Boston University Top Questions

One of the best things about going away to college is exposing yourself to new experiences and a different environment than you are used to. Growing up in the country, I knew I wanted to go to school in a big city. That was the right decision for me because not only do I learn a LOT from my professors, I can expand my learning in the real world beyond the classroom, just one step outside the door, in fact. Even our campus is constantly bustling. There is always something to do, something to get involved in. It is easy to find your niche at a big university. Because of it's size, it has everything to offer. That feeling like your belong somewhere is one of the most important things in life generally, and there's no better place to start than at college. It's also important to consider whether a school has the course of study you are looking for, also the type of program. For example, Northeastern has a really cool, effective internship program, but no college of communications. At Boston University, being involved in the student government has made me feel connected to the school.

I would encourage students to take note of what is most important to them (in all aspects), and after conducting a bit of research on potential colleges and universities, decide what college/university best exemplifies their values. For example, if a student recognizes that having a familial and communal feel (in his or her life) is something that is important to him or her, the student should pick a smaller college or university, at which he or she will receive such a feeling. I would also advise students to take into consideration their own, individual personalities, when deciding on a particular college or university. For example, if a student knows himself or herself to be an extremely social and outgoing person, then it would probably be best for the student to choose a school at which there is an active social life on-campus, so as to satisfy his or her needs. And finally, I would advise students to also keep in mind their extracurricular activities and interests when choosing a college/university, to ensure that his or her particular interests will be available to partake and engage in.

When seacrhing for the right college, visit as many as possible. You can't judge a school by what its website says, or what books trell you about them. The only way to know if a sschool is right for you is to be there, amidst the students. Try to go during the school year, when it is in session, not during break. You will get a better feel for what it would be like to be a student there. Also talk to the students, have them show you around, rather than the tours. They only highlight certain areas on the tours.

To students: Get involved in activities wherever you go. It's an easy way to make friends who share common interests. Groups are rarely clique-y and are always excited to have new members. In a club or a sport (or even a club-sport), you'll always have something to do; the only kids I've ever heard complain about boredom are the kids who aren't involved. There is always something do to on campus, you just have to look for it. BUT don't lose focus on your schoolwork! College is harder than it seems in the movies. To parents: It is imperitive that you learn to treat your college-bound students as adults. It helps your children learn to take care of themselves and take responsibility for their own education. Let them make mistakes and make their own decisions. Your child wants to feel like an adult.

When seeking the college right for you the best advice I can give you is to do your research (make sure they have your major, etc), visit the campus and take a tour. All colleges will try and sell themselves to be the best for you, but rely soley on how you feel while on campus. You will know when you have found the right one- you will feel it. The feeling is hard to describe, but it is close to the comfort you feel when you are at home. When choosing, try your best not to have money be the deciding factor. When it comes to making ends meet financially, there is a ton of free money out there in scholarships and financial aid is available. The greatest advice to give about financial aid is to write an appeal if the school says you do not qualify but you feel otherwise. As for making the most out of your college experience, be sure to focus on your academics (that's what you're there for) but also get involved in intramural and other club activites to relieve some of the scholastic stresses and make friends. Oh, and have Fun!

Look at many different colleges and pick the one that you feel is right, right now.

When picking a school, I think that size can tell you almost everything you need to know. If you're looking for a more mainstream experience and major, you will probably thrive at a smaller school that specializes in your major. However, if you're unsure at all or if you want more diversity, I would pick a bigger school. In general, they have many more opportunities to meet with professors who might share your unique interests, more peers interested in similar or the same things, and more cultures that can mix together. It may be true that people tend to clump with their socioeconomic/cultural groups at larger schools, but there are also many people who break the mold, which can lead to incomparable experiences that I think would be harder to find at a smaller school. Not everyone can pick a large school (just as not everyone would be happy at a smaller one), but if you choose that right, I believe that everything else will fall into place. The only other thing to keep in mind is not to stress - you can always transfer and keep your small/large school debacle for a funny party story.

My advice would be to not stress out too much during the whole process. Tour the colleges to make sure that you'll feel comfortable on campus and that you can see yourself attending the school. Once you're in, get involved in various groups and activities; it's a great way to meet new people. But most importantly, stay true to who you are. It's easy to get lost in the excitement and newness of college that you lose sight of what you stand for and the potential you have.

