Ursinus College Top Questions

Make sure you visit the campuses to see if you feel if you can fit in. Also find out the different majors available in order to see what you really want to do and weigh your options.

The most important advise I can give to students and parents is you will know when you "fit" in a college. Something just clicks and it happens. It is important to apply to colleges that are academically in your range. You should also apply to a few reach schools and know they are just that. Know how you feels about size. I personally applied to both small and large colleges. I recommend sitting in on classes and doing over night stays. The overnights are extremely important because it allows you to make decisions based on real classroom experiences and campus life. Ursinus was the last place I expected to be and after my over night I realized it was for me.

Always look into a college or university in depth, so that they understand how the school functions, how they think the student will function, and if the student is successful. Always make sure that the school has the appropriate facilities and departments in the field that the student wants to study in. The school needs to accomodate the student so that they can be as successful as they can be. It is also important to make sure that the campus is safe and that the student will be taken care of and nothing bad will happen to them. As well as academics and security, the amount of activities and sports offered is also important. A students social life is important in college. If a student doesn't make friends, their college career might be miserable and they won't get the best experience that they can out of it. My uncle went to the same school I am surrently attending, and he lived at home, made no friends, and absolutely hated it. I am living on campus and joined a sorority, participate in activities, and made a good amount of friends, and i am loving Ursinus College, and always will.

Visit!!!!

Make sure you are comfortable first. I knew Ursinus was the right fit for me becuase I felt so at home on campus. Academics are important but also make sure you pay attention to your needs , how they will be met and your comfort level!

The best advice I can give is to make sure you explore the different settings and types of colleges. Don't set out looking for a specific kind (i.e. small or rural) and ignore the others. You probably don't know what will suit you best. Spend some time at the colleges and try to set up an overnight visit. One night at a college can teach you a lot about the students' demeanors and the social atmosphere of the campus. Make sure you pick a school that is strong in your field of interest, but pay attention to the other programs it offers. Many students end up switching majors, and you don't want to be stuck at a school that prides itself on one program only. If you are looking to be far away from home, you don't need to look across country. Two hours is plenty of distance; the parents won't visit randomly but you can still come home for the weekend if you need to. For the parents out there, be critical of the colleges your child visits, but let him/her choose. Don't worry about the cost.

Look outside of the universities that are typically en vogue, especially if a student wants to pursue an advanced degree after a bachelor's degree. Often times smaller schools are better known in the academic community than the high school counselor community and can offer a more comprehensive learning experience that will bolster a student's chances at acceptance into a fabulous grad school and be much more focused on them. Many of the more prestigious schools in American minds are very graduate-student focused. Also keep in mind that the admissions officers are the best judges of whether or not you fit at the school. They aren't out to get anyone, but they are in the best position to tell if the school is a fit or not. You may have a perfect application, but if they know you'll be unhappy there then they're probably right. When applying talk to students who go there and really try to figure out if you can be friends with people like them for the next 4 years. Once on campus it's important to get to know professors and get involved in a wide range of different organizations.

I would say that you not only need to interview, you should also have the student spend the night (preferably two) at the college to see if they really like it. Also, before roomming with your roommates, you should get to know them first by meeting before hand and deciding on what each of you will bring. Meet in person is most preferable as the student can better evaluate how they will get along with their roommate in a real-life, every day experience. Before you go to school too, you should invest in a good laptop. Finding how much of the school is wireless is important too. Investing in insurance is a must for your laptop, especially theft insurance. Ask about extra curriculars, and ask whether you'd be able to participate in events that you may have been interested in high school, but never had a chance at enrolling. I always wanted to play an instrument in high school, but if you don't enroll early on, then it's very difficult to get in to in senior or junior years, but some colleges have a low-level entry program for instruments where no previous experience is needed.

Choose the school that you become attached to. Dont worry horribly about financial situations, most school have extensive financial aid for those who desearve or need it.

Every student has different likes, dislikes, needs, and abilities. It's all about finding a school that is a good fit for each person's unique qualities. Find out whether you would like a big campus or would feel more comfortable in a smaller sized school. If you are interested in playing sports do not be afraid to talk to coaches and players to find out how to balance playing a sport and doing school work. Personally visit the schools you are looking at so you can tour the campus and get a feel of on campus life. Don't stress about finding a school, more often then not students will just pick a school because of a feeling they get about the school, and a lot of times the students end up doing very well.