University of Vermont Top Questions

If i were to go back in time to my senior year of high school I would tell myself to start my college search sooner and to try harder. I would tell myself to not worry about the little things and to enjoy the little responsibility I have. I would tell myself to talk to the friends I had that had already gone through the transition to see how they dealt with it. I would tell myself to relax and enjoy the ride, it gets much easier and once your a sophomore it is smooth sailing, besides the increase in work load. I would advise myself to get involved right from the beginning and to not take a year off from anything; to keep doing what I did in high school. I would advise myself to have a great time and to live in the moment.

The only advice I would give myself is this: find a group of people you fit in with. It may take awhile to find this, but don't give up. Once you find your nitch, college is so fulfilling.

Students, go with your gut. When you are touring all of those schools that you have picked because you know they have what you need, the decision will get harder with each one that you visit. There will be one or two, however, that will stand out because that have what you want. One might have a little club that you have never heard of before, volunteering, and another might have the sports and school spirit. The one that really gets you, though, is the one where you, all of a sudden, just see yourself four years, becoming who you want to be. I chose Vermont because the school values certain things that I wanted to learn to value and an attitude that I wanted gain. Go with that feeling.

UVM is a great school. its beautiful and full of great kids. COME!

Make sure that the school fits your needs. When you go to visit the right school you will know. Make sure that the school isn't just about acedemics but also about socializing, getting involved in the community and much more. School isn't just for the acedemics it has a much larger role in life. College is suppose to fun, challenging and the best time of our lives. Make sure that where you go and what you go for is something that you enjoy.

Finding the right school is overwhelming and stressful. The thoughts that go through your mind are ?I am stuck at whatever school I pick?, ?What if I don?t like it? and ?What if I choose the wrong one?. All these thoughts went through my mind when I was looking into schools. This experience is different for everyone. My advice is to follow your heart but do not get in over your head. Go to a school you can afford that has an atmosphere that gives you that giddy feeling in the pit of your stomach. Do not be afraid to call home when you are having a bad day, but get out there and do not stay cooped up in your room. Get out there and make mistakes, if you really do not like the school you can always transfer. This is a big decision but not the biggest you will ever make. There is no need to be nervous because your major will help you find friends just like you that will be there for a lifetime. Unlike high school you can finally study what is important to you. Follow your dreams and work hard. Good Luck!

Selecting the right college can be a tough decision as the desicion that is made will be the home for a monumental transition into adulthood through the college experience. Selecting the college that best fits your needs and your personality will make this transition not only much easier, but also exciting and fun. The student must examine what type of person they are amongst their peers inside and outside the classroom. For example, if the person is outgoing and comfortable meeting new people wherever they go a larger school may be a better fit. Applying to a school that fits their academic capability will make room for success during freshman year. Applying to so called 'reach schools' is also good, because if accepted will provide great ppportunities for challenges in the classroom. Visiting the school's campus is also very important in order to ensure that the atmosphere is welcoming and comfortable, and one that the student can thrive in--pay attention to the climate of the school as well in order to prevent picking a school with weather that will make you dreary. Finally, choosing a school that provides substantial financial aid is important when making a final descision.

Go visit the campus. Talk to the students there, and not just one student but many. Talk to the professors and administrators, visit the library, the dining halls, the career center, the gym. Let the student visit on their own. Current students are more likely to give the real story to a prospective student than to their parents. Make sure the school has everything you want. If you're stuck there for even a semester and not happy, it's a painful semester and a waste of your money. I love my school, and I chose it because I loved the campus, the teachers, the students, the activities. I was involved in programs before I even moved in. When you visit a campus, stay with a student, get immersed in what college life is really like. If you do that, you'll choose the right school.

Pick a school that you know you are going to love.

Fiund the right colloege and then find the money for it ASAP.

For me, a college visit and information online was not enough to make a decision. I would highly suggest taking a day to spend in the city area of the colleges you are deciding from, to get the feel of the people, and the city life you will be around. Get a good look at eateries you would be interested, and just a general type that the city is- big, small, artsy, metro, anything. Chances are this will weight heavily upon your decision, as it did mine, since this is where your child will be living for the next 2-4 years. As a student to make the most out of college, the best way is to sign up for everything that seems interesting, keep an open mind, and just weed out whatever doesnt fit later. Dont be afraid to try and new language or a new instrument- keep your opinions yours, and chances are you will meet the best of friends. Try also to be a part of at least some of your school activities to see what everyone else on your campus is doing! And lastly, take long walks at night through campus, it is well worth it.

