College of William and Mary Top Questions

A word of advice to the anxious parents, whose sleepless nights are crowded with apprehension, and to their overwhelmed and intimidated sons and daughters: don't worry. Don't worry? How is that appropriate for the life-changing decision looming ahead? My parents' college experience taught me the only advice I needed to choose the right school. College is what you make of it. My mother, who didn't do her best in high school, went to an out-of-the-way liberal arts college. Knowing she could do better, she worked hard and earned a prestigious internship. My father went to Yale, but chose politics over his school work. Though they went to colleges of vastly different reputation, my parents both became equally well advanced and successful in their respective careers. You, as a college-bound student, have a wealth of choices before you. There are hundreds of excellent colleges all over the country, each with its own merits, any of which offers you the chance to succeed. But college doesn't hand out success or take it away. No matter where you choose to go, it will be up to you to make your college the "right" one.

My greatest advice would be not to lean to much on material things about a college, like the food, or the dorms, etc. The most importants things are the academics and campus life. Also, most people change at least a little when they go off to college so it is not wise to pick a college because they have a certain club of fraternity that one might want to be a part of.

In order to make the most of the college experience one needs balance. This balance is multi-faceted: physical versus emotional, scientific versus artistic, and academic versus social. The most difficult, or at least omnipresent challenge, is academic versus social. If your favorite band is playing 40 miles away the night before a midterm, should you skip it and study? Or do you want the experience of rushing away from campus in the night with a good friend, having a blast at a great concert, and rushing back to get some much-needed sleep before you fudge your way through an exam? Which is going to add more depth to who you are? (Seriously). Of course you can't start failing your classes, missing sports practices or club meetings, but honestly; don't let your academic life ruin your social life. You've got to find a college where the work load is challenging but not overbearing for you. Work hard, strive to learn more than what's expected, but don't forget to go out on the weekends (or the occasional thursday...) or perhaps take a $200 cab ride adventure to visit your best friends at another college. (whoops!)

First of all, visit. See prospective schools for yourself. If possible, try to sit in on a class or stay with a student. Talk with people who go there. The more you can learn from actual students, the better, since I can assure you that going to college for real is nothing like the guide books or movies. Also, make sure that the college you pick offers courses and majors that you would want to take, and has a social scene you are comfortable with. Check out the town and if possible, the dorms. Once you make it to the college of your choice, get involved. You won't make any friends or have any fun if you don't participate in out-of-class activities. Support your teams and the arts at your school, and make sure you get off campus a little, too. And don't forget that schoolwork is the reason you're there: if you try your hardest to do your best, you will succeed. Don't be afraid of college; it may seem like a big change, but you will get used to it, and if you get involved, you'll have a better experience.

College is meant to be about growth, but a student can only garner so much academic and personal growth from a college that doesn't challenge them in one way or another. And unexpectedly, a college's size can be a good way of telling what kind of challenge a campus can offer. One of the most overlooked aspects of a college is size. For some students, it's easy to stand out in a large crowd and a large school, be it a daunting Ivy League or an invisible state school. But for some students, like myself, standing out is an uncomfortable issue, I don't have the personal desire to stand out. Going to William and Mary, I'm pushed academically, but the small school setting has been a surprisingly interesting counterpart to the academics. Being on a small campus, I can't hide in class and I'm pushed to become a more confident and competant student and thinker. I still have a ways to go but I know that if I had gone to the large university of my chosing, I never would have had this kind of rich and personal college experience.

I think choosing a school requires more than just finding somewhere that offers your major of interest- no matter how certain you are of your major, it's likely to change. It's also important to look at what kind of setting you desire, the size of the student population, volunteer and special interest opportunities available, and the variety of courses offered. What it really comes down to is the feeling you get when you step foot onto the campus. Though it sounds cliche, that first sense you get is really significant.

