The College of Wooster Top Questions

Finding the right college isn't easy. For me, it was a gut instinct. This was where I belonged, and I knew that after spending an overnight here. For others, there are three or four schools where they could fit - I think what helps is to evaluate the school's program. Wooster's Senior Independent Study attracted me and many of my peers, but it also dissuaded a lot of people from coming. Making the most of the school you choose is easy: Mark Twain once said, "I never let my schooling get in the way of my education." Though this adage has become somewhat trite in modern day, it's still completely applicable. College is about graduating, and getting a degree, and getting a good job, sure. But college is also about what you learn outside the classroom. I've learne works livimyself and about the way the world works living in a dorm than I ever have in an academic building.

Visit schools, overnight, and don't be afraid to challenge yourself to apply to schools just out of your reach. You don't want to end up at a school where your academic interest becomes deflated as a result of coasting and in effect a disregard to schoolwork. Also consider what types of majors you are interested in before heading to school some of the smaller schools only offer a limites selection. Despite all the other factors, your academic advancement is the main purpose of going to a college or university.

I would tell both parents and students that when choosing the right college, it is paramount that there is an ample amount of open and honest communication about expectations on both ends. There are a number of things that have to be considered, such as location, financial aid, the campus atmosphere, and just the feel of the campus in general. It is important for students to think about how often they want to be able to get home, how accessible they want their professors to be, and what type of extracurriculars, study abroad, and course options are available. Also, it's incredibly important that both parents and students visit the schools in questions, if at all possible. A lot of the college decision just depends upon the "right feel" for families. I would suggest that students just make a list of things that are really importantant and that they would really like to get out of their college experience, and choose the school that is able to meet their needs and offers the best combination of options so that the student is not only getting the best academic experience, but also the best personal experience possible to help them grow.

VISIT! Also, check out everything; from courses to extracurriculars. Spend the night on campus. Talk to as many current students as you can. Don't aim too high, choose a college that's on the same level as you both academically and financially. Talk to your future professors. Don't even THINK about going home every weekend. Don't do something (anything) you might regret later.

Overnight stays are the ONLY way to learn about a school. And make sure that you actually vist more than five kids. Colleges have many more students than the ones you'll meet. Student Org's will be your life, so find ones you like.

Make sure you find a college that fits to personality. Visit as many colleges as you can because when you visit the campus you will get a feeling that it is the campus for you. Dont choose a college because of your money situation unless you really have to. Teh college will most likely provide financial aid and is understanding with how the enconomy is. Also there are plenty of scholarships available for all types of people. When you get to campus dont be afraid to go out and meet new people. Try a party or two, but dont feel like you are forced to drink because people could care less. Also try different activities around campus without losing site of you school work. Take advantage of the community around campus and just have fun.

Make sure to visit schools more than once, and do an overnight. If you are uncomfortable on your visit you will be uncomfortable going there. Go with you gut.

Pick the place that draws your heart...don't worry about money, you can always pay it off later.

Students should go to a prospective college alone for an overnight and get a feel for how the students there interact outside of the classroom and what a typical day really is.

The name of your school won't matter as much as your experience there, unless you plan on working abroad. Try not to worry about it. Don't be afraid to branch out and study something you never thought you'd be interested in--one new subject every semester. Take advantage of the school's resources while you're there, because soon enough you'll have to pay a lot for things like a gym membership, a personal trainer, and database access. That includes going to the free tutorials offered by the information technology department and hearing guest speakers. Make lots of friends, leave your pettiness in high school, and remember that you may be nervous and stressed, but everyone else is, too. Enjoy!

Don't sell yourself short, or settle for less. College is a time and place that transforms you. It's about learning new things and expanding yourself. Become involved in the campus community through activities. Don't let first impressions turn you away from people or things. Simply put, be open-minded and involved. Allow yourself to be challenged. Don't let finances hold you back. Your education is important, and is not something to sell yourself short on. Parents of college students need to be supportive of their child's education. They also need to be open-minded.

