Seattle Pacific University Top Questions

In high school, all I could think about was Graduation. I was so focused on that one day that I didn't fully comprehend the fact that Graduation was not my destination, merely one more rung in the ladder of my life. In hindsight, I would tell myself of a year ago to view Graduation as merely another individual event, and truly focus on what lies beyond the threshold of my high school experience. I would encourage myself to remain focused, hardworking, and involved during high school. Even though it is just a passing time period of my life, high school very much set the stage for the success and progress in my current pursuit of a higher education. Throughout high school I held myself to unrealistic expectations and never rewarded myself with positive reinforcement. Support from yourself is just as necessary as support from others. My final words to myself that I wish I had heard earlier in life are, "Stay true to you. Stay focused. Live it up. Work never ends, but high school does."

Don't compare yourself to others. These would be the first words of advise I would give myself if given the chance to go back in time. College means you are becoming an adult; there is no coming home when you graduate. It is easy to talk about being mature and independent, but actually living that way is a completely different story. Many of my friends went to private liberal arts colleges and hence I felt obligated to have my own small school experience. However, as I look back upon my choices and current situation I would advise myself to realize that college is much like buying a car. Make sure you are getting what you pay for. Just because the sports car looks cool and helps you with the ladies, doesn?t mean that it's the right choice for you. More and more I realize that education needs to be my focus not my social life. Figure out if the schools you are looking at are truly worth the cost and have the programs you want. There is no shame in going to community college if you have no idea what you want. You are not your friends.

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself that I am no where as smart or as talented as I think I am. A lack of self-esteem has never been my problem and I was briming with confidence during my senior year of school. Not only was I a top student, but I was involved in many extra curricular activities including student council and varsity sports. I had a solid group of friends and a steady boyfriend. As i prepared to leave for college I remember thinking "I hope this whole college thing meets my expectations". Ha! I thought I was smart; I met students who had published articles in scholary journals. I thought I was talented; I met filmmakers, artists, singers, actors, and musicians. I wish that I had the humility to have embraced these people whole heartedly and been able to get to know them better. But no, I wasted a good part of my freshment career feeling competitive and always wanting to prove myself. If I could go back, I would tell myself that I am no where as great as I think I am, but thats ok.

Really make sure that it will be a good fit for you- make sure that you really like the school's environment, and also make sure that the money situation is handled ahead of time. It's also important to decide how close you want to be to home.

First thing first is to decide what area of the United States you want to study in. Narrow down your search by region. Then, I would make a list of things you do or don't want to happen at your university such as no drinking in the dorms, no sororities or fraternities, ethnic diversity, etc. Read school policies and talk to people you know about if certain schools adhere to your lists. Don't let money be an issue! I didn't apply to my school at first because it was too expensive, but expensive private schools are willing to give out a lot of scholarship money to desirable applicants. Apply everywhere you'd like to go, even dream schools, and see what the schools offer you.

For students, try and visit your colleges you want to apply to. Sit in on some classes, try the food, explore some, talk to students (dont just ask information questions about the college. Just talk to them you would someone at your high school). Make sure you college as a good program for not just your desired major but other majors you think might be fun. A lot of students change their majors. Also note the area in which you school is in... do you want to live in a big city, a college town, or in the middle of nowhere? As for making the most of the college experience, study abroad if travel is something you want to do. Participate in things that "seem interesting" ". Just do them the more you do the more good experiences you'll have. Also be easy going, especially with roommates. Dont let little things bug you cause if you do living with them for a year can be hell. Parents, dont force your kids to go to your school! Support them and be prepared to let them go! Oh and they love you even if they dont say it or dont call often.

I grew up on the island of Sri Lanka and applying for colleges in America was a daunting task for me, simply because I had no idea what was coming. I debated long and hard about what I was looking for and in the end formulated a list in my mind of what factors I prioratized in a school. I wanted a medium sized liberal arts college with small class sizes and I wanted financial aid. Applying to an expenisve private school seemed stupid at the time as money was short, but my advice would be to go for what you really want...it paid off for me. Not only did I get into SPU, I got a wonderful financial package and I am absolutely loving it. To make the most of one's college experiance, I would say invest in quality friendships. Decide on taking an easy first quarter so you have time to explore, test the waters and settle down. Get involved with things you enjoy and learn about things you want to know about. Make the most of your opportunities because being a young college student is something that comes around just once. Realize you are privileged.