I have told all of my friends in high school the same thing about selecting a college: it does not matter how big or "good" the college looks on paper--what matters, in terms of your life goals on higher educational trajectory, is finding the "right" college. Some people may take this advice as far as saying, "Oh, this school has a program that caters to my interests and aspirations." That's excellent and should be a major consideration, but I mean to take it just one step further and analyze everything about the experience of being on campus day to day. The people, the atmosphere, the food, the surrounding area. Take into account what you will feel every morning when you wake up, the chemistry you will have with the professors who are helping you achieve your goals and their relationship to the material, and the type of friends you'll make. It has to feel right--even if the college of your choice does not rank on any "Top 100" list, if you like it there, go there. What matters is that the college will develop the passion and desire to make something of yourself in this world.

First and foremost, it is impossible to simply choose a school that would be best for someone based on word of mouth or rankings on a website. A school's value far surpasses dollar signs and tiers created by third parties. In order to find a proper school for yourself, you MUST visit the school, walk around during the day, explore and take note of what you see around you. You can learn much more from watching students interact with one another before and after classes than you can looking at pictures and "Notes from the Dean" online. While these are also valuable of course, they should not be the priority. Also, be assertive. Walk up to a student, introduce yourself, and ask them if you could have a few minutes of their time to speak about their experiences. It does not matter if this person is a freshman, senior, or anything inbetween. What matters is that each person will bring a rich history and viewpoint, speak of a certain club, a class, the local hangout on campus, etc. The information you get in these few minutes could be the defining point and transdorm your choice and future.

Choose with your heart and your head. Do not depend on others to make or cause you to sway towards a certain school. And if you don't like the school, you can always change your mind or transfer. Also, be friendly and open, but also be careful because some people are do not show who they really are until it's too late and you get caught in their lies. Have the courage to tell your roommate that her/his friends need to go because you need to sleep because it's either: a) your room, too; b) you've got an important test/exam tomorrow; or c) you're just tired. You need to be an adult and be responsible for your actions. Lastly, you learn a lot about yourself, so don't be afraid to embrace who you are.

The best college for you will stick out as soon as you get your acceptance letters, but probably no sooner. Therefore, apply to places that fit your personality and goals and take location into consideration. Otherwise, wait to choose your school until decision time comes around, and you'll end up very happy with your choice. Then, live it up! Get out, into the school community. Work hard, but don't stress about grades too much. It will go much better if you are happy and comfortable in your surroundings. When the initial excitement about college life starts to wear off, don't get discouraged or bored. Join a new club or make an effort to meet new people; you never know who can be waiting right around the corner. This makes the rest of college as fun and exciting as the first weeks, and can transform your entire experience.

Visit, visit, visit! I think that one of the most important parts of choosing a college is seeing the college campus, experiencing the atmosphere, and tasting, feeling, smelling the area in which you're going to spend four years of your life. Many schools look good on paper but can feel quite different in person. I was undecided between two schools (both of which had great reputations, programs, and statistics) until I visited, at which point I had an immediate "gut" reaction to the school that I ultimately decided to attend. And I have never regretted that choice. "Making the most of college" is a concept that is somewhat harder to define, but I truly believe that for college (just like for many other life situations) what you put in is what you get out. College is about grades and classes, but it's also about sports, friends, traditions, and activities. If you close yourelf into the library, you may get great grades but you can't expect to have extensive extracurricular experiences. Enjoy the time that you have at college - it will go quickly; don't forget to take a look around and enjoy the process!

Make sure to do plenty of research. Think about what you want out of a school: what you want for a career and what sort of schools will provide that, what size school you'd be interested in, how close/far away from home you wish to be, etc. Look at the research interests of the faculty in the department(s) you're most interested in. If you find professors whose research interests you, email them to ask them about their department's programs. And definitely visit schools in person to get a feel for the campus and student life. While you're visiting you could also probably sit in on on of the classes by the professors you've been talking to. This also helps the professor remember you when you enroll as a student and are in their class. Try to get to know your professors, or make sure they at least know who you are when you're enrolled. This will help open dialogue when you have questions and will establish a relationship that could help when you want future references/recommendation letters. And definitely get involved with extracurricular organizations early, just don't overwhelm yourself!

