Arcadia University Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

Cassie

College is everything you hoped it would be. Go and take every opportunity you are given. Arcadia will help you change the world. It will shape you into someone you didn't knwo you could be. All the fears you have about becoming a teacher will diminsih the first time you walk into class. The community that Arcadia has built will uplift you every day. You will be surrounded by people that believe in everything that you are and everything that you want. Doubting yourself is not possible at this school. The opportunities you are given to work with children and teachers in actual classrooms is like nothing you've ever done before. Travel the world, because "Life is a book and those who don't travel only read one page." Love your life and appreciate it and know that you will always have the Arcadia community to support you.

Yu

To find the right college, you have to ask yourself what are the things most important for you. There is no perfect college, offering all the activities you want or all the programs you are interested in majoring in. However, you can choose an "almost perfect" college for youself by doing some research. You can Look up information about the school online, ask others who might know about the school, and participate in online chats that the college may offer. Most importantly, you must SEE the campus. College is a place that prepares you for the future. Not only that, but it's also a place that you should feel comfortable in and be able to have fun. Don't let money get in the way. If you know this is the right place, go for it! To make the most out of your college experience, you should not only be learning and exploring, but also you should be making friends and setting up good relationships with people around you!

Shobitha

When choosing the right college, it is important to consider for what reasons the student is attending the school. Those students who see themselves being able to excell in the environment where their study habits can be enhanced, normally succeed. On another note, if a student is undecided of their major, the student should have a general idea of what they want to do in life, otherwise their college education may not be sufficient for them.

Rachel

Visit a few different schools, just to get the feel of the campus before you apply. Always go for an interview when possible, and keep an open mind. Don't go to a school "just to get away," go to one that you know you will enjoy, and where the professors seem available and helpful.

MaryAnn

Find a achool that makes sense finacially. Also, look at programs that are most similar to what the student wants to study. Find a school with a lot of variety in class options. If a student is unsure of what they want to study going to a school that has diverse general education requirements can help a student get a taste of various fields without wasting time and money. Makeing sure the student feels comfortable and safe on the campus and its surrounding areas is also very important.

Brittany

When selecting the right college/ university think about what kind of person you are. What are your needs and what kind of experience are you looking for? Then seek out instituitions that meet most of your criteria. You can seek out these colleges/universities in numerous ways - internet, word of mouth, open houses, and et cetera, but the best way to explore a school is to visit it during regular academic periods when students are in full college/university mode. Shadow a current student! Sleep in the dorms! Hangout in the student facilities! Once you do this, if you could take 2 to 4 years of life there, get more details about how to finance your academic career.

Jennifer

Choose a college based on a program that you will truly benefit from. You will grow and learn from any experience regardless of whether or not you think it is a good one at the time. Never deny anything because you think you can't do it. College is the best place to realize your capabilities, and the best place for oppurtunities. Never let anything pass you by, and if given the chance, study abroad!!!

Ashley

I think in order to find the right school you have to consider location and size. Schools are usually expensive no matter where you go but you have to decide if you think you can handle being away from home and how far is too far. You also need to take in consideration on the school size because if you are used to a smaller high school then a bigger college may seem overwhelming. One other important thing is you need to go where there are activities you are interested in and majors of interest. Even if you do not know what you want to major in if you have some interests it will be easier to weed out the other schools. You also want extra curricular activities that interest you because you will need a break from schoolwork from time to time.

Amanda

Trying to find the perfect college is so tricky. But my coarse of action was to pick a school I could picture myself staying at for the total 4 years. When trying to find a college that fits you, you need to look at everything from the finanical aid options to the clubs and organizations the college offers. Also if you want to study abroad you need to find a college that allows you to do so. You also need to decide what size of a college is best for you because the amount of people in each class is important. And even at a small college registration for classes can be brutal. Another imporant part of knowing if the college is right for you is if you are far enough away from family but not too far to where you cant go home on the weekends. The small distance is great because you become more independent, but when you get homesick home is just a train or bus ride away.