Do not let your kid pick his/her school based on cliche criteria, because they aren't what truly matters. For example, if a campus looks like it yields some good indiscriminate sex, and that's what your kid wants, let him/her go there. The reason for that is if your kid isn't happy MOST of the time, they won't be able to concentrate on getting an education to begin with. Outside-of-class satisfaction with one's life makes it possible to learn. So be open to what your kid really wants and let him/her decide based on that.

I highly suggest visiting the schools being considered. If an overnight visit is available, it can offer a unique view of campus life. As for making the most of the college experience, the first week is vital. My campus offers a half week dedicated to first years alone. There are seminars and activities designed to give students the opportunity to meet and socialize with other first year students. The quality of your college experience is entirely up to you. You can choose whether or not you will make friends, if you will involve yourself in extra curriculars, and the effort you put into your school work. Your choices in those areas can make or break your college experience.

I think that it is really important to pay attention to your gut feeling about the school. Logistics such as academics, money, and location are important. However, I think people do not give enough credit for their instinctual feelings about a school. It is very difficult for me to explain to people why I chose Wooster because I just had a good feeling about it. Sometimes it is as simple as that. In terms of making the most of the college experience, do not be afraid to take risks and try new things. College is the optimal time for exploration and we will never really get a chance like this again. Be sure to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. You will be grateful for it later, whether it ended up going poorly or being the best decision of your life. Any experience is a learning experience.

Pick a college with a variety of opportunities. You don't know what you'll be like in 4 years, so pick a place where you can explore a huge array of options, even after choosing your major. But don't give up excellence in exchange for variety. A wide selection of poor options is much worse than a limited selection of good options. Don't resign yourself to mediocrity! P.S. Enter extension 5794 after my phone number to connect to my room phone and voicemail. (your form won't let me type that in up there)

Don't apply to too many schools; just pick five at most that are really attractive to you. If you aren't sure you can get into the schools you want, pick one really safe school where you could still see yourself enjoying college. Size, location, and programs of study should be the initial criteria for narrowing down your list, but after that the extracurricular activities, general character of the student body, and interaction with professors should help you decide where to actually apply. Be sure to visit campus and stay overnight if possible to meet actual students and professors. Where you feel comfortable will be the best choice.

Pick a college based on the community it offers. Small school vs. large school. Big city vs. small town, and also consider academics.

I think one of the most imortant qualities of a school to consider it its size. Having a 15-person class would be a wildly different experience than having a 100-person class. Another aspect that I find highly important and beneficial is the availablility of college professors. My professors are pretty much always available, and it has had a hugely positive effect in my life. The size of your college could make or break you, so consider carefully what would best suit your learning style. The only other crucial advice I'd want someone to know: be completely open-minded about the people you make your friends. I have friends now from all over the world with all different lifestyles, humors, and tastes. Many of them I hadn't liked to begin with, or wouldn't have met unless I hadn't joined the program I'm in. Many of them are not the kind of person I usually would hang out with in highschool. I'm so glad that I eventually kept an open mind, because I couldn't imagine college without any of these people.

Let them do their own thing. Let them go where they want. Be there during the whole application process - take them to visit schools, help with essays, explain paperwork, give advice when asked, but let them make the decisions. Let them study what they want - don't mess with their course choices. And above all, realize that when your child goes to College, he or she becomes an adult. The rules change. Your relationship changes. When they come home, treat them as adults. Think about how you would expect your parents to treat you if you went to visit, and treat your kid the same. Expect that they will have changed. But always be ready to welcome them. Shit happens - and home might be the one place they need to turn to. Make sure it's still there, and that it's still home.

A piece of paper can never tell you that a school is right for you, you have to go and visit. You can feel a school when you get there, and you sometimes just know. Sometimes you have to stay the night, visit some classes, talk to students and professors, but those are things you really should do, and you can't do it without visiting. Do not let a brochure and a smiling face decide your life. Schools are not always wht their brochures say they are. Only you know if a school is right for you, and to know that, you have to experience the school. No one else's experience will match your own.