The college experience has changed over the years. Focus has shifted from a practical based model to the theoretical. This has allowed for other lesser known schools to compete with the better known institutions because they more or less operate from the same textbooks. A college education does not qualify you to do anything; it is to teach you to think critically and apply it to your everyday life. As a student, you should take advantage of all the ammentities you have available through your school (i.e. why tutition is so high). I wish I utilized the resources in the library to enhance my class work. Schools purchase subscriptions to databases and publications that a normal individual would not have access to. Schools also offer extracurricular programs that help you with your writing skills, public speaking, etc. Skills that do not necessarily translate over on a resume, but will in a interview. Too often we worry about the classroom when we should be focusing on the overall college experience. Try new things, meet new people, and apply yourself. In the end, no one will ask you what your GPA was or really care if you didn't attend Harvard.

When you step onto the right college campus, you will know. Choose the best academic options first, and then start your quest for a school that you can imagine yourself becoming a part of. The transition, even to your dream school, can be tough. Getting involved with clubs and organizations can make that transition easier.

Stay in tune with your heart and your mind while college-searching. How do you feel while on a college tour? What kind of emotions run through your head as you explore a campus? Are the other students friendly? Does the scenery make you smile or cringe? Think about what you might want to get out of your college experience; what kind of goals might you consider going after? Ask your tour guide about the possibilities open to you at a particular school. Discover what makes you tick. Think about it while searching for a college, and once you step on campus for your first semester, do some research about the different classes and activities available to you. Join a sports team or a club. Go see campus-sponsored films and speakers. You'd be surprised how much you can take away from a short, 2 hour meeting or event. The more you involve yourself, the more things start to work themselves out in your head. That said, the more experiences you create for yourself at a university will only help you discover your own interests and goals, and give you the tools to mold your future.

When I was applying to colleges, I knew I was going to be a theatre major. What I thought I wanted was a very competitive conservatory, where I would do nothing but theatre training. But the more I thought about it the more I realized that what I really needed was a more well rounded education. I would encourage anyone appling to colleges to look for schools that can give them an oppertunity to explore. Often times students go to a college without having picked a major. At at school like UVM you have hundreds of majors to choose from and you can try as many as you want. College is as much about finding yourself as it is about education and I would encourage all prospective college students to find a school that will let them find themselves. The key to making the most of your college experience is seizing any opportunities collleges can offer. This means going to hockey games even if you don't understand hockey, or writing for the newspaper even if you flunked English in high school. When you step outside of your comfort zone you are on the path to finding the real you.

Visit as many schools as you can, and if you don't know exactly what you're looking for, pay attention to the overall feeling you get. It's important to keep an open mind both as you go through the application process and once you start attending your chosen college. You'll be exposed to many different ideas and experiences than you were in high school; be open to the fact that as a result, your perspectives on certain aspects of life may change. What you're looking for in a college experience and what you expect to gain from it may also change once you get there. In terms of the academics: relate what you learn in class to the real world as much as possible. Previous generations have unfortunately left us with a pretty big mess to clean up, so please don't get a degree just for the sake of having one; think about how you can use it as a tool to somehow better the world. Take advantage of the priveleges that come with being a student and learn as much as you can!

Make sure you visit the college/University on a day when classes are in session, ask about career services, sit in on classes, eat the food, visit dorms, inquire about greek life, visit the town, ask random students to chat about their experiences, likes/dislikes, (i.e. not one of the tour guides). GET INVOLVED

Be open and choose on your gut instinct. Students don't listen to your parents and choose what you want.

Unless you are certain you want to go to a small school, go to at least a lovely, middle-sized school because you will be thankful for the opportunity to meet new people all the time while staying in a small community. Also, pick somewhere that you know you will love the activities and weather.

Finding the right college is about finding the right fit for the student, not the school that the parents think is best. It's like finding the right pair of shoes. Even if other people think they look great on you, if the shoes don't fit, then you shouldn't buy them or you'll be miserable with sore feet. Even if other people in the student's life think a college is perfect for them, only the student knows truly which school feels like home. Attending a school because others think it looks great will make a person just as miserable as walking around with sore feet. When you walk onto a campus, it should feel like home. Can you see yourself there in 4 years? That's a big chunk of our young lives. Envision the future--where do you see your happiness? THAT is the school you should attend, nowhere else.