Simpson College Top Questions

I would advise them to visit and ask questions. I would also advise them to look at all of their options and choose one that's right for them. I would advise students to get involved, whether it's intramurals or other activities. I did and that's how I met other people and I had fun doing it.

Take your time, find the school that fits you the best. Do not give in to peer pressure when selecting a school. Always go with the school you feel is the best one for you. Go with what your heart, gut, and head tell you. Parents, don't nag your kids. And kids, be patient with your parents, they are only trying to help you. Talk about college choices and respect each other's opinions.

Diving in to the college search is incredibly scary. Before a prospective student even begins to look at schools, they need to evaluate a couple of key decisions. I personally found the size of school to be one of the most important decisions. Larger schools offer more programs and options, but smaller schools tend to be more relational and allow students to get involved in multiple extracirriculars. Believe it or not once schools are narrowed down to size, they become increasingly similar. Whether looking at state universities or private colleges students need to look at the little things and keep their best interests in mind. They should weigh location, academic programs, extracirricular interests, living conditions, dining options, etc. Students must evaluate what is most important to them in a school. In addition, when visiting prospective colleges, the student must feel at HOME. The campus could potentially become exactly that. It should be comfortable and appeal on a level that cannot be explained. The search is exciting and can sometimes be a little frustrating, but in the end students find a new community--one that will shape their life over the course of next four years.

I chose a college based on the friendly feel. Sure it was a friendly feel, but it did not fit my interests, socially or academically. Choose on a school on academics and whether you will fit in. Think about what environment will help you become who you want to be.

You can never look at too many colleges. Overall, yes, the education you can recieve from a certain institution is quintessential; but social atmosphere greatly affects your everyday life and psyche. You must be in an environment you can learn in to pull everything you want to from the college experience. Along with this however, don't underestimate your ability to adapt and to grow from a bigger and more diverse environment. Especially this day in age, there is inescapably the need to branch out and understand our world.

Visit the college. If you don't already know someone who goes there, try to probe your student tour guide to see how they really feel about what's important to you. Coming to college does involve compromises but you should feel like you're just living in your second home rather than out of place.

My biggest piece of advice is to research the college and visit the college for themselves. Once you visit, you will know for sure if the college feels right or if it doesn't. Ask a lot of questions and ask non-biased students what it is that they dislike about the college and their favorite part about that college. After the student has decided on a college, I would reccomend living on campus. This way, the student will have many more chances to meet his or her peers and to get involved. Getting involved will enhance most student's experiences with college. A final piece of advice is to take time deciding on a major. Don't let anyone tell you what a "good" major is or a "bad" major. The one that has to live with that career and major is the student.

Find a place that feels like home. A place that you walk on to and know. If that never happens, find the place that works for you not a place where you work for them. It's your money, your education. Make the most of it!