Boston University Top Questions

The advice i would five parents would be not to pressure their kids into going to a school that they would want them to go to or a school that they attended. Don't pressure them to go to a very difficult school if they don't think that they will be ready for it. I believe that their children should concentrate on getting better grades then killing themselves to get good grades because they went to a more difficult school. Helping to match their capabilities with a school that will bring these skills out is the best choice. Parents shouldn't put too much pressure on their children and be supportive instead of negative about the whole college experience. Emphasis on school work and doing well is a good thing but not when it becomes a nagging, and annoying process that weighs the student down. Students should definitely visit the school that they are going to first to get a feel of the atmosphere and people. They should be sure of what kind of school they would like to attend and go with their instinct about picking a school because in the end they will be the ones attending.

Students should have a clear understanding of who they are and identify needs, career objectives, and expectations for college life before selecting the appropriate college environment for them.

When searching for a college, keep in mind what your personal needs are and base your decision on whether or not each college you research will fulfill all of them. It is important that the college you choose not only cater to your academic needs and career goals, but your psychological and social needs as well. Look forthe college that you know you will be happy at, because then you are guaranteed to be successful in academics and in life. The school you choose will be where you will attend for the next four years, so whether or not you decide to live on campus, make sure you have envisioned yourself there and see yourself being perfectly happy and healthy.

Pick the area of the country and size of the school. If private, consider the loans you might have to carry. Is the school diversified in courses of study and student population. I stayed close to home so felt I was away at school but still had access to home and friends.

Make sure to visit the school to really get a feel for the people, atmosphere, and surrounding area. An education can be obtained anywhere, it is important, however, to make sure you are comfortable and happy where you spend the next 4 years of your life.

Students should know that going to a private school is overrated unless you have a substantial scholarship. Furthermore, make sure that BU does a good job finding jobs for people with your major.

I would recommend visiting the school your junior year and spending a night or two there with another student in order to get the actual feel for the school's environment. I would sit in on a class and ask questions, ask about the social life, the rules on campus, the career center and financial aid. Take a trip around campus and its surroundings to ensure that you will have enough to do on the weekends, things that will keep you active and not enclosed simply to campus-activities. You should feel as though there is more to do than just college parties on the weekends. Once at school, make as many friends as you can your freshman year, put yourself out there and talk to people, chances are they'll be glad you did. It is important not to judge anyone when first entering school as you never know how much you will change or how much you may have in common with someone even when not expecting it. Go out and challenge yourself, try new things, you'll find that you grow as quickly as within the first month of being away from home, embrace the change.

Look for strong academic credentials and reasonable financial aid. Determine ahead of time whether the amount of financial aid offered is constant from year-to-year, and whether tuition is scheduled to rise. If so, the frequency and extent of these increases should be evaluated. It may be difficult to ascertain without speaking to those already attending, but certainly worth the effort. Also important is whether the student will live on campus or commute to classes. I strongly advise in favor of living on campus for a number of reasons. The first is practicality: proximity to classes, professors, administrative offices and school facilities is essential, especially during the first year when students are typically adjusting to a different lifestyle. The second reason is a social one for those interested in making longterm friendships and partaking in the college experience. The best places to live, especially as a freshman, are large dormitories where the atmosphere is friendly and the administration sponsors activities which are important in creating bonds with peers. Although it may seem undesirable to share living quarters, dining halls, etc., with so many others, it is the surest way to make friends and enjoy your time at college.

It is very important to make a decision after you have obtained all the posible information about the school. Go online, see pictures, visit the campus, talk to past studentas and even read college guides to make sure the place is suttable for you. Make sure you know the school activities, clubs and even class information. College has a lot to offer for everyone; with and with a positive and open attitude toward new experiences college can be an amazing time to learn and have fun.

I would tell them to step out of their comfort zone a little. College is the perfect time to experience new things and life in a new place. So, when looking for the right college think about living somewhere where you'll get to experience things different from what you're used to because you may never get the chance to experience a city in this way again. It's also very important to look to look at the majors available as well as the class/campus sizes. I made sure that there were a lot of options for majors just in case I changed my mind, which I did! I terms of making the most of the college experience you just have to remember to never pass on trying something new. I've developed so much as a person from learning from the new people I've met and going out and experiencing the city. I would also highly recommend going to spend time with roommates or new friends at thier homes and inviting them to yours. People in college come from around the world and it's a great bonding and learning experience to visits their homes.

