University of Puget Sound Top Questions

I would tell myself that college will really be the most fun you will have. You'll make great friends, have amazing experiences, and yes you will be able to finally be in control of all of your choices. Don't worry about telling people you are gay everyone who is going to the school you are attending will love you for telling them. Remeber that you are not alone and when you are off to college you can finally accept yourself for who you are. There are two other really important things. First, don't be afraid to try new things, those will be the most exciting moments you will ever have. Second, try as hard as you can to find scholarships during your last year of highschool. It is way easier then, than when you are in college.

Resarch carefully and visit the school. Also, do an overnight

Make sure to visit the schools, talk to student and professors about their experiences. Don't just talk to the tour guide. Do an overnight stay and attend a class. Apply to many different schools and wait for financial aid packages before making a descision. Think about how far you really want to be from home by thinking about the events that will happen during your time at school, are there big things you don't want to miss during the year? If so, you will want to be within easy traveling distance. When you first start school make sure to limit your visits and calls home. It will be hard at first but in the long run you will adjust more easily to living away from your parents. Try new things even if they sound different and make sure to leave your dorm once in a while. Sign up for more clubs than you want to be in, then only attend the ones that sound the most interesting. Leave your dorm room door open and invite people in. Most of all, work hard and stay on top of homework, this will make life much easier when tests roll around.

Going to college is all about finding what you need, even if that may be different from the people around you, so it is important to have a good hold on the things you know that you want and do not want. Finding the "perfect" college is nearly impossible, so take this opportunity to go wherever you feel like you should go and study whatever makes you happiest. As long as you try your hardest and put your efforts into everything around you, you will be happy with the way you are spending your time. Also remember that everyone has their own goals and goes by their own schedule, so try not to compare yourself to the people around you. This is the one time where you need to be a little selfish and really focus on what you are doing. As long as you feel like you are working hard and you are happy with who you are, you will be fine.

Students should talk to students who they know personally who go to the school (friends, family freinds, friends of friends) becasue they are the most open and free to express how they truly feel about the school

The most important thing to remember when deciding which college is right for you is that your life will NOT be ruined if you choose wrongly. Many people, including parents, college counselors, and even other students, put so much pressure on this decision, telling you that it is the end-all be-all factor for the rest of your life. Having the right fit is important, however, finding it instantly isn't always necessary. There are always options if you are not happy, and this does not just include transferring, and there will always be people there to help you. Equally important, find the college that YOU want to go to according to YOUR standards, whether those standards include the legacy of the college, or just how good the weather is. This decision is for you, and although the many opinions of your parents, counselors, and friends may help, it will ultimately be your journey. Do the research, including talking to students who attend each school and looking online. Make a list of the things you want and deserve in a college, but be practical. Finally, follow your gut and make the decision that makes you happy.

My advice would be to start early! Exposing yourself to a college or university at anytime possible is a valuable experience. Even if it's not at all what you're looking for, taking tours or visiting a friend at a nearby college/university is very helpful when it comes to figuring out what you want out of your experience.

Applying for colleges has no one-size-fits-all answer. Each person needs to consider what they really want out of their college experience, thinking critically about class sizes, educational interests, and extracurricular activities that they want to participate in. What helped me gain a college experience I could enjoy was knowing what I wanted before I applied to schools. I made a list of what I wanted in my school, and then found all the schools that fit the categories before choosing which I would apply to. Sure, my interests and study changed, but I set myself up in a neighborhood I could be comfortable in and with a school I love. While not every kid is going to get into Harvard or Yale, it can be good to aim high in your collage search, applying to at least one school that you may not think you can get into, but that you would love to study at. Don't immediately settle for the easiest option if there is somewhere out there you want more. College is your time, and you should have a chance to love it. Work hard for the school where you think you would fit.

As precisely as you can, figure out how much of a priority academics are to you. Be honest with yourself, and then do what you can to achieve that goal without driving yourself crazy. And for goodness sake, pursue something you love!

I think the best advice I could give parents is to remain interested in their childrens' college selection and the process that goes with it as possible. Finding the right school is challenging; parents should help educate but certainly not help choose too much. Independence is key, and even if initially your daughter or son seems off-track because of the new-found independence, remember that no amount of restraint can actually solve the problem. Making the most of the college experience is more possible if one can have the satisfaction of having earned everything be his or her self. To students: pick the school that feels right to you, and a place that looks academic and makes you feel studious is really a plus. Pick a school with things around it! I'm so glad I did not pick a school in the middle of nowhere. Being in a city, in the middle of a big neighborhood can be a pain for noise complaints, but it is most important that you remember that the real world still exists while you're safe inside the college bubble! College is a stepping stone to the world, not another high school.