The best advice I can give on picking the right college is to definitvely follow your instincts. You should visit all of the colleges you are applying to to get a real prospective on what the students lives are like and how the campus is like. Wherever you feel comfortable and at ease is where you should go because this will help to ensure a smooth transition from high school to college. Once you pick the best college for you, focus on emersing yourself in different clubs, groups and activities on campus because this will allow for you to meet many people with different backgrounds and beliefs. This will help you to make friends who will be there for you throughout your college years and these will be people that you will share the best moments of your life with and most of them will end up being your best friends for life. Do not focus just on the academic aspect of college, although this is very important and should be taking seriosly, do not forget to enjoy yourself as well because these will be the most unique and special moments of your life that you will always cherish.

Let your child go to the college he/she wants to go to. Take finances into consideration, but don't let that prevent your child from being happy. Had my parents made me choose to go to the cheapest school I'd applied to, I would be stuck in the middle of nowhere, with the people I had grown up with, and not able to grow as a person or experience anything amazing like I have at my current school. Encourage your child to be open to new ideas and not afraid to share his/her own; encourage him/her to take [safe] chances; and most importantly, encourage him/her to try his/her hardest no matter what comes his/her way because, after all, college is meant to be an educational outlet!

Stay overnight, and no matter what your decision, you will end up happy in the end. Remain positive!

Rather than focusing on only one element of your "perfect college experience" when choosing a school, look for a college that matches most criteria that fits your needs. Academics, financial aid and location are all equally important.

In order to select the right college the student should feel at home the moment he or she enters the school.

My father and I went on a small road trip visiting different universities, and I got a better feel for what the college or university was truly like by seeing the school. Applicants should try to visit during the school year so they can see what type of students attend a school. I found that talking to students about faculty and campus activities was really helpful. Students wont sugar-coat a school. They will tell you the pluses and minuses. It's also important, especially frenshman year, to get involved in the school. I didn't join many clubs in the beginng, and have regretted it ever since. Clubs will help you meet people who are interested in the same things as you, and it will help you find your place at a school, especially at a large school. It's also important to be aware of what surrounds the campus. Some students will find a city important, others want nice scenery. Students should look at the location of the school in addition to the school itself. Don't be afraid to try hard to get involved, because the students that do seem to have the best college experiences.

It's hard to know what you want out of college (nevermind out of life ) when you're 18. Chances are you're going to change your major at least once. I suggest you find a location/size that feels comfortable to you. Forget what your parents want. Find a school that fits YOU, not your parents. Ratemyprofessor.com is a vital tool. Make sure you take some classes with "life-changing" professors. Those are the classes that are truly worth while. Go out on a limb to meet people. Everyone is struggling to find a close group of friends during their freshman year. Social boundaries are broken down out of some universal urgency to make new friends. You'll find them, I promise. Talk to people, ask them to hang out, exchange phone numbers, go to the corny welcome week events. Take advantage of all your school offers...find out about the hidden gems in the area from upper classmen or going out and exploring. FIND AN ADVISOR, who gets to know you and helps you plan for your next 4 years. You need a good advisor. Lastly, take chances and create your own happiness!

I would tell parents and students to first discuss as a family what they are looking for in a college before they start visiting schools. Once they have done that, I would advise the student to look on -line at the various schools he or she is interested in. Also, do not discard the many letters and brochures that you will be receiving in the mail from the colleges. Rather, you should flip through the magazine and read some of the stats that they give you. Also to the student that has no idea where to begin for their college search, they have many tests and programs online that can help you to minimize the large list of colleges that could be right for you. College tours are very helpful in deciding what school you want to attend and if you are given the option of spending the night at the school with a current student please do that because you will get a lot of insight to the school by doing so.

When I was rejected from my first choice of school, I felt the devastation. But looking back, I'm glad I didn't get accepted. I applied early decision and I would've been bound to the school if accepted. It was a much more challanging school than BU. If I had gone there, I probably would've ended up at the bottom of the GPA poll and stressed out ALL the time. Here, I'm able to have a social life but still feel the constant pressure of the academics. My advice is, if you can, don't apply early decision. If you don't feel like you can get accepted in a regular poll, it could be the school is too challanging. Sure, any Ivy would sound good, but that might only be the case the summer before you start. If you can't fully enoy college and just study but still feel behind, you will regret it later. If you don't get into your first choice of school, DON'T STRESS. Sone enough, you will realize things will work out for the best.

