Merrimack College Top Questions

My "college experience" has been somewhat jeopardized because of my financial situation. I was convinced that I would be able to afford the school upon commencement, but as a result of the recent financial chaos on Wall Street these funds have virtually disappeared. As a result of this I have been forced to work an almost full time job along with my semester classes. Juggling both of these obligations has left me with virtually zero free time to interact with my friends or family. The best advice I can possibly offer is to do whatever it takes to completely avoid this situation. Either save up enough capital going into the school, keeping it safely in a bank, or give serious thought to whether or not you should take out a loan. Personally I am reluctant to take out any loans, especially because of the risk of not being able to find a job immediately upon graduation. Compounding interest can turn a small loan into something staggering. In short I would advice all to put yourselves into as financially sound position as possible when entering college to avoid any future stresses and possible situations that may ruin your "college experience."

Ask your child what they did or did not like about their high school. These aspects can help mold the type of school they are interested in attending for the next four years. Their intended major should also be a focus on deciding which school to attend and research the potential colleges to see what programs they offer for this major. If you plan on living on campus, take a tour of the living situation and the library since that is where you will be spending most of your time. Campus centers are very important at looking at as well, check out what you'll be eating everyday as well as the activities/fitness amenities the school offers. Once you are on a tour, you will know if the school suits your needs or not. When you meet your roomate do not be nervous! This could be a longlasting friendship in the making and they are in the same boat as you. Lastly, save your money and apply for numerous scholarships, it will help you in the long run!

Advice I would suggest to prospective parents and students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is....parents, offer your kids advice about what school you like the best but in the end, leave the decision ultimately up to them anad for students, I would definitely tell them to attend the freshman orientation at each school they are accepted to in order to get a more personal feel for each school they are considering. It is really important to attend the freshman orientation because it enables you to make friends before you go to that school in the fall as well as it gives you a "taste" of what life on campus is like.

For the students, I would recommend a school you see yourself at. Whether you like small schools or large schools is very important in this decision. I go to a small school and it's almost too small, it feels like high school all over again. If you enjoy knowing everyone you go to school with I would recommend you go to a small school. If your an outgoing person that likes meeting new people all the time, I would suggest a larger school because you are able to meet more people. Also the environment around the school is important. I go to school in a suburb of Boston, your not distracted by the nose of traffic, also it's nice to go to a school that actually has a campus to enjoy during nice weather. If you like the hustle and bustle of the big city I would definitely recommend you choose a school in the city, but if you like more of a campus I would suggest looking in suburban areas. When you do choose a school, definitely get involved with student activities and attend sporting events it's a great way to meet people and make friends.

Make sure you visit all potential schools, if you are considering a school make sure it has the major you want and what the major requires at the specific school. Also make sure it is the right size for you if the school is too small you could feel uncomfortable and if it is to big you might feel lost and that you are not getting the attention you need. It is important if you like a city that your school is located in the city if you like the idea of a campus make sure that is what the school offers. Once you have picked the right school for you make sure you are outgoing and leave yourself open to new things to make as many friends as you can. Don't do anything you don't feel comfortable with but keep an open mind and have fun; don't forget school work should come first because it is easy to lose sight of what is truly important.

The advice that I would give to students about finding the right college, is to simply find a school where you can imagine yourself. It's important to find a school that matches your academic needs, but it's also important to go to a school where you can grow socially. In order to make the most of the college experience, never think negatively! Always be positive in every situation that is thrown at you, especially while you're in college. Make lots of friends, but don't follow others in order to fit in, or do something without knowing the consequences. Study hard and take your college career seriously, but remember to find time to relax and have fun. Four years will go by very fast, so make the best of those years before entering the real world! The advice I would give to parents about finding the right college for their child, is to let their son/daughter be free to chose where they want to go. It's very important that students make decisions on their own, because they will eventually have to do that as a part of their every day lives.

I would advice students to make their college decision based upon whatever feels right to them, They must weight all the pros and cons of each school and decide which one fits them best. If it comes down to the point where the school you choose may be too expensive, I would say still go for it becuase the experience you missed is something you may never be able to get. I would say take out as many loans necessary in order for you to attend the school fo your choice. To make the most of your college experience, one must be open to new things and be real outgoing. Meet as many people as possible and have as good a time as possibe, while still spending ample time on your studies to keep your grades up.

Finding the right college may take some time and lots of researching, but I will tell you one thing don't let finances drive you away from your dreams. As we all know times are tough right now, but putting away a great education and settling for something more affordable is the wrong decision. I chose Merrimack College for it's great reputation and small classroom sizes not for the $40,000 per year it cost to attend this prestigious college. As I am funding my education entirely by myself I have found there are ways to get scholarships and loans to cover expenses, you just need to find them. Working one or two jobs while at school on the weekends or take an internship over the summer. What's great about some schools is they offer 5 year programs to allow for co-ops. I'm currently finishing my co-op with a large engineering firm in my respective field of study. Pay is great and it gives me another year to save. There is so much more to life than money, so please don't let financing turn you away from what makes you happy, your dream!

Just go with your gut feeling. Think about size, location, academics, athletics, etc.

To determine if a school is right for someone, one has to categorize factors into what they want academically and socially. For academically, one needs to identify the class size they prefer. Knowing the preferance for class size is helpful in maximizing one's learning. Another academic category to look into is the style of teaching. One should determine the degree one wants the school in their hands-on experience. The more hands-on experience, the more one understands the workings of the system. However, hands-on experience is a self teaching education. One who would like the guidance of a professor would probably profit from learning through lectures. On the social component of determining finding out the right college, one should take a look at the college's location. The more urban a school is located, the more options the students have in interacting with the surroundings. Unfortunately, some students can develop academic problems due to high amount of activities that can be done. Also, the clubs and organizations in a school can be important as it can help connect students with similar interests. If a school can approve both categories, than one has found the right school.