Northeastern University Top Questions

I would tell them to pay more attention to the little things. You don't really have to work hard to find out about a school's academics, but there's SO much more to that when it comes to getting an education. Having great classes is good but do you really want to spend the rest of your time doing paperwork or trying to find a safe place to live?

You should without a doubt visit any school that you are interested in along with consulting a guidance counselor. Talk to friends and family and read the Princeton Review or US News best colleges when looking for the right choice. In order to make the most out of your experience you should study hard and have fun but know when to do both. I highly recommend getting an internship in your field of interest as experience is a must these days. Also stay positive and focused and make lots of friends.

Visit the school if possible and read as much as you can about other majors as well just in case you decide to switch majors.

A huge thing that I love about Northeastern is that although it might be a large urban school, my department major is small. Being in the Art+Design Department at Northeastern is so helpful because class sizes are under twenty people and very one-on-one intensive. My other friends have classes in large lecture halls, and so did I when I needed to take core requirements such as history and science, but in the Art+Design Department there is a real sense of community. There are department meetings with guest speakers from all different artistic fields, and I've built good relationships with my professors for recommendations. Most of them know me on a first name basis and I've had one professor three times! Being in a small area of study makes the school seem less overwhelming, and having classes with the same students, builds bonds and helps you meet people. I'm glad things worked out the way they did, but if I were to search again I would definatly look deeper into what my area of study had to offer instead of the entire university. There can be a bbig difference!

For students, make sure it's the right fit. Some bigger schools can be overwhelming and some smaller schools can be too dull. Make sure you think out what you want out of college and how important academics, social activities, career and other things are to you. For parents, don't push any school on your children. They know what is a good fit for them and the added pressure will not help them make the best decision. Make sure you are both actively looking and talking about what the student wants.

The best advice that I would give parents looking for the right college is to first narrow down their choices of colleges by figuring out what they want to major in , what atmophere they would rather live in (urban or rural), and how close they want to be to home. After narrowing down a search (collegeboard.com is a good resource to use) then students/parents should take the time to visit each college they have left on their list. I believe visiting the college is a major part of the selection because by just looking at pictures or listening to what other people say doesn't help the student/parent to make an accurate perception of the school. By visiting the school and witnessing the college environment, it is easier/better for the student to make the right decision. In college, the student should try to make as much friends as possible because friends are what makes school more enjoyable and memorable! Students should have fun, but still work hard because good grades pay off in the end. Students should also participate in extracurricular activites as much as possible because its a good way to relax from school work.

I would advise parents and students to pick a school that is right for them. This school must be academically and financially appropriate. With the credit crunch and the unstable economy, it is becoming more and more unattractive to graduate in debt. One should choose a school that is at their level of intelligence, but not one that breaks the bank. There might be a compromise between top choice and budget, but at the end of the day it is still better to graduate a free person. As for making the most out of the college experience, I would simply recommend enjoying it. Achieving good grades, becoming independent and forging new friendships are key components to a successful stay. Join a club, a sports team or even take part in a research project. College is a great time to try new and different things. Enjoying your days as a worry-free college student are what it's all about. However, do remember to try your hardest and strive for academic excellence, you will never live these years again.