Lafayette College Top Questions

Parents and students should both play an active role in choosing the right college. The student should visit educational institutions several times and consider the opportunities offered at each school. It is also extremely important to ensure that the campus has a safe and comfortable environment for the student. What feels comfortable and welcoming to one person may not feel the same way to someone else. Once the student has made a decision on the school, time spent at the institution should be focused on getting the best education possible but at the same time, enjoying the company of their peers. Time spent at college should take advantage of resources, clubs, organizations, and academic expertise all easily accessible at the university. Students should try and make a difference on their campus and develop their individuality during the few years they have at their school.

Definitely take tours, read the literature the campus provides and try to get in contact with a student (not a tour guide!) and ask them their favorite parts about the school. Also, ask them what they don't like about it, so you won't be suprised later. Make a list of what your child wants in a school and make sure the school meets these requirements. You want to make sure that your child is going to have the best experience possible and that the school fits them perfectly.

Go with your gut! Wherever you feel the most comfortable, and the most at home (away from home) , go there. Go somewhere far enough from home where you are not tempted to go home, but close enough that your parents can come watch you in your school play, or your first soccer game. Make friends, be daring, be bold, and be yourself. College is the most amazing years of your life- go explore, do things out of your comfort zone, join clubs, start campus groups, get a job- go crazy! Have fun and be safe. Do not be scared or hesitant to ever see a counselor or get a tutor- college is about learning. It is an incredible journey.

When selecting the right college, my best advice to parents and students would be to attempt to balance the affordability of the college while taking in the physical aspects of the campus as well as the social and academic environments. There are great resources to find opinions on the social and academic sides of the college through a multitude of websites, while the likability of the actual campus is of course up to the individual. With regards to affordability, mak sure to thouroughly check the financial aid programs the school offers, as well as the kind of debt the student will have to pay post-graduation. In regards to making the most of the college experience, my best advice as much as possible into groups the student knows he/she will like. Personally I enjoy doing service and also want a social life, so I have involved myself in many service opportunities while still joining a fraternity. Try to balance between things you love and also what you know will further your social and academic life on campus and beyond, as this is the best way to succeed.

Visit lots of schools, talk to lots of people and let your initial instinct of a school guide you.

Choosing a college can be a very bewildering process. Once you have been accepted and you know what your options are, I think it is imperative to visit the campuses of the schools you are considering. Just a simple visit can tell you a great deal about your prospective home for the next four years. If you are disappointed that no one in the administration or the faculty has time to talk to a high school senior, perhaps you should look at a smaller school where things are done at a more personal level. On the other hand, if you feel overwhelmed by the unvarying homogeneity of the students, it might be better for you to search for a larger and more diverse college. It is imperative to remember that life after college is usually very busy and hectic, so you should take advantage of all the opportunities that are available to you as a college student. Whether it is meeting new people, getting discounted or free tickets to cultural events, or going to evening lectures covering a myriad of topics, these are things that you will be able to fondly look back on for the rest of your life.

Spend time considering all options, and choose wisely.

Find the college that is best suited for your experience/ child's experience and that helps your family with financing the education costs. It's hard to find one that does both, but it is essential to find a school that manages to offer a little bit of both at the least.

Advice often left out by ?College Search 101:? -Find out how many students go on to grad schools (vs. industry, etc.); this will indicate what opportunities and pressures you?ll experience later. -Ask what resources and opportunities are actually available for undergraduates in your field. -Compare the hours at the library with the hours at the gym. -If the school gives an award for the student who most represents the college ideals, read about winners. -Visit a classroom where you?d likely have class, and sit in a chair. Is it a comfortable place to learn? -Read a student newspaper or community blog. What questions are students asking? How actively are they building their own community? What?s considered normal (or abnormal) for that campus? -Eat in the campus cafeteria and observe student social groups. Is there segregation or integration of people, styles, and ideas? If you enroll: -Meet people who share your interests by joining clubs and looking around in class. -On the flip side, try to find some people different than yourself to sit with at meals. Results can be surprisingly nice! -Write a condensed summary of each week?s notes for the fast track to academic success.

There is no absolute right college for you, you just need to find a place where you'll be able to make yourself a niche and be happy.