Ursinus College Top Questions

In order to find the right college, make sure you visit the college/university you are applying to. Also, pick a college based on the majors offered at the school and not based on sports or clubs. You are at school to learn and provide yourself with the steppingstones for you entire future, not for parties and activities. I have watched friends pick colleges based on sports and then dislike their college academically. Also, when picking a college, make sure it?s a smart one financially for you and your family. Paying for college is difficult and you don't realize until you are attending a college. I made a mistake of going to an expensive school, and I am now paying the price now because I am having trouble paying for it. Just be sure to make smart choices and remember that you are in control of your future and no one else.

When finding a college, don't discard a college because it is not an ivy league or a very popular school. Try your best to sort out your interest and goals before searching and see what college offers the best programs. Also be sure to look at how many people from that college go on to graduate schools and what sort of schools they get into. It is also important to find a campus that is diverse (as the real world is that way) and is full of people who may challenge your ideas because part of college is discovering who you are and reassesing your values and beliefs. Also make sure there is cultural events on campus pr nearby if you want them because your social well being is just as important as your academic well being. You learn a lot more by hands on experience than reading about a topic in a book. Finaly, make sure the college offers real life experience in your field because while a job (or the paycheck) may sound interesting on paper, it may turn out to be mundane or require you to do things you are not comfortable with. Look for stimulation.

The key to deciding on a college is to visit it many times - during the week, overnight, and particularly on the weekends. You'll learn a lot about a college by staying over on a friday night! I believe that the college experience is truly what you make it. Only by getting involved will you find your own niche in the campus. Don't wait like I did. Find as many things as you are interested in, and go for it. It will make your freshman year better than you ever imagined!

When looking at colleges, determine what is important to the whole family, but consider the student's wishes above other's. Make a list of what is important, in ranking order, and determine qualifying colleges based on those criteria. However important these things are, though, it is most important to visit the college, preferably without a tour guide, as they tend to be biased (as a tour guide for my own school, I know that this is true). Wander around the campus and ask random students their favorite and least favorite aspects of the school, why they chose it to begin with and whether they would attend if they could do it again. Never base a decision on one or two people's opinions, as they could be just as biased as tour guides. Find students with interests similar to your own to question further about their experiences and opportunities. As you talk to current students, think about whether you would enjoy being friends with them. After all, your friends are your support system and helpline in college, and if you do not find yourself connecting with people, it is likely--but not absolute-- that you will have trouble succeeding.

realize its alot of money, you can always transfer if it doesn't work out, don't slack off your freshman year

In my search for the right college, I was often overwhelmed by the number of choices and the many factors weighing into my decision. Campus visits really allowed me to get a feel for the school in a physical sense, and the attitude of the tour guide helped give me a picture of the kind of people that attended the school. I would encourage students looking at colleges to carefully read over the material provided to make sure the school offers majors that interest them and other opportunities, but also to follow their gut feeling. It is very important to feel comfortable at one's school, and often the feelings evoked by a campus visit are a good indicator of the comfort level. Once in college, I would encourage students to really take their school work seriously. It is still possible to have fun. Also, classes will be much more fulfilling if students take the time to try to get to know their professors. It helps to personally introduce yourself after class, and don't hesitate to stop by during their office hours with questions.

The best advice I would give is: relax and enjoy the college search. My parents helped me look for colleges in our search. We looked at one of each size college (large -Rutgers University/ Medium-University of Delaware/small-Swarthmore College). I knew I wanted a smaller college experience. After you decide what is right for you, narrow down the school process by taking a second look at the school. I knew when I went to Ursinus, this was the school I wanted to go to. Don't worry if that doesn't happen to you, wherever you go you will fit in. I joined the cross country team and have made many friends. Join a club or sport and see your life change on campus!

Making most of your college experience is strongly based on one's ability to have open eyes and open ears, to discover new things and reaffirm their decisions on the rest of their life.

Follow your heart.

My best advice on selecting the right college is to visit the school. During the visit, talk with students and professors and take time to explore the campus on your own. If you have the opportunity to stay overnight with a student, make sure to do so. You want to be sure the school offers the curriculum and activities that you are interested in. Basically, take time to get a feel for the school. Then, pick the college where you think you would be most comfortable. Make sure you can picture yourself spending four years there. Once you select a college, take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities available to you. If your school has special research programs, opportunities to work with a professor, internships, or study abroad, make sure to do as much as you can. Four years goes by very quickly and often college is the only time where you have the freedom to do things such as study abroad. Parents, you may have to set some boundaries for your child, but make sure the ultimate selection is his own. Most of all, be supportive of his decision, even if you would have made a different one.