rights in front of ornery professors, some you will hate, some you will love, some will invite you to dinner. Talk to people, find a support network, have hope and faith in yourself. Never give up. And even if the dessert is always guaranteed to be better than the real food, don?t eat it everyday.

Don't ;et a school sell itself to you. Choosing a college is about finding the best fit, not the most renowned.

When looking for the right college, apply to and visit as many schools as possible. This may seem time consuming and expensive, but if you are really concerned about finding the right school for you, I truly believe that this is the best way to do it. You cannot rely on websites, or college counselors, or even friends and family to figure out what school would be a good fit for you. You have to experience them for yourself because in the end it is your decision. Also, Do not be to bias when picking out your list of schools to visit. You would be surprised how different the actual school that you choose is from the ideal school that you thought you wanted. I myself thought that I wanted a fairly large school, near a city and in some place that is predominantly warm. And out of the 14 schools that I applied to, I chose is an extremely small one in rural Ohio and I could not be happier. Keep an open mind throughout the entire process. The right school for you is out there and YOU will know it when you find it.

My advice is to choose the college that speaks to you; the one that makes you feel at home. Apart from being your school for the next several years, it will also be the place where you live. You must feel that you will be able to flourish there, that there will be opportunities to better yourself and expand your world. Having had the time to reflect on my years in college, I have found myself evaluating my experience and wondering whether or not I got all I could out of my 4 years at Kenyon. When I was on my way to undergrad my mom told me to make sure I attended as many lectures and presentations as I could. My advice is to follow hers. Be as involved as possible, so as not to miss out on the benefits your school has to offer. At times they may be hidden, but worth seeking out. In college you begin to be responsible for your own education and listen most intently to internal motivation, and that is something that should not be taken lightly.

Students and parents: close all those pamphlets and really take a look at the campuses, the people, and the courses offered at the schools you are looking at. After a while, every college seems to be telling you the same thing about their school. Those tree lined paths and brick buildings easily blend together. The truly important part of the process is what a pamphlet can't tell you: It's about stepping foot somewhere and feeling comfortable. It should be a place where you want to run into the library and nap on the quad at the same time. So before you get distracted by SAT numbers, glossy photos, and admission percentages, I urge all students and parents to emerse yourselves in each school and discover what a pamphlet can't tell you from real students who have first hand experience, and were exactly where you are a few years back.

Don't go just anywhere. To really enjoy college and learn a lot you need to pick somewhere where you feel connected. If you are not sure if you like a college or university rethink your choice to go there.

Go with personal fit, not prestige, and ALWAYS visit the campus.

Students: Apply to a diverse group of colleges in terms of size and location, but apply to only those you would be happy to go to (no matter what your parents want you to do). Know that most college admission offices are good at what they do, as in they will choose you to attend their school if they think you will be a good fit. Apply to a dream school, even if you are told it could never happen, and apply to at least two safety schools that you would still be happy to attend. Submit honest application essays. Parents: Let your kid decide on where they want to apply, and if it is really important to you ask for them to apply to only one other school they would no apply to if you were not making them. Continue to encourage them over the process, and remind them that it will turn out alright. Do not limit them because of finances, when the schools decide you can figure out where to get all of the money from. Do not force them to have you read over anything, they need to be as honest as possible in their essays.

Go to a variety of websites that have reviews on the colleges by students who have actually attended the college. Find out what kind of academic reputation the colleges have. Also find out the type of student that goes there so that you can see if you are an appropriate fit. Visit your top three schools, and make sure you interview everywhere you possibly can. Apply for as many scholarships as you can. Make sure to send supplemental information regarding your extracurricular activities, such as a CD recording of you singing if you're a singer or a dance DVD of you dancing if you are an accomplished dancer, etc. Do not hide the flaws in your application. In fact, acknowledge them and admit that they are mistakes and you have learned from them. Then, focus on all your acheivements. Be honest but portray yourself in a likeable, friendly, openminded way. Always discuss things that you are intellectually stimulated by in your interviews. Do not apply for a school just based on privelege -- ultimately, you should go where your heart tells you to go.

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The college experience is in the real world, not on a piece of paper--apply accordingly! Visit, visit, visit--and not just for the tour-and-info-session routine. Stay overnight, visit the classes, talk to the students (not just the tour guide--while they're usually pretty honest, remember that higher education is a business, and it's the guide's job to make sales). Look at the dorm rooms--those aren't just beds; they're your home for four years. Check out the social scene and the dining options. Get in tune with the atmosphere of the school and the personality of the students. College is an academic institution, yes, but one of the most difficult things to understand before going to college is that this isn't just school anymore; it's every aspect of your day-to-day life. And I cannot stress this enough: visit a variety of types of campuses--even if you think you know what you want--and see how you feel. No campus is for everyone, and every campus will not be for you; it's important to go in with an open mind and find a good personal fit.

When I applied to schools I was very apathetic about the entire process. I did not want to get my heart set on one school without knowing for sure that I would be able to go there. I didn't want to be disappointed. I applied early decision to my top choice school because I just wanted to be done with the application process - not because I loved the school. I ended up being deferred to regular admission, meaning that I would have to continue to apply to different schools. I applied to nine schools total and was accepted into 5. I narrowed my top picks down to three and then visited the campuses. Nothing could have helped me make my decision more than visiting the schools. When people ask me why I chose the school I did, I can't come up with a concrete reason - the school just felt right. As cheesy as it sounds, you'll know when you find the right school for you.

My advice to parent and/or students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is to be active. By active I mean engage in conversation with the faculty at the institution where you are looking, ask them questions you may have and actively listen to thier responses. As a prospective student attend a class while visiting and ask current students about thier experience at thier school. In addition to attending class, have an overnight with a current student so you can experience the dorm life and social scenes of the school to see if they are right for you. To make the most out of your college experience while attending, you must put yourself out there and try new things; attend a meeting for a social organization you are interested in, try out for an athletic team you may want to participate in, and most importantly, find something that makes you happy.

I would say that after completing the maximum amount of research (perhaps with your high school guidance counselor), the most important thing you can do to find the right college is going to visit the campus, meet the students/professors, and eat in the dining hall. By visiting the college campus, you can FEEL the life (or lack thereof) of the environment - the smells, sounds, sights, people - and that special vibe that either tells you, "Nope, this just doesn't fit me" or "YES! I could really feel at home here!" If there's something that just doesn't feel right, even if you can't put your finger on it, don't go to that school. You want to be motivated to make friends, succeed academically, and live there. Once you find that special fit, get involved in everything and anything that interests you! Filling up your time with exciting clubs, organizations, and projects will not only foster lifelong friendships and passions for finding happiness, but may also even help you find a career path that you can make your own. Most importantly, make choices you won't regret. LIfe is too short, enjoy every minute!

Try to avoid going to a school for its reputation. Try some overnight visits, and see in which atmosphere you feel most at home.

Your college should just feel right. For me, the knowledge of which school to matriculate at came with the first step on campus. You can't fail at a place where you feel completely at home every time you return.