Washington University in St Louis Top Questions

Relax. Things will work out. Don't go into college with expectations or pre-determined notions, just take life in stride and adapt to the new environment. Don't be afraid to introduce yourself and hang out with people you meet. You're going to meet a lot of people who are very different with very different mindsets, and you need to be open to everything. Don't get involved in any sort of relationship, and be willing to try just about anything (within reason) once. Explore various academic and social opportunities, don't be afraid to step out and do something wild, and always feel free to express yourself. Build strong bonds with those you like most and be yourself without stepping on too many toes. Think for yourself and consider the bigger picture, don't just believe what those around you believe. You have a voice, an opinion and a brain, don't be afraid to use or express any of them.

The only aspect of my hectic college search that I can recall was how much of a whirlwind all of the campus touring was. After visiting several college campuses, they all blurred together, but the one thing that distinguished each university was the unique culture of each university?s student body. Through this observation, I realized that the key to finding the right college is to find a place where you feel at home and part of a community. Because, when it all comes down to it, your happiness is much more important than prestige or whether your school?s team is ranked number one in football. Moreover, once you begin the college journey, the best way to savor the experience is to immerse yourself in both the academic and social aspects of your university community. Always remember that college is just as much about the recreation as it is the classes! Finding a way to balance work and play is the key to opening the doorway of unforgettable college memories. And once you create your personal key to success, the academic and extracurricular activities that interest you will fill your days with rewarding and unforgettable college memories.

My advice is to choose the college that is most cost-efficient for you. Undergraduate education is not as important as higher level education.

The most important thing to look for in a college is the type of student body you are interested in spending four years with. Your peers are who you will spend 90{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of you time with and whom you will learn the most from. They will introduce you to new things and shape you life and interests in many ways, so the student environment is crucial. I also think place is very important. I choose an environment very different from my rural Montana upbringing, and because of that I have been exposed to many things and learned a lot, but I also have very little in common with my college and all it has to offer, so I have to leave many of my favorite pastimes for nine months of the year. This balance of discovering what a different atmosphere has to offer and learning to cope in it is important to balance with staying true to your interests and personality. Of course academics are important, but there are fabulous professors out there at every college and when it comes down to it, the laws of thermodynamics don't change much between Boston and Montana.

The best advice I can give to students about finding the right college is so simple, but perhaps the most difficult to follow: listen to your heart over your head. Ignore the statistics, rankings, and rumors; find the school that you can't bear to leave after the tour is over. Find the school where you see your reflection in the students around you. Consider opinions from your friends and family, but in the end, make sure that the decision is wholly yours. Don't be afraid to make the "unpopular" choice. It will be your most intellegent, liberating choice yet. I promise. Make the most of the college experience by understanding that this is the one time in your life where you can try new things without judgement. There is no other time to build relationships with such a diverse group of people. Therefore, surround yourself with the best support system you can find, and, together, traverse each day looking for gems of knoweldge, new friends, and alternative ideas. Keep your outlook positive, and the universe will smile back at you.

Truly this is two questions. To the parents I would remind that it is their child that will be attending the university and that , in the end ,its their lives they will be spending there. Thus, while your comments and expertise will always be appreciated, never doupt your child's gut feeling about the school. To the student I would remind that there is more to a school than the "name-brand-label" that may be found on the diploma. Looking for the right school for you requires thinking about areas of study, finding professors whose research or publications are exciting to you, and most importantly to your well being: finding a campus with a social atmosphere that will allow you to thrive. Considerations of diversity, the community and availability of your favorite extra-curricular should never be discredited in the favor of academics. There are plenty of amazing schools out there, the trick is to find the right school for you.

After my own experience,I think that it really doesn't matter where you are in order to give the maximum of yourself.However,the college has a great role,it can push you to go further or stops you were you are.Furthermore,I believe that studies are not the only purpose of life,therefore fun should be included in the education under form of sports,community work,theatre and other activities.Another important fact is the cost,universities should be aware that they can't ask for huge amounts of money,otherwise a family won't be able to afford education for all their children.From a personnal view,I think that the university is responsible for creating dorms and facilities for foreign students in order to encourage them to study in their university.Hence,the best university is the one that offers the best facilities from many sides and that makes its students to feel really at home.Thank you

When trying to decide if a college is a good fit for you, it's easy to have a checklist a mile long of the traits you want in a school. However, what matters most is the real "feel" of the school. It's vitally important to visit the school, attend a couple of classes, and talk to students - immerse yourself as fully as possible into that atmosphere and see if it feels right. If you feel like you could fit in there, you'll be much happier than if you attend a school that technically fits your definition of a "good college" but just doesn't feel right for you. Once you're there, be yourself! Remember that every incoming freshman is at least as nervous as you are, and that you're all in exactly the same boat. Don't be so anxious that you forget to make friends. Find your niche and embrace it.

Time Management! You'll hear it a thousand times but really., manage it well.

College is four years when you can really figure out what it is you love doing. You should not go to college if you are simply looking for a husband or a wife. You should not go to college and expect other people to make it a great experience. You should go to college, excited about the rest of your life. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn inside and outside the classroom especially outside. Visit colleges and make yourself marketable to them. You want the best of everything, financial aid package, advisers, location, etc. So do you research and get out there. Do NOT expect colleges to come to you, it has to be a mutual understanding that you plan on making the college a better place while they foster an environment that caters to your academic and personal interest. Good luck, this is one of the few times in your life when it is ALL about you!