Marquette University Top Questions

I would tell students and parents to research different schools online. Even a simple Google search is helpful. The school's website can help you find out if they have your major and what different programs they offer. From there, narrow your choices down to the ones you want to visit. You should also consider how far away from home you want to be, how you will be able to pay for it, and where it is located. Visiting the school gives you the best impression of it. Some schools even have programs that let you "shadow" a current student.

Don't worry about choosing the right school the first time. You can always TRANSFER!

The best way to get a good sense of a school is to do a shadow visit. When paying a visit to the campus, arrange to follow a student around and basically get a sense of life in their shoes. For me, I went on a recruiting visit for track. The coach set it up where I would meet a fellow team member, follow them around all day, and even stay the night with them. It was the greatest thing I have ever done as far as assisting me in my decision to attend Marquette. There is really no other way to get a better taste of the potential life that could take place at whichever school you are looking into. In addition, once you decide on a school, don't hessitate to get out of your comfort zone and get involved. You definitely will not regret it! I was always really shy, but once I got to Marquette, I put that aside and decided to enhance my college experience by getting really involved. This way, I met a ton of new people and made life-long friends! So, don't be affraid to get involved!

You really need to figure out who you are and what you want from a college experience. I knew that I wanted to go to a Jesuit school in a city where there would be other options on the weekend then just go out and party. Make sure that the university has the best program that you are looking for and can really boost you into the real world when you graduate. Also, it is important for kids and their parents to agree on the distance of the school from home. In the end, make sure you can see yourself becoming a "Golden Eagle" or a "Warrior" or anything else. Make sure you want to become a part of the community that you're looking at.

It's not any easy choice finding one place that will accomodate exactly what you're looking for in a college. What is important is seeing if the schools you are interested in provide the right learning, social, and spiritual environments so that you can grow as a person. Another matter of importance is seeing the educational value for your money. A school should be worth the thousands of dollars you will be spending for the next few years. Be sure that the campus is what you want and that it provides ample opportunity for you to try new activities and meet people from various backgrounds. Sometimes the best school for you is not following your friends to a large university, but going along your own path to fit your own personal needs as a student. Allowing yourself to be open and knowing what you want from a college will let you realize your full potential when you graduate those short years later. Good luck!

I would say that look at schools where your interests are important. Choose a school that has the same values and one that will be nurturing and guiding for you. Go with a university that is known for it's services to both students and it's community because that is extremely important in the end. The best thing to do is to go to a school that will make you happy because when it comes down to finals week, that little bit of stress relieved will make all the difference.

The advice that I would give to parents and students about finding the right college would be to let them know that it is very important to do research about your college before attending it. Additionally, I think that it would be very beneficial to shadow a real student or stay the night with someone who goes there to get a better feel of what the school is like from a student's perspective. A full tour of the university is also important, especially the area that pertains to your major, since that is where you most likely will spend the bulk of your time. The advice that I would give in regards to making the most of your college experience is to get involved. Pretty much all schools have ample opportunities to participate in extracurriculars. Also, I think that it is good to live in on-campus housing to begin with in order to meet new people and make the friends that will help you to provide the best college experience possible. I am confident that college really can "be the best time of your life," and for me, I can honestly say it has been.

I think it is important that students try and picture themselves living in that particular city or on that campus. A huge part of the college experience is how comfortable they are, both in, and outside of the classroom. When making the final decision, follow your instinct because by that point, you are already going to be choosing from what you feel are the best schools for yourself. Choosing a college is a huge decision, so it is important to really believe you are making the best decision possible. I advise all students to get involved as soon as possible, whether it be joining a club or intramural sport. Meeting new people and making friends is essential to having a positive college experience.

Just go someplace that has the courses you want and feels like a good fit to you as a person.

For perspective students: your #1 pick of college may not be the most fitting place for you. I didn't get into the #1 school on my list when I was applying. I was looking for a school where I could have a lot of service opportunities, that was demanding, and where the students knew how to have a good time and did stuff on weekends. I found this at Marquette and from one of my best friends who transferred to Marquette from my first choice school, said that those things don't happen at that school. But if you don't get into your #1 school, don't be discouraged, give your next pick a real chance, it might be a good fit. For parents: let your child decide for themselves on which school to go to. Please suggest different schools for them lot look at, so they have a broad perspective on what schools are out there, but ultimately it is their decision. Also, your child is different from you, they have different aspirations and needs, so even though the college you attended may have been a great experience for you, your child may think differently about it.