Savannah College of Art and Design Top Questions

It is best to visit the campus first, even if it requires a plane ride. On paper a school might appear to be the right one for you but you wont know until you go there yourself and get a taste of the environment. I also reccommend not paying for any year out of pocket especially if it is over ten grand. Even if you have the money, you have no idea how much that will cripple you until after the fact. Find a good, trustworthy and understanding loan company to help you through. I guess the biggest advice I could possibly give is simply one word: research. Do your research on all fronts, the school, the financial aid and loans, and the courses presented within the majors. I was very much in the dark throughout my first year because I did not research and I had no idea what a student loan even WAS at the time. I do not want people to have to go through some of the things I have had to go through just to keep myself in this school. So do your research.

Make sure to visit the schools before you make a decision, consider class size and distance from home. There will probably be a compus that you walk into and say this is where I want to go. Once you're at school, take advantage of all the social opportunities and try to meet as many people as you can, they might be able to help you get a job one day, specially if you're in the arts like me.

The best thing to to look for in a college is what can they offer you and what can you give in return. Find a place where you are comfortable and know that you will enjoy learning.

Let your children decide...

Keep your options open and make sure you visit the school before making a decision.

Finding the right college is harder than high school will admit it is. Collegeboard.com is very helpful information-wise, but if you really want to get a good grasp on the school's atmosphere I suggest traveling there and checking it out. If that isn't possible than at least get in touch with someone who goes there or is a school representative. Nothing is worse than doing the paperwork, being accepted, driving down, moving in, and then realizing this college is all wrong for you. Also, choose a college that won't put too much financial strain on your family. I know it isn't right to build your future around your budget but in the end it'll be you who's paying off the loans with their .15 percent interest rate. Once you have found the perfect school, however, don't be shy. Network as much as you can. Make friends, and when you're done, make some more! College is not the time to be a shut in. So get out and have fun! It doesn't have to be all work and no play! Happy hunting and good luck!

A lot of students enter school without even knowing what they want to do. Sometimes, students look at jobs that pay the most and go for a degree that will get said job, but don't consider how much they will like it. When choosing a school try to consider what you, or your child, likes to do, and, if possible, apply that in a career. This way it is easier to figure out what kind of school, and more importantly, what degree you, or your child, will want to seek. One problem I faced when choosing my school was paying for everything. I come from a lower-middle to middle class family, and knew there was no way my family could pay for much of anything, but I didn't let that stop me. If you, or your child, is still in high school, I would suggest to keep that GPA up and steady. One can recieve much financial aid based on grades and even one's participation in extracurricular activities. There are scholarships provided by several orgnizations, too. If you figure out a plan you can pay for college even if your family can't.

The best thing to do is to go out and visit the colleges you're interested in--NO amount of text or pictures can come close to your actual, physical impressions of the school's environment.

To get the most out your college experience, look at college's professors. Find the ones you can relate with and find friendship with. Never over spend for an education, but do look for the right professors. If you find yourself somewhere with professors that aren't able to teach you (for whatever reason), then you need to look else where. You can only get as far as your education allows. A college's reputation can be a great help, but not when faced in a race up the company ladder. Just be well informed about the faculty of the college, make sure they are willing to really help you. I've found my professors at my college to be excellent, however i'm going to be in quite some debt when I leave. Be smarter in finding a place that can give you the right professors, for a price that doesn't break your bank. There is no point being in debt when there are a vast amount of good teachers from whom to gain your knowledge and skills. Also, make sure its a college you can have fun at or near, you'll need the release ;]

Finding the right college for you is all about doing research and visiting the campus. Skipping these steps usually leads to discontent for the student which results in an unsuccessful college experience. Once you find the perfect school, the best thing to do is get involved. Getting connected with students and faculty who have the same thought process and interests as you will enhance your college education. It also looks fantastic on a resume and during a job interview.