Otterbein University Top Questions

Never settle for the first college you visit. It is very important to visit several campuses so you know that you made the right choice for the student.

I am asked that question all the time by parents asking what they should tell their kids since I have completed three years of college and I always tell them to ask what the student really wants or needs. I know I needed a small school because of my learning disability, even though I didn?t necessarily want to go to a small school, I knew what was in my best interests. Go somewhere that will make you happy, not because all your friends are there, because more than likely you will be too busy with your old high school friends you won?t get to know other people outside of your bubble and where you grew up, not to mention you'll probably get bad grades from not being completely focused. It is a hard decision, but it is not a definite one, and your life wont be over if you happen to choose the wrong school your first time, but give it a chance and see if it works.

Don't worry about money as much as the quality of the education. Living on campus is the best way to get integrated and out in the real world faster.

I wondered how I would know which school was best. One person said, "You're going to go where you are most needed." Another said that I would go "where I was most wanted." And I believe both of those things happened. I started my research early. For me, finding schools that offered great degree programs inwhat I wanted to study was what was important to me. That's what led my research. From there I got a list of schools and applied. The college visits played a huge part in which college I picked. Actually seeing what a communter school was like dramatically changed what schools I would continue to look at. When I visited the school that I now currently attend, I had a feeling in my gut that this was the right school, that I'd be able to make a second home there. I went to the school where I was most wanted. I believe my college needed me to make it an even better school. I am fulfilled in college because I learn inside and outside the classroom. I have been getting the most out of college by using my talents to better the college.

The best advice any student could recieve is to find what is the best overall fit by making a list of things in their life they would like to continue in college. Such as community service, sports, music, etc. This will really help to organize a list of schools. Different schools offer different activities find the ones that you are most interested in! After all you will be the one involved! Also, price should not determine whether the school is right for you. All schools give financial aid and any pricey school can be made affordable by the amount of work that is put into finding scholarships, grants and loans. The money is out there; it just has to be found and for many cities there are services that help- including high school guidence counselors. Other things to keep in mind -Don't go into this process alone, help is available for all the steps of college from visits to financial aid. Don't give up if it all seems overwelming, in the end it will be worth the process. College is a very rewarding and exciting time of life and everyone should experience it.

The best advice I would give is to visit a lot of colleges and fill out as many scholarships as possible. Even if you think you have your decision made, look at other colleges because you may find a college that suits you better. Continue to fill out all the scholarships you can get your hands on because the more money you get now, the less you'll have to pay back. By doing these two things, students and their parents will make sure they find the best college for them while paying the least amount of money.

Make multiple visits to experience different tour guides, maybe even in different seasons. Meet as many people as you can and have a sit down talk with the financial aid advisors, a lot of time the advisor that is recruiting you will say anything to get you in and your financial aid may change, be wary about that. Other than that, as corny as it sounds, 'follow your heart'.

Otterbein College, being a liberal arts school, offers a very well-rounded curriculum. Because of this, you will leave the college as a very well-educated adult. Otterbein also makes a conscious effort to prepare you for the "real world" in ways that other colleges overlook. If I could give a piece of advice, I would say do not hesitate to get involved on campus. Whether you join the Greek community or the Otterbein Christian Fellowship, or one of the innumerable other opportunities for campus engagement, it is unavoidable that long-lasting friendships will be made. Otterbein is well worth the money that it takes to attend school there, but do not wait to apply for scholarships. Financial difficulties can add stress to your already stressful college career (I know from personal experience). Otterbein has a beautiful home-town campus on which it is not difficult at all to feel at home, which makes for pleasant living and visiting (for you parents out there). It is gorgeous in all seasons, and the climate is very liveable. It isn't hard to have a good time at Otterbein, all you have to do is want it for yourself!

Start the college search as soon as possible. Make sure that you visit a variety of campuses and make sure that the school of your choice has several of your favorite majors! Choose the school that you find the best even if it is expensive--there is a lot of financial aid out there, and it is very important to choose the right school for you. To make the best of your college experience, try new things. Don't put off socializing, but never miss class! You will make much better grades if you attend each class and you can have better relationships with your professors. Your professors could end up becoming your future coworkers in your career! Meet lots of new people, but remember the reason why you are at college. Make your academics the top priority, not just for good grades and scholarships, but because you are training for your future career. No one wants a C-average doctor--they only learned 70{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the required material! That is dangerous! Even if you are not becoming a doctor, you want to be the best at whatever it is that you will become!

Given my own experience in choosing a college, I would highly recommend going to the college you most desire attending no matter the amount of financial aid offered, if any. Try for all sorts of scholarships as receiving any amount will help defray costs and keep loans down. Granted, the amount of loans possibly taken out could be a bit more than is comfortable, but I strongly believe that having academic and social experiences you know you will benefit from and remember is slightly more important. I wanted to attend a college in a large city where I could discover or learn or experience something new any time I went roaming off campus. However, I chose to attend the college I'm currently enrolled in because they offered the most financial aid, and, honestly, I slightly regret the decision. I wanted something bigger than me, but I got something smaller. Chase your desires and stand up to obstacles because nothing else will satisfy you more than those experiences that will come after doing so.