University of Notre Dame Top Questions

Can you see yourself living here for the next four years? While some schools have great academics and others have a great location or social atmosphere, it takes a special place to provide both. It is important to always keep in mind that where ever you end up will not just be your school, it will be your home, and it might have a wonderful academic reputation, but if you cannot be happy living there, it does not matter. Of course it is important to keep the caliber and reputation of the institution in mind, but that is only part of the picture. Make sure that you find a place that will be challenging enough mentally, but do not choose a school just on reputation. Visit, and when you do, picture yourself there not only as a student, but as a resident and a part of the community. If you feel at home, chances are that it is because of the whole package, academically and socially, and that is how you know you have found the place for you.

Find a college that suits the needs of the student. While a job and career are important, having the right friends, right connections, and set goals help to keep you focused even through the toughest of times. Grades and school get tough, but as long as you put forth the effort, professors are willing to help you out and will extend a hand to push you in the right direction.

find the school that fits the best, not necessarily the best school you get into

Look at every type of college, from big to small, city to rural, before making any decisions. Choosing the college that is right for you is about more than just finding the right fit academically; its about finding the right fit emotionally and socially too. Without the right school you won't have the best college experience possible, and that's not something you want to find yourself regreting in the future. You should try to visit the schools you are considering applying to, and when you do, pick up and read a student produced newspaper. This is one of the best ways to get to know a school that you won't find through the admissions office, and if you find that you simply "click" with some of the thoughts and ideas in the paper then you already know you will click with the people behind those thoughts that already chose that school. If I could offer one bit of advice to a high school senior it would be that its not about finding the best school in the country, its about finding the best school for YOU.

Visit the college, you will get a huge feel of how you would fit in. Also, don't worry about how much it costs, there's always money available to help out. Go to the school you love.

When trying to find the right college, my best advice is to go with your gut instinct. When I first walked on to Notre Dame's campus I knew it was a place where I could see myself. Then, after talking with students and professors, I knew it was also a place where I could be happy for four years and receive a good education. Keep an open mind when visiting colleges but trust your intuition. As for makng the most of college, realize from the beginning that it goes by before you know it. Don't be shy, learn how to look someone in the eye when you introduce yourself, and take every opportunity to meet people. Also, get involved in activities early and find out what makes you happy. Don't always put academics as a priority- sometimes an hour of less studying that can be spent with a friend in need is well worth it. If you're like most people, the friends you make in college wil become a huge part of your life- you won't know how you ever got along without them. Enjoy it!!!

Visit the school.

Visit the college with the family and ask many questions. If possible, go/stay with a student there and experience the real college first hand. Make sure the college is appropriate with you career choice or major, or offer diverse classes for the undecided.

I would say to go and visit the schools or universities and apply to several . I applied to seven universities and was very surprised by the different levels of financial assistance offered by each school. I applied to six universities in my home state and one out of state. I am actually attending the most expensive university (out of state) from the seven that I applied to, however the least out of pocket for me and my family! It was hard at first being away from my family, but it's helped me grow up and also helped me to appreciate my family that much more. Time management is very important, especially if you are in sports too. So have some fun, but know when to get back to work! It goes by fast, before you know it you will be graduating. I can't believe I will be graduating in May 2009! You can't go wrong with getting your degree, it's something you will never regret!

When you are looking at colleges, consider first what aspects of life are most important to you and what you'll want to continue doing and what you'll want to explore in college. Make sure schools you consider have those things. Then be open-minded. Don't just look at the schools that are well-known; look at all of them that come your way and see how they might fit you. You only choose one, but you may as well learn about many. Then learn more about the ones that seem to fit you. Finally, and most importantly, go visit the school. Stay overnight and attend a class in a major you are considering. Without setting foot on the campus, you cannot know if you will want to call it home for the next four years. Hopefully, one will just feel right.

Do what feels right to you, and don't let others or other circumstances influence you. The next four years of your life are yours, and only you should decide what is best for you. Yes, getting a good education is very important, but you also need to grow as a person. Choosing the right school for you is not just about the academics or the reputation but also about comfortable you feel in going there and how it can help you develop your identity.

Make sure the school is the best fit for what you are looking for. Don't be one dimensional with your search and base everything solely on one aspect of a place. Take a look at everything and consider all of it before making your choice. Your college of choice will be your alma mater forever. In my opinion, if you choose wisely, you will never regret ANYTHING.

I would say that the student should assess what he or she wants out of a college experience and start from there. Ask questions when visiting which are important to you. Decide how much weather and work load will affect their general overall happiness and the facilities are more important that most people give them credit for. Find something the student is passionate in. Give everything that seems interesting a chance, try it out, college is the time to branch out and find passions and interests. Overall, just enjoy life, and know that you can make a place your own, or transfer.

For parents and students I would strongly advise a visit and sit-in of the courses the student would be interested in. If possible two different visits is best, on in the fall during the football season and again in the spring when the campus is quieter for a good feel of the different seasons, both natural and personal.

I would suggest trying to find a college that fits the students own personal academic ability and has a good program for what the student might be interested in. For many, it is also important to keep in mind the distance the school is from home, but this need not be something that would get in the way of an otherwise perfect fit in a school. It is always important to weigh the level of academics a school offers, the various sports and organizations available at the school for the student to get involved in, the overall size of the school, whether it is public or private, and whether or not the school has any sort of religious affiliation. Of course, the cost of education is one of the most important factors in finding the right college. But the cost of a school should not completely discourage a student. Many expensive schools have means of offering aid to students in need, and the value of the education at such a school may really be worth the extra investment. Overall, find a school at the student would feel comfortable, be able to get involved and succeed.

Be sure that you have visited the school for an extended or overnight visit so that you have a good idea about what life is really like at that university or college. If you don't think you will be happy living in a particular sort of campus environment, then don't choose to go to that university. Chances are you will be miserable for four years. Also, be sure to check for out of classroom opportunities like internship placements, study abroad programs, and grant opportunities. These are the facets of a university that will actually prepare you for the real world after you graduate.

I think that the most important aspect to consider when choosing the right college is also the most basic: yourself. Many students seem to think that just because a family member loved a school, they will too. But if this school is in the heart of the city and the prospective student loves the peace and beauty of nature, chances are that the school is a poor fit. A higher-ranked school does not guarantee greater happiness for the students that attend. It is so important to be aware of your own (the student's, not the parents!) likes and dislikes when selecting a college. The same idea holds true for the college experience. If a student has always loved art , it's likely that he or she will not be happy majoring in Accounting and joining Math Club. It can be fun to "re-invent" yourself at college, but remember to stay true to what makes YOU happy. I learned this from personal experience. I always loved books and literature , but I pursued a "sensible" Business major. Thankfully my parents supported me when I realized that I'd be much happier in my new major: English.

Choose the college that fits YOU.

Visiting the college is crucial, but it can also be deceiving because certain college experiences vary widely from season to season. If you are seriously considering more than one school, consider visiting each more than once. Also, spending a day or a weekend with a student is a good way to really get the feel of the school.

Find a place where you can and will do as much as you can