Cedar Crest College Top Questions

The college experience is above all a time to discover ones self. When looking for "the right college" I believe that you have to look inward. Determining what your goals and expectations are for yourself and for others will in turn help you determine what encvironment will best nourish your needs. My best advice is this: Do not set yourslef up for temptation and failure! If one of your goals is to keep yourself involved in you campus activities and you pic a school with little or nothing to do on campus you will be dissapointed! If your goal is to not party during the school year and you choose friends with a different ajenda than you, you are only tempting yourself. If you approach college with and "I can do it" attitude you will not succumb to failure. Do not forget that while they are important it is not only about grades and book smarts, developing your personality, sprituality and own ideals is just as important. Take one day at a time. REMEMBER-"It will all be alright in the end- if it is not alright...it's not the end!

Make sure that you go and visit the college and try to set up as many personal interviews with the professors of your intended major(s). They will appreciate getting to know you and you in turn will get an inside look at the program. Parents and students should always ask questions. When I went to look at colleges I took a list of questions into my interviews to ask professors and professional staff. I asked about everything I could think of, from financial aid options and scholarship opportunities, to questions that were unique within my intended major. Another thing that I would suggest is to talk to the students on campus. Many of them will give you an honest opinion about the school, they will tell you things that some of the professors or professional staff may not. The most improtant thing about looking at a college however is to find one that you feel comfortable on, if you walk on to a campus and feel like you are home than more than likely that is where you belong.

Think about what suits you (the student). What type of setting would you feel most comfortable in? What do you ultimatley want out of your education and of the institute of higher learning that you attend? Visit the schools that you apply to attend. It is hard to decide where you want spend the next part of your education with out setting foot on campus before move in day! I would suggest that you also mostly rely on the gut instict (or "vibes") that you get from the campus and the people that you encounter. Also, on a more pratical note, look into the different programs that are offered at the school. Are you split between two majors? Does that college offer both? Can I minor in one of the subjects that I'm thinking about? Also, consider how much financial aid you are getting from each school that accepted you. Sometimes how much you have to pay for the education you want makes a big difference when deciding which college to attend. And finally, when you get to the college of your dreams... GET UP! GET OUT! GET INVOLEVED! It makes a world of difference for your college experience!

I would tell fellow students to research their options and weigh out the pros and cons to each choice. I would tell them to take a tour of the schools they are interested in because campus layout plays a major role in the whole college experience. Money and financing is also one aspect that should be looked at very carefully because the prices are just skyrocketing. Parents need to be there for their children, supporting their decision, but still offering advice and guidance. Let's face it, students, we really don't always know everything, as much as we would like to say that we do:) Students should also attempt, if possible, to speak with people who attend the colleges/universities they are considering, to get the real inside and firsthand scoop on the school. I recommend once in college, to put academics first and make sure enough time is spent on studies, since that's why you're spending all of that hard-earned money. However, you also must take time for yourself to simply have fun and relax, enjoying the whole experience and making it one that will last a lifetime.

Go with your gut, and what you can financially afford (both now and in the future).

The students need to make sure that they like the campus and the environment around it. Try to stay on campus in one of the dorms for a night or two to see if you like it and go to some of the classes to see what that is like. Make sure the college offers more than one opportunity for you to pick a major in case you realized the first year that you do not enjoy the one you picked. Talk to teachers if you do not understand something from class. Go to all the review sessions and get a toutor if you need help. Make as many friends as you can, they will probably be life long friends. Do not stress over the small things and just relax if you do. Try to take some study breaks and enjoy a nice walk with friends or go shopping or the movies. Never feel pressured about anything, if you do not like it you do not need to do it. You only get to go through this once and if you do not make any memories how are you going to remember all the good times with friends. Always smile.

Every school is selling their school, that no school will be perfect. The student must feel that he/she belongs at the campus; it is a feeling that is hard to describe but you know it when it happens.

visit the school, stay overnight with a current student and find a place that feels like home. when you get there, get involved, its the only way to feel like you are a part

Take tours, read about the school you're interested in and make sure it's right for you!

My advice is to take everything into consideration. Don't just go to a school for a major, or because it's close/far from home. Choose a school that will suit your individual needs and will make you feel comfortable. Choose a school that will be all that you want and will give you room to explore yourself. Definitely explore yourself and your wants/needs/desires for your future. College is expensive and so you need to make it worthwhile. Don't choose a major based on pay, but on what you want out of it personally and emotionally. Have fun!!! Don't let it be all work and no play, but definitely work hard!!! Travel whenever you can and see everything! Volunteer through your college and help other students! Join clubs and sports if you can; make friends with everyone! Know your professors and treat them with respect! Don't bring too much junkfood and eat your vegetables - you will get sick if you don't ( I Know!) Take every chance you can and never regret any choice! Free your mind and don't drink...too much! Tests suck when you have a hangover. MAKE IT MEMORABLE!

I would say visit a college, notice the little things while you keep the big picture in mind. Do they tend to their grass daily? Do they have recycling bins out? You can't just be completely focused on: "Yes, they have my major, I'm going." See how you feel around the faculty and especially the upperclassmen. It's very important to keep in mind that if a lot of the upperclassmen are not the kind of people you want to be around--especially if you're going on a preview day and they're showing you around--it's probably not the place you want to be. While it shouldn't be the end all and be all to your decision, ultimately you're going to want to be somewhere that's going to be flexible, where you will feel comfortable, and where, if your original major plan falls through, you have a back-up plan.

If I could give any advice to parents and students that are searching for the right college it would be to not look for the college that looks best to others, but that fits YOU. Even if you are so excited about making it to Yale, Harvard, or Brown; the excitement will run out if you aren't happy in your new environment. Even if the school is not a big name, but it has everything, including the degree you are looking for, you will be so comfortable living and going to school, that the whole idea that the school isn?t a big name will soon wear off!