Columbia College Chicago Top Questions

College is what you make of it! Don't sacrifice price for happiness.

I would tell them to make sure that school fit you and your personality. Dont pick a school based off money but off of what will benefit you and your future.

The right college is the one that is as serious about your field as you are. If you are actively pursuing your goal, you will automatically make the most of the experience.

Don't take out private student loans. you will be forced to pay 1,000 a month.

You never really know what you want in a college until you're in college more importantly unless what you are deciding based off of size, cost, or reputation--- everything else can actually be found in a college. There are dfiferent pockets of people and resources at every college just look harder.

Pay attention to the priorities you have when selecting a college. If you are interested in an art college, consider the career possibilites avaliable to you after graduation. Just because you go to an art school doesn't mean you can slack off. People take their schooling for granted, and don't show up to class. Then they get angry when they fail, and complain about the bad teaching skills at the school. If there is one thing I have to say about choosing a school, it is to be careful about who you are getting your information from. Choose a relaible source, and compare the information you obtain from that source with the information of another credible source. College is one of the most important experiences for adolescents in terms of growing mentally. This is where you form the person you will be for the rest of your life, so make sure you are at a place that you will enjoy, but that will also benifit your future.

Don't do anything for anyone else. It's whereever you feel comfortable,because the student is going to be there for four years. Find out what your school preference is. Do you want to go to school in the city or do you want to be in a campus in the suburbs? Also make sure the school has a good program for whatever you are studying. As for making the most of the college experience, its always good to make friends and get together and study. Its good to throw ideas out and get someone else's opinion. Get involved with whatever you feel passionately about.

Make sure that you find a school that find a school that fits you and your educational needs. Attend any open houses and talk to current students and alumni. The one thing you dont want to do is get stuck at a school that you dont like or that you can't benefit from. I would also tell parents and student to prepare for financial responsibilities ahead of time. Save up your money while you can and be smart when it comes to scholarships and loans. They are helpful but you have to apply for them early and apply for a lot. Check out all the on campus activities and become involved. My last piece of advice would be to just make sure that when you go to college you put fourth lots of effort and make of it what you can because the choice to learn is up to you.

Really investigate yourself and your hobbies. Figure out what you like to do, who you like to be around, and the environment you like to learn in because if your college and its campus doesn't satisfy you in those ways you will not be happy and if you are not happy it is hard to be 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} successful.

Really visit the colleges before you accept their acception. Try to get your child to apply to many different schools that have different atmospheres around them. City school, private, public... so on.

Be yourself, let everyone know that you mean business, take risks, and get a damn job.

make sure it's what you both want. You never want to force somebody into what they don't want to do. Let them try it out and if they fail at it, at least they know they tried without regretting that they never did it.

Keep an open mind and try to find whats best for the students i would say to allow a student to go to a smaller college or university so they can get used to the classes and college life, but in the end it is all about where the student is most comfortable.

Be open and really consider your options. Make a list of pros and cons for each school and definitely go for the best choice. Don't settle because you are determining what you want to do for the rest of your life and wherever you feel in your gut will supply you with the greatest opportunities during and after school, choose that one! And be open minded. Try new things. And make the most of your four years because you don't want to regret what you "could have" done.

I would really try & visit different campuses. Ask A LOT of questions and try to see classrooms & meet faculty as well. In that way you can find out what you're really infor and won't be surprised when your education is not as good as you thought it would be.

I think there are three things that are paramount to not only finding the right college, but also in getting the most out of it. Those three things are visiting the schools you're looking at, entering a field of study that you're passionate about, and understanding that it's ok to be unsure or change your mind about what you decide you want to do. When I first applied to schools I didn't understand why college visits were so important, but once I started visiting schools I had the ability to see if I fit in with not only the people but the environment I would be surrounded by. Visiting aside, passion for what you plan to study is absolutely mandatory in your success in college. If you're not completely in love with what you want to do then you cannot expect to be happy doing it later in life. Finally, you need to have an understanding that being unsure or changing your mind about what you're studying is ok. It happens to thousands of people and its all part of the process of going to college in the first place.

Don't go into debt!

Going to and gruduating from college is the best thing you can do for yourself in your life. While keeping your own personal interests and goals mind, it is important that you find college that will accommodate your needs and will best facilitate your success. Don't just settle for what you think is ok for you, strive for the best.

