Princeton University Top Questions

From the start, one of the best things you can do is try to be as familiar as possible with schools before you apply, and only apply to schools you'd realistically want to attend. Once you're accepted, visit the schools if you can, and take advantage of all the orientation programs and information available to incoming freshman, it really helps a lot. Once you've picked a college, be enthusiastic! If your school has some kind of pre-orientation trip or event for freshman, go on it. It'll help you get comfortable before the year starts. If you know ahead of time who your rommates will be, get in touch with them over the summer. Once you're moved in, an upbeat attitude and a phone call to Mom can be the key to avoiding homesickness. And then, dive in! Take classes that sound interesting to you. Get involved in extracurriculars-- keep up with something you enjoyed doing in high school, but try something new too. Most of all, find people you enjoy spending time with and a subject you enjoy studying, and you'll make your college fit you, not the other way around.

There is, sadly enough, a great deal of luck involved in finding the "right college." You can tour all the schools you want, talk to professors, students and alumni, but in the end, it's a completely personal decision. However cliche it may sound, often enough you do get a special feeling when you find "the one." The school will feel like home, like there's nowhere else you ought to be. Above all, my advice to someone looking for the right college is to trust your instincts, regardless of school's prestige or reputation. Remember that reputation is simply what other people think about the school, and not necessarily what you will think. That being said, the college-finding process need not be a stressful one. In all likelihood, you'll be quite happy wherever you end up; the students at nearly every school will be motivated, unique, and fun, and you will most certainly be able to find classes that interest you. Remember that once you're there, the hard part is over-now all you have to do is find classes, friends and activities to do that are exciting and challenging. That's where the fun begins!

The best way to find the right college is to go with your gut feeling. Visit the school, get to know the kids, and if you don't feel comfortable, even if you don't know why, then I wouldn't consider that school. You will know the feeling when it comes, but it should be "love-at-first-sight". When I visited Princeton, it was pouring and cold. That can really ruin your outlook on a school, but I still fell in love. Every part of campus was screaming my name, and I knew it was a perfect match. In addition, it is always a great idea to go to the information sessions. They clarify a lot about the college: you can see how the school is organized and what resources are available. Also, make sure you are proud saying that you go to that college. It shouldn't be something of which you are ashamed. College will be the best time of your life. I didn't believe that before I came to Princeton, so take it from someone who had been clearly mistaken. Get out, try everything, you won't be able to once you've graduated.

Be sure you are choosing a school for the right reasons. Don't choose a school because of it's name or because of ideas you have about it. Visit the school, learn about the good AND the negative aspects of it. No school is ideal but you should be able to find one that optimally suits you. Also, don't be too pressured by others. That is not to say that you shouldn't consider the opinions of others when deciding on a school but ultimately it is you who will have to learn there for the next four years so make sure it is a place where you can thrive. "Above all, be true to yourself" --Hardy D. Jackson

During the search for the perfect college campus, I remember being bombarded left and right with advice from people whose opinion I trusted. Amidst the vocal chorus of suggestions, the most resounding piece of advice was, ?Make sure the college is the right fit for you.? But what does it mean for a college to be the right fit? For me, I realized I wanted a college in which I would be most able to achieve my goals, mainly entrance into medical school. But every student is different, that is why the most important task in finding the right college is for the student to reflect about him or herself. Make a prioritized list of your ambitions, goals and values, and then envision yourself at each university to determine at which college you will fulfill the most items on your list; because at the end of the day it doesn?t matter which university?s labs are better if you are not interested in research. Understanding your own desires will allow you to choose a college in which you will be able to grow and develop the most, and ultimately a college that will be the right fit for you.

College can be an amazing experience. I am a firm believer that if you follow your heart, wherever it may lead you, whether it be your state school, a small private college, or something completely outside of the norm, you will be happier and more likely to take advantage of what your school has to offer. Do not get too caught up in the 'name' of the college and how it makes you look to others. Your college decision is completely yours. I believe that anyone can exceed at any college if you put effort into it. It all depends on how you as a student invest your time in your studies, whether you get to know your professors and other college faculty, your ability to utilize the hundreds of resources available to you through different venues, and your efforts to become involved in social activities that will provide you with friendship and support. In the course of only four years, you can accumulate so many memorable experiences by doing what you love, putting your whole heart into all that you do, and creating the networks that will carry you far in to the future. Good Luck to you!

Students should pick a school because they feel it is the right match. Parents should be productive in helping the student through the application process, but ultimately the choice should boil down to the student's desires. There is so much to consider that it feels overwhelming, and many schools may seem like good fits. My advise is to go to the campus, talk to the people there, attend a class or two in your interest area, and get a general vibe. Your insticts will most likely lead you in the right direction, and your scholarly years will be thoroughly enriching

College is first and foremost a time for self discovery. Your experience will be not be defined by the name on your diploma or a GPA, but rather by how much insight you gain into yourself. Never be afraid to search for and purse your passions, even if they seem trivial or frivolous or unrelated to your primary studies or goals. It may be difficult, but keep yourself out of the daily rut. Always be open to trying new things and taking on new challenges and responsibilities. Because the worst feeling in the world is to be standing in that cap and gown receiving your diploma, and being flooded by regret for the things you didn't do, for the challenges you backed away from and the experiences you missed out on. Any multitude of schools can provide opportunity for exploration and self discovery. Ultimately the duty falls on you to take control of your education, to seize the opportunities your school offers, to push yourself constantly to reach and surpass your limits and limitations. With that attitude, every college is "right" and you will succeed in your passions no matter where they lie.

Send your kids to the best school academically, even if they don't like it socially.

Spend the time exploring who you are and what you want . Don't rush yourself to get on a specific "path". I would also highly recommend that incoming college freshman take a "gap" year before college.