Valparaiso University Top Questions

Students should join some type of organization whether it be a sorority/ fraternity, varsity sport, a group involving thier major, or some other type of group. Also just be open about anything and not to sound like a cliche but just be yourself.

Searching for the right college is like the quest for the perfect pet. Your dream pet often looks amazing, knows how to serve you, and can grow with you, whether it is a Golden Retriever who greets you--tail wagging--at the door when you come home from a long day at work, or a gecko who wears a perpetual smile to brighten your day whenever you come into the room. Likewise, the perfect college often has a perfectly groomed campus, offers many unique opportunities, and can mature with you to prevent stagnation. When searching for the right college, it is imperative to find opportunities for not only freshman year, but ones that will help you mature into a well-educated, well-socialized member of society upon graduation. What kind of activities does the college offer? How well does the career center serve its students? Much like the perfect pet, the right college will value you as a student and person. You shouldn't have to sacrifice for a great experience, because the right college will fit your mold, not the other way around. After all, when was the last time Fido took your seat at the dinner table?

Talk to people and get involved. I found out about my dream school by talking with others from my church and community. Of course I would suggest doing an overnight visit and sitting in on some classes, but if that is not possible, call the admissions office and they can have a real student answer your questions and concerns. Every current college student will give you the real insight. As far as getting the most out of your college experience, look up all the free things to do your first few weeks of college. I was in a group called, "The Free Stuff Addicts". This was a small group of girls from my floor and we went to every free event, dinner, club meeting, and movie just to get to know people, and of course get free stuff! It was a great way for my small group to become close and also find out about the happenings on campus without having to go to a meeting by yourself. After the first few weeks, we all settled into our chosen clubs and established ourselves on campus. So in both cases, get involved and talk to people.

My own college search progress probably wouldn?t be of much help to you. Once I stayed the night at Valpo I knew it was where I wanted to go. I didn?t visit many colleges, nor did I find it necessary to apply to many. In that sense, I have little advice I can give you. All I can say is don?t take a college for its face value. I didn?t like Valpo at all after the campus tour. But its important to see how classes work on a campus. It is important to get a feel for the people you will be interacting with on campus, and how the social life is on a campus. Then again, I only had one overnight visit. If I had stayed over at another college, maybe I would have been torn between colleges. But I think it is important, to an extent, to believe that you will simply know where you are going to end up because it feels so right that you cannot imagine yourself anywhere else. After my overnight, I wanted to be back on campus. I wished I didn?t have to leave. Persevere, pray, and apply.

Let the student do the research and let the student go on a visit day and let the student make the decision. Before all of this starts, give them encouragement but let them make the decision. You (the parents) taught them well, now let them decide and let them spread their wings. For making the most out of a college experience, be respectful and have fun. It's scary that first month or so, but don't be afraid to step out of your box. There are people at you college choice that will welcome you with open arms. One word of advice: don't let it get to your head. You are an adult and must learn to stand on your own two feet and adapt and overcome whatever life throws at you. With the support of a loving family and friends in the back of your mind, you will do fine.

Visit as many places as possible and really sit down to figure out how much they can offer. Write down all of the important information to you and then weigh them all against each other. Take pictures of the campus; things you really like and dislike. It will make the student's decision so much easier when they have all of the information in front of them. They will choose a better fit for them and you will know how much money you will be spending.

Apply to more schools than you care about. No matter how sure you are that your first choice will accept you, apply to more schools than you think you should; I recommend at least 5. Apps are annoying, but worthwhile. As a sophomore considering transfer, it is better to have more options than you need, than not having enough if a top pick doesn't accept you. Take advantage of priority filing and apply like crazy. You'll be glad for it in the long run.

go with your gut

It's important to find the right fit. A student will call this place their home for the next 4 years. It's important to take into consideration desired major/career, extra-curriculars and campus involvement opportunities, and location. I wanted somewhere far from home for my own independence and have had a wonderful experience making friends and learning to travel on my own. For others, this might not be ideal, so it's important to remember your own preferences when making a decision. It's your future so make your own decision and don't be influenced by anyone else!

