Bradley University Top Questions

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

Katy

Know what you want to do after college before looking for a school. Deciding where you want to live and work after college should dictate where you choose to go to school. A school closest to where you want to live and work will be able to give you connections, but a school too far removed will make it difficult to end up where you want to.

Cassie

Finding the right college is all about the feel. Of course you need everything to look right on paper, such as academic majors, financial aid, size, etc. But when you walk on to a campus and you already feel accepted, cared for, and comfortable, there is no better indicator. Once you get to that place, it is important to reflect on who you truly are and what you want to do. There will be so many different kinds of people on your campus, so there is no need to pretend to be someone you're not. College is a time to enjoy yourself and figure out your mission in life. There will be so many resources, so utilize them while you can and make it the best experience for you.

Sarah

I would suggest visiting the school you are interested in and really stay long enough to gain the atomosphere. Feeling it for yourself will really give you an idea of what it'll be like there every single day. It's also good to research the different majors offered and the quality of those majors. Many students switch majors at least once during their college career. My biggest mistake was rushing the process of visiting schools, and I didn't really learn too much about the social life on campus until I was already here. It was too late when I realized the school wasn't for me. Look at the clubs/organizations before accepting admittance because if you don't know anyone beforehand that is the best way to meet new people.

Jeremy

That you should go and visit the colleges that you are looking for. Because you might not know it's the right school unless you actually go there and look at it. Getting to know the students or seeing the college while there are students there to understand what goes on there. Also don't make the choice based on major alone. Make sure that there are some majors that you might be interested in as well not just that one major because you will more then likely change it at some point in time.

Katy

Make sure to shop around. Sit in on classes. Speak to real students. Wander campus by yourself.

John

I would have to say that one of the more important things to do when choosing a school is to go take a tour, see the campus and talk to real students about life on campus. I've had many friends go to schools they've never toured, or tour a school they thought they'd like only to find out that it's not really that good of a fit for them. A tour can tell you so much, much more than you can lear by reading about it online or in brochures.

Randall

The most important thing is to go where you feel is right. Don't where somewhere just because a friend goes there!!!

Amie

They should really go and visit the schools. When you go to visit a school, your child can really understand whether or not you feel like you fit in or not. Seeing a college brochure rarely gives a great indicator as to whether or not that school is a good fit. It's also important to consider that schools that are far away cost a lot for traveling, so staying closer to home is not that bad of an idea.

Suzanne

Go on as many college visits, and overnight visits, to make the best choice. It's important to see and "experience" all your options.

Nausheen

Visit as many of your possible schools as possible! This is the best way to get a real feel for the environment you will be in. Also, make sure to apply to enough schools! Apply to several "out-of-reach" schools, several "reach" schools, and of course apply to several safeties. Do your research in deciding which schools to apply to. Talk to as many alum or current students about schools. Also, use resources such as Petersons.com to compare different schools. Don't put your applications off until the last minute! Devote time to completing and proofreading all of your applications. As far as making the most of your college experience, get out of your room! Meet people, join clubs, get out there and keep an open mind. Be friendly and don't be afraid to meet different people or try new things! Take the opportunity of being on your own to learn/improve time management and organizational skills. Don't neglect your classes just because you think they're easy! Missing easy points can reallly affect your grade unnecessarily. Have fun!

Stefan

If you're not 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} sure on what you want to do with your degree, go to a 2 year local college first and decide there, no sense in spending the extra money just to later decide you wanna change majors. Unless money isn't a concern then go to a 4 year university for the experience.

Brad

Parents must understand that choosing a college is one of their child's hardest decisions, we have very little knowledge of what we want or where we want to go for college. First the parent's need to get their child involved in searching the type of major they are interested in pursuing. Then research the college that will provide the best education for the child. You can talk to your consular to help you better understand the academic's at a particular college. If you then like the education and the location potential then it's time to go ahead and plan a visit to the college. If you want to make the most out of your college experience I would first get involved in student organizations. I would get involved in one club for a physical even like a sport and then the second club would be getting involved in an organization related to your major to help you grow academically. If your looking for more friends and more events consider joining a fraternity or sorority.

