Wake Forest University Top Questions

While ranking and prestige are factors are something to consider, parents and students should think of 'fit' before either. It is more important to consider where each individual student will thrive academically and socially.

Beginning with the summer prior to your junior year of high school, you will begin to receive an umlimited amount of advice as to your collegiate future. It will likely range in form from themes such as, "If you hate high school, then you will love college" and "College will be the best four years of your life" to "Follow the money: you should choose whichever school offers you the most financial aid." During my time in college, however, I have found that the reality you will eventually live with does not always agree with the misleading, albeit honest, advice that you once received. The decision as to the right college for YOU should ultimately be left up to YOU. Take your time and outline those characteristics that you find most attractive in an academic environment and potential home, because it will be both of things, and more. The decision you make is not only for your academic training, but for your social, emotional, and otherwise personal development, as well. Ultimately, remember that the decision is for YOU, so that you can decide how you will spend the best years of your life--whether they are during college or afterwards.

Visit colleges you're interested in. Make sure the college is a good match for you, whether academically, culturally, or geographically.

Look for a school that offers a program you wish to pursue, is the right size, and you feel will give you the best education possible. Location is also important, whether you want to be in a city or the middle of nowhere, but it is nice to have a school in a place where getting off campus is also fun and that offers a variety of activities.

I truly believe that finding the right college is all about how the student feels upon setting foot on campus. Take it all in and envision yourself there. Talk to the students and wander around campus after the tour. Get a feel for the school, and if you don't feel yourself there, be okay with that. Don't go to any school with expectations, and be in touch with how the school really makes you feel. Know that you're the one that has to be there for four years, so don't let parents or friends influence your decision. Then, once you're there, enjoy every moment. Get involved. Join clubs that are out of your comfort zone. Take charge. Meet someone new everyday. Get to know your professors. Learn to take everything in stride.

Pick the school that feels right to you. Do not necessarily pick a school for a particular major, pick one that you want to spend 4 years growing at.

Take the time to figure out exactly what you are looking for in terms of campus location and extracurricular activities available. I didn't do this and have been regretting it ever since.

VISIT THE SCHOOL!...Talk to the students, not just the people that work there. Spend a day there

The most important advice I can give is to make sure that the college and the student are a good match. The reputation of the college or the ranking of their sports teams is irrelevant. The campus life, and especially the activities available outside of the classroom, is what makes a student feel at home. If your student is not interested in joining fraternities or sororities, make sure that there are enough alternatives to make sure that he/she can find a place to fit in.

I would say that having a list of things that are important to you in a college definitely helps with finding the right college. Knowing what you like will help the process go smoothly and probably a little quicker. But it is also very important to remain open when visiting different schools. Know why you want a small school versus a large school, or why you want a city versus a small town surrounding your school. Also be aware of why you do not like certain characteristics of a school. Also do NOT pay attention to the stereotypes of schools. If you find a school that is a good fit in everyway, then go to that school. Do not listen to what other people have to say about it. It doesn't matter what other people think. What really matters is that you are truly happy and have found a place where you feel you can learn and grow in a comfortable setting. Really consider what you find important in a school setting, why those characteristics are or are not important, and try to ignore the stereotypes some schools have and focus on finding a place of happiness and growth.