Otterbein University Top Questions

don't let size intimidate you. Even if you went to a small school for most of your life doesn't mean you can't adjust to a large university.

Parents usually have mixed feelings when it comes to their children and college. I know that my parents wanted to make sure that I went to the college that was right for me. For students, if you know what you want to do going into college, great for you. Selecting a college will be easier. For those who don't have it all figure out just yet, look for a school that offers classes that cover a wide variety of academics. Look for colleges that are in your price range. If they are a little on the steep side, make sure that you'll be able to pay of any loans that you will have accumulated. Also, visit the school in order to ensure that you will enjoy the college environment and be compatible with the surroundings. The college experience is very important to a student. It helps them develop life skills and make friendships that will last a lifetime. Parents may want their child to have the same college experience they had, but times have changed. And most importantly, students should be getting a well balanced education while they discover themselves and what the future holds for them.

I would tell the students to go where they want to go and not let anyone influence their decision. I would tell the parents to let the student go where they want even if they need to take a loan out. When a student finds the right college it should be for academic and campus opportunities not for social or partying reasons. A student should look at the size, area, major wanted, and opportunities. A student should spend a lot of time looking and visiting colleges. This is a very important decision. The students and parents should look before and during their Junior year of High School. The students and parents should also use their high school counselors, they are very resourceful. Lastly, the student should want to go to college, every student is ready at a different point, but i suggest students to go directly after high school. This is an exciting time for students and parents tend to get nervous. Parents need to remember they will always be there son/daughter and to let them go where they want.

If you are an athlete, do not go to a college just for sports; anything is possible and one day you may not be capable of playing that sport, therefore you need to find a college where you can comfortably take out the athletic aspect and see if it's the right fit academically. Also, find a place that feels like home to you. If you feel there is a negative vibe, whether it may only be something small, do not ignore it, you've got to make yourself happy. Parents, maybe watch you childs reactions when you're on a campus tour (if you may go on one), because in my opinion, their face says it all. Also be sure to listen to all the minor details, because as a incoming Freshman, a lot of times your kids may overlook the small but important details. As for the expereince, students, try your best to meet lot of people, the more the better. It isn't highschool anymore, cliques are not the safe way out, try to make a variety of friends. Also stay on top of your work, its easy to procrastinate, but that can easily leads to failure.

The most important thing to keep in mind when deciding on a college to attend, is personal comfort above all other priorities. Upon visiting a college you can judge on the tour whether or not it is right for you. If you feel uncomfortable with the college--whether they have an amazing curriculum or not--chances are you will not have a good experience if you applied. I chose Otterbein because of the feeling I got from reading the courses online, looking at campus photos, and hearing several alumni from my area tell me about their experience at the college. I never visited the campus, but there was another college I was looking into that I would never be able to visit before I applied as well. Ashland University and Dana College in Nebraska where my other top choices, but they did not give me the same feeling as Otterbein did. Emotion can easily get in the way with success. The best way to accommodate that is to choose a college that feels comfortable, and not overbearing. If you cannot do well in a stressful environment and that's the college you chose, you will be less likely to excel.

When looking to find the perfect college for you, there are many things to take into consideration. Location, cost, and if they have your major are some important things to look into. Parents should let their child look at as many colleges as they want because every college or university differs. Although the social life should not the reason why someone is choosing a college, it is something that a student should put into consideration. To make the most of your college experience, students need to keep an open mind. The transition from home to college is hard and difficult in to beginning for everyone, so give it time. Students should focus mostly on school because that is why they are paying so much money but having a social life is also very important in a college eduation. The first quarter of your freshman year, you should attend everything you can in order to find your place at school. Once you get involved, school will flow smoother and easier. Finding the right college is difficult but worth the time you put into it.

Look for a school that best fits you, not your family or friends. Dive into different activities that your college offers and don't give up right away.

I would tell parents not to worry about where to send their children, because it will all work out in the end. If you think your son or daughter will not be able to go to college based on financial reasons, that it not true. There is all kinds of financial aid available to those who need it. The key to finding the right college is to do research about where you would like to go, what you're interested in, and actually visiting the campus. By visiting different colleges, you can gain insight into what college life at that school is like.

