Lesley University Top Questions

Don't got to the college that fits who you are now but who you want to be in the future.

Start looking at colleges as soon as possible. Don't wait until the last minute. Gather books, look on the internet, talk to friends and family and people in college or alums. Take virtual tours, take real tours. Also, do what you want, don't let your parents influence your decision or you might not like the decision you chose. Find the school you love, then worry about the money. But of course, have a back up. Go on an overnight tour to the campus. Follow your own instinct, your own heart.

I strongly suggest that prospective students as well as their parents really evaluate a school based on how well they believe they will adjust to the school; a school should matchyour personality type so that you will be able to adjust to on- campus life; many people get depressed their first year in college , either they miss home or they don't have many friends; an easy way to assure that this does not happen is to make sure that you pick a school that you are both comfortable in and that you are sure you will succeed in. One should not pick a school based on it's reputation alone because it may not be the school that will satisfy you; picking the right school is like dating; it's trial and error until you find the right one.

I feel that I am lucky to have fallen into something that I like to do without any research into many colleges. I suggest you really look into schools enough to know if it'll be a good fit.

Take your time when deciding, talk it over between each other and do your research. I visited my undergraduate school once with my parents, and then did an overnight myself. It's important that everyone agrees that the school will be a good fit and that the educational value will equate the financial value, especially if the school is expensive. When looking around the area it is important to take note of the activities that are posted around the school, what kind are they? Also what activities are offered in the surrounding area of the university, is there much to do? I went from a small rural town to a large city because I wanted a change and to experience the difference, I am so grateful that I did. For students deciding I would say, listen to your parent's opinions, some times they do know what they're talking about. Also don't be afraid to venture outside of your comfort zone, not too far, but gaining my independence was probably the best thing I could've done. Parents, you've got to let them go some time, so don't hold them back from their dreams for yourself.

Students, take the time to know what you want. This may mean more time to just think and make lists before you even start looking at colleges. I see a lot of friends go to the wrong college, because they simply didn't know what they wanted. I had such a clear goal of being an artist, moving away from home, being somewhere really exciting, and being in an environment I felt confortable in, that it was easy for me to just look for colleges in that category, and then visit them to see if I felt at home there. If you start looking for colleges on a site like Collegeboard.com without knowing what you want, there's no point in searching if you're not sure about the answers you're giving the search engine. Parents, be honest about money situations, compromise, and listen to what students want, because they will not be happy at a school you force them to go to, and being happy is the first priority to becomming a great student.

The best advice I could give to parents as well as students about finding the right college is to start looking early, do not rule any school out, if there is a location or aspect of a school you think you don't want to go to--forget it, because something you think you don't want may be the perfect match in the end (it was for me)! To make the most out of your experience once you're there...step out of the box, join groups, join clubs, meet as many new and different poeple as you possibly can, explore what is offered within the city/environment around you. PLAY SPORTS! Being a two sport varsity athlete at my university I feel like I have two very real exdended families at school, and being away from home, parents and friends - having your teammates and coaches is the best feeling in the world.

To the parents I would suggest being helpful but not being forceful. Let your son/daughter figure out their own options. Be open and supportive but also realisitic, financially and academically. I feel making the college experience what it is really is determined on where and how you have chosen your school. Once this is done, the student should be outgoing and open to new opportunities at their school or in the surroundling area. Balance fun with work, because both will help you get where you want to go, personally and professionally.

I would advise students to apply to and visit lots of schools. Take advatage of being able to spend a night on campus, tours, and programs where you can ask current students questions. Don't be afraid to start at a state school and transfer to a private college - you'll save money that way. Work hard while in college, because you're responsible for your own education. If there are opportunities to travel abroad, look into it. Traveling abroad helps broaden your perspective of the world and immerses you in a different culture. Enjoy college - take classes that interest you, in addition to your requirements, so you can explore what you want to do in your life. Networking is key - make friends at other universities and don't be afraid to ask professionals for their business cards - you never know when it will come in handy. Get involved in clubs and have fun while living on campus.

My advide to students is to take college serisously, but not too seriously. Leave room for fun things and don't always focus every bit of your time on work. Take advantage of activities the college promotes and get to knw your surroundings.