Try to figure out who you are: what do you like, what are you comfortable with. Pick a place that will challenge you while at the same time inspire you to grow and become a more mature, functioning member of society.

Don't go for the flashy name- go for substance. Growing up in an extrememly competitive highschool, it was taught to us that if you weren't going for a big name Ivy League school, don't bother to apply. I searched high and low for the Ivy that fit me and imagine my shock when one did. Look for schools that are going to inspire you, challenge you, excite you! College is, so clichely, the "best years of your life" and finding the place to spend them at makes it or breaks it. Be comfortable with who you are once you get there and just be yourself. You're going to school that is a fresh start and I guarantee there is someone out there who enjoys your sense of humor and interests by just being yourself. You have an absoultely fresh start so make the most of it and get involved. Dive into campus activities and join a cause you believe in. There's no better time than today!

When choosing the right college, it's important to visit the campuses. Oftentimes, what you feel physically will be a huge indicator. I visited a few that made me nauseous, and uncomfortable, which made me realize that as gorgeous as the brochures made a certain college look, I really shouldn't apply there. Furthermore, find a college with a great program that interests you. It's one thing to pick a school and major in French, but it's better if you can find a school with great study abroad programs and a strong French department, otherwise, your specialization will be in vain. As far as making the most of the experience, make sure your homework is done on time and done well. Your professors will be more enthusiastic to teach you if you keep up with their curriculum. Furthermore, go to their office hours! Even if you understand, they will appreciate that you took the time to see them. Also, whenever you are invited to do something socially, do it. Even if you don't like the people afterwards, you have put yourself out there, and made an effort! You never know, you might meet your new best friend!

Just try to be open when you first arrive, the friends will come.

The number one piece of advice I have for parents in college selection process is to listen to your child. Do not pressure them to choose a specific school because you think it will be a good fit for them. Let them explore; perhaps they could even visit one or two campuses without you and stay with students who go there so that they can get a sense of what the social life is really like. Prospective students should also make sure to visit classes to see what the environment is really like. And make sure to ask around while you are on campus about the academic and social aspects of the school. You would be surprised how may people will be happy to answer your questions. Also, don't feel bad if you do not get into your first choice of schools. Chances are you will be just as happy at another school. I had a lot of friends who were excited about a school they did not know much about, but were still really upset when they did not get in. All of them are just as happy if not happier at another school.

Take your time, but don't take away your sanity. There are appropriate moments during the college years when risk-taking and spur of the moment feelings seem to be incredibly appropriate if not entirely necessary, however when choosing a college and experiencing it, neither student nor parent should take any big risks. Especially for those students who really don't have a clue what to major in, rushing things is detremential to everyone involved. On the other hand, by gnawing through college pamphlets and tossing over online college surveys, you forget to lose sight of the reason you wanted to go to an institution of higher learning altogether: to gain knowledge and experience. So even if the choice of school wasn't perfect, you will have surely gained experience in choosing a college if not knowledge about yourself and your character. It goes by quickly, and by taking your time and enjoying every little remarkable mistake you make, it is near impossible to not make the most out of the college experience.

Pick the school that feels right. Size is important, but not the size of the school, the size you feel at the school. A school may be huge, but the students feel comfortable there. Or, a student may feel lost. Visit every campus, talk to a few students, and imagine seeing yourself as a student there. Look at what a school has to offer academically - a great social life will come naturally. No school has a definitive social atmosphere, regardless of labels. Pick the school that will prepare you for life. Don't base your decision on the quality of the food. Once you're here, you stop caring. Don't base your decision on the comfort of the dorms. Even a closet could become a new home. I can't tell you not to base your decision on money, but don't let it decide your future. College is the investment of your life. If you can see yourself on campus, and the school can academically prepare you for a career, then you can be confident in your decision. Be yourself, take classwork seriously, and remember to wear sandals in the shower.

Everything works out for the best in the end. Stay positive, do the research, and rest assured that everything will turn out alright. Make sure you try hard on your SATs, do well in school, and look at a variety of different campuses to figure out what you're looking for in a school.