Overall, it all comes down to where you feel comfortable. A school could be great for you on paper, but if you feel out of place when you step on campus, it is imperative to pay attention to that feeling. Chances are that if you feel that way at the get go, it's not going to get any better. I would strongly encourage you to try to find the school that is right for YOU, because YOU are the one who has to spend the next four years of your life there. In trying to decide where to go, make a list about what you're looking for in a school: humanities or sciences; big or small; rural or urban; close to home or far? Definitely try to pick the school that you feel fits you best, but also keep in mind that you're going to change during your college years, and that's great! Just try to pick a school that will inspire and allow you to change in good ways. Go somewhere that you feel good about, but don't assume that the school is everything: college is what you make of it!

the best college for you is where the student feels its the right fit. only go where the studnet feels comfortable, no one else not parents or teachers. what is right for the student

Get a feel for what you're looking for ? city campus, suburban campus, size, programs offered, etc. There are so many grear schools out there, you don't need to look at ones that you know you wouldnt like. Get involved, meet people. Don't skip class if you can avoid it. Go to office hours. Participate in class. Talk to guest speakers and befriend RAs and security guards.

College isn't everything. If you have to take a year off and really find yourself, it's an investment in yourself and your ideals.

When you're choosing a college, make sure you challenge yourself a bit. I come from a small town where I knew everyone in my graduating class, but I chose to go to a city at a university that enrolls over 30,000 students each year. By pushing myself, I was able to become more independent and face my fears of being in a new environment with a very diverse population. Not everyone should attend this large of a school, but you should realize that it is not only important to feel comfortable at the college you choose, but also to challenge yourself both as a person and academically. The decision is yours only, so don't let a boyfriend or friend sway your decision. You will be happier and more successful in the end if you challenge yourself. Wherever you may decide, try new things. Maybe you'll love them, maybe you'll hate them. But, even if you hate them you may find a great friend while you were there. Take as many classes as you can and keep yourself busy with things you enjoy. Good luck!

Make sure you do a campus tour and talk to students that attend the school to make sure it's the right place for you!

Choosing the perfect school for a person is a cooperative effort between parent and child. It's important that when first looking at colleges that the tuition is not priority. The student should attend a college that he feels the most comfortable with. If he attends a school that he doesn't want to go to (and is just plain affordable), he's not going to work as hard as he would other wise. The main reason why we go to school is to get an education, but we can't forget to have fun too. Education comes first, but college is also a time to grow up or let the student grow up. College is an opportunity to learn new things, but also learn who we are inside.

I would tell people that in order to have a great college experience you must learn to live outside yourself, and break the boundaries you may have created for yourself throughout your life. Once you get to college you are thrown into an environment most people have never experienced before. It is important to be yourself, and remember where you came from, in order to branch out and meet new people and have new experiences. I would also say be prepared for whatever may come your way, because the school part of college seems to be the easiest.

Be sure that when you visit schools, you talk to students (NOT the campus tour guide. They love their school so much they get paid to talk about it.). You want an unbiased, honest opinion and that only comes from people who don't know you. My dad always pushed me awkwardly to do this, but it was how I discovered that many kids at NYU fill out the paperwork to transfer schools within their first semester. It eliminated my top choice, and now I couldn't be happier.

I would tell parents to listen to their kids and let them look at any school, regardless of price or location. I would tell students to visit every campus before they apply while classes are in session (i.e. no summer or christmas break students)- students can really get a grasp of campus life and of their future classmates by observing current students.

Find out about the faculty: who they are, the connections that they have, where they worked before, why they left. I love BU's faculty. I think its one of their strongest points. Find out how the administration treats its students and if there is a lot of bureacracy at the school. Check to see that the financial aid will continue to meet the students need not only for the first year, but for the rest of the time the student is in college. Find out what percentage of students graduate on time.

Don't bother with school tours. They only show you attractive aspects to a school, and ignore anything unattractive. I have overheard tour guides on the street outright lie about the housing availability at my school. Instead you should go to a campus, walk around on your own, and ask students (don't approach anyone who looks to be in a hurry; they probably are) what they think of the school. They usually don't mind.

