LeTourneau University Top Questions

First, prepare to work hard. Don't go just to party. Don't go to an expensive school if you don't know what you want to do with your life.

Because my father has written a book specifically about making the college decision and has been in higher education for over 20 years, I have learned many things about choosing a school. The most important aspect of this decision is choosing a school that will give you the best possible opportunity to reach your career goals. Choosing a college should not be influenced by a parent's alma mater or a family history at a school, but rather the school that will give an education that best meets the student's current and future needs.

Take your time to pick the right college. Don't rush it, as you're making a commitment that is expensive both in time and money. If possible, visit the campus and sit in on a class or two. You will always hear about the college's strong points from the admissions department, but make sure to talk with both faculty and students. Ask what they think about the school as well. You will get a better idea of the school's overall "feel", both academically and socially, than any college brochure could give. Students, you want a place where you will feel at home socially and be challenged academically. Having one without the other can wear on you after a while. Parents, you want to know that your child is receiving the best education possible while making quality, lifelong friends. A forced college experience can be costly and detrimental, so take the time to find a place that you are truly excited about.

Make sure that you can change majors easily without spending to much money.

Do not second guess yourself and preview the school and interact with the students there to see how you would like the school

Make sure that you realize that you are deciding the rest of your life. Don't pick some school based on friends or activities, pick it on the field you want to study, and then, and ONLY THEN, decide whcih schools you want to attend based on the other qualities, location, activities, etc. I've seen so many people drop out, or are miserable because they didn't come to school for the right reasons... don't be one of them!!!

Before you decide on a college, you should spend a little while considering what values are most important to you. For instance, is your faith most important? Academic prowess? Social life? Financial aid? A little of each? Once you have narrowed down your options to those colleges which seem to have the same values as your own, you should definitely at attend a preview weekend or at least visit the campuses. For me, the deciding factor was when I actually got to meet students and faculty and live the life of a student for a day or two. Once you start attending college, make sure you neither neglect your academics nor your social life. College is no fun without friends and free time, but at the same time, the stress and discontentment you will feel as your GPA drops is no fun either. You will have the best college experience when you find a way to balance all aspects of your life and development well. My best advice in this area is to never put off your homework: the earlier you get it done, the more time you'll actually have with friends.

Getting advice from current students and alumni about a specific college is the best way to learn about a specific institution. Visiting campuses is helpful, especially at times that aren't designated as preview times. This is because many things at the school will or can be different during preview times. Schools usually make things look as nice as possible for previewers. During the college experience it is important to have a group of friends that are good influences, and that can encourage you. Being in a dorm that is a close community is great. Sometimes students are under a lot of pressure and to just be able to spend some time with friends can help relieve the stress. Communicating consistently and respectfully with professors is also a must. Some professors grade subjectively. If they see a student who is struggling, but is making a genuine effort the professor may be more likely to help the student. It is very important to keep focused on your goals, too look ahead and keep track of what classes you need to take and what you have taken. Buying books used online helps save money. Campus bookstores are usually very expensive.

Not so long ago I had no clear idea what school I wanted to attend. To continue from this stage I had to traverse a number of steps. Attending college fairs is a good starting point to get an idea of some of the options. The Internet is an excellent way to find further information about schools, or to find other schools. Before one gets too far into the selection process, it is extremely helpful to be able to decide on a degree and probable career. In this way one can get a much better grasp on what one is looking for. After a possibility is found, campus visits are helpful in getting a feel for the school and one's compatibility with it. It is important that one can envision oneself attending and enjoying the school. Seeing the dorm rooms can be helpful in planning if one decides to attend a school. Most importantly, the values of the school should be reconcilable with one's own. It is best if the school's values help to re-enforce and develop one's own. Following these steps I was able to find a school I am well pleased with.

Finding the right college takes more than just reading about it online or in a catalog. It is extremely important to also take the time to visit colleges and universities that interst you, and see first hand how the students interact and expierence the sights and sounds of campus life. It is also beneficial to really see what happens out of class by staying a night or two in a dorm with other students as a previewer. When you do actually get to the school you chose, you have to be willing to step out of your comfort zone and meet new people. Visit other floors and explore campus. It can be nerve-racking at first, but take a new friend along and find other people who are new too. Another way to start to feel at home on your campus is to join a club and be involved in activities with your floor. When it is finally time to study find people from your class and study together. The more you get involved in life on your campus the more you will learn about life and hopefully your chosen career.