New York University Top Questions

I greatly regret not applying for scholarships before my second semester of senior year. My logic was that I would get through the stressful first semester of senior year, focusing on college applications and SAT II tests, and then use my next semester?when I would have much more free time?to search and apply for scholarships. My mother had advised me to start applying early for scholarships, but I did not heed her advice. Consequently, many of the big scholarships that I had a good shot at winning held December deadlines; I had trouble finding scholarships and ended up winning only a small one. Now, I'm going to have over $100,000 in debt after graduation. My future life would have been a whole lot less stressful if I had started looking and applying for scholarships my first semester of senior year (or even better, junior year). Now I realize that I am inevitably going to be stressed after school repaying my debt, but it is too late to go back now?I can only move forward. My advice to myself in senior year of high school would be to start looking and applying for scholarships immediately.

Dear High School Me, This may come as a shock but our teachers were right when they said college was not going to be easy. With the first semester of college under my belt I feel like I should give you some advice on what to do to get ready for college. First, time is valuable. In college the work load is heavy and your teachers are not going to check on you every day to make sure you're getting your work done. You have to learn to be responsible and do your homework when it's assigned to you. Second, STUDY! Many college students don't actually know how to study for exams, so now would be a great time to build those skills. Flashcards, highlighting, or acronyms whatever helps you learn the material USE IT! Lastly, get plenty of sleep and eat healthy. You only have one body so take good care of it. Try munching on carrots instead of chips if you need a snack and try going to bed before midnight. There's alot more to college than these tips but they should get you started in the right direction! See Ya In A Year!

The advice I would give myself would be to apply to more than four universities. At the time, I assumed that applying to four colleges would be enough, and I would get into three of them. Well, with that logic, I decided to apply to two colleges in my home state of Tennessee and two colleges in New York. I did get into three of the four colleges, but i got into two Tennessee colleges and one New York college; I wanted exactly the opposite. This occurence made me feel like I really had no other option than to go to the one New York college, since I really did not want to live in Tennessee anymore. I feel that I should have applied to six universities, with the other two being Harvard and Stanford. That way I would not only have more options, but I would have the chance to get into an Ivy League school that offers a great financial aid package. Looking back now, applying to more than four universities would have made my decision of picking a school harder and more stressful, meaning that I would have so many good options that I could not choose.

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to enjoy my hometown and family dynamics as much as possible because it will never seem the same again. Scottsdale, Arizona is a beautiful place; unfortunately, it wasn't until I left that I began to realize this. As a high school student, I was too busy keeping up with my school work and social life to appreciate both my natural and man-made surroundings. In the process of becoming a college student, the way my family views me has also changed. Although I now command more respect, I often find myself wishing for those teenage lectures that I once hated so much. It wasn't until my first college winter break that I realized the value of my Arizona roots and the fact that my future may very well lead me even further away from them. To my high school self: open your eyes, mind, and heart because sooner is definitely better than later.

Don't worry so much! I would tell prospective students to only apply to the schools that they desire to actually attend, not necessarily the ones that just have a good ranking. Of course, doing your research and taking the time to find out the details about your schools of interest can definitely help narrow down the list. Don't fret so much about ranking or prestige, picking a place that you would be happy to attend is far more important. Finally, I would tell prospective students to not take college decisions to heart so much. The reality is that while being accepted to a school is the ultimate thrill, getting rejected to a school hurts probably even more. Understand that there is nothing wrong with getting rejected, especially since elite universities will reject far more applicants than they accept. Don't let yourself fall too far down in the dumps just because of one college's decision. I fully believe that just about everyone ends up where they belong in the end and wish the best of luck to all future applicants!

Hey Kathy! I know right now you're nervous about NYU because you didn't expect to be going there, but NYU is going to give you the opportunity to become more than capable of going after what you want with determination and sass. At NYU, you're going to be thrust into the driver's seat of your future, but don't worry! You'll be fine! You have many different interests, so try not to worry too much when you realize there's a lot you want to do. Remember: you have time to explore and this is the period and place to do it. Don't forget that your parents are behind you and give them a little credit! They were once in your place and know how different college can be. Don't hesitate on calling them, they will surprise you. Although I really don't have to say it, go and explore the city! At the same time, don't forget to work out once in a while and eat healthy. Otherwise, you might just rip your favorite pair of jeans on New Year's from bending over. Keep laughing and keep smiling! Love, Kathy

I would begin by advising myself to develop more rigorous study habits due to the increased manner of studying that I would encounter in college. I would also advise myself to begin to gradually let go of the unimportant things or activities that seem to take up most of my time as my college education, and required school activities would become important priorities in my life. I would also advise myself to try to get comfortable with spending time around people I do not know, as that is what I will be faced with in college daily. Last, but not least, I will encourage myself to gradually begin to familiarize myself with being independent, as this is basically what my college experience will be about.

Perhaps there?s a bit of fatalist theory in me?but everything does happen for a reason. I was forced to turn down my first choice, but freshmen year at NYU was one of the greatest years of my life. I couldn?t imagine being anywhere else now. The application process probably drove you mad, but remember: you will attend a school. Consider advice from others, consider academic prestige?but choose a college that?ll allow you to challenge yourself, to pursue every pulsing ambition, to grow, to be happy/successful?even if means compromising parental wishes. But keep an open mind. Keep your passions within reach, allow your education to serve as cornerstones for your career path, but look into universities that have arrays of options and room for exploration. Approach someone who intrigues you; be open to new relationships, perspectives, environments; balance the social and academic aspects of college; be the person you want to be; be independent but don?t be afraid to seek guidance, step out of your comfort zone, carve out your own opportunities, take an unexpected class, take the stage, have fun.

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Baby girl, I just wanted to let you know that I am very proud of you. As you take steps toward your next journey, here are some breadcrumbs to help you along the way. Pick a major that you will be happy in. If you are not happy in your major, then chances are you will not be happy about completing it. Make wise and sound decisions that will benefit you now and in the future. When seem overwhelming and out of control, take a step back and breathe, hang in there it will be okay. Just remember, quitting is not an option. This whole college experience is just that, an experience. It is a new road, a new journey for you to travel. Make good friends, not just with your classmates, but with your professors and advisors. They may appear to be intimidating, but trust me, once they see your potential and determination; they will be wiling to help you in any way possible. They actually want to see you succeed. Here's wishing you much happiness, success, adn support in all of your future endeavors Be inspired to greatness.... I love you "Me" in the future