Northeastern University Top Questions

At first I was hesitant to apply to Northeastern, because I thought the school did not fit me. However, once I got to orientation, I felt right at home. I highly recommend spending a night as a prospective student for whatever college you choose. It's the only way to get the true atmosphere of the campus without being surrounded by parents or school administrators. Please make the college decision for yourself, not because you have a significant other or a best friend who attends the school. The people who end up the most unhappy are the ones who did not choose their school for theirselves. Once you decide what college is right for you, do some research and find others with common interests, whether it's academically or extra-curricular. Get to know your peers and make friends, even if you think you are too shy. Remember, all the freshman (and transfers!) are in the same boat as you and they are all nervous about meeting new people.

Every college is different and special, just as every student is a unique individual. Finding the right college may not be an easy task, but if the time and effort is put into the process, the path to the right college will eventually be illuminated. Researching different colleges that meet your general preferences (such as location, major, and size) will help begin the process of narrowing the list of potential colleges. From there, I would highly recommend visiting your top choice schools. Attending an information session and taking a student-led tour can not only help you learn more about the facts and values of the school, but can also give you the opportunity to see the campus for yourself and imagine being a student there. Many times, a student will get the "this is the college for me" feeling. The experience of attending college is just like an other experience in life - you get the most of those experiences that you put the most into. Attending sporting events, joining clubs, volunteering, and getting as involved as possible will lead to a well-rounded lifestyle and a sense of belonging on the campus and in the school.

Find a school that is right for you. If you prefer not to be in the city, do not choose a school that is in a city just because of what it is, choose the environment that is best for you. If you know what you want to major in, investigate the requirements that are needed to complete the degree. My program requires us to maintain a 2.7 GPA at the end of sophomore in order to move onto third year. Other schools with my major required reapplication. Also, see what reputation the program has, you do not want to be in a program that has a bad reputation among employers or is too new.

If I had to give advice to a college seeking student or parent, I would first recommend defining the student?s needs. Too many students pick their colleges based on the university?s ?brand name? and to where their friends are applying rather than paying attention to their own individual needs. One needs to look at if they want to be on an urban or suburban campus while also looking at class/student body size but not forgetting about the curriculum itself. Finding a program to match your needs and educational goals should be the most important factor in choosing a school, not where your mother and father went. It is not just about the beauty of campus and its buildings, the size of the gym, or whether or not the Qdoba Mexican Grill is open on Sundays. It is about the curriculum, the faculty and the type of learning going on within these walls. If you were to come out with anything from this, it would be to pay attention to what YOU want to gain from your college experience.

Definitely start searching for the right school early. Make time to visit your top choices. A school can look perfect on brochures and online but can make you feel differently when you're on their campus. It's important that you choose a school with a campus that you're comfortable with and one that you can easily imagine yourself on everyday. Yes, the academics and all that are important but the environment in which you're learning is too. Also make sure that the school you choose fufill your top priorities. Some schools offer the opportunity to visit overnight and attend a class or two. If a school you're considering does offer this, take the opportunity. This will provide more insight than any information session or campus tour will. When you're at college, be active. Join clubs, attend activities and of course, sporting events. Its a great way to meet new people and make friends for life.

To parents I would say let your sons and daughters go to wherever they think they'll be happy. It is their decision, not yours and you should support them as they make their choice and while they are attending college. To students I would say know what you want, find it, and go for it. Don't let anything or anyone get in the way of what you think is best for you. Chosing a college is really going to change your life and you it is one of those singular decisions in life that will definitely alter your experiences and your destiny.

The best piece of advice I received before going to college was that everything happens for a reason. I found that many of my classmates agonized over picking a college or not getting into their first choice school. College is what you make of it. You can go to an Ivy League University or a community college but your experience won't depend solely on the school; the effort you put into it matters much more. You have four unique years between adolescence and adulthood to experiment with career paths and meet friends and teachers that will influence the rest of your life. Enjoy it, embrace it, and cherish it.

Don't worry about your friends are doing. Do what is best for you and if they are your true friends, you will find a way to keep in touch.

Start looking at colleges early in your high school career so a student knows what they want to work towards. Never pick a school based on a financial situation, pick the school you want to go to despite aid.

Moving across the country at the age of seventeen without family, friends or any prior connections to Boston was the smartest decision I have ever made in my life. Not to say that everyone college bound student should move away, but I tend to tell the younger generation to stick with the three C?s?Change, Challenge and Competition. I firmly believe that you will get the most out your college experience if you step outside your comfort level and surround yourself with new ideals and conditions. Diversity is a beautiful thing, and if you have not been fortunate enough to surround yourself in it prior to college?it?s the perfect place to start. Parents and students should look for a college that fosters positive change while challenging the student?s mind to successfully prepare them for the competition of beginning a flourishing career.