Kenyon College Top Questions

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.