There's no such thing as finding the right college. There is no specific college out there perfectly designed for you. But there are good colleges, great colleges. I think one of the most important factors in making the most of the college experience is one's attitude. If you recognize that the school won't be perfect, you may begin to appreciate the little aspects of your college that are what you have been looking for. The key to making the most of the college experience? You. It's not about the school spoon-feeding you fun or an never-ending supply of friends. It's about discovering, no, taking the opportunities the school provides; it's about purposefully seeking out those with whom you'd to be friends. Carpe college.

I believe that a college experience is much more than an expensive education. Living in close quarters and learning mounds of material amidst the transition from child to adult cannot be likened to anything less than a hurricane. Yet, a college experience is comparable to learning how to love the hurricane, to surfing on the waves while the wind tosses the water this way and that. Given that making it through college is somewhat of a fight, it is paramount to capitalize on the experience by finding the best fitting college for each person. This can be done by visiting the school and seeing if it operates with a vision similiar to your own. In some cases, the mission of a university will be difficult to understand; for some, it will be utterly clear. The closer a school's mission statement is to your own, the more applicable your education will be to the rest of your life.

Know what you want. If you can't figure that out before you get to school, at least have a good idea of what you don't want. This applies to every aspect of college life. If you don't know what you want to do with your career well enough to let that be the largest influence in your decision, know what kind of lifestyle is going to keep you satisfied while attending school. Do you want to live in an urban area or a rural one? Do you like the rain? The snow? What sports do you want to play in college? When you know this information, make sure your criteria is met by the university you choose and the city it's located in. Your physical, social, and emotional contentment at school are vital to your academic success. Don't opt for a perceived academic advantage at a school if it means sacrificing those things that will keep you happy.

The right college isn't just an education, it's an experience. Make a list of what you want in a college: price range, specific degree programs, location, etc. Narrow down a short list of potential campuses, then visit those campuses. Academic and financial concerns are important things to consider, but if you don't like a college, even if it otherwise seems perfect for your goals, it will be difficult to make the most of it. If it doesn't "feel right," then it probably isn't. Once you've found the right college, enjoy it! Make an effort to get involved in campus life, meet new people, and make your college experience worth every dollar of tuition. Join a club, volunteer your time, whatever interests you, but make the effort. The college will give you the education; it's up to you to make the experience what you want it to be.

When choosing a college it should be based on what will best prepare you for your future career. Money, Alumni Relatives, etc should not make or break your decision when choosing a college. Don't just go to a college so you can brag. Go to college to get an education. It doesn't matter if it is a community college or a private university, as long as you are happy. Once you are in that college of your dreams, be sure to get involved. A healthy balance between academics and social life is crucial in making the most out of this once in a lifetime opportunity! Help in the community, join crew, join school clubs just to get a taste at how diverse your school is! Staying cooped up in a dorm room or with your nose in a book won't get you anywhere except burned out. Live your college experience, and get all that you can out of it...it'll be gone sooner than you expect!

When I was choosing a college, I worked with my parents to find schools we both felt positive about, but my parents ultimately let the decision be mine. We prayed together about it because God is the source of wisdom and ultimately plans the course of each person?s life. Weighing the options to find what is best for you is one of the hardest parts of deciding. My brother always advises me to ?do what you want to do.? Explore different fields; figure out your passions; make goals. Prioritize which activities and relationships are most important to you, and have the discipline to refuse extras. Learn to be the person you hope to become instead of comparing yourself and trying to model yourself after others. While students will always be encouraged to ?get involved,? carefully guard your time. Balance, in activities and relationships, is vital to college success. There will be enough time to participate in the multitude of opportunities available. Make time for relationships, but realize you cannot be everything to everyone. The pressure during college is to avoid missing out on anything, but realize that you will experience exactly what you are supposed to.