Visit all the colleges that you apply to during normal school session. Visiting allows you to meet the administration and faculty. Going during the fall or spring semester whule classes are in session gives you the real idea of campus life, if possible stay over a night with one of the students because it gives a first hand experience. Pick the school that you feel the most comfortable at, not the pne your parents want you to go to because you will not be as happy and get the most from your time in college.

VISIT! Talk to current students! Attend programs hosted by the admissions office for prospective students...and don't be afraid of financing...things always work out!

The college application process is often daunting for high schoolers. University visits tend to blend together and in many cases I feel that there is a pressure for students to make important decisions too quickly. My advice to students and families is to pay attention to the smaller emotions and insights that are felt when on a campus tour. Walking around a campus can tell you quite a bit about the student population, faculty and the overall attitude of the community. If a student laughs, smiles and feels comfortable on the tour then they should recognized the school as a future academic and social home. They should also look to see if the school has an understandable balance between academics and social life. This balance is key to any student's success. Clues to all these characteristics can be seen on a campus tour. If found, the school has an excellent approach to help the student grow as a life long learner and informed graduate.

It is important not to commit yourself to one school before you have explored all your options and heard back from all the schools you applied to. Then, go visit! Meet the students could be your peers, and the professors who could soon be your professors, and see if this feels like a place where you will find yourself at home. This is essential because college is your first home of your own, it is where you will discover yourself and grow into the person you are going to be for the rest of your life. Choose wisely, but remember, you can always transfer if you find that you're choice wasn't quite what you thought it would be. Most of all, have fun, and look forward to the greastest adventure you will have had thus far!!

Make sure you love it. Don't give in to any feeling of indecision. If something about the campus, its programs, or any other aspect of a prospective college cause any hesitation in you, then make sure you know what that thing is, and find out more about it. Additionally, remember the importance of academics in your decision. Knowing that the school you want to go to has a renowned partying or social atmosphere is great, but not if that is the foundation of your decision. Especially since all undergraduate institutions are full of people the same age as you, and who likely know how to have fun in many different ways. Most importantly, attack your choice with an open mind. Don't let rumours about a potential college phase you--especially since many aren't actually true. Instead, visit and find out for yourself. Having an open mind in your decision is important, as it mirrors the type of thought that you should expect from yourself in the next four years: an objective, open logic that will allow you to grow intellectually. If you pick a college that way, then you'll be fine wherever you decide to go.

I think the most important thing to consider about finding the right college is where you feel most at home. It is important to feel like you fit in with your classmates and that you will be able to form friendships and bonds with them that will last a lifetime. I think that in order to make the most of the college experience you need to balance work and fun. Working hard and doing well definitely pays off and is extremely important, but you have to have a little bit of fun somehwere in your life to make it all worthwhile.

Please, really visit the schools, and TALK TO THE STUDENT BODY. This is what's valuable, not the school-run tour groups. I know that's what's easist--that's what I did, and I'm relatively unhappy with the education that I'm getting. Sure, I'm going to a great school, but it's not the right fit. You want to make sure that the school that you choose is the right fit for you, not just a good school that's going to wind up stressing you out and pissing you off more than it educates you.

Start EARLY!!!

College is so much more than a book education. It's about learning independence and how to work hard because you want to and not because your parents will ground you if you don't succeed. It's about realizing what your dreams are and how to achieve them. It's learning to develop a network to support you throughout the rest of your career and your life. But it's not only an experience that will change students. Parents also will embark on their own learning experience. Remembering how to live their lives without daily involvement of their children can be challenging, but it can also grant them freedom to once again pursue their own interests and dreams.

