Minneapolis College of Art and Design Top Questions

I would like to tell everyone that is applying to higher education is to take a chance. Follow your dreams and try your hardest. Try many different classes even if you thing that they may be difficult it could be something that you find a deep love for. Don't look at the price sticker, if the school seems like the best fit for you, there will be a way to find the funding. If it is a passion of yours, you will work your hardest to find a way to succeed, follow on your path to a career. You may find out that a place that you started at is just the place that isn't for you and you have took the wrong path. Take some time and really thing about what in daily life makes you happy and you path will eventually turn for the better. Make mistakes but learn from them. Nobody can be perfect, but you can try to be close to perfect.

The best advice is to keep your options open and never limit a college off due to its demanding tuition. There are always scholarships that one can apply for to help pay for that hefty tuition. By limiting the choices just because of lack of funds, you limit the possibilites of your future and your possible successes. Also, be flexible; the first year of college is always the hardest to get through. If you can make it through the first year of adjustments, homesickness and acceptability at the college, you'll do fine (as long as you stay on top of your work!). The last word of advice that I have is never rely on one college either. Meaning, don't just submit an application to one college, keep your options broad. Even if you could never see yourself attending that home community college, still apply regardless of your outlook. Besides, it is a huge self esteem boost to get accepted into colleges. On that same note, don't get discouraged if you don't get accepted into your first choice, just keep working at it and you'll find success in the oddest of places.

Don't let the cost of a school scare you out of doing what is best for the student. Often the schools offer great financial aid and there are plenty of scholarships available. It would be worse to go to a school just because it was affordable, best to go with what you know is truly what you want and need. Be sure to visit the school beforehand to really get a feel for the grounds and the people there, including staff and students. It's all part of the experience. That's really what college is, the experience.

The least loans possible, and if you use them; get a repayment plan ready from the get-go.

Show up. If you have class in the mornings or anytime just make sure you go. Just showing up is a simple thing a college student can do to succeed and be happy. I mean this for parties and clubs too. Just try going to one and make the effort to get invovled. You can't get invovled if you don't show up. As far as picking a school, go some place with good teachers because nothing makes you work harder than a good teacher and live on campus your first year with someone you dont know. you're going to have to get used to it but its a great way to meet people.

I would advise sutdents to visit as many colleges as possible first; there's a huge difference between how a college looks on paper and how it feels in person. Know what you're looking for before you go and have a checklist of things your ideal college must have, as well as a list of things you know you want to avoid. Once you've chosen, make it yours. Go the extra steps to get to know your advisors and faculty and people around the school; they're a fantastic source of information when it comes to choosing a degree, finding an internship, and getting foot in the door in your field. If you can at all, take a class of two just for fun. It doesn't have to be a requirement or part of your degree, but if you find yourself intrigued by something, follow it and if you still love it, find a way to make it work with your program. I've gotten the most out of my college experience so far by doing things I love and following through to find the right career path that can build upon and utilize those interests.