Trinity College Top Questions

go visit the colleges you are interested in.

remain open to many options, but only apply to schools that you can see yourself going to. Be open to starting new things when you get to college--- I started varsity rowing with no past experience, became a bio major (didn't think i would, at all), etc. Exciting things you can't think of or plan may come along.

It doesn't really matter where you go, with minimal exceptions (i.e., if you are a gay Wiccan, don't go to a conservative Christian school). Everywhere you go, what matters is being able to look inside yourself and pursue the things that you really care about. If the academics at your school don't have a great reputation, challenge yourself to go deeper into the coursework, and seek out your professors for all the knowledge that they aren't sharing. Take advantage of any events that appeal to you, and don't be afraid to do things alone. If something interests you, odds are that there will already be a club that relates to it, but if not, create one (but don't take it personally if it doesn't get off the ground).

Though many high school seniors have no idea what they want to major in at college, it's important to start narrowing it down in order to pick the right school for you. Though I had a great time socially at my school, it was very small and didn't have the type of research opportunities I needed for graduate school. I think perhaps that a larger, possibly public university would have been better for me academically because of numerous opportunities for research funding. Also, it is important to pick a school that has extracurricular opportunities you are interested in. Studying is the number one priority in college, but it is also crucial to involve yourself in clubs and teams to meet new friends. I am a strong believer that a student needs to engage in activities along with studying in order to learn more. In conclusion, in choosing a college and maximizing your experience it is important to make a list of what you know you what to study and participate in and make sure the schools have these majors and clubs.

the differences between colleges are not gargantuan. if you really try you can be happy just about anywhere

There are a variety of important factors involved in choosing the right school (i.e., geographic location, cost, quality of academic programs, etc.). Yet the best advice I ever received regarding my college decision was this: "Your college is not just the place where you learn, it is the place where you live." It can seem appealing to attend a top-notch academic program or a school that is particularly inexpensive, but the decision should ultimately be based on more subtle, personal factors. So when you tour the campus, keep in mind that in addition to gathering facts about the school, you should also stop and ask yourself, "Can I really see myself living here for the next four years?" While this question may seem obvious, it is too often overshadowed by more concrete, logistical concerns. Receiving the above advice from my brother caused me to change my choice of schools on the day before the acceptance deadline - it was the best decision I could have made. Remember, a college degree is a college degree, no matter where you are. So trust your intuition and find the place where you truly belong.

Visit. Spend a night. The student body is what will make or break your years at a specific school.

First of all, the student should be the one primarily finding the right college because he/she is the one that will be attending the school. Secondly, the student should devise a list of criteria that will help narrow down the wide possibilities of universities/colleges. Lastly, the student should visit as many schools on his/her narrowed down list. While visiting each school, it is important to eat a meal in the cafeteria, talk to students who attend the school, and observe the social aspect of the students (how they interact with eachother). It is also important to get pay attention to the surrounding area of the school and make sure that it is an environment that the prospective student would be comfortable in. All in all, I do not feel that each person has that "one special school" that is destined for him/her. There are many schools that may reach the qualification of the prospective student, but it is important to attend a school that satisfies the majority of your own personal qualifications.

I would say the strongest influence is the gut feeling you get when you step on campus. Each campus had a personality, and energy to it that really is a good representation of how you feel you would fit as a part of the campus; so I would definitely be cognizant of that.

Students must take in mind not only the academic excellence of the college, but also the social environment. Of course, academics should take precedence, but especially if you will be living on campus in a new town, the people you will be spending four years with will be very important. I wish that I would have taken this into greater consideration when I was applying to schools. One tip I have to make the most of the college experience is to not be afraid to ask questions and to get help from professors. If they are good at their job, they will be more than happy to help you, even if you are not doing well in their class. It is in their best interest for you to pass their class. Don't waste your money (or your parents' money) by skipping classes or not putting your all into assignments. You might as well get as much out of your classes as you can. One piece of advice to incoming freshman: join as many extra-curricular clubs and activities as you can! You can always drop them later, but this will help you find friends in those crucial first weeks.