As a prospective college student, it seems everyone tells you the same phrase: "Pick a good one, college years are the best of your life!" When faced with the daunting number of institutions, programs, activities and everything else the college search entails, things can get very overwhelming, very quickly! However, I think the most important thing for any student or parent to know is no matter where you (or your son or daughter!) go, you'll be just fine. Today, students are facing more choices and more competition for colleges than ever before, and it seems like so many students get caught up in getting into that "perfect" school. Honestly, though, no matter where you go, you will find your niche. You will discover amazing people, fun and interesting activities, engaging and challenging classes, and new perspectives on just about everything. You just have to go out and find it! Get involved, try something new, and make the most of your college experience, no matter where it is. So yes, keep dreaming about that perfect school, but know that even if things don't work out "perfectly", you'll probably end up finding perfection where you didn't expect it.

Follow your heart. In the long run, nothing else matters.

Make sure you visit the colleges you are thinking of attending, and use that visit to gauge the atmosphere of the college. Is it welcoming? Do the students seem happy, friendly, and involved? You should ask a lot of questions to students and professors, and not just admissions officials (whose job it is to make the school look as good as possible). While visiting, ask yourself if you can see yourself spending the next four years of your life there. Keep in mind class size, academic requirements, facilities (academic buildings, dorms, dining halls, etc.), social/volunteer opportunities, and the area around campus. To make the most out of the college experience, my number one suggestion is to join a group that feels like a family. It can be a club sports team, a fraternity/sorority, an academic club, or any other group on campus. If you devote your time and energy to something you're interested in, you will get a lot in return. You will have people on campus to support you and be a sort of second family while you are at school, and you will have formed lifelong friendships.

Finding the right college is all about knowing what you want to get out of the experience. One of the major deciding factors for me was picking a college that was fairly small in size. It allows you to really make yourself part of the college and feel closely connected. There is a lot that can be said about the benefits of living in a close-knit community as well. By attending a smaller college, I have made several deep connections with the people here, as well as gotten to know so many new and exciting people thorugh mutual friends. Another important consideration is the academic experience. Although your time enjoyed in college has a lot more to do with things outside academics than it does with your classes, it is still very important. It is your common experience with those around you that make taking the classes an experience beyond learning. It is also the gateway to really discovering what you are passionate about in life and defining yourself as a person. While my examples show what was important to me, it also shows how and what should be considered when picking the college that's right for you.

I would encourage both parents and students to look at numerous attributes of the college. I would especially inform students because they will be the ones enrolled, to look at three main areas of college when deciding: 1) whether it coincides with your major because depending on the school it could be well-known and highly- ranked for specific degrees, a degree at one school may not be as worthy as it would at be another college; 2) financial aid because if there is a main concern for money and being able to fully pay for school as it is for most prospective students the amount of financial aid an institution provides will be a prominent decision maker; 3) the social life and community because one will have to spend approximately four years at the college so visit and maybe spend a day and night getting to know the people and learning about available activities.

Don't Panic! (from Hitchhiker's Guide) This is a big decision but guess what? You're an adult now! If you choose a college that you end up hating, it's OK. You can choose to leave and try somewhere else. And luckily, there are many many options. I ended up at William and Mary- my last choice. In fact, I wasn't even going to apply here. And then it was the only place I got in. I was mortified. I didn't even visit before moving in in the fall because I was too upset. But it turned out to be perfect for me. I am a William and Mary woman through and through. Other of my friends got in to their top choice schools and ended up transfering out after a semester. It just goes to show that you never know what's going to be right. You just have to hold your breath and hope for the best. And be proactive if things don't turn out exactly right at first. Have faith that you'll figure it out eventually. You're an adult, that's what adults do.

Relax! Don't stress yourself out too much with the process, if the school is right you will know.

