College of William and Mary Top Questions

If you want to choose the right school, visit all your options. Don't just take the tours they offer, explore the campus for yourself. Ask people you know who attend the school about everything that comes to mind. Be sure you know what you're getting yourself in to.

Go with what you feels right. Visit all of the campuses. Talk to students when you visit and ask them what they like and don't like about the school. Consider if more expensive schools are really worth the extra money for you.

The best advice I cna give is to go visit campuses during the college search. When I found my school, I just had this feeling that it was right for me. No matter what the credentials of a school, you need to feel good there, and love your surroundings. As for during college, I strongly believe that you need to work hard, as well as have some fun. Don't completely immerse yourself in work, by any means, but get what you should out of your college experience--knowledge. What other time in your life do you get to do nothing but study whatever interests you? Take advantage of it.

Let you child pick the college that they like best.

Choose a college that makes you feel most comfortable.

do it

I would say that the first step to finding a college that you will enjoy attending is to be honest with yourself about what it is you most want from the experience. Next, it will be helpful to read as much as you can, and ask as many questions of students and faculty as possible, to find a school that will best provide that. For example, if you really want to share in cheering for a sports team, it would probably be best to find a school with a really good program that will inspire team spirit. If you want to explore a research interest, you should probably find a school where faculty are available to oversee undergraduate study and the institution can provide the tools and finances you will need. Once you're enrolled, sample a broad array of classes and immerse yourself in the material; you could discover an interest that you never had access to in high school. At the same time, be pro-active about extracurriculars, lectures, and social opportunities to find a niche. A lot of this - broadening your horizons and actively engaging - is cliche, but over time it has seemed increasingly true to me.

Parents and/or students should think about what type of education they are looking for and how hard they are willing to work to get that education. There is alot of information about all colleges out there in the world that could tell you what kind of people attend the college, how much money it costs to attend, and the degrees offered, but unless you spend some time around the campus and area, it is hard to judge if the school is a best fit. I highly recommend going to the college and spending a few days in the area to really experience all that the school has to offer. Hearing what students have to say and how they feel about the school is also very important, not just the guides and admissions office, but students who are just walking around campus, as they are the best judges and have alot of opinion to offer.

College is what you make of it. There isn't one perfect choice. The best you can do is pick the best fit for you, don't worry too much about getting into that first choice, and make the effort to become involved and invested in the college you choose.

Two things can happen as a result of the college application process: you can get into too many schools, or not enough. As long as you're eager to attend many universities and apply to those schools, it's almost impossible to go wrong. The most important lesson, though, is that the college admissions process should be an exciting and rewarding one. College is a fantastic experience no matter who you are or what you do-- you've just got to be eager, enthusiastic, and meet those deadlines!

Check online college resources like PrincetonReview.com, look at schools good for the major you're looking at, and above all VISIT THE SCHOOL!! Some schools look great on paper, but you know you've found the right school when you walk around the campus and think, "I could definitely live here."

Pay attention to the facts, figures, and numbers. But more importantly, go with the gut feeling that tells you "I will be happy in this place".

You have to close your eyes and think about what you want to be doing for the next four years. College offers so many oppertunities that you won't have at any other time- do you want a school where the whole student body shows up for football games? Do you want to study abroad? Do you want to recognize people all over campus, or meet new people every day? I think it's more important tot consider what you do in college than where you want to end up afterwards.

Upon reflection of my own college search, I came to a few realizations about the whole process. My main advice is to select a college based on your gut, your intuition. Go to the school where when you stepped on campus, you felt at home. If you attend a school for any reason not derived from your own values, then you will most certainly be unhappy and unfulfilled. It should not first be about the reputation or what a parent believes is the ?best? pick, it is about the student and their own personal values that should match with the school?s. Most of all, once you are at school, recognize it is hard for everyone to adapt to a new, foreign situation, and take every tough situation with a grain of salt. Be proactive in college, get involved, engage with other peers, because pushing through the first semester freshman year and engaging in other activities is the best decision I made to get so much out of my college experience thus far. And after all, its four years you only get to experience once, make it your own.

Think about the culture of the school, not just the academics or the reputation. You have to live there for 4 years and deal with the culture all that time.