Michael

When looking for the right school, the best way to find out if it is right for you is to actually visit the campus and interact with the students and faculty. Once you meet the people who you could potentially be studying with, you will know if this is the environment that is right for you. It is also important to ask questions about the facilities that you will be using; how old the equipment is, how often it is available for use, what hours of the day they are accessible, etc. Knowing what academic facilities are available is imperitive to doing well at a university. To make the most of the college experience, there must be the perfect balance between work and socializing. In my experience, college is just as much about forming friendships and relationships with both fellow classmates and faculty as it is about obtaining a degree. Get involved on campus, do community service, do outside projects with your professors. This is the best way to further your academic carreer, put more onto your resume, meet new people, and to simply enjoy your time at college.

Maria

Firstly, it really helps to know what you want to study. The last thing that anyone wants is to spend money at school for one major, change majors, and find out that your school doesn't have a program for it. Second, know what kind of atmosphere that you want. Are you more comfortable in a large campus, or a smaller campus? Do you want large lecture-type classes where the professors don't know your name, or a class with 10 or so students? Do you want a party school or a school focused on academics? Would your rather attend a school where everyone goes home on the weekends, or a school with a lot of programs over the weekends? Lastly, consider the price. Remember, there is plenty of money out there for students if you know where to look. Consider your current budget, but also remember that you will have a decent job in the field of your choice when you're done with college. College really is a wonderful experiece. I am in my second year and it has flown by, so most of all, treasure the time that you have at school.

Jacqueline

The best advice I can give is to take your time to find the best college for you. Visiting the school helps a lot because you can see if you would see yourself actually living there. I love my school and the experiences I have had here are more than I could have asked for. Living this close to a city is a great opportunity and I enjoy it. The parents need to allow their students to choose where they want to go not where their parents want them to go. The reason I say this is because if they are forced to go somewhere they don't want to, there is a chance the student will be unhappy and could possibly fail. The students should also try to take the selection process as seriously as possible. That is the best advice I would give parents and students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experiences.

Gina

The advice I would give to parents and students would be to focus on the college that you want to attend and not on the money you might have to spend. In order to get the experience and the education that you long for you should go for it no matter how high the cost. If you have succeeded in your high school education there will always be academic scholarships. If you took part in sports there are those scholarships too. If you just dont have the money financial aid is available. The college that is right is the college that offers the class size you prefer, a great program in your major, and a campus you feel safe on and take pleasure in walking around it. Making the most out of the college experience is to be involved on campus in at least one group, make friends with classmates, and to focus on your studies!

Kristin

Have fun and trust yourself. College is a time to discover you passions.

Jessica

I would tell parents and students that they need to really weigh all their options before choosing a school. If something catches their eye then by all means pursue it but you really need to map out the area around the campus because weekends and social life is better when there are neat and fun things to do. Also I was one of those kids who thought Ill visit a few schools and that will be that, but you need to visit alot of schools before you find the right fit for you. I made my decision to come to Arcadia after one visit, and only visiting 4 other colleges. I wish that I could do it all over again and looked for what best fit my personality and choices at the time.

Stephanie

Research colleges in a variety of settings, in a variety of locations, visit them, talk to people who have gone there, and realize that is not the end of your future but the beginning. It is not the begin all, end all, either. But it's important to make sure you search for the college that has what you need: for classes, activities, and location.

Sara

Definitely visit the college and talk to current students, not just the ones giving the tours.

Kristin

Pick your college based on how they will best cater to your individual interests. Don't worry about money, financial aid is available and companies that provide work with you on repayment.

Christopher

The worst thing you could do is choose a school based off of an extracurricular activity or a friend . The smartest reasons for selecting your future school would br its reputation, safety on and off campus, social environment and graduation statistics...etc All of these examples of great reasons say that you have your future in mind and not just the present. You also want to pay attention to where the schools located and affordability because you don't want to be stranded anywhere without a way to visit loved ones and you will have to payback any monies that you have to borrow. The trick is really to think about factors that could adversly cause you to not finnish school and then encorporate the probabilities on these factors, seriously effecting you, in your deciding equation on why this school is a great match for you or your child. One more thing for kids listen to your parents. They don't know everything but they know more than you. Advice on listening to your parents? "Eat the watermelon but spit out the seeds" Parents please guide your children but you can't live life for them.

Danielle

Do what you want, don't listen to your parents or friends.