Visit!! talk to a lot of people and check out the surrounding area. Choose a place where you feel comfortable. Getting as far away as possible is not really as big of a deal as it seemed at the time

I would tell students to find a school based off of mostly the people that go to school there and then to consider the academics. If this is done, then a student will be happier. I went to my school more because of its academic reputation without knowing at all what the people are like and realize that I may be happier somewhere else. The people at a school make the school what it is. If the people are intelligent and have things in common with oneself, then a student will be happier. Also, the professors complete the academic experience for a school and a school with great professors are definitely a plus. Once in college, finding the best balance of schoolwork, sleep, social relationships, and extracurricular activities is the best thing that one can do. If the balance is accomplished, then happiness is sure to follow.

It is important to try to match the prospective student to a school that best matches the person she can become -- not the person she is, not the person she might wish she were instead, but the natural progression of her current personality and talent. Parents should refrain from pressuring their children into a certain school and should never make the final decision. Students should engage in serious self-reflection about where they want to be in five years and should consider how their choice in school can help make that happen. When in school, students should suck the marrow out of life, pushing their boundaries academically, socially, personally. They should take risks and tackle challenges -- and never take the easy way out. They should push themselves out of their comfort zone and explore themselves and the world they live in. The college experience is a journey of self discovery that can enrich one's life in ways previous unimaginable. It is about founding friendships, developing skills, and mastering oneself. The experience of being a full-time student in a great university is an opportunity that should never be wasted.

Choosing a college is a difficult task, requiring research into statistics as well as campus visits. What I found the most useful, though, was sitting in on actual classes and listening to professors teach. From that, I found out which colleges had professors that could not only reach out and draw students into the material, but also seem to care and listen to them when they asked a question or had a comment. After attending several classes at the colleges I was considering, I found my decision much easier to make. Statistics and campus tours are nice, but you don't really know a college until you see the students and professers interacting in a classroom.

Go to class, work hard. Relax!

It sounds weird, but as far as finding the right college goes, there really is something to listening to your gut feelings. The vibes you pick up, when visiting--and visiting is important too--like how comfortable you feel, whether you think you could make friends with the people around you... They're all in fact really important to knowing how much you'll feel you made the right choice once you settle in at your new school. As far as making the most of the college experience, it's essential to, cliche though it may be, find that delicate balance between schoolwork and social life. You'll drown in academia if you don't maintain friendships or go out and do something once in a while. Relax. Unwind. On the other hand, you won't be able to fully enjoy any kind of social life if you're not doing well in school, (and not to mention the fact that your future prospects will be less than fantastic if you don't care and flunk everything).

Definitely visit schools that you are considering applying to. A campus visit can make the difference between choosing the right school and the wrong one.

Let students choose the college that is best for them, not the one with the best ranking or most prestigious name. I was granted honors admission to the University of Virginia, while William and Mary accepted me as any other student. The University of Virginia is ranked higher, but William and Mary fits me much better as a student and as a person. At a bigger school, or one that didn't prize its students for their integrity and work ethic, i would not feel nearly as at-home as I do at William and Mary. I love my school, and the quality of the education is incredible. Though my parents may have leaned toward UVa, they allowed me to make my own decision, and that has led me to a school where I feel I truly belong, and where I am both wanted and valued.

The first piece of advice I would give to students looking for the right college is, be willing to take a risk. I think that is something I subconciously was not willing to do and ended up choosing a "safe" school that I did not prefer over my other choices, but was cheap and close to home. College is supposed to be your chance to start new and be who you want to be, if you are not willing to take a risk you may never get that chance. Second, I would advise students to look for a college that will suit them both academically and socially. Not many students know what they want to study when entering college but it is still important to look for a school that offers a variety of subjects that interest you. Socially, it is important to pick a school where you feel like you will fit in and feel comfortable with other people on campus. I also advise students to investigate the surrounding environment of colleges. Finally, I advise students to put alot of effort into this process because they will be rewarded with a wonderful four years at a school they love!

