Stonehill College Top Questions

Go where you feel most comfortable. Your gut instinct is right.

My advice to parents and students about finding the right college is to both research and VISIT colleges. As amazing as a college might look on paper or the internet, it is not until you are actually on the campus and experiencing the atmosphere first-hand that you realize if the college is a good fit or not. Once you are actually enrolled in the college, really embrace the new and exciting experience that is beginning. You are going to make lifelong friends that really turn into family, and along the way you will discover SO much about yourself and grow in so many different ways. My number one piece of advice would be to put yourself out there and join different clubs/activities in order to meet new people. When you first start college, everyone is going to be in the same boat as you, so it is the best time to make new friends and really put yourself out there. Focus on the school work, but don't let that be the only thing...make sure you leave yourself time to have fun!

Realize that your undergraduate is very short, and that where you go to graduate school is what really matters. Get the best education that you can, the best GPA, and get involved! Passion will make you a success.

Do not just depend on published surveys and word of mouth. Talk to students who have had good and bad experiences at the school. Be honest with yourself as to the type of school you should be at. Why go to a school in the countryside if you are a city person? Why go to a small school not near anything if you want to take advantage of the arts and sports options? Do not let your parents overly influence you!! Get organized soon so you can get off to a good start. You will likely make mistakes as far as lifestyle goes (too little sleep), just try to minimize these issues...

Finding the right college is a long, time consuming experience. The best way to prepare for this is to research different colleges and do it often. Make sure that you apply to a few schools that are considered "safety schools" just in case, but also go after a few "reach schools." You never know what the admissions office is looking for in their students so do not be afraid to apply any where, but understand the situation you are getting into and be prepare for rejection. However, do not let rejections let you down. If you don't get into the school that you absolute love, you can always work hard at another college for a year and apply again; and you never know, you could fall in love with the school you attend at first. Visit the schools you plan on are have applied to. Get a feel for the campus and make sure that you feel comfortable in that enviorment. Also make sure to look into the school's extra-curriculur activites. There is more to college than just studying in the library, have fun.

Parents should be open minded and supportive of their child's prospects and decisions in choosing a college. Students in turn should be conscious of their parents financial situation, location, and what they want from their college experience. Freshmen should do everything they can to become involved with their school and be friendly and social. It is a new place with new people and each person has a chance to change and start fresh. Students should have fun but also remember the goal of their years ahead and to find a balance between fun and work. The great thing about college is that it becomes such an integral part of your life. You eat, breathe, and live college. Whether or not that experience is positive is decided by the student and no one else. When people say that college is the "best four years of your life" they aren't lying; make the most of it.

Make sure to find a college that is suited to your academic interestes and needs, more so then siz, location, price, or campus. if a college can not provide the academics you are looking for it is best left off the list of applications, and academics after all are the most important aspect of college

You're never going to find the perfect school. There will always be things about it that you don't like. But, talk to as many students as you can when you're on tour, through e-mail, or whatever. Be sure you get honest answers. Ask them what their favorite and least favorite parts about the school are. Determine what your priorities are for the school of your choice, and focus on that. Also consider that you'll be spending four whole years there.

Take tours and visit the colleges your REALLY considering a few times.

Look at many different types of schools.