Spelman College Top Questions

Pray about it.

Just days after returning home from college, I received a call that my roommate was in a fatal accident. The support I received after her death trickled down from the administration into the student body. Through help from classmates and faculty, I began channeling my grief into progressive action. If my campus wasn't founded on integrity, fellowship, and servitude, the outcome of my situation wouldn?t be the same. We cannot predict future tribulations; therefore, it is detrimental to find a college that helps its students to excel in all areas of life, and provide them with support during regressive moments. But most importantly, it is vital that the student desire to excel in his or her school environment through academic achievements, campus involvement, and social activities. To make the most of the college experience, one must realize: [We?ve] only just a minute, Only sixty seconds in it. Forced upon [us], can't refuse it, Didn't seek it, didn't choose it, But it's up to [us] to use it. [We] must suffer if [we] lose it, Give an account if [we] abuse it, Just a tiny little minute, But eternity is in it. --Benjamin Mays

I think that students should explore their options of majors. Just because a person wants to be a doctor doesn't mean that they are restrained by a Biology major. There are many roads that lead to the same goal, but the major that one chooses can make or break the college experience.

College is an once in a lifetime experience. An individual should want to select a college that they will not regret or will not make them want to transfer. College is your first chapter of your adulthood. It is the first year you are your own and you should not be dependant on anybody but yourself. There are always people there for you that can help you out but college is an introduction to the reality of life. As a student who loves to participate in activities around campus, it has made my years more enjoyable. Sometimes school can become very stressful but there is always a way to find a happy place. A person should not worry about the financial cost of school and how much they may spend. There are always ways to help pay for tuition: scholarship, loans, financial aids, and internships. When you are looking for a college, figure out what will benifit "you" in the end. Determine whether the school has your major or programs that will correspond with your goals in life. Each step through college is a learning process and it helps an individual become a stronger person.

I will begin by saying that research is key! Be knowledgeable of not only the schools' campuses, but also the areas surrounding them. The environment in which you dwell as a student plays a huge role in your success during your matriculation through college. When comparing potential schools be sure to consider areas such as academic leadership, competiveness, scholarship opportunity, population (background/size), and anything else important to you. Remember that college is not only about written work, it's about the experiences that you will gain as well. Networking and establishing healthy relationships with peers and others are essential, even to life after graduation. If you are unsure as to what it is that you would like to focus on, it is ok! You have time to learn your passion, your TRUE passion (if you do not already know). My college experience has been the best thing that has happened to my life. I would not trade in or redo one moment, even those that were not so great when they took place. Maturation is greatly coupled with college tenure. If you remain faithful and true to self, balance will be ever present!

Spelman College is an excellent school! The student community, faculty, and alumna are highly invested in the success of Spelman to achieve it goal: producing Women that Serve. I would have made no other choice, and if you are considering this school, I think you are making an excellent choice for your future. Not only will you make life-long friends of both genders, but you will also boost your future. This school plays no games with academics and expects you to excel. High expectations coupled with exceptional faculty is a formula for a Spelman Woman. A Spelman woman is a woman with purpose, motivation, and vision. Trust me, as I speak for my Spelman Sisters, we are always on the move, shaking things up and making changes for the better. I love this school, and if you attend becoming my Spelman Sister, you will too.

If I could give any piece of advice, I would say that the student and their parent should go and visit in person whatever school the student is interested in attending. When you get to the school and while you are doing the tour, ask as many questions as you can think of (no question is a stupid question when you need answers about such an important matter). When the student gets to college, the most important thing I can say is that the student should have fun. Not all the time though but just enjoy the college experience. Also pick a major based off of what interests the student and not based off of what the parent wants.

I would encourage parents and students to find students who are attending colleges of their interest because current students are the best source of information for prospective students. If they can afford to visit the school I would encourage the students and or parents to visit the school, talk with the professors and then attend events hosted by or attended by the students and faculty who are at the school of interest. Visiting the school and reaching out to a current student will allow the students to find out if the environment is helpful to his or her goals while in school as well as connect to people who can provide a candid perspective of the school. Research student organizations, look at the drop out and matriculation rate and also research where most of the student go after graduation, i.e. professional school, work force, travel/fellowships, etc.

Choosing the right college is truly a personal decision. People can visit colleges and still feel as though the school is not a right fit for them. The student should ask their peers and teachers about schools that fit any interests that they may have. I applied to many different schools in different states; reaches, mediums and safeties. The student should do the same in case certain circumstances arise where they are not admitted or cannot afford the school of their choice. Also, if the student is admitted and cannot afford the school, the student should contact the financial aid office. I borrowed large monetary sums during my freshman year, but I perserved and received scholarships every year after. The parents of future college students should instill responsibility into their child. I do not recommend that the student get a job during their first year of study. The first year is so crucial because the GPA is built and students adjust to new surroundings. When in school, the student should strive to do well in class and extracurricular activities. The student should place classes first before anything else because everything important such as internships and scholarships depend on classroom performance.

The best advice I would give you about finding the right college is to step out of your comfort zone and try something adventurous. If you are used to being near home go to a college away from home. If you are used to being around the same people all of your life then go to a college where you won't know many people. College is all about meeting new people, learning about who you are and about others, and finding what you love to do, where you want to go, and testing you of how strong and dedicated you are to get there. College is all about failing obstacles to learn the best way to approach new ones. Only succeeding in college gives you neither the real college experience nor a dose of reality. Realistically, you will not succeed 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the time in life, and in figuring that out in college you learn what you want to do and how to do it. The experience you allow yourself to have at the college you choose will depend on whether the school is right for you or not. So, be risky and try something new.