Kaitlin
When choosing the right university it is easy to get caught up in reputation and guidebooks. While these considerations are well founded, it is necessary to go beyond the overall prestigious ranking of a university and focus on finding a school that really fits the individual. Parents: aid your child in finding a school that fits into your familyWhen choosing the right university it is easy to get caught up in reputation and guidebooks. While these considerations are well founded, it is necessary to go beyond the overall prestigious ranking of a university and focus on finding a school that really fits the individual. Parents: aid your child in finding a school that fits into your family?s social and economic situation without trying to relive your youth through your child. This pressure can be overwhelming and cause a student to make the wrong decision. Students: visit schools and go with your gut. Don?t force yourself into a situation that you will regret based on social/parental pressures. Do what feels right? you?d be surprised how well instincts can guide you.
Emily
Getting accepted into the perfect college seems to be a lifelong quest these days. Parents work at preparing their children from a young age with educational videos, books and toys and only the best preschools. This heroic pursuit for greatness continues with numerous tutors, sports teams, musical instruments, volunteer groups and impossibly high GPAs; an equation for becoming a well-rounded citizen and student. Can a degree from an Ivy League school really accurately measure one?s success in life? I suppose this depends on the definition of success. For me, being successful is a measure of happiness and the ability to get the most out of life, rather than bragging rights that come from prestigious schools and high paying jobs. The ?quest for the perfect school? becomes an all-encompassing obsession for many high school students. The fact of the matter is that nothing?s perfect. A college experience can be anything that you want it to be, all that is needed is a positive attitude and the drive to succeed.
caroline
Do not get too hung up on finding the perfect match and deciding what you want to do before you get there. If you already know what you want to do, great! If not, try to chose a place with a lot of opportunity and experience as much as you can in and out of the classroom!
Drew
The size of the school is important to consider. Also, the location is very key. I ended up in a school that I didn't like because the town it was in was deserted and boring. Also, consider the administration as you will be dealing with them quite often. It is not a good feeling when you have problems with the administration because they control your education.
Rylan
Let the kids pick their school. Also, sometimes your last choice becomes your first because you realize you have no idea what you want. Most of the time it will work out in the end, you can always transfer, so try and do good in the beginning. You can party a lot and still do well.
Calandra
Find a place where you feel comfortable being yourself.
Colleen
Go where you like.
Emily
Student's Don't let your parents push you to hard into going to college... This is what you want, not what they want!
Maryl
Explore different colleges in different areas of the country. Don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. Look at what academic programs, athletics, clubs, and other activities the school offers. Take a campus tour and chat with people who go to the school and get to know the town.
Oliver
Be sure to take college tours and pick a school that is stereotypically what you are looking for. Chances are, whatever you hear about a school is true.
Amber
College is a huge deal! Many would say that it really isn't, that it is just part of getting older. However, only a small percentage of people across the country actually have the opportunity to go to college. As one of those lucky individuals I believe that finding what is right for you is very important. Everyone is different. We all have different learning styles, sleeping schedules, eating habits, study skills. Colleges may be looking for anyone, but you need to look for a college that you will be able to call home for 4 years. It is the place you learn foundational life skills that you will base the rest of your life on including people and study skills, living habits and even how to have a healthy relationship be it with or without sex. Your college choice should be 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} your own. I was told in my most recent nursing course that pain is individual. College is individual. Just be smart about it. You wouldn't be going to college if you weren't. ;)
Kirsten
When deciding on the perfect school, you must visit it first. The atmosphere on campus makes a considerable difference. If you can't decide between schools that offer an equal amount of what you're looking for, then walking around the school grounds observing the buildings and the environment can help you out. Go ahead and take a guided tour throughout the school. Pay attention to the interest the tour guide seems to have in the school they're showing you. One other important part to deciding the right school is to take a look at the city it's in. Students might easily get bored of the same activities on campus all the time, and having something to do away from school every once in a while is always a good thing too. Lastly, unless positively certain of what you want to do with your life, choose a school that has a wide variety of classes, because chances are, you'll find many classes that you'd never think you'd take that end up being quite interesting. You'll be glad it was offered.
Jesse
Choosing the right college can be a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. For me, the choice became clear when looking at the atmosphere of the college and the surrounding community. Burlington and more specifically the University of Vermont provides an exciting and safe opportunity for students to achieve their academic goals and equally important, explore their own beliefs and individuality. Academia success is just the beginning of what the University of Vermont represents. UVM creates and sculpts each student into future leaders of our generation emphasizing, individuality, education, and success in all aspects of life. UVM provides the environment for students to achieve their goals and pursue their dreams by enabling them with knowledge. For me it was establishing lasting friendships with not only fellow students, but professors as well. Through those relationships I have grown into the man I am today, inspired to bring about change and goodness to everyone. As I did, you can do the same by following your heart. There are many great schools throughout the world, but follow your heart, your dreams, and let nothing or no one get in the way of becoming the person you want to be! GOODLUCK!!!
Matthew
Make sure the area in which the school is located is a good fit for the student, I have seen many kids feel out of place because of a new area and not been able to be the student that they are capapble of.
Pippi
There is always the option to transfer, so don't feel like you are tied down to only one school. If you're unhappy, change.
Autumn
Visit the school of interest and if there is anything that you feel is not right about the school don't ignore it go with your gut.