Elizabeth

Which ever school seems to feel right in your gut, go for it.

Stephanie

Visit every campus you're interested in, and even ones that are just interested in you. I hadn't even heard of my school until they offered me a scholarship challenge; when I went there to take it, the moment I walked on campus I knew that I could live there. And I've been incredibly, incredibly happy. When you find the right school, it's like being in love: you just KNOW. So make sure you have that feeling.

grace

just pick what you feel really works for you and dont settle

Julie

If you have an idea of what you want to major in, find schools that have good programs for that subject and remember to look around at several different locations, even those that you wouldn't think of first, because those may be the most surprising. If you don't know what you want to major in, try looking around at different areas to see if anything looks like a place you want to live and learn in for four years. Making a list of the things you would like your college to have, it's helpful when looking through lots of different schools by narrowing down your choices. I found it very helpful to talk to people who have gone to, or know other people that went to different colleges I was interested in because personal accounts or experience can sometimes be more helpful than online descriptions or statistics. The most important thing is to explore as many as you can and try to picture yourself there: Does it have the resources I will need? Will I be comfortable living here? What is there to do around here? What do other students say about the professors and student life?

Michael

When it comes to selecting the correct college or university for someone, in my opinion, the most important aspects are the quality of the education, accessability of the professors, quality of social life, and even to be exposed to new experiences. Sometimes it is better to move slightly out of your comfort zone. This is what allows us to grow and mature as we become adults. In addition to this, it is important to have professors that are easy to get in touch with. This is where the true value of the education shows. Any school has classes that will challenge the students, but the truly exceptional ones are those who allow the students to interact one-on-one with their professors. This exposes them to the field that they are interested in in its entirety. It also allows them to get important hands-on experience. This will help later on in job searches. When considering the college experience, the social aspect is very inportant. It is important to look for the amount and quality of the activities that the school provides. Overall, the more interactive and intellectually and socially stimulating the school is, the more successful students will be.

tamar

No matter where you go to school it's really important to be open minded and be active. Unlike high school, no one is going to hold your hand and walk you through the process of picking classes or joining clubs or anything, except maybe the first semester. You also don't need to answer to anyone but yourself, so don't be afraid to ty new things, joing new clubs or try new sports, if you want to do something than you absolutely should. The most important factor in picking a school should be not only the academic, but also something that really catches your attention- like a program or sport or just their statement of purpose. A good study abroad program is also a good indicator of the schools involvement and the types of opportunities that might be available.

Grace

As I searched for colleges, I wanted to find the "right" one. I searched in my own state and in the surrounding areas. First, you have to decide how far you want to be from home. I chose a school 45 minutes away-just right in my opinion-not too far that your parents are worried constantly but not too close that they can come visit every weekend. I wanted a place that I could matter to my professors, and a place where I could get to know people quickly. Think about how you picture your college experience and find a place where you see that happening. Pay attention to the classroom environments you worked well in during high school and find a college that supports that same kind of learning. Think about how each college you look at will be like your first, second, third, and senior year there. College is an amazing time in your life. It is a chance to learn a lot about yourself and the person you want to be, it is the best time to experience new things. You learn more about yourself during your college years than you do about your major.

megan

I would tell parents and students to start early to find the perfect college or university that they will be comfortable in attending. And also to get started with the financial aid and scholarship process as soon as they can. It takes alot of money to go to college these days.

Amanda

If I were to give advise I would say go with the college that you get so excited you got accepted to you flip out in your kitchen or by your mailbox, because that is what I did. When I saw that I was accepted to Arcadia I jumped up and down and screamed and called every family member. I knew that Arcadia was the college I really wanted to go to because of the reaction I had. Just go with your gut feelings because they are usually right. And making the most of your experience to me means getting involved with activities that you would have been involved with at home. Make new friends and just be yourself. Its hard adjusting to college life so just give it a chance before throwing in the towel. People in college in the same year are probably feeling the same way so just make new friends and breathe because college is hard work and good fun.

