Marquette University Top Questions

visit as many as you can

The intangibles are really what matter. The atmosphere of the school, whether people smile at you, how you feel on the campus, and other things like this are really what should make the choice for you. I should have done a bit more soul searching before dragging my parents on trips across the Midwest looking at a hugely diverse amount of schools. Small schools, big schools, small town schools, city schools, etc. This was slightly a waste of time. While it did help me to understand what I was really looking for, I think I already knew that I wanted a small to mid-sized school not in a rural area. If I could have narrowed that down before trekking across America I think I would have seen more schools I was really interested in. The most important advice I can give is don't make an opinion about your school until after the first semester. If people ask, reserve judgement. The transition is difficult and it is incredibly important to keep an open mind. It will make all four years much better.

Find a place that will push you out of your comfort zone. You will change a lot during your college years, find a place that is diverse and different.

The best advice I have to say is to relax. Applying for college and finding out what schools you get into can be stressful on its own, do not be too hard on yourself when you are making the final decision. Choose a school where you will feel comfortable, and know that even if it does not work out there, transferring is an option. Whatever decision you make, it will work out. When it comes time for your first tests and finals, again, relax. I am not saying that you should not study, because you should, I am saying that stressing out will not help no matter how much or how little you study. Having fun must also go along with relaxing. Find something you and your friends love to do, and make it a study break. Students at Marquette take their breaks to do things such as; walk a mile to Lake Michigan and spend some time by the beach, go to a basketball game, watch a movie, go iceskating, go shopping. Students, while you are having all of this fun at school, do not forget to call your parents, they want to be a part of your experience!

Parents and students should start by looking for schools that teach the field of interest the student is interested in, as well as looking for schools the student believes they will enjoy academically and socially. From there they should probably look at both size and tuition costs. Some students like a smaller campus, while others like a large campus. Depending on a family's income, some colleges on their lists might just be too pricy. Based off of this criteria I had my selection narrowed down to three schools. Then the weight basically was on my shoulders to decide what college would fit me best personality wise and academically. After months of deliberation I finally made my decision to attend Marquette University, and I don't regret my decision one bit.

Make sure you do you're work on time. Procrastination will make college so much harder. Stay on top of your work, study hard, and you should be fine.

Stay overnight there. Understand the impact of distance. It's nice to have mom and dad an easy car ride away.

College is about learning to make the most of everything. The best advice I was ever given was to be involved. Since coming to Marquette, I have come to understand that "being involved" is not just about extracurriculars: It is about volunteering. I joined a volunteer program my Freshman year that takes students to volunteer at inner-city churches. I have been serving at St Paul's in downtown Milwaukee. Walking into the basement of that room was the first time this small-town white girl really began to understand what it is like to live in the inner-city of one of the most segregated cities in the united states. I have learned that college is not just about what you learn in the classroom--it's about what the community can teach you. My college advice? Get involved on campus, but find a way to volunteer off-campus. It keeps you grounded in the community, and can sometimes show you how fortunate you are.

You should understand what it is you want out of your college experience--study abroad opportunities, internships, creative outlets, etc. Only then can you correctly identify the university that offers the most of what you want. I chose Marquette becaues they guaranteed graduation in 4 years and had hundreds of opportunities for study abroad which were my two main concerns! Also you should be certain of what type of university you are looking for--small town, big city, suburban, etc. This can have a huge impact on your overall perspective of your experiences in the end. Just go with your gut and visit campuses! That's the best way to choose the right school!

I would tell them to go with their gut. Also, save money. Don't attend a school because it sounds better to go than it would to go a state school or technical college. The public schools are more diverse, and because of this, in my opinion, they are more friendly. Besides, classes are what you make them. Often, fellow students make fun of state schools because they're "easier" and that you'll never get into graduate school. This is not true. You can make any school give you an excellent education just by how much work you put into it.