University of Maryland-College Park Top Questions

The most important advice I can give is to think only of one thing when choosing a college: "Is this a place where I can see myself being happy for the next few years?" Don't think about rankings. Don't think about where your friends are going. Don't think aboutthe fact that one of your dining hall chicken fingers was mostly breading. Because once you're there, and especially after you leave, these aren't things you'll think about again. It doesn't matter if your college is ranked #7 or #75-- what matters is challenging yourself and exceeding expectations. It doesn't matter if your friends aren't nearby, because you'll make new friends. (Not to mention visiting your friends at other colleges makes for a great road trip!) Most importantly, don't forget to experience as many things as possible. You will never regret trying something. While it may not seem like it now, your time in college goes by in a flash. Choose your school based on the opportunities it gives you to become a more complete and fulfilled person, and you will always look back on your years there with a smile.

Visit the colleges you are applying to. Look into the academic programs you are interested in. Talk to faculty and current students. Take into account the social climate of the campus and the surrounding area. Think about what size college you are interested in. College is so much more than classes, you have to make sure the campus community is what you want. When you're at school, make the most of the people you can meet and the experiences that are available. There are opportunities offered at school that you will never have again, use them.

It is important to not only look at the numbers when thinking about what college to attend. You should visit a college and try to get a first-person account of what the school is all about. This includes participating in a school visit and trying to meet students or faculty at a university. School visits allow you to see the what a school is really like instead of what a brochure may tell you.

look at programs that may interest students in teh future

It doesn't matter where you go. College is what you make of it. You can go to an Ivy League school, but if you don't take advantage of the opportunities outside the classroom--extracurriculars, developing relationships with professors, job experiences and research opportunities, etc.--you won't be as well off as the student who goes to a less prestigious school but takes advantage of all of the benefits the school has to offer. Join groups, attend special lectures, study abroad, go to the career center, and make friends in and outside your dorm and you will truly have a great college experience .

The ultimate advice I could give prospective students searching for the right college is simple: use your brain, follow your heart. Make sure you investigate and research potential schools and programs you are interested in, and make sure you visit campuses to see if the school is a good fit for you. A school that looks good on paper may not be the best fit for you in person. Also, make sure you check out a variety of different schools, from big universities to small liberal arts colleges to make sure you see the varieties of schools to make sure you are making a well informed decision.

To choose the best college, I would suggest that students visit several campuses and spend time with current students. All admissions officers will give you the best information about the school and try to get you to attend their school. They're not trying to help you make the best decision for yourself. Students will tell you truthfully what they like and dislike about a school and from that, you should be able to choose based on the things you desire out of a college. As far as maximizing the college experience, I would say stay focused, be openminded and stay true to who you are. Its easy to loose a sense of who you are, especially at a large school, if you dont have some sense of your personality and morals. College is for learning so make sure to spend enough time and effort on actual school work. Fit the extra stuff in around class and homework. Lastly, be openminded. You can learn alot about life and yourself from the people you will spend the next 4 years with. You can also discover new things to do and have tons of great new experiences.

Make sure that you visit each college before and after you apply. You may really like a school on paper, but your opinion can change dramatically once you see the school in person.

College is a major part of life. It can drastically shape who you become and what you will do with your life. Deciding where to attend is not something that should be rushed or taken lightly. The best thing you can do when picking a place is to not limit yourself by money or your grades. Look for places that seem to be the right size and that have the major you're interested in, and then go for it. Shoot for the moon, as they say, even if you miss, you'll land amongst the stars. Once you get to college, live life to the fullest. It really is the only time in your life when you'll be free of most responsibilities and living by no one's rules but your own. Join clubs, get involved, and be as outgoing as humanly possible. If you live by these rules, you're sure to make friends that will stick with you for the rest of your life. Try to learn as much as possible about as many things as possible, who know s when you'll be back to school? Most of all, have fun!

do not use/pay for a college counsler