Trinity College Top Questions

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.