Macalester College Top Questions

Once you have gone through the books and talked to people about schools, it's important to realize and keep in mind that there isn't one perfect school for everyone. Once you narrow it down a bit, you will more than likely be able to find people you like, classes you want, and activities you enjoy at a variety of schools, so don't stress out about finding that one place. The same goes for when you get to school. Try a lot of different activities, try to meet as many people as you can, step out of your comfort zone, and just focus on learning and discovering yourself.

If you think you're introverted, go to a smaller college. If you're extroverted go to a bigger college generally. Get involved in something on campus. Even if it isn't your deepest passion, you may meet some amazing people. Don't be afraid to change your mind, transfer schools, change majors, boyfriends, etc. Now is the time to do what you want with no appologies.

As a tour guide, I always tell the prospective students that they will find the right place for them. In my experience, finding the right college is more about finding a place to call home for four years. You have to be somewhere where you feel comfortable and could see yourself. You have to find a school where the people engage you and you feel motivated to try new things. Under these circumstances everyone can succeed. The best thing about college and making the most of the college experience is that you can get out of the experience what you put in. So if you devote yourself to your academics, your personal life, and your extracurriculars, you will get the most out of your experience. It's all up to an individual what they choose to do and what type of life they choose to live.

If it is in any way possible, visit your top two choices and any nearby colleges that you are applying to. You can read about everything else online or in college guidebooks, but that won't tell you what the place feels like. Guides especially don't communicate enough about the surrounding area - and since you're not going to be contained on campus for four years, this is going to be important. Once you're there - join one club that seems interesting and do the assigned work and reading for class. If you are stumped on something, ask, ask, ask. Ask your teachers, ask your fellow students, ask people who have already taken the class. Even at large universities, if you are persistent and polite, someone will help you. Another note - persistence and politeness will serve you in good stead in college no matter what.

You must first understand within yourself not just what you want out of a school but who you are and what kind of relationship you want to have with the school. Some schools encourage different themes, perspectives, ideologies and mission than others. Research often, pay attention, don't be fooled by the pretty pictures - every school is gonna make themselves look really good. Don't forget to see if the school have the program(s) you want, and also the support system such as multicultural or career exploration. Visit schools, stay overnight (be safe, no partying, absorb the school, not the social atmosphere even though that part is important). Do interviews, take it as a chance to interview the school instead of the other way around. Good Luck!

I transferred to Macalester College from McGill University, which was quite a transition. You can't go to college with a specific ideal of what you expect college to be, otherwise you might always be searching for it. You have to make the most of wherever you go. It's important to find a school that will bring you to your full potential academically, and have a social environment where you will feel comfortable.

Make sure you have yourself in mind. It may be tempting to go to the school with the highest carreer placement in some high paying field or the place with a nationally ranked football team, but unless you really are passionate about that carreer or really like football it isn't going to do anything for you. Go to a school that suits you, one where you really feel comfortable. It is your home for the next four years and you should be nurtured there. College is a time to discover what your ideal area of study is, not to shove you into some program that may or may not make you happy. Go to a school where the classes sound interesting and the people can challenge you or paying all that money wasn't worth it.

To parents I say, be supportive but not overbearing. It is in fact your child that will have to attend the university in the end, even if you are paying for it. Allow the student to search out schools that seem right for him or her and let them direct the process. To students, I say, start early and visit the schools. You can only tell so much from numbers and cute quotes from the school. You will never know what a college is really like until you visit. The school I go to now, I visited twice before I decided to go there. You really learn the atmosphere and what it will actually be like to attend the school: go to classes, talk with professors, scope out the social scene, and explore the surrounding area. Then you will know if you will really fit in and enjoy your college experience.

Don't be concerned with name-brandness. Just figure out what is important to the student and go with that.

Choosing the right school is no easy task, but it is important understand what type college experience you desire and what you hope to gain from your college experience. Understanding these concerns will allow you to identify schools, which would be a good fit for you and provide you with the experience you desire. It is important to do your research on every school you are considering; visit the campus if possible, speak with current and former students, keep in mind location, size , and cost. These are things that will help you narrow your search. Overall, college is an incredible experience that is far more than attending classes. College is an environment that facilitates personal and intellectual growth and this growth often is a direct reflection of the type school you attend. That being said once in college take chances, try new things, and embrace the diversity that exists on your campus. It is also important for you to forge relationships with faculty, staff, and fellow students, so get involved in an organization, sport, or activity, after all you will be spending four years with these people so you might as well make a few friends along the way.