I would tell parents and students to visit the orientations taking place on campus before making a final decision on schools. While there, I would speak to other students and faculty members about their experiences within the college or university. The one question that should be asked above all others should be "Will be son/daughter find work after graduation?" I volunteered as a guide for orientation this Fall and that question always came up. Another question parents and students should ask themselves should be "Is the education here really worth the cost?" and "Will the education at this institution challenge me and prepare me for life after graduation?" As far as making the most of the experience, the only advice I could give would be to take advantage of every resource offered whether it's internships , career centers, or accomplished faculty members. Each one of these resources are provided to help students succeed in the field of their choice. Also, networking is key. The one thing I've always been told to do is network. You don't know who will work for you or who you may work for so always network. It will help in the future.

Even though many kids look forward to the social life and partying of college, it is not all it is cracked up to be. If anything it hurts you academically. Yes, everyone does need to have fun especially when you are worked like a dog but with most kids that fun never seems to end. When trying to find the right campus check out all of its facilities not only class related but fitness centers, health centers, resource centers, etc. Its important that your campus is well rounded for things you need to stay healthy and sane. Try living on the campus for a night or two before you choose it. To make the most of your college experience make sure you stay on top of your studies, once you slip a little it makes it hard to get back on top. Take full advatage of all the resources available to you, whether it be study centers, the library, the gym, computer labs. There is no one holding your hand anymore and you need to walk yourself through it all. Never be afraid to admit that you may need some help that is what teachers and tudors are there for!

It is important to always talk to the students and faculty who attend the college, not the recruiters. People will always blur the truth, so you must find out for yourself.

Finding the right college is all about being honest with the wants and needs of the student. I go to Columbia College Chicago, a school mainly focused on the arts. Many would say that going to an art school is not a lucrative investment. Yet to successfully go through college one must be passionate about what they are learning, and the knowledge they gain will be dependent on this. I knew that I could go to a college for my parents, but I realized that to actually have a meaningful learning experience you have to go to college for yourself. Always follow your heart when selecting a college. Because when you go to school you should be able to find out who you are, and what you have to contribute to the world. Columbia helped me find myself through learning. I found that I was passionate about poetry, and now have gained unmeasurable satisfaction through my education and have learned how to continue to be successful throughout life.

I would tell a student to follow their dreams and pick a school that is the best for what they want to do when they grow up and don't just go somewhere to make someone else happy.

I don't want a scholarship. I don't need a scholarhsip. I already graduated last year. The ad to take this survey read, "2007 and 2008 college graduates: Take this survey about your school for the chance to win 10,0000!!" It sounded like a raffle or something. Why would you advertise to people who have already graduated to win a scholarship? I feel mislead and kind of irritated that I wasted my time on this survey.

To the parents or students who seek the best possible routes towards the future of their or their children's education I firstly say choose whatever you feel will place you closer to your career goals or interests even if you have not yet discovered what it is that you truly want as a career. Explore these possibilities by taking into account the present as well as the future. College is not cheap, but that doesn't mean that you allow that to be the number one factor in making your choice. I believe that everyone should look at their education as an investment into a future of happiness and financial longevity that speaks through their innermost passion and strength. In college there are three things that will maximize the most of any college experience and that includes a balance of academic achievements, social development and work experience. By doing this, a student takes advantage of every opportunity to learn more in their area of study by cultivating awareness of team work, critical and creative problem solving , self awareness and a healthy social life with work and other responsibilities. This ultimately requires a time for self, studying and career growth.

I think you should really make sure that the school you choose is the school for you. Really research the major you want to go into if you already have an idea of what you want to go for. If you don't, take a tour of the campus and look into possible majors that you'd be interested in. I think it's a really good idea to have at least some sort of idea of something you're interested in when you apply to and choose your schools. Once you get to school don't be shy! Be willing to go out and socialize. I'm a pretty shy person but my school provided me with a lot of opportunities for socialization. You don't have to be the most outgoing person to have a great social life at school.

