University of Pennsylvania Top Questions

First and foremost, visiting the campus itself is imperative. Having a feel for the campus can only be achieved by being on the campus. A brochure simply does not convey what the university truly has to offer. Additionally, spending time with students is a priceless experience. Although college sponsored tours may provide insight about the available facilities and support systems in place for students, there is far more to a college education than simply its academic aspect. Looking back on my college search, I truly wish that I had found a student at each institution that I wished to attend, who could give me a tour of the campus. Seeing the campus from a student's perspective is far more accurate than from an administrator's standpoint. Being that the staff and faculty instates programs to please students, the best way to measure their success is to speak to the students who experience such programs on a daily basis. I know that I, as a current undergraduate student at iPenn in the Engineering School, can provide prospective students with a clearer understanding of the academic courseload and the type of social life they can expect, than a school administrator.

The best advice I could give to parents and students about finding the right college is visiting. Visit as many schools as you possibly can, and visit a variety of different kinds: urban, suburban, rural, big schools, and tiny schools. You may think you know what you want when it is all theoretical, but everything changes once you start visiting. And when you visit the school that's right for you, you'll know it. I did! The first time I visited Penn, it just felt right, and I knew that if I got in, I had to go there. Luckily for me, I got in. My advice to anyone trying to make the most of their college experience is: find your niche. For me, this was community service. Immediately upon arriving on campus, I joined an organization that runs after-school programs in West Philadelphia, and it was the best decision I've made. Find something you're passionate about, and throw yourself into it, heart and soul. You'll meet amazing friends along the way, and it might even shape what you decide to study. For me, community involvement helped me settle on an urban studies major.

It's important to look at what other students are like when you visit a college. Consider this more than a name value.

If you enter the process having outlined what you know you need (and what you would also like), you'll know the right environment when you come across it. That is why visiting schools is so important and it's why applying to too many can be counterproductive. On my college search, I knew what I wanted--vaugely. I knew that I wanted to be in a big city and I knew that I wanted to try to get into one of the best schools in the country. After that, it was just a matter of a school speaking to me, a place that I felt surprisingly at home. There was an "aha!" moment when I toured Penn. The most important thing when searching for a college./university is to find a place where you think you can grow. You don't want something that you're totally accustomed to and you don't want an environment that makes you feel out of place. The college experience is about pushing yourself, and if you find the right environment for that type of growth and self-exploration, a place that is both supportive and challenging, then you've found your school.

Go with your gut :)

Please do not put money on the top of your list of "Important Things to Consider When Choosing Colleges"; while money is certainly important, it should not be used to determine the next four years of your child's life. Ultimately, a student's college experience will mould him into what he will be for the rest of his 70 some years, and you don't want to let money stand in the way of his/her potential. The differences in social/academic lives between a very cheap school and a very expensive one are more than acute. While my school is incredibly academically oriented (and very expensive), the schools only blocks away are hardly on the same academic level. For example, my Corporate Finance course covers 16 chapters in 1 semester, whereas other business schools cover only 6-8. We have amazing professors with both research and professional experience, and I don't know if I can say the same for cheaper schools. Don't let money stand in the way of a decision; after all, a better school leads to a better job, and a better job leads to that much more money in the near future, right?

pick a school that is right for you, not what is expected of you or the current standard

I think it is important to go with your gut instinct and to not be afraid about taking risks.

I made the mistake of not looking at enough colleges so I would strongly advise high school students to start thinking about colleges early and visiting as many as they can. Parents should to encourage (but not nag) their children and constantly remind them to think about where they want to go for the next four years of their lives. To make the most of the college experience, students should join extra-curricular clubs to meet new people. They should hang out with their new friends but not let their social life get in the way of their studying. Students should befriend people in their class. Not only would it benefit them by having a study partner, they can also have fun while studying, which would make the whole learning experience better. Students also should not hesitate to go to office hours or to email their professors or TAs when they don't understand something.

Visit the campus first and make sure the school has the right ethnic and racial mix that you will be happy in. It could be the best school in the world, but if you are not happy and do not have good friends, you will not thrive. Make sure you find a place where you will be happy and feel comfortable. Make sure there are enough resources, extra-curricular activities, and courses that you will be able to explore. College is about much more than just academics, but be sure that both academic and social aspects are sound. Talk to students, do your research, but above all, when all is said and done, follow your heart in order to make your decision. Listen to your heart.