Russell

I strongly believe that the student should decide where he/she should go. Parents should not be as involved once reaching college. Students need to look at several different variables when choosing a college, e.g. location, number of undergraduates, involvement on campus, etc. If a student is solely in college for the academics, then that student should go where education is the best and he/she can dedicate all of his/her time on learning. At the school I attend, academics and involvement are nearly equal. I maintain an amazing GPA as well as act as a student leader in several clubs and organizations. The best way, as aforementioned, is to way out the pros and cons of each school you wish to apply to and pick the one, not with the most pros, but the least amount of cons. And when applying, don't only apply to a certain type of school. Have a variety so the student can have choices to pick from.

Akua

They should make sure that apart from the academic prestige, they should be well certain about the location and weather.

Benjamin

To parents, let your child be him/herself. Don't tell them what you want them to do or where you want them to go, let them decide. After all this is their education. No matter what they choose, always show your support for them, going to college is very nerve racking and they need someone behind them to support them. To students, college is not all about partying but it is not all about studying either. You need to learn to balance your studies with your social activities and learn to be careful with drinking and drugs. Some campuses don't contact police and some do. Being caught once with illegal drugs could get you kicked out of housing or depending upon the situation, out of the school. You are on your own now, no more mommy and daddy to proteect you, you pay 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} for your actions, so make your decisions good and safe. My best advice for students, is make your college years unforgettable, they are the best years of your life, live them up and set yourself up for a good career.

Michael

Good luck, no matter how much you plan in advance, there's no real way to determine what a college is like until you've given it a shot.

Jaclyn

I would first implore parents to not only allow thier child to decide what institution they wish to attend but be supportive. If a child wants to go to college for art let them even if you do not think it is a practical field. Those who are passionate about thier field often perform better and are less likely to change majors therefore ending later. In oder to make the most of the college experience it is imperative to meet as many people as soon as possible the first year. That is when the bonds between students are formed. I also reccomend that you look at the school; take as many trips as possible( overnight trips tend to help aid in the decision)

Amanda

I would say that visiting various colleges is very important to the process of choosing the right one. I did not tour too many colleges, however I knew that the out of the ones I visited I'd be able to be happy at whichever one I was accepted. I also suggest asking a lot of questions; ask anything that comes to mind which you need clarification for. Questions are the best way to find out more about a place and the ability of the guide, or the administrator, to answer the question will also tell you a bit about them which will give you more insight into students, or faculty. As for making the most of the experience, I'd say the best way to do that is to challenge yourself. If you are interested in something, don't be afraid to go out and try it, as long as it isn't harmful to you or someone else. For instance, Arcadia has the first year study abroad program and through it I spent my first semester in Scotland. It was the best experience of my life because I learned about another culture and travelled, my two loves!

Andrew

Visit as many schools as you can so you can experience it yourself. Try to visit on weekdays and weekends so you get what its like during both types of day. Also, when attending college try to be as involved as your possibly can. The skills you learn outseide the classroom are the best kind, in my opinion. Getting involved also makes people more outgoing and helps them make friends and be social. Making sure that the schools you look at have these types of extracurricular activities is key. Its important to look at every day things that your going to want in a school, while visiting. Food, the area, the people, professors, sports, clubs, living areas, and campus activities are all things that should be evaluated during your college selection.

Siobhan

Make sure its what the student wants. It may be the parents' money but it's the student's life. Find someplace and a major that interests you. There are so many colleges to choose from so take your time in deciding. Take advantage of orientation and meet as many people as you can. Go out on the weekends. College is supposed to be the best four years of your life, so make the most of it. Take advantage of opportunities.

Dustin

Give your child as much space for exploration as possible. Work with them to find the best place. Allow them to go to visits, go with them, and just be overall supportive of all their goals and desires.

Megan

My advice is this, know what you are looking for: Size, gender ratio, distance area, major options, career abilities on and off campus, so many many things. Just make sure you know or you feel you know as much as you can.

JoLynne

I would advise students to be very pro-active in the college selection process. Visit numerous schools and be entirely selective. You must make sure the school is both accomodating to your needs as well as a good fit academically. Speak with current students, visit with faculty and staff, and check out the campus facilities. It is important to investigate the college thoroughly to determine whether or not it's the perfect fit for you.

Jacqueline

Make sure to visit several different colleges, each with a different feel -- one in a city, one in the country, big, small, etc. You won't really know what's right for you until you step foot on the campus. Do the right research to make sure the college has the right programs and facilities that will cater toward your personal needs.