Nowadays, finding the right college and taking advantage of its resources is very important to students because of the many experiences and opportunities attending college can offer. To any student considering college, I would advise them to visit and do their research about the schools they are interested in. In my two years at college, I have met a surprising number of students who never even visited their school before they showed up at orientation. While some students may get lucky and end up liking a college that they've chosen blindly, others can be really disappointed with their college's resources or miserable with their social life. I would tell prospective students not only to make sure that they take tours of multiple colleges, but also to talk to students who actually go to these schools so that they can get an insider's take on the positives and negatives. Talking to current college attendees can also help prospective students figure out what clubs they might want to join or good ways to balance school and social life, so that when they get to school they can make the most out of their college experience.

My advice to parents and students finding the right college is firstly, make a list of things you are looking for in a college including location, size, area, activities that they offer, majors and classes that they offer. Secondly, make a long list of possible schools that you could see yourself goin to. Thirdly, make sure you visit the schools you are applying to, seeing the school and taking a tour or finding out more about it or even possible sitting in o a class will make the process of narrowing down the list of possible schools less difficult. Then sit down and talk about with the family and friends that mean alot to you and take in their input and ideas and work off that also. Lastly, make a final list of 5 to 10 schools that include "safety", "target", and "reach" schools. After applying directly think about financial aid options and opportunities because there are many out there. Once you get to your college be proud and try and make the most of every experience because it does fly by even though at times it may not feel that way.

My advice would be to try a few colleges out before committing to one - spend a weekend on campus with a student, or a few days wandering the campus on your own. Check out a class. Get a coffee at the local hangout. You'll get a feel for the atmosphere, and discover if you feel comfortable with the students, the environment and the general tone of the college. Once you choose your college, get involved - it's the best way to meet new friends, and to become part of the college community. Choose a club, join a sports team, or volunteer regularly with a community service group... you will really build a stronger relationship with the school you've chosen, and the students you've chosen to learn and grow with. Lastly, keep yourself grounded by remembering why you chose the school - for the academics, the amazing scenery, or the passionate people - because college is never perfect and there will be hard, frustrating, or overwhelming times. And don't forget: it's only 4 years. So take advantage of whatever your school offers, and enjoy it!

I would suggest to parents and students to be realistic with their academic ability. A school is a like being in a relationship. Like a person, each school is very unique and not every school nor person is the correct match. Money is a real issue and without financial aid, taking out personal grants is very stressful on students. Figure if it is actually worth the price tag of the institution. Remember that academics if the initial reason for attending university, but there is so much more than academics when it comes to university. There is a community, self-exploration, friendships, research, exploring unchartered territories, and much much more. Remember that the here and now is all that there is right in the moment, so it is with the best interest to make the most of it.

Spend time assessing your interests, both academically and extra-curricularly. Look for schools offering not only opportunities in these fields of interest but many more. Visit as many schools as possible. Sit in on classes. Eat in the dining hall. Talk with professors; find out how passionate they are about their students and about their field. Talk with students; find out what they like about the school but also what they dislike. Ask what they wish someone would have told them before going to college. Talk with a student who is considering transferring out and find out why. Talk with a senior and see what they are doing after they graduate. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't be afraid to look far from home and close to home. Don't be limited by finances while searching for schools. Realize that transferring is an acceptable future option. Stick out the first school you choose for a full year before transferring. Don't be afraid to make friends and try new activities. Don't judge others and don't worry about being judged. Listen to your advisors. Love learning. Follow your dreams. Fear not. Embrace opportunity. Smile. Laugh. Relax.

In order to find the right college, it is very important to explore different colleges, ones of different sizes and locations, in order to get a feel for what is right for you. Interacting with a student at each college you visit is also very beneficial, as they can provide you with the typical life of a student there. To make the most of the college experience, it is necessary to study hard and complete all of your schoolwork on time, as well as to regularly attend classes. You should take college very seriously and understand that you pay all that money and spend time at class to get the best education possible and learn everything you can from your professors in order to provide yourself with a successful career afte college.

Make a complete financial plan. Make sure the right fit matches the finances.

Find the college that best fits you both mentally and physically. Forget the reputation of colleges and their rankings, focus on what you want and desire. In the end, whichever college you may choose, you will be there for four years of your life making friends, meeting faculty, and learning, the key to being successfull in college is being happy. Choose a college that offers the things you look for and don't get caught up in which college is more prestigious or well-known.