I worked in W&M's Admissions Office this summer, so for three months, my existence essentially consisted of living and breathing this prompt. First, I'd tell parents and kids not to worry; college is a wonderful time of self-discovery, exuberance, and freedom, and one ends up happy no matter where one chooses to attend school. That's the nature of college! That said, a few tips include: 1) Talk to faculty. Few prospective students do this, yet faculty are the true test of a college's live-ability. Are faculty satisfied? Do they love their jobs? Do they enjoy the students with whom they work? 2) Don't place too much emphasis on dorm room size or quality. One's experiences in college are made by the friends with whom one surrounds oneself, not by the size or shape of a dorm closet. 3) Once you're in college, go try something you've never had a chance to before. Before W&M, I'd never set foot on a stage, and now I'm in a sketch comedy group. Keep your focus on the books, but remember that there are other ways to grow!

You will do well wherever you go. The college experience is 85{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} you and 15{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} your school. The important thing is to choose a school that allows you to feel comfortable and empowered enough to follow your dreams wherever they may take you.

I would advise parents and students to go on a tour of the university and to talk to the students around campus to get a feel for the types of people who go the school.

Narrow down choices based on personal preferences such as size, public versus private, and location. Then research the colleges left in your list such as does the college have a strong program in what you as a student is interested in studying. Then research other things such as value for cost, and rankings. Then be sure to make an informed decision that is also based on the student's personal needs and preferences. To make the most of the college experience be open to new things and don't be afraid to make new friends and try new things. Also be yourself. Make sure to balance social life, academics, and family.

Think about what environment you are looking for in yourself. How much studying and reading and thinking and volunteering (etc.) do you want to do? Once you have decided on that, think about the geographic location you want and the finances (in-state or out-of-state). Visit the schools that fit the geography and money situation. Talk to people on the campus and if they seem to be living the life you imagined, consider that school. Try to be realistic about what to expect. Also - it might help if you have a similar interest to a program at that school. If you think you might be interested in a certain program, talk to a professor. They are most likely open and friendly - ask them about how they teach and what you could expect from the school/s you are interested in. Above all - and I know this from first-hand experience - it's not the end of the world if you don't get in to your first choice (or any of your choices, for that matter). Things always have a way of working out. You can always transfer. Just be realistic and calm.

To find the right college, use your imagaination. Visiting the colleges you're considering is important. While you're there, ask yourself, what would it be like to live here? The fit of the school is more important than its prestige or reputation. The best learning takes place when you feel at home. And whether you know what you plan to study, or you're still unsure, choose a college that won't limit your options. Look for a school that offers diverse opportunities for academic, social, and personal growth. Don't be afraid to contact students of the colleges you're considering to ask for their input. These will be your classmates. They've been through the same process you're undergoing and they can give you useful advice. Examine the values and goals of your potential college and compare them to your own. Once you've chosen a college and they have chosen you, challenge yourself. Write out a wish list of all the experiences and adventures and goals you wish to achieve, even if they don't seem possible at the moment. Always remember why you want to be there, and everything else will fall into place.

Raj talks about his freshman year.

Nakul talks about his freshman year.

Dave talks about his freshman year.

Amanda talks about her freshman year.

Just do it. Nike

Visit the school and see if it feels like home. Go somewhere where you can invision yourself living with those people for four years. When you get that feeling, you'll know you've found the right place for you.

My advice would be to find a college you like by visiting campus multiple times, and talking to current students. Do your own research about the school, and make sure it fits your needs. Think long and hard about the school. Don't make any quick decisions. Whatever you choose, know that there's something there for you, and make the most of it!

I would visit the school in a non tour group fashion and observe the students in how they interact with each other. While students being like you is not the most important thing, it plays a role in how you see yourself there.

Go with your gut instinct. If you don't know you love a school when you're first visiting, it's probably not for you. Stay the night with a student if possible, and try to find one you really fall in love with. When you do apply early decision! That's the best decision I ever made. Applying early decision gave me a little boost of likelihood to get in, let me know by Thanksgiving whether I was accepted, and gave me peace of mind. I would highly recommend it if you find a place you love.

To find the right college, first figure out what you are looking for: city/rural/suburban, size of school, part of the country, type of school (technical/liberal arts etc), public vs. private. Narrow the list down to which you have a chance at, GPA/SAT wise. Read the books about the character of the schools. Then VISIT. Each school has a different flavor. Then, don't apply to too many (certainly not over 6), because your applications will become diffused & the school's admissions committees will sense that. Write an out-of-the-park essay. Don't get help with the essay - again, the admission people will see through that. Once you have your acceptances and you look at the options, you'll know - but if you don't, then revisit the schools. Once you've found out who your roommate will be, contact him/her, and get to know him/her - get together if you can. When you move in & begin orientation, ENGAGE. Take advantage of orientation week. Once you've begun classes, ask questions if you need to - visit the professors if you need clarifications. And enjoy the socializing! You're in college!