Seriously considered thinking about what you truely want to do rather than listening to your parents talk about their future that they never had. Enjoy your college, it will be the most rewarding four years of your life.

Look at the Course Catalogue, but more than that, ask yourself what kind of experience do you look forward to in college - ie, going to a huge football game with friends, or getting to record a cd with an acapella group, or doing research in top-level facilities, or having access to a huge research database. Whatever you love to do, look into it; see if the colleges you are looking at offer you opportunities to do what you're really passionate about.

Start off by making a geographic decision -- how far away from home am I willing to go? Then decide on what you want to pursue as a major -- if you are undecided, consider liberal arts schools! Your next decision is to choose between a large or small school (size DOES matter -- if you hated / enjoyed high school based on its size, consider those feelings when choosing a college). Apply to as many schools that interest you, BUT if there is one school that is your number one choice, you should absolutely apply early action / decision. There is usually a higher percentage accepted for this applicant pool, so it is will only help you increase your chances of getting in. VISIT the schools you are most interested in and always do an interview if you can. Be sure to follow up visits with thank you cards -- the more interaction you have with a school's admissions team, the better (it shows the school how enthusiastic you are about applying)! Be yourself, do not lie, choose your letters of reccomendation wisely, and spell check everything you submit. Get started as early as you can and try not to let things overwhelm you!

go with your gut and be positive

A great deal of my college selection came down to comparing the intangible qualities of the various colleges I visited. Unless one school has a far better academic reputation than another, or there is a huge difference in the cost, the best way to pick a college is by simply assessing how you feel when you're on the campus. Once you're accepted you'll be swamped with view books, facts, and figures but there's nothing like simply exploring the campus and meeting students. Walk around each campus for a day, talk with students, ask them if they're happy and try to imagine yourself there. Choosing a college is a hard decision, but if the goal is just to find a place that makes you happy (for whatever reason), it makes the whole process much more straightforward.

For finding the right school: Visit the schools and talk to students there. Take your time making the decision and trust your instincts. For enjoying your college experience: Get involved with groups around campus, be they clubs, sports teams or fraternities/sororities. It's a quick and easy way to meet people and make friends with common interests.

Don't let other people tell you what's best for you. You know yourself best - make a list of what you want in a school, and go from there. If it turns out you don't like the schools that come up, then reevaluate what you think you want. It's not about the name or prestige of a school - it's about what's right for you.

I think that any student looking for a positive experience needs to take time to seriously look at his or her goals in life. For example, if you're looking to go into Agriculture, don't go to a small liberal arts school. I know it sounds corny, but don't select a school based exclusively on its reputation as you may later find out that you don't feel as if you belong there. Go to a school where you feel like you can make a bond with the students you've met on your campus tours, where you feel comfortable with the faculty, and where you can imagine yourself living for all four years. Remember that whatever college you decide to go to, you will become a resident of that city and state and if you don't like the region for some reason (perhaps its political leanings for example), you'll have problems going to school there. Ultimately, you should choose a school based on your comfort level at that institution. When you finally stumble upon a school that fits your personality like a glove, you'll know you've found your new home.

In today's fast-paced world, college admissions is an extremely competitive process and even great students sometimes get left in the cold. I was a straight-A high school student with tons of extra-curriculars and awards. I wasn't sure where I wanted to go to school, so I applied to fourteen top schools in America. Unfortunately, only one accepted me. Trinity College gave me a full-tuition scholarship, which lessened the blow, but it still severely impacted the course of my education and future career. I knew nothing about Trinity and applied at the suggestion of my college counselor; when I arrived, I found the social atmosphere intolerable, but because of the scholarship, transferring wasn't an option. So, my advice to future students is to start early, research colleges extensively, choose a few that appeal to you personally - not just because they're big names - and keep your options open. Don't forget a saftey school, and don't be discouraged if your top choice doesn't accept you. At college, try to have fun even if you wish you were somewhere else. Above all, stay in school.

Talk to guidance counselors and visit all the schools you can. Do not limit based on wanting to be close to home. Get involved with everything that interests you.