For a student I would say to know what you're looking for in a school. To really think about what you're going to get out of the school you decide to attend. Often it isn't the school that makes a great experience, it's you as a student that enhances whatever lessons you're going to learn. Know if you want to go to a more isolated school or you'd rather stay in an urban environment, that helps a great deal when making a decision. Don't let money get in the way, that can be worked out, what's important is finding the right fit for what you need as a student.

Make sure that the school has a lot of institutional scholarships and grants, then consider the price. A school may have one of the lowest tutition rates, but they may also not have a lot a money to give, which would make the school more expensive anyway.

begin the research process early, visit each school while school is in session if possible, and apply for as much financial aid as possible. I thouroughly recommend that you get involved early on in clubs/activities once the semester begins. If you are going to go to college out of state, be sure you are an independant, responsible person, with a strong sense of self, and can handle being away from your comfort zone. also encourage students to seek out work study programs at their school. I am a residence assistant at the Universi ty center, so I am closely working with 150 students on my floor, with my co-ra, it has proven to be a worthwhile and rewarding experience thus far.

When parents and students are in the process of finding the right college, I think they should keep in mind whatever will make the student's wants and needs satisfied. Yes, price is always assumed an issue, but in reality, there are always loans, grants, and scholarships that can be received. Ultimately, if it makes the student happy, that is what it takes. If the student is not happy about their school choice, they will more than likely begin slacking off and doing poorly in school. A person's happiness is key, and if a school can make a student happy, the student can do their best in their course of study.

Go see the college. Take the authorized guided tour. Also, call someone in the department in which the student wants to study and ask for a more "in depth" tour. This is what I did at Columbia and I was so glad I did it. Not only were the individual teachers and students more than happy to show me around, I learned things that I never would have picked up on a standard guided tour. I was also able to see my dorm (with was under renovations) during this time. This allowed me to plan for my move and the things I would need. Finally, with regard to embracing the college experience, I think it is important to be able to get out and enjoy the surroundings of the campus or city in which the school is located. Once again, I am fortunate here as my college is in the heart of Chicago. It is wonderful to balance this academic life alongside the constant movement of the city.

I say, go to a college that will best fit your personality. If you are a sarcastic and creative person, attend Columbia. If you like the idea of brotherhood/sisterhood then go to a university. You will be able to feel more comfortable in a place that you feel at home. It will help you concentrate and will make you happy. Also, take everything that the college offers. Don't be afraid. Talk to people. And for parents, have faith in your son/daughter. Encourage them in whatever they are doing. If they are doing something that you do not approve of, then give them advice. Don't preach to them.

Pick somewhere where you can picture yourself for four years. Don't pick a place because of a friend or boyfriend or girlfriend. You will be making friends at your new school. Don't pick a school that your not 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} sure of, pick a place that you fell in love with right away. Also look on the web for what other people said about your school your thinking of, many people talk about the good and the bad on the web.

Visit the colleges you intend to apply to in order to get a "feel" for the college. If it is possible/ afforable to get housing on campus, definitely go for it. This coming from an "ex-commuter", I felt that I was truly being cheated off the whole college experience because most of my time was spent on a train ride than actually being on campus and enjoying campus life. Plus, it allows more time to attend events and network with people because sometimes it's not about what you know, but who you know that can help open up a new window of opportunities.

be a free thinker. Students tend to drop out fast because they are to lazy to do the little work we are giving. Dont waste your time or money going to any school of your planning to work.

Make sure that it is the student that makes the choice and not the parent. Pick a school that speaks to you and how you opperate. Pick a school that feels like home.

When selecting the right school for, one of the primary concerns should be, do you feel comfortable at that school. Look around does the community suit you, would you feel comfortable walking this campus everyday. Classes are another part of your college experience that you should be concerned with, do you feel that the courses the college provides are interesting and will they prepare you for entering your desired field of study? When looking at college courses you may also want to check out what internships or other educational opportunities ,such as studying abroad, are available. Also inquire about the school's faculty. Are the professors you will be learning from professionals in your field of study? This aspect of your school can help you out a lot in learning how to be successful in your desired profession and can give you some excellent advice onhow to break into it. Lastly make sure to check out the dorm buildings while you are at the school. Will you be comfortable living in the college's dorm rooms? If so, colleges usually have dorm buildings, if you apply to this school, which housing complex would you like to live in the most?