Choose a college that doesn't sound like it will agree with all the notions you've held to be true in your life. Challenge yourself. Keep in mind that in the end you are paying your tuition in order to be educated. People who say things like, "you're paying for an experience, not just school" are usually talking about drunkeness and promiscuity, and should be avoided. Remember that if something is different, it's not always wrong. But it's not always right, either. Don't go for the unlimited meal plan your freshman year. When choosing a school, avoid tour and introduction programs. Break off and mingle with the students instead of being spoon-fed a fistful of brochures. Don't buy all your textbooks at once. Plan ahead for Registration. Don't be afraid of early classes. Treat your education like an eight-hour-a-day job; you'll get more done in those eight hours and have more free time. Just because everyone says something is right doesn't mean it really is. Don't be afraid to go against the flow, to stand up in front of the crowd, and to sing the loudest.

Don't just look at the names of the college but what the college offers.

Finding a college is really finding a home for four years, and finding a place to find yourself. Don't just look at the academics or the party scene--look at the people, the community. If at all possible, visit. Immerse yourself in the school and ask around. Find a place that you will be proud to call home, somewhere whose colors you'll be proud to wear (hey--free t-shirts!). Step out of your comfort zone--study abroad, meet new people, make friends with professors, try new things, take a few classes just because they look interesting, join some clubs--but don't do anything that would get you arrested. And most importantly... be yourself. Take some time and reflect on what you want, what you're trying to achieve--and then go out and do it. College is a wonderful time to experiment with these things because there are so many resources (and so many safety nets). Don't worry too much about what people think, and don't worry too much about the future. Make the most of what you have.

First, understand that the college admission system is complicated. You might get into one school and not another for reasons you don?t understand. There will be celebrations and disappointments. With that said, apply to many schools. Remember that life will change in unexpected ways so don?t pick a school based on a single academic program, but rather rely on your instincts and first impressions. I picked my school because the students were friendly and proud to be there. They wore clothing with the school name and competed to participate in programs like freshman orientation. These are the reasons that I chose the school, and the reasons I am still here. Also, don?t get in over your head financially. Go to a college that will pay you to be there. My last word of advice is that once you get to college participate as much as you can. Talk to your hallmates, join clubs, start clubs, play intramural sports, talk to your professors, and meet new people. Don?t sit in your dorm room all day You could do that taking online courses from your parents basement! Good luck with the application process and your future at college!

Talk to students... don't just listen to the Admissions Deans or tour guides. It is just as important to find why people don't like the school as it is to find out why they do. See if their responses resonate with you. See where you feel comfortable walking around and ask yourself if you could see fitting in at the school. Lastly, make sure that the school has the programs you are interested in or atleast the flexibility to create a major. For example, I know I really like traveling and thought I might want to do some type of international marketing or international development when I graduated so I always made sure to find out about study abroad, international service trips/internships, or other international opportunities for students.

After you've narrowed down schools concerning academics and financial aid go to the school of your choice and walk around without your parents...Ask the students their for directions, and get lost on campus. If you feel at home while doing so it's probably the right choice.

Mostly every high school counselor will advise college bound students to select a reach, medium, and safety school. My advice would be to ignore the competitiveness of a school and apply to a school not because you think it is easy to get into, but because it is where you see yourself being truly fulfilled. The right school will vary from person to person. And getting into the Ivy League isn?t everything. Going to a place that allows you to develop into a confident and successful person should be your main priority, and you can do this best if you go somewhere with good academic programs for the subjects you are interested in. It is better to follow your passion than to wind up in a school that puts limits on your passion.

1. Don't get too caught up in the reputation or popularity of a school when choosing the college for you. Ultimately choosing the right school comes down to what you expect to get out of your college experience. Academics, of course, come first in the consideration of which school to attend, but there are so many universities with exceptional academics and ultimately you get out of your education only that which you put in it. In other words, work hard and it will pay off. 2. Know what extracurricular activities the school offers and be sure that they offer organizations that align with your interests. Are any of the organizations student run? Are there opportunities to study abroad? Diversity amongst clubs, programs, and organizations at a school also provides insight into the diversity of the student poulation. 3. Lastly, when visiting colleges you are interested in (which you should definitely do), don't limit yourself to the tour.Take the tour, but also take the time to wander around campus sans the tour guide. Ask students who are walking around how they like the school. Look on kiosks to get an idea of the activities that the campus offers.