Apply to at least three schools (one or more first choices and at least two safety's), and plan a campus tour and overnight visit at every college you get accepted to. The overnight visit will give you a much more thorough idea of what the school is really like than just touring the school on your own. You may think a school looks good on paper and has a pretty campus, but you never really know what it will be like until you spend some time there with enrolled students. An overnight visit could suprise you - you could realize you don't actually like your first choice school, or you could fall in love with a school that wasn't originally your first choice. Just keep an open mind and try to experience as much as you can when you visit your prospective universities. Also be sure to ask a lot of questions about what it's like to attend the school when you visit., even if it's just what the food is like, or what there is to do on weekends. The little things are what you'll grow to love about the school you choose.

Visit different colleges, see which types you fit best into. Figure out how you learn best; small classes, big classes? Are you motivated, if not a large campus may not be the best fit. It's easy to get lost in everything. Also, start thinking about majors, small colleges may not offer everything you want.

Look for a college that you can call home for the next several years. Embrace the community and the surroundings that the college has to offer and don't be afraid to explore! College is about growth and the right campus environment can positively impact who you will become in the future. Once at college, take advantage of the opportunites provided for you. Talk to professors and older students about what activities or events you could participate in. Quality friendships come naturally when you surround yourself with activities that correlate with your interests. When I was a freshman I was placed in an all-girls dorm with girls I seemingly didn't have anything in common with. I thought my social life depended on those people until I started becoming more active in the academic departments. That spring semester I made great friends which I am still friends with now, plus we have shared interests including similar favorite hangouts in the city surrounding my college. Remember to have fun and work hard, and to make the most of the opportunities presented to you!

I would say go with your gut instinct. I really like another school better than UPS but it was in Seattle, and I was woried that I would spend all my time hanging out in the city, so I turned it down. I look back and think, there is so much time in college to do everything, I wish I had gone there because I think it was a way better fit for me. Also, if you're unhappy at your school, there is no shame in transferring. You're 18, it's ok so say, I made a mistake, I need to move on. I performed amazingly academically and have a better job than anyone I know who graduated with me, but I also disliked college more than anyone else. I would gladly go back and make a change after my freshman year, even if it meant I was somewhere else, doing something else now.

Shop around and visit as many schools as you possibly can. It it amazing how helpful it can be to visit even schools that you aren;t interested in because you come to learn what you really want and don't want by seeing it first hand. Also, think about and ask the questions you have so you know better what to expect when you choose a school.

Find one that you feel at home at... If you don't youll end up hating it, quickly!

In my experience, finding the right college is all about first impression. If a college has a solid academic background and has the fields that you are interested in, then the feel of the campus is the most important thing. When you walk onto a campus, it should be love at first sight. A perspective student should feel comfortable in the environment and around the students at the college. Instinct can be the most important thing when finding the right college. Once you have arrived at the college of your choice, break out of your shell. In order to have a positive experience it is important to meet new people who will expand your social and emotional horizons, as well as push you towards a dynamic and challenging academic future. The most critical thing about finding the right school, and having a postive college experience, is to be come an individual, and discover what makes you who you are. Finding a school that can facilitate self discovery and academically challenge you, or your student, as an individual will be the right place for you.

Don't pick a school because of the price, or the prestige. And whatever you do, do not pick a school because your boy/girlfriend is going there. Most pre-university relationships end within the first semester, so find a better reason. The college experience is one of personal growth and confidence, so find a school that really fits exactly what you are looking for: class size, professor ratio, campus ambience, location, majors, and travel opportunities. Don't be afraid to take a chance, to go somewhere new and different, you might discover something about yourself. College is a chance to take risks in your life, to travel, to take weird classes, to make friends and stay up all night talking for no reason at all. Spend at least one year living in the dorms, you will meet a lot of people, make a lot of friends, and experience living without your parents and their rules. Join a lot of clubs/groups/teams, they will give you something to do besides homework and also let you meet more people who share similar interests. The best advice I can give is take risks, be smart and do your homework.

Apply to schools close to and far from home and make visits. They can be kind of awkward, but visits are good to get a feel for whether you'll fit into the community. Choosing a school also indirectly means you'll likely be choosing your best friends and a spouse. So have fun! Pressure's on!

If at all possible, the first step is to visit the campus in person. Do the students seem happy and engaged? Can you picture yourself calling this place home for the next few years? For me, atmosphere turned out to be a surprisingly important part of my overall sense of belonging at my school. Stepping out each day onto my beautiful campus gives me that extra bit of inspiration and a positive outlook (things that can suffer on those workload-heavy weeks!). Once you're there, find a balance: stay on top of your classes, but leave time to enjoy college life. Find friends who like to do the same things you do - if Frat parties sound about as fun as a root canal, go explore clubs (or start your own!) for rock climbing, or salsa dancing, or sitting by the fireplace and reading good books. College doesn't have to be "Animal House" or an extension of high school - use it to find out as much about yourself as you can. Discovering what you want to contribute to the world starts with discovering what inspires you.