Make sure you visit every type of campus (urban, city, small, large, country, ect.) Once you've chosen the schools that you feel you would feel most comfortable on visit it more than once. Spend the night on campus and attend a class or two. Meet and talk with students and professors.

Although name recognition is important, students should really chose a school based on where they think they will be the most happy. The top ranked colleges do not have the best teachers. Look at each major closely to see which has the best courses to offer. If possible, it is ideal for students to visit the school during the academic year so they can really see what a day of a college student is like at that specific school. Students: Some professors will remove your lowest grade. Make sure at the end of the semester that they have removed the correct grade. I had two instances where teachers did not drop the test or large quiz as they were supposed to. My grade significantly increased once they removed the grade as they had outlined in their syllabus. Participate in discussions as much as you can, because the teaching fellows or assistants are often more helpful than the professor. Try to get an internship as soon as you can in the field of your interest. Having a real ideal of what you will be doing in your future can be a very large motivator to try your hardest in classes.

First of all, do your research! Identify what kind of college you want to attend. If you make a smart choice about the university that is right for you, you will do well. The size of the student body is extremely important- it can be hard to adjust to living on a big campus if you are from a small town. If you are academically oriented, you may prefer a campus with a low student-to-faculty ratio, so you can ensure that teaching undergraduates is the faculty priority, and that you will be mentored individually to develop and pursue your own interests. If you enjoy extracurricular activities or sports, make sure the college offers what you are interested in. During your undergraduate education, it helps to have an idea of what you would like to do afterwards. If you are planning on graduate or professional school, focus on your academics, your social life will inevitably interfere. If you are looking for a job when you graduate, then don't focus too much on GPA- maintain a solid B average and make the most of your time with friends, you're only going to be in college once!

I would advise students to really think about what they want most in a school. Choosing your major is very important, but there are many other factors that will impact your daily life in college: location, social life, diversity of the campus, size of the school etc. To me, location was a key factor in choosing a college. I wanted a large city with good transportation and lots of things to do so I would not get bored. That is exactly what Boston University is, and I love it. The city of Boston impacts my college experience much more than the student-to-teacher ratio does. I also strongly encourage students to visit several colleges before deciding where to apply. Some schools may sound great on paper, with strong statistics and ratings, but once you get there it may just not feel right. Especially if you are going to live in campus, it is very important to look at your college as a place where you will live, work, and socialize, not just a place to study. Find the schools with your desired field of study and then narrow them down based on which you feel to be most liveable.

When making a decision about finding the right college, the most valuable method is to visit the campus multiple times and talk with current students. Before I decided what college to attend, I felt like I got a realistic picture of what the student experience at my college truly was by doing this kind of research. To make the most of the college experience, one must get involved. Take the initiative and join student groups, go to sporting events, participate in on-campus activities. I met all of my friends through volunteering or joining clubs, not through classes. Also, since I go to school in a city, making use of the city outside campus is extremely important. Students at urban schools tend to be more willing to explore the city, and not stay on campus all the time.

B U is a big school. That has it's problems: there's a lot of bureaucracy, the intro classes are big, you can sometimes feel lost. But it has a lot more advantages. You can find every type of person here, even though at first glance the populace seems a little shallow. There are students who are goths, sorority girls, musicians and businesswomen. You can take classes in many, many different fields, so if you're not sure what you want, BU offers so many choices that you're sure to find what you are looking for. Like any school, there are good professors and bad professors. Some are amazing and open you up to new worlds; others are boring, but if you're careful, you can find the good ones and enjoy. There are the problems, of course. It can be a bit overwhelming in a big school, and it is a very urban campus, so if you want open green space, you're out of luck. BU is also female heavy, so if you're a girl looking to find a boyfriend, BU isn't the place to go. However, the gay community is huge.

The stress of getting into college may be more difficult than college itself. Although their may be some disappointment, keep in mind college admissions administrators know what their doing and they know what type of students will thrive at their institution. So in the words of the Beatles, "Let it Be". Work hard, be thoughtful and insightful, but if you are not accepted to your first choice, brush it off, sooner than later. Visit schools and talk to students. You can really get a feel for whether or not a school is right for you by immersing yourself in the environment and seeing if you click with any of the current students. Taking advantage of all that college has to offer can be an overwhelming thought. The most important thing to keep in mind that this is YOUR experience. I have seen many people get caught up in their resumes and GPAs that they miss the point entirely: learning. And learning is not confined to the four wall classroom. Go outside, explore, meet people, and relate your studies to real life experiences. Take college one day at a time , really soak in your surroundings, and spend quality time with friends.