Rebeka

Finding the best college is hard. The best thing that i have figured out is to decide what is more important to you...this should be your major. Narrow it down to looking at just the schools that are known for that major. When it comes down to it most colleges are the same...you take the same kinds of classes, but finding a school that is known for International Studies for example will gear your college experience towards what you personally are looking for. Another thing to remember is colleges make a lot off money off of one student so they will always promise more than theyw ill ever end up giving you. To make the most of your college experience, you don't need to be involved in a lot of groups or go out every weekend. It's about going on excursions throught he town with your roomates, and having movie nights with cookie dough, those are the things you'll remember forever, not being part of student activest clubs.

Xiang

Finding the right college is about figuring out what you want out of your classes, whether you want small or large classes and whether you would function well in a big city or a small suburb. College life, aside from the school work and classes, is about trying to have fun and make new friends. Trying new activities and going to campus events is a good way to meet other people on campus. Exploring the area around the campus is also fun especially if you are not from the area.

Mark

It is important to first review the personality of the student entering college, and then look at the person's intellectual capability and goals. If a person can fit all three of these categories into one university, then they have found the learning environment for them. If you are an introvert/intellectual, there are many ivy league and higher education systems available for these people. If you are gregarious and intellectual, then you have found my school. If you choose to look at things on a global level, then study abroad is important. The main issue here is to figure out what you like to study, and enjoy as a hobby, know your study habits and learning curve, and go out there and you will find the right fit.

Xiang

As far as picking of the right school, I would look for the type of environment that best suits the student for learning. Visiting the schools before making a final choice is highly suggested, especially if you have the opportunity to spend a day with a current student for a day to see what college life is like at that particular school. The college experience is all about learning and having fun. Getting the work done is the first priority and if you have time then joining a club or group would help broaden a student's perspective and get them in connect with different people. A work study job is always helpful for spending money or getting a job that is off campus. While it is not always possible to go to every campus activity, try to go to as many as you can especially those that hold some kind of interest for you or you think might be fun.

Kelsey

The most important thing to do when it comes to finding the right college is just to visit as many colleges as possible before deciding. Never choose a school based on what it says about itself either, the best way of getting the truth is to visit the college and ask students who don't give the tours what they thing about it, because the tour guides do get paid, and won't necessarily be honest with you. It's also a good idea to simply search the internet for information about the school that isn't published by the school, so you can see what other accredited affiliations say about it. Once you've chosen your college, make sure you or your student becomes active on the campus, join clubs and attend the performances, movie nights, comedians, or other get- togethers hosted by the various clubs, because this is where you will meet your future friends. The last peice of advice I have is to never limit yourself to just hanging out with who you were roomed with. You are more likely to have something in common with the people you meet at various clubs and sports.

Amanda

Definitely visit schools, look at academic programs, see if they offer study abroad programs or graduate studies. I would also look into financial aid packages, sport activities, housing, etc. It's important to research campus life. Many times students pick any school and end up hating it and switching to another school. Save the hassle and do the research.

Ashley

Always visit the campus and talk to students to find out anything that is of importance to you.

Katie

Pick a place where you feel comfortable and where people share your interests. You will hate living there if you cannot find any commonality among your peers. Relax as best you can and don't overwork yourself. Don't sign up for a hundred extra-curriculars when you know you cannot commit to them in addition to school and work, but don't lock yourself up in your dorm all day either. The best experiences in college come from how you develop and interact with people outside of class. Allow your self to be open to new things and you will make the most of your college experience.

Maryrose

Picking the right college is one of the most important decisions you will ever make, so choose carefully. Do your research and visit each school before you make your decision. Consider all pros and cons of each option. Once you get to school, take your education seriously. The hardest thing about college courses is that you get a small amount of work at a time, but it's easy to fall behind if you don't pace yourself and keep up with that work. You also need to remember to enjoy the college experience. Four years go by very quickly so don't spend all your time with your nose in your textbooks. Have fun every once in a while. Join clubs, get involved in sports, go to parties. The people you meet in college will be your friends for life so don't miss out on any opportunities to meet new people.