In order to find the right college and have the best time there, I would advise to not listen to advice from others. When you find the right college, you know. Don't worry if your parents want you to be a doctor and you want to be an artist. Don't stress if one school isn't as "good" as the others because the average SAT score is lower. College is about exploration and finding one's own individual path. By listening to others in regards to which college to attend, students are forgetting that college is about personal growth.

When it comes down to it, every school offers a unique experience. Reading books, looking at websites and taking a tour will NEVER give you a complete and accurate presentation. While the odds that you will be 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} satisified with any particular school are slim to none, you will always find things about your school that you will love. When you look back twenty years from now, you won't remember the little complaints and annoyances. Instead, you will think fondly of your professors, friends, and life during the best four years of your life.

You will figure out who you are and what you will do with your life later. Visit the campuses you're considering! Look at them with an open but critical mind. Think about if you feel comfortable and if people seem happy there. Know what size means about a college or university experience.

The student has to feel comfortable at the school and also the city it is located in, because if you don't like the school, you will not have a good college experience. Also look and see if the school is strong in the area of your intended major.

Pick what feels right for you. As stupid as it sounds, try talking to students who attend the colleges you're applying too. They can give you the best feel for what the campus is like. Most importantly, don't stress. You will get into a college and while at first it may not be your top choice, everything will work out just fine and if it doesn't, don't panic. You can always transfer. As for what to expect when you get to college, life will present you with many opportunities. Parents need to just back away and let students discover themselves and trust that they will make the right decisions for themselves, even if it does not appear that way at first. It's college-it's all about self-discovery and building who you are as a person, based on what you want, not your parents desires for what they want you to turn out to be. Just work hard and don't worry. Everything will work out okay.

Don't listen to the campus tour guides. They are probably lying outright or at least sugar-coating most of what they say. Try the food before you get there. Be as specific as you can about housing. Talk to real students about what they think about the university. But most importantly, don't go to the college you've been dreaming about since you were 10. Odss are, you've put it up on a pedestal so high, it will only disappoint you when you see the atrocious food and housing, the bad classes you get and your first tuition bill.

Just this: when you step on the campus you don't "know" like everyone says you do. It is when you are on other campuses and they just don't seem as perfect as School A, or you can't stop comparing them to School A- you know that School A is "the one". Once there, embrace everything that place has to offer. Whether it's football culture, Southeast culture club, cooking classes, or Greek life- find what makes you happy and get involved, get involved, get involved! There is nothing worse than graduating college with just a diploma. A group of life long friends and memorable expereinces should follow you across the stage and into your future.

Don't just take the tour provided by the college, they'll only show you the best part of the school. They won't tell you the downfalls of the school because ultimately, they just want your money so they're going to show you what you want to see and tell you what you want to hear. Ask around on campus, students are friendly enough to talk to anyone. Ask them what they like most and what they like least, they'll give you straight answers. Make sure you get a tour of the freshmen dorms. While you might not necessarily make your decision based on this, it will at least make move-in less of a shock.

Location location location!

Be true to yourself, focus on the elements that are truly important to you in your life and make sure that they are available at whatever school you choose. Also, don't be afraid to change directions if something is not working out.

Look at a lot of different schools, and don't make the decision too quickly.

The best advice I can offer is to look outside the traditional criteria for 'greatness' of a university and focus on what type of learning experience would help you the most. Lots of people mistakenly believe that picking colleges based on rankings will guarantee success, but at the end of the day, you will be judged on how well you did, not how good your college was. When you put your heart into learning at a place with similar values, you're going to end up happier and more successful than if you'd picked a place with different priorities. I know some very smart people who would have thrived at the broad but sometimes shallow curricula of small liberal-arts colleges, but made themselves miserable at big research-oriented universities because of institutional prestige. Likewise, plenty of people at small schools wind up frustrated by the limited opportunities and might have been better off at big research institutes where they could focus intently on one subject. If they'd picked the right 'type' of school, they would have enjoyed the learning experience more and become more successful than they were trying to force round pegs into square holes.

Know youself