Mount Saint Joseph University Top Questions

Even if you visit all the colleges all over the country, I think you won't know what college is best for you until you attend that college. I also recommend considering what really is most important to you, like friends, family, or religion.

I would advise that a parent and the student go out and take time to look at potential colleges. When researching schools to attend, keep in mind your personal priorities you want to see in a school. If you want a small school, don't go looking at large universities. When choosing a school, keep your interests in mind. If you want to major in nursing, then you need to find a school that has an excellent nursing program. Money always seems to be an issue when choosing a school, but a word of advice that most private schools do not offer sports scholarships, but they might offer more fiancial aid. Lastly, find a school where you can envision yourself succeeding, because the environment of a school could distract a person from the work that needs to be done to accomplish college goals.

Searching for a college is entering into a relationship: you have to weigh the pros and cons, know what you are looking for, have a clear idea of what you may be getting into, understand the feasibility, and make a commitment. It is important that the college is compatible on a variety of dimensions including size, location, price, academics, and opportunities for involvement to both the student and the parents while also taking into account what measures are most important to these particular individuals. Utlimately, students and parents will just know when they have come across "the" school, just as in a prospective relationship, there is a fit there, too. After that, it becomes the matter of making the most of the experience which means making that obligation and striving to become involved fully in all aspects of college life, including academics, extracurricular opportunities, and again, the aspects most important to why that school was selected in the first place. Finding the school and demonstrating this dedication is not always easy, but the effort is worth it in the end to make these years memorable, positive, and successful.

For parents I would say let your child choose the college that they want to go to. You can give your opinion on where to go, but it should be up to them. They have to go to the school for their education. In regards to finding the right college, a person needs to deide on how big of a school they want to go to. The amount of money that can be used to pay for college plays a small role. The major that they intend on studying plays a role in what college to go to because you want to go to a college that has that courseload or is known for that subject. A college experience is determined by the student. If they want to party every weekend, it's their choice. However, with college their come responsibilities. Nobody is going to tell you what to do or make sure that you turn in your work. You are on your own. You don't have the constant reminders of what is due or what needs to be done.

College is for your education. You need to find one that you will be comfortable enough for you to learn and suceed. You need to feel that you will do your best and be all that you can be at your school. It is for you not for anyone else.

The most important thing about finding the right college is making sure it offers what you want to find. Don't settle for something that doesn't feel like home. When I chose the College of Mount St. Joseph it was because the day I drove in five hours away from my home in Chicago, I felt like I was home again. Every person I spoke with, every thing that I saw, every aspect of the school felt more than fitting to me. I had looked at other schools that had great academics and organizations but the only school that grabbed my heart was The Mount. I am currently in my third year at this school, and don't want to end it. They have prepared me so well for the future but I am the kind of person that doesn't like to say bye to home. That is why I'm glad this school has such a great alumni program as well. They want to know everything about the alumni so they can make sure they did the school did it's job in preparing each and every student for the best and happiest successful carreer life!

Always look around and get to talking with people.

Go and do some over night visits as they allow you to get the best feel for the campus.

I would first ask the student if they wanted to go away to college or stay at home. This is a crucial decision because there are so many colleges out there. Once that decision was made, I would have the student choose 3-5 colleges that they really wanted to attend and schedule visits. You have to make a visit to see whether or not you like the campus. I would choose schools that have the academics you want to study. Once you visit the school, you get a "feel" if it is right for you or not. If it does not feel right then cross that school off of your list because there is no point going to a school in which you do not feel comfortable. Once you pick your college, I would look for as many ways as possible to get involved with that school. The more you get involved, the more people you meet and the more friends you make. In my opinion, this is the best way to make the most out of college and have an enjoyable experience.

Start looking for financial aid early.