In these economic times it is imperative to think about your goals. Are you looking to have a good time or looking for a good job? These days employeers and graduate admission councilors in the "practical fields" are looking for dual degrees or majors in Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. For instance, if you're thinking of focusing in Business make sure you at least have a minor in something useful that will set you apart during your job search such as Sociology, Psychology, Economics, English, etc. These days having a degree from a top tier University alone doesn't get you an interviwe. You need as many internships in your resume as possible and more than one major. Also, make sure you have internship experience in the city that you want to live in after graduation. For instance, if you want to work in Washington D.C. or on The Hill make sure that you do at least two internships in that region. Local government internships don't count. Volunteering can also be useful while searching for a job. Make sure you take advantage of the Community Service Office at your choosen school.

Students should go to the school that they can see themselves creating a future and thriving. It is important to be comfortable in the school you are choosing to go and not attend becasue of parental pressures or to stay with friends. The first semester freshman year is the hardest I can assure you, but it gets easier. With time you adjust and adapt to the new enivorment and learn to live on your own. Also I would go to a college not because it is considered a "party school", but for its educational value. I know that college is considered to be the best four years of your life but it is also the four years you have to learn and grow before heading out into the real world. A quality education is far more important than how much fun or cool a school is considered to be. I have found the perfect balance between school work, part-time work and a social life in the city of Boston. My schedule is demanding and stressful at times, but I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. Make the most of your college experience.

Don't let money stand in the way of what makes you happy.

Go visit, and trust your instincts. Feel everything out. And if it doesn't work out on the first try, you can always transfer.

Make sure you visit every school and ask questions about everything from the social life, to the faculty, to the cost of living and what people do on the weekends. Even the little things are important when finding a school that is a good fit for you. Then the trick is to take advantage of everything they offer at the school. Get involved, meet people, explore the city or area that you're in. You'll miss it all once you're not there anymore.

Go with your gut and by how the people who already attend treat you. If you feel welcomed from the get-go, that's your school. Try to envision yourself in that school as an upperclassmen; if you can see yourself there, acclamated with a job and friends, that's your school. If you have a hard time seeing yourself happy, don't do it. College is the best years of your life, and you don't want to waste them trying to enjoy yourself when you could just do it instead.

I would tell students to put down their guards and truly step into the college experience. The first few months can be extremely tough to deal with, but if you allow yourself to delve into the college life it gets much easier. You have to allow yourself to open up and try new things. There are so many people to meet and establish relationships with, that it can bit severely overwhelming. Going into college with a open mind, allows you to appreciate others and to deal with the first year pressures a lot better than if you didn't walk in openly. College is such a rewarding privilege that you should be taken advantage of to its fullest extent.

The best advice I can give when trying to find the right college is basically what I did to choose Boston University. I vistied about ten schools and never had the feeling that I had at Boston University. Go to the prospective school and walk up and down campus. If you get the feeling that you belong then it's the school for you. If not, then you should keep looking. I walked BU's campus and felt at home and I knew that it was the school for me. I would also suggest visiting the school on the weekend and trying to experience the social life and dormitory living at the school. Most schools offer a great education and the social life can really be a make or break factor.

Everything happens for a reason.

In choosing a school, make the choice only for you, not for what your parents or your friends think is "right." If you have a feeling that you love english and history, don't go to a school that specializes in business and science. What you really love will always win out in the end against what you feel you ought to do. Once you make your choice in a school, really make the effort to give it a chance. It takes at least 3 months before you can say you really know what the experience is (the school, the social scene) and it takes a bit longer to get out of basic intro classes. Find professors and talk to them. Most will be overjoyed (and a bit surprised ) to see you have an interest in their topic. Their advice and contacts will come in handy after graduation. Lastly, do an internship! Do two or three! It's never too early to start getting a handle on post-graduation, and the field work experience will come in handy when you're trying to get people to pay you. No matter how busy you are, you can always do an internship.