Stanford University Top Questions

It is absolutly essential you understand the actual environment of the university, not the one that is presented at open houses, etc. Identifying whether you can intergrate into the student culture is what will make of break your college experience.

Find a safety school that you LOVE. That way, you know you'll end up somewhere great! Seek out opportunities that interest you, and always find advising or counseling if you find yourself struggling.

Dear Prospective Universitarian, Congratulations on deciding to make this big investment in your future! To prepare for such a huge leap, talk to current students at length about how to get off to a good start. The beginning is crucial to you success, and nothing is more important than finding balance and thus honing your study skills, or obtaining thses skills if necessary. Find out about all the procedures for enrollment, tuition payment, and inscription in clubs and organizations before getting to campus, because when the school year starts rolling, it goes fast! Embrace all college has to offer, and don't be afraid of new adventures. If you keep school your priority but honestly embrace a variety of challenges, these will be the best four years of your life! Dear Parents, You must give your baby freedom to explore, because he or she is no longer a baby! But do keep your finger on your child's pulse to be there to provide support if need be. Don't worry too much, because if you have a healthy relationship and not an overbearing or too-distant rapport, all will work out. His or her happiness is the ultimate goal.

Don't be afraid to apply to big-name schools. You just might get in. And if you do, attending a big-name school may be the best thing that ever happened to you. If you apply and don't get in, don't fret. There are hundreds of good schools in the U.S., and you'll likely visit a few of them. Attend the one that "clicks" with you. You'll walk onto campus, and it will *feel* right. Go with this gut feeling and know that, if you are *happy*, you will do a better job academically than you would if you went to a school you didn't like, one that made you *unhappy*. It is a combination of your love for a school and your willingness to work hard while attending it that makes the college experience worth the money it requires.

When it comes to finding the right college, the best advice I can give students is to follow their hearts. It sounds cliche, but I truly believe the more honest students are throughout the application process, the more likely they are to find the right match. Finding a college is similar to finding a significant other - if you compromise love for reputation, there's a good chance the match won't work. In other words, I feel as though many students place too much emphasis on attending a prestigious university rather than the university that fits their individual needs. Certainly these schools have reputations for a reason, however, what may be a more important factor to consider is the environment in which the learning is taking place. How competitive are the students? How large is the university? What extracurricular activities are available? Students should should place more emphasis on matching their personalities with the schools personality than simply rely on prestige. By approaching college in this fashion, students will not only become more efficient in their learning, but will have a more memorable, comfortable, and fulfilling college experience.

It really isn't about attending a high-status college or majoring in something "practical." College is a chance to explore the self and discover what you love, the things that scream out loud to you. Wherever you end up, you will find it if you are able to keep a positive attitude and work for it. I would advise to visit schools you're interested in, write your heart out in your college admissions essays (don't try to sell yourself; rather, try to put you on a page and write about what's most important to you, or who you are). Be willing and open to new types of situations; college tends to push your boundaries and make you tolerant of all lifestyles and types of people. And remember that it's your life--don't work so hard that you're not enjoying yourself, and make sure to find the work that allows you to enjoy yourself while you're working. Most importantly, take everything with a pinch of salt; that is, don't accept anything you're told or taught without challenging it first and ensuring that it's what you want to do. Good Luck!

I think it's more about what you put into it than really about "finding the right college." I think most people can have great experiences at most colleges. I know it might sound cliche, but once you're there it's all about balancing academics and social life and making sure you don't neglect either one. Ask for help if you need it...mental health services, tutoring, anything. People are more understanding than you think. Make friends with people who aren't your same year...you can help each other out in different ways. Make friends with people in your major so you can study and discuss career plans together. Also make friends with people outide your major to keep your horizons broad. Get involved with people and activities you care about. Keep in mind that some majors require you to get on track as soon as you walk in the door. Still, don't worry too much...things will work out.

Not everything changes once you get that dorm room double. I guarantee the things that were most important to you before you arrived will still define you if you do not give them up. Most students enter college thinking they have to be able to do everything, from musical hobbies to being a club president. The truth of it is, you only have to be yourself. Just do what you do, and whatever it is, it will have brought challenges that made your perseverence even more significant. Find the aspects and activities that give you the most joy in knowing who you are, and choose the school in which you can see yourself continuing on that path. Be an expert. If you love West African drumming, don't leave the drum at home. You may find yourself, as I did, West African Drumming Instructor for a 30 year-old student group. Pick the college that enables you to be the person you want to be. Part of knowing yourself is doing what you love, and college is all about that self-knowledge that gives each person the strength to find greatness in their own lives.

I think one of the most important things in deciding what the right college is is the expectations that you have for your college career. What kind of career are you looking for, how hard are you willing to work, what kind of a social life do you want to have? During my college search process, my parents were very encouraging and didn't limit my options (within reason). Go to school with an open mind, expect that you won't know your major and what kind of career you'll want right away and that it could change several times while you are in school. Get involved in activities on campus - try some new things you've never done before. Go to all of the social events you can and be friendly to everyone. Meet as many people as you can! Take as many opportunities as you can. College is one of the most unique and wonderful experiences that any young person can have. It's a gift.

You've been filling out forms and checking boxes for the past five months of college applications, and it's easy to think that you can categorize schools as well- big or small, city or suburban, public or private. But what sold me most on my university of choice, was the overall demeanor of the students. They are driven, focused, aware, and overall, happy. I believe the most important factor in determining whether a school is right for you is the culture of that school-- the everyday activities and demeanor of the students. It's something that can't be categorized or checked off, only heard directly from the students, and felt in your own heart. I am also a firm believer in the words of Nathaniel Hawthorne, "Human nature will not flourish, any more than a potato, if it be planted and replanted, for too long a series of generations, in the same worn-out soil." College is a chance to sink your roots into a completely new type of soil, with nutrients of which you never dreamed. Take the opportunity to go somewhere that will challenge you and change you.