Finding the right college should revolve around nothing more than acedemics. It's not about where you're going to get the most playing time, or how the social life is. Those are things you can deal with after you make your decision. You pay thousands of dollars to an institution to receive the best education possible. The main thing you need to look at is the quality of the program you are interested in at that particular university. How does it stack up to others across the country? How does the curriculum compare to others? Do you feel that the classes offered give you the best chance to be prepared for and successful in life after college? Make sure that you meet as many professors and faculty members as you can on your visit as well. These are the people you are going to have to deal with for at least four years. It's crucial that you can relate and communicate with them. Don't worry about not meeting people. Unless you lock yourself up in a your room for four years, you will make friends who will impact your life forever. Above all, enjoy the experience!

The univeristy you choose should be one of the highest undergraduate school in your student's major. A strong emphasis in undergraduate studies is essential. Having a good undergraduate best will best prepare your student for future graduate work and job placement. Class size also is important to a good education. Smaller class sizes allow the professor to focus on the students. The university you choose should also be a growing university. If a university is not showing a trend of growth, then steer clear.

People go to college for an education, but the real college experience is in the people and how you develop as a person while you're there. Here at Valpo I'm fortunate enough to have plenty of both, but the most unhappy people here are the ones who only do homework and study. The happiest students are the ones who are active on campus and do more than just play games in their dorm. Go to a reputable college and get your good education, but never forget that the people you meet here, and the things you'll do here you will never be able to do anywhere else again. When you're in college, seize the day. The bottom line is to search for a college with lots of sports, activities, and an active Greek Life. A smaller campus is also better for creating closer friendships and is convenient for traveling. And make sure that you're far enough from home to live on campus, but not so far that your family can't visit.

For parents and/or students who are looking for the right college, I would encourage you to visit the school. A school can look really good on their website, but it may look and feel completely different when you make your college visit. Look for schools that offer the programs you may be interested in and make sure that if you have your mind set on a specific career choice that your school choice offers other programs you may be interested in. Until you get to college and begin taking classes, you might not know for sure if your chosen career path is the right fit for you, so having flexibility in your own school for changing majors is a great opportunity (and lessens the chance for a need to transfer). As for making the most of your college experience, my best suggestion is to find the clubs and activities that you love and participate! College offers so much to students and there is a lot to take advantage of. It is usually through these clubs and activities that you will find your friends for life and it is usually through these clubs that you'll have the most fun.

Check out the requirements for your major in the student catalog and plan out your college curriculum. It reduces a lot of frustration later on!

I would try to hang out with someone outside the orientation program of overnight stay at the college you vist. It would be best to hang out with someone you think you would get along best with and find out from them the diversity of the campus, academically,socially,etc.

Take your time, and explore as much as you can.

Selecting a college the perfect college was a grave test for me; I am not a confident decision maker, so I often worried I made the wrong choice. Students who find themselves unsatisfied with the University or other college they selected will not find themselves at the end of the world. They can always transfer to the school that fits their lifestlye, their financial situation, social aspiration, and career preparation. The first University I selected was my first choice, but it turned out I was unsatisfied and started looking for different options to attend the best school for my life choice. After I chose the school I wanted to complete my degree, I found that making the most out of a college experience, not only includes selecting the school best fitting to a student's lifestyle, but also stepping out of their shell, making friends, creating study groups, and achieving beyond their standards. No staff member, professor, or peer can make the most out of a college experience; only a student can!

When looking for the right college keep in mind the class sizes, honestly it makes all the difference. Also, keep in mind the reputation of the school. Even if you have a smart child, if they are going to a "party" school then they will be in a much different environment, and surrounded by a different type of student than if they chose to go to a more acedemic school.

My advice is to start early and stay dilegent. Start at the end of your junior year in high school, take the SAT and then take it again for a better score during the fall of your senior year. Apply early to the colleges of your choice this leads to early admission and more opportunities for scholarship from the college. Search for outside scholarship it will be better to have scholarships then loans, trust me getting loans are difficult. Have your parents do their taxes early and finish the FAFSA form. After you enroll in the college of your choice and get the finances all work out and are starting in the fall stay on top of your work. Space it out and complete what you can. Do not procastinate, if you have a week off for a school break that is a good time to finish those long papers. If you get caught up in work remember to take it easy every so often. Also to have a excellent college life join groups that you like and get involved, make friends in your dorm and if you want to rush for social fraternities, great to have on a resume.

Don't be afraid to look. People don't always realize that there are all these opportunities around them, and even when they do, they don't always appreciate it. Sometimes the most important things are learned outside the classroom, so make sure to find a school with a good environment for you as well as a good academic program.