Britany

During your visit to the college, take advantage of the option to sit in a class and to stay overnight. This is the best way to determine whether or not you will fit into the campus and the campus life. Also, visit the campus several times in different seasons and weather conditions. Just because a school looks good if you visit it on a sunny day in the summer doesn't mean you'll like it on a rainy day during the school year.

Alyssa

While most consider the application and decision process stressful, it's really quite simple. Once you select schools of great adacemic character, simply choose the school that "feels right" to you. I got a distinct feeling after my on-campus visit at Bradley, and couldn't have imagined my four years of college else where. Once you decide on what is "right" for you, make the most of it. Study hard and join extracurricular activities, but don't forget to make friends and enjoy your experience. As the quote goes, "College is the best time of your life," and it will be over sooner than you think. So, cease the moment and make the most of it - it builds you into the person you will soon become!

Emily

When trying to decide on the right college for you, think about what you want to get out of the experience. Do you want to be able to go home whenever you please, meet new people that you will form a lasting friendship with, or want to go to a school that's known and well recognized for the major that you would like to persue? I wanted these thing, and I have found them all here at Bradley University. Each person has to decide what they want, do you want a large university where class takes place in a huge lecture hall, or would you like to be able to have a professor that knows you by name and will talk to you, not just about the course work, but about anything that's on your mind. Once you have decided on the right college for you, you have to go into it with an open mind. Just think, college is like a fresh start. You make it what you want it to be. So don't just sit in your dorm room all day long, get out there and make the most of it!

candace

make sure you visit the school before classes are out because you are able to get a sense of how people are normally. If they hang out on campus or to they go their room and stay there. Also remember that this an important decision but you can always transfer to a different school the next year. However transferring more than once looks back on your transcripts.

Lauren

To find the right college, the students should go with their gut feeling of how they would fit in with the school environment. I would suggest spending more than one day at your potential college to get to see the students and teachers and how they interact with one another. To make the most of your college experience, join extracurricular activities to make more friends and have lasting relationships. Join a club or group that the student didnt get a chance to join in high school and be active in it. My suggestion is to become involved in the most clubs or groups you can handle while maintaining good grades. This groups and clubs with make you an even better person than you thought you were. I have grown so much just from the people i have met and the friends that I keep. College is not all about studying, there are many more things to do on campus that will make you more active and happy.

Jessica

I would choose a college that fits your specific needs. Size does matter and if youre looking to for a good student-faculty relationship, a smaller campus is the route to take. Get involved during your stay at any college or university because not only does it make you feel better about yourself, the activities look great on any college resume. BE YOURSELF. In doing so, you find your identity and diversify yourself. And finally, HAVE FUN. While class and studies are important, take time to enjoy your surroundings and your friends and enjoy the best years of your life!

Brian

Find a college that is the right size and curriculum that you are in search of. The college experience is obviously different from university to university, but each university does offer its own experiences. Definately do not limit yourself and try to go to the colleges that you have in mind and tour them and talk to students and try to fully understand what the overall feel of it is. College is said to be the best time of your young adult life and you want to go somewhere you feel comfortable and know you can focus and get a good education, and also somewhere you can graduate from and say that you were satisfied with your experience and would not change it because YOU made the best decision.

Kathy

Visit the school before you accept to go there. Research into what is around it and some activites that the school offers that you are interested in. Know whether you want a bigger school or smaller, are sports important? most of all, follow your gut instict. The place that feels "like home" is where you want to go.

Tierra

I would say that you should decide if you want to stay home or go away to college before you even begin the search. When you figure that out then look at size, location (urban, suburban, or rural), the strength of the dept holding your major (i.e. job placement rate after graduation, interships, etc.) You should also consider the social/campus life, student activities, greek life and other points of personal interest to better map out which college would fit your overall need. The most important is financial aid, but sometimes it is better to pay a little more as a trade off for getting what you want out of a college.

Karina

Finding the right college is about knowing yourself, i highly recommend visiting your college casue being there it gives yourself a chance to see how you would be there. Just being on campus and sitting in on class can let yourself know if you feel confortable in the enviroment. Also pick a school that has a lot of interests that you have in common, including majors, sports and clubs. You may change your major and if the school has a lot of majors your interested in then you have a good chance of finding something you are interested in. And make sure you get involved once you get to the school you finally choose because that is how you will make friends and get involved in school. The more you do the less you will think about home and get homesick.