I went about choosing my school based on location first. I knew I wanted a city and if not I needed a beach. My parents weren't thrilled with that, but once they realized there are a ton of schools that they approve of in those perameters they were game. I was fortunate enough to not have to worry about money, so I have no advice there. If you really want to get into a school but you are right on the edge of who they accept, apply General Studies. I was completely rejected from Univeristy of Miami and I applied Communications, but easily got into Boston University College of General Studies, which is considered a better school. And if you're a kid that wants to go far away from home, I would divide the distance you want in half, maybe more. You don't realize how far it is.

Make sure to look at alot of different types of schools and different locations to find a place you relaly feel like you could call home. Big schools in big cities might sound appealing but it is definetly only for people with certain personalities and alot of independance. You need to find somewhere thats comfortable for you so you can grow into who you are not who you think you should be, Parents should not push towards a school because of what they think is best for their child. It really has to be the students final decsion because they will know whether or not it will fit them well. You only get to be 18-21 and go to college once.

Whatever you put into your college experience is what you get out of it. Make sure you love the LOCATION and TYPE of school (urban, rural, etc..) above anything else, because that's where you're going to be living for four years! the next priority should be the quality of the program in which you are interested. Everything else will follow... Anything is possible at any school if you search hard enough.

Start your college search early and expand your horizions. Going to college is not just about picking a major. Also keep in mind what you want to do outside of school: greek life, sports, volunteer. Going to college you'll meet A LOT of different people. People who have more/less money than you, people of different races/religions and backgrounds. It's 2008 and we're no longer a generation who sterotypes and discriminates. Embrace the diversity your environment offers. Don't let going to college get to your head and keep in mind why you're in college: to advance your education. Some people do not have the opportunity you do so make the most of it. Try new things. Study. Party. Be safe. And make yourself proud. Because you are going to college for not your parents, siblings, teachers or friends. It's for you.

You should always visit a school's campus to see if you like it considering that is where you will be spending most of your time. Determine if you like the easy mobility of a city or if you prefer a more rural and quiet atmosphere. A student needs to think about class sizes. Some schools provide all small classes where others can have a 400 person lecture that also breaks down into a 20 person discussion. A good school to pick is one that will challange you to try harder, you don't want to settle for an easy ride. Consider how far away you are willing to live away from home. Being too far away, or close can make or break your college experience. Also you should look for a college that will be a good learning environment and that also will provide good opportunities and guid you into making the right decisions for your major and future career.

Enjoy it!

When chosing a college, you should always make sure you're familiar with the programs that are offered. If at any time you want to change your major, you can always switch without transfering schools altogether. You should also check to see how involved the school is in extracurricular activities, internships, and jobs. This will really help you gain first-hand experience and prepare you more for your career. The main thing is to feel comfortable and actually want to continue with the major you've chosen. And once you're in, make lots of friends! This is the perfect way to introduce your new life and your new home, so its always good to have a happy start. Also, once summer vacation starts, its great to relax and have some down time with family and friends, but you have to remember that you'll only have so many 3-4 month summer vacations left before going off to graduate school or starting your career! So this is the perfect time to start building up experience through jobs, internships, study abroad programs, or even volunteering. Anything that keeps you motivated and ready to lead your future. Good luck!

It is very important to visit your top choices for college before you apply, and at the very least, before you accept. College guides can be deceiving and it is important to get a vibe for the college by seeing it in person. While the college may match your dreams on paper, many people just don't jive with the campus itself once they set foot on it. For me, visiting my top choices solidified my desire to attend them, but for many people, it vastly changes their opinions.

College is the student's experience and all choices should be his or her choice. The student should take charge of his or her experience there, especially considering their entire life will soon be their responsibility.

Visit the campus! talk to people about the classes and what they think about the teachers. Ignore the tour guides, it's their jobs to make things sound good and perfect when no campus is perfect. Stay with a friend overnight if you can and attend a few different classes so you can get a feel of the professors. BU has really bad grade inflation, certain majors are curved to a B while others are curved to a C which is ridiculous. I'm a good student in the biology department and I would NOT recommend a bio major here, there is not a good assortement of classes, teachers are not very helpful, the classes are really large.