It is not about the name or the status of the college, but what that college can do for you. College is the last four years (or so) before you head off into the "real world", and it is supposed to build the backbone you will need for the rest of your life. The school has to supply you with the right major, academics, and faculty to enhance your education. And if it does not, students should not be afraid to transfer if they are not getting what they want or feel they need from a college. Before deciding where to go, do not just look at the website and college packet, but search online for what people think, look at the professors online, find out what the current students and alumni say to really get a feel for what you are getting into. It also depends on you to learn all that you can. Truly dedicate yourselves not only to the education, but the experience. Get involved in the community, in college organizations, friend people of the same major -- this is how you are going to grow in your craft and as an individual. Make it worth it.

GO AND VISIT THE SCHOOL! Your surroundings have a large impact on your feelings. If you are a big city person and go to a school in the middle of nowhere, then you are not going to be happy. Or if you want a slow paced, non-rushed lifestyle, don't go to a big city. You will learn a lot from just going to visit. Also try and sit in on a class if at all possible. That way you can see they style of teaching.

The student should follow their heart at all times. They should accept guidance from their friends and family but ultimately they should make their own decision. Even if they change majors over ten times, everything happens for a reason. They have to go through experiences and failures in order to get where they truely want to be in the future.

Get financial aide out of the way as soon as possible every year you attend school.

Be true to yourself, know that you love, and love what you do

Although finding a job outside of college is important, pushing your child into a major that they are not suitable for will, in the end, only ensure that your child will neither succeed, nor make the money you had hoped they would. I grew up in a town that frowned upon music as a career choice and, as a result, I bounced from major to major and from college to college until, $40,000 poorer, I decided to follow my intuition and finally attended a university that offered a major that I truly wanted to pursue. Colleges, Columbia College of Chicago included, understand that it is hard to find a job outside of school, especially for arts students, and, as a result, they work that much harder to help the students when they graduate. What major your child selects matters far less than how hard they are willing to work. In the end it is the students that are truly passionate about their craft who will succeed.

The most important thing to me about a college experience would be to get away from my hometown. Whether you live in a small factory town (like i did) or LA. Move away! You won't be able to grow and experience or mature if you're still surrounding by the same town. Being independant has taught me more things than any school has ever taught me. Of course picking the right school is important and maybe you can't move to a big city like i did, but moving away is still always an option. Money may seem rough, but who isn't in debt these days after college. The goal is to get a job from all you learn at school and then pay that off. Don't turn down a great opportunity because of a financial problem, when you're 40 you'll regret it. One last thing. The first month introduce yourself to everyone you can! I mean everyone! Make connections and friends, some of which will stick with you for the rest of your life.

I would tell them to start early, Look close at the place you want to go. Do you want to go to a city? A small town? Do you realy want to go away from home? or live close. I say Start out close but stay at the dorms. Then once you got a wet foot into the whole thing then see if you want to go away from home. Its realy very scary in the beginning, New place, New home, New friends, But remember Everyone is feeling the same way. Do Not wait to figure out the money side of things, Not just what the school cost but also what kind of money you need to do anything else, But no matter what go to the school before you make up your mind, not just for a day but for a weekend. Do not be afraid to ask not just the people there showing you around but anyone you see what they think of living there? And above all else, Once you get to college enjoy it because you are not going to have another time in your life you will experience everything so wonderfuly New.

I'd say to parents that they should start saving money for their kids as soon as they are born and to teach them to budget. Also to visit classes, try to go some place away from your haven...for the students. Live freely, don't be afraid. To reach your goal , be not afraid.

Follow your dreams from the beginning of your college experience, and pick a school that will harbor those dreams.

My advice to any student that is searching for their "perfect fit" in college is to be very open minded, open hearted, and to make the most out of this experience. You are only young once and can experience college at this level, so make the most of the opportunity at hand. I would suggest to meet new people and to take part in every activity that interests you while at school. Many students dont take that opportunity and never know what it could have been like to really step outside their limits, their tiny little box. In conclusion, Live, Laugh, and Learn about Yourself in this process, you may be really surprised what you may find holds true.

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No matter where an aspiring professional goes, he'll make his own way. I would say not to worry too much about where who ends up, because in the end we all make the most out of wherever we are. A college experience is precisely that: experience. There's no prescription for it nor is there a map or route to follow, you just do it.