Oglethorpe University Top Questions

make sure its a place you want to be

Be sure you investigate every aspect of your school. There are certain things that may seem irrelevant at the time that could affect you later in the college process such as the financial stability that affect the accreditation process of a University.

I would suggest to student and parents to visit the colleges that they are interested in and if possible stay a night on campus. Talking to professors and administration to see if they provide the services and classes you are interested is recommended in order to find the best college based on your personal interests. Also, you should look at demographics and the location to see if you'd be happy given the conditions the college is set around.

No college is going to be absolutely perfect. Each one will have its pros and cons. The most important thing is to find a school that fits you as an individual. One which will provide the facilities you feel are the most important. Also, it is important to pick a school in an area that you can live in and offers the things you need.

Visit the campus and try to get a feel for the vibe on campus, it sounds like an abstract concept but try it, ignore the facts and numbers the tour guide is giving you and see what you are feeling.

Look on the internet and talk to alumni

My main piece of advice would be to do the most thorough research possible on all the available schools. Visit them if you can, and read as much information as you can get your hands on, both the flattering and not so flattering aspects of life at that particular school. Since which college you attend is one of the most critically important decisions of your early life, no amount of information is too much.

Pick somewhere you feel comfortable and agree with their academic statement. If your college does not reflect your views then you may find yourself transformed into someone you dislike. College is an extremely important 4 years of life; these are the years that you define yourself and learn who you are. Surrounding oneself with people who are true and sharing connections will make all the difference between a great experience and one that is lacking. A small institution with professors who offer individual aid will be inspiring; nothing beats getting to know who your authority figures and role models are. If you prefer larger classes or have no preference, do not allow yourself to be swallowed up by your invisible class status; college is a once in a lifetime chance to educate and advance yourself, and not attending class or letting your attention drop too often may result in crippling yourself. The best way to survive is simply remembering to be moderate, try not to let any one thing take over and stay balanced. Pick a school where you feelsupported and you can be yourself while still gaining an education.

FInd a college that is afforadable, has reasonable accommodations, and has faculty that will help you succeed in your major.

My advice is know your self or your child. Changes happen but you have to realize that college is only what you make it.

Find a school that will challenge you and and push you beyond your limits. If you choose a school that won't kill you academically your wasting your money. Once in school, get involved right away. The first step in leadership is stepping on the stage. Be involved in several organizations across social spheres. But don't just get your name on a roll - do something, improve a process, write a new constitution, host a charity event. Get to know your professors and administrators on a personal level - you'll learn more over a beer with your professor than you ever will in class. Meet with the department heads of each major you are interested in pursuing - you might be able to avoid switching majors as a junior if you explore early on. Forget the crap part-time summer jobs - get as many internships as you can starting the summer after your freshman year. As a freshmen, get to know the leaders in the upper classes but don't forget that you can make your own decisions. As an upper classman get to know the freshmen - tutor, help freshmen move in the fall, etc. Work hard, it pays. Good luck.

Look into it deeply, visit and ask alot of questions. Fine people who attend or know others who attend and network.

Find some place that makes you feel good the moment that you step on campus!

Don't sweat the small stuff when you're looking for the right school. The color of the walls in the bathrooms of the dorms isn't nearly as important as how comfortable the school makes you feel. No school will be entirely perfect, and understanding that will make the process seem like less of a hassle. At times the task can seem daunting, but you can't let your enjoyment of the experience get drowned out in the details.

My advice to parents or students searching for that right college and the right experience is not to settle on the first school that sends you an acceptance letter. This was my mistake I made in high school. I picked a college that all my friends were going to and where I knew I would not be out of my comfort zone. Later on in my sophmore/junior year, I decided that this school was not for me and I needed to be challeneged. Parents and students should consider picking several different types of schools before making a desicion. As a student you should expand your horizons and possibilites. Apply to schools you think would be a challenge to get into, others a moderate challenge and finally your backup schools. It may be costly to apply to several schools but in the end you'll be happy you have options. Visit each school for a weekend with your parents and ask questions to understand what the campus is all about. Your college experience is a memory that will last for your entire lifetime. So make the best of it by picking the right one.

College is the best experience one could ever have in this life. It is mostly about learning and growing everyday. At first, it is very hard to cope with the new individuals as well as the environment so you have to visit your first-choice schools before you apply; sometimes they are not always how you peictured them. Do not look for ridiculous reasons such as fraternities or sororities but first research their financial plan, how many scholarships they offer, how small or big are the classrooms, and their career center

The best advice I was given when trying to decide what school to attend is this: Make a list of what you want out of school. If having a car on campus is important, major, size of classes, greek life, dorms, distance from home, or whatever else is important to you; write it down. Put that list into order by most important feature of the school to the least important. Then search for schools based on that list. Once you have your colleges narrowed down to a few choices, go visit the campus. Never underestimate the importance of visiting the school before accepting enrollment. This process should help to select the college best for you. Once at the college, do not be afraid to talk to people. If you are lucky, you will make friends with your roommates, if not, make sure to find out what groups and organizations are available on campus. As a sorority member, I am partial to all men and women going through recruitment; even if the intention is to just meet people and not to actually join a greek organization. By making lasting relationships in a school that offers what you want, you will succeed.

Start early. Planning really makes a big difference. Go visit as many campuses as you can and try to get a feel for them. Especially go visit a campus if you're seriously thinking about attending. Try to decide what size campus really fits you. If you come from a small town and are used to small classes and individual attention, a big campus may not be for you. Also, keep an open mind. Even if you're not one hundred percent on a campus, it may be worth it to check it out anyway. As far a surviving freshman year, definetly get involved in activities, put yourself out there to meet new people, and understand that it takes time to adjust. Everyone gets a little homesick at first.

First, make sure that you take everything the college tells you, via brochures, interviews, visitations, etc., with a very large grain of salt. Do your best to interview at least one alumni student and one freshman or sophmore to gather their overall impression of the school and pick their brain about anything specific. The best way to do this may be to spend a night or weekend at the school with a student while class is in session (most colleges can set this up for you). Keep in mind that a small college is great academically, yet difficult socially because everyone knows everyone and everything about them. It is also important to consider ease of transferring to another university given the unfortunate case that you are unhappy with your choice of college post-freshman or -sophmore year. Also, try to speak with as many available administrators and professors in order to get a proper feel for the college, as your instincts and impressions will be very important. Remember that careers are necessary but should not rule your life, neither your college experience. You cannot visit enough colleges. Follow both your brain and your heart; they will be true.

I would advise students to do your research in advance. Junior year in high school, student need to have a list of schools they're interested in and they need to start researching them. By the summer before senior year they should have their choices narrowed down. I would advise applying early decision so you can get it out of the way. Also, I suggest that you visit the schools you're thinking about going to, and don't just talk to fthe aculty talk to current students. They will give you the good and bad of their school. They are not going to sugercoat anything. Once at college, set yourself up on a schedule, so that you are not just studying all the time nor partying all the time. You have to balance academics and socializing. College is what you make of it. Make your own fun. Your college will have some activities planned, but it's your responsibility to carve out fun time for yourself. Whatever you do remember to balance everything you've got going on. Time management is everything. Also, don't let the freedom go to your head. Think, would my parents approve.