VISIT THE SCHOOLS AND TALK TO THE CURRENT STUDENTS TO ATTEND THERE! BEST ADVICE!

The most important thing to focus on while selecting a college is making sure that you will be in a place that you enjoy. If you like nature, find a college that has a lot of emphasis on nature. If you like the city, find a college in an urban environment! If you are not enjoying your school, chances are you won't do well academically or socially. Although some of the more prestigious schools would look better on a resume, if that kind of school does not fit your personality, do not attend it. The experience of college can be so rich and filled with enjoyment. Find a school that fits your personality. Success will come to you much easier if you are comfortable with your environment.

As you searchfor a college you will probably be a little stressed. I would tell you not to be but I don't think it would do much good so instead I would say this to hopefully ease your mind: anxiety is normal. Almost everybody feels this way so don't go feeling like you are the only person who doesn't have their future completely figured out. As far as actually picking a college, visits are priceless. I can't tell you how many visits I went on thinking I was surely going to attend a school and then ended up walking away shaking my head. A visit gives you a quick look at the true atmosphere of the campus and goes far beyond any website or brochure. Once you have chosen a college and have settled in, engage! I heard a disturbing saying the other day, "Education seems to be in America the only commodity of which the customer tries to get as little he can for his money." Don't let this happen to you. Don't get bogged down in just your major, but instead explore all of the resources and avenues your university offers. Enjoy.

In order to find the best college for the student one needs to sit down and decide what he or she wants to get out of his or her college experiance. Do they want the party atmosphere, a quiet one that is known for their intense majors, or just something for them to get through in order to obtain a decent job. Or if one wants to do sports, music, theature one must pick the school that relates to his or her specific needs. The student also needs to choose if they want a school close or further from home. If he or she is okay with not seeing his or her family for a month or two at a time then they will have no problem being farther away, if the student is a home body then he or she should stay close but stay on campus. Staying on campus whether close or far from home THE BEST way to make freinds, get involved in groups, form study groups and feel less stressed about the college transition. One must stay on campus at least the first year of college.

College has been the most enriching season of my life. I know that the task of choosing "the right college" can be a daunting endeavor, but it is also exciting. The opportunity to apply to several institutions is a blessing, so don't view it as a burden, but rather embrace it with joy. I applied to eight different colleges and highly recommend this approach. Also, I cannot stress enough the importance of visiting each campus. When comparing and contrasting each school, you will be surprised to find how easy it is to condense your list. I found much security in the knowledge that I had many open doors. In the end, I chose the school which gave the most financial aid along with offering a quality education and a healthy social and spiritual atmosphere. I have learned that immersing yourself in an uplifting environment is equally as important as the academic rigor of a university. These two components work together to make your college experience something you are passionately excited about. I am eager for you to embark on this journey. Whatever you choose, remember to fully invest on an academic, social, and spiritual level, and enjoy the adventure.

My advice would be to pray. Ask God what school He has planned for you. Once you arrive at school, be glad you are there! Make the most of it. Don't think right off the bat about regrets or of other schools or stories of friends' experiences. This is your college experience. Nothing else will be quite like it. Do well in school, but don't shy away from being social. It's hard to find a balance but you will. Try new things and explore the area around your campus.

Don't stress. Choosing the "right college" is a big decision, but it is not the biggest decision you will ever make. Some of my most intense tears and sleepless nights were spent over my struggle to decide which college to attend. I feared so much that I would pick the wrong school and be miserable for the rest of my life. Looking back, I recognize that college is genuinely what YOU make of it. Often, you won't know what makes a college good until you get there, anyway! Therefore, while specifics are important, I really do not believe there is a "wrong" or "right" answer. Instead of stressing over factors such as location, size, and school mascot, do your best to commit yourself to a college which best exemplifies what you love. Think of college as a home; search for a "home" that will challenge you while enabling you to achieve your dreams. Once there, surround yourself with positive people. Be a friend. Get involved; it doesn't matter what, just try new things. Sooner or later, you will find something that clicks. When that happens, pour yourself into it and invest your heart, mind, and soul.