I would tell students to visit the schools they are thinking about multiple times and do an overnight. College is just as much about finding the right fit and social atmosphere, you will be there for 4 years. When you get to college dive into it head first! Experiance everything you can, make the most of every opportunity you have. You will look back and regret what you decided not to do more than something you did do and not have that much fun. Finally enjoy your classes. Immerse yourself in them. You will never again have the same opportunity to gain this much knowledge in a subject you love.

Otterbein is a great college so long as you are interested in working extremely hard. This school is not known for its partying. It is also small so if you aren't into dealing with clique situations, it is not a good idea to go to Otterbein. The clique problem really isn't a problem but people do pair off into groups of friends. You have to think about what you want out of a college experience. The rumors about schools are almost always true so if you are looking for a good time, a party school is a good idea for you, they tend to have good degrees also for when you do feel serious. If you are serious about your degree and are looking for a school to get a good degree, it is a good idea to search for a dry campus. You may want to party at times and let loose but going to a dry campus gives you the structure to stay on task.

Be yourself. You need to find a college that is right for you. Don't choose a college just because your parents want it or because your best friend is going there. You have to like the college you choose. Afterall, you're going to be surrounded by it for 2, 4, or even more years. This is a place where you are going to make great friends and meet not so great people. You're going to spend a lot of time being stressed out and time laughing and having a good time. You have to be comfortable in your surroundings and have a place to just be yourself. College helps you find a carrer but most importantly college helps you find yourself.

find somethings that fits you

Make sure that you find a college that has exactly what you want for your career, environment, and social life. Also make sure that the school you pick offers the financial and scholarship programs that benefits you. Career Planning is also important, so make sure that the school that you choose is very effiecient had finding jobs that relate to your major after you graduate.

Keep your options open. Tour many campuses because you could honestly fall in love with one you never thought you'd like. There are many scholarships out there, so look for them to make college more affordable. Get involved with your college, not only will it be fulfilling for you, but you'll make lots of life long friends.

My advice would be to look at alot of colleges, don't ever settle for the first one you see. Don't be afraid to ask alot of questions. When you do get on campus get involved with everything you can, talk to random people, and make new friends! If you don't get involved you won't enjoy your college experience and you will regret it.

In terms of looking for a school, make a list of what you?re looking for. City vs. suburban? Liberal arts vs. technical? Student to faculty ratio? Financial aid offered? Decide what?s best for you and your family then start looking. Visit as many schools as possible and stay overnight as well. Talk to current students and sit in on classes. The more time invested initially to search for the right fit will mean a better experience in the long run. In order to make the most of the college experience no one can emphasize this enough: GET INVOLVED!!! College is what you make it, so if you?re looking to have a good time, you will. If you only study all the time you might get good grades, but that?s not what college is all about. Get out, have a good time. It only happens once so enjoy it while you can!

The best advice I can give is make sure you know what you can afford. Tuition, along with everything else, is raising. Also, visit the campus and ask a lot of questions before you make your decision. You will know if it's the right place for you, don't settle for anything less.

Make campus visits

go visit all of the colleges that you might think you might wanty to go to and just narrow your choices down from there! don't forget to always look for new scholarships adn think hard about what you as a student are going to be looking for when you go to school whether it be big or small. What type of surrounding area you want to be, how far you want to be from home, and what you are looking for all around in a college experience.

When I started the college search, it was the summer before my senior year in high school, MUCH later than it should have happened. As soon as you as a college hopeful, or as a parent of a college bound student know you want to go to college, and are pretty set on the fact, SCHEDULE VISITATION DATES! I felt very rushed in my college search, and decision, which could have been partly because of my big major switch from theatre to art, which I later changed again! This leads me to another important factor- it's true that it's common to change your major, and it's not a big deal. The professors at my college were very helpful in my decision to switch from art to theatre design. If your child wants to switch majors, be a good listener and do all you can to support their choices. This is a BIG step in your/their life, and don't feel like you're putting yourself into a corner, you have lots of time to choose. College is hard, but extremely rewarding, as you will meet some of the most important and infulential people of your life.