DePauw University Top Questions

If I could go back in time to senior year, I would have tried to apply to more places and would have gone on more college visits. I was so busy that I did not take the time to slow down and really contemplate the seriousness of this decision. I also would have told myself to enjoy senior year because as much as you dread those early mornings, you will miss your friends and your community. I would have told myself to take advantage of wearing uniforms because picking out outfits everyday is harder than one would think. I would have told myself to retake the SAT and ACT again because you never know if you could have earned more money for higher scores so I wouldn't have to ask myself what if? I would tell myself to go to the library and get information on loans and grants to apply for because there is nothing worse than being so overwhelmed in debt. I would have told myself that I would love college and not having to be in class all day long. Most importantly, I would tell myself you find some of your best friends in college.

I would tell myself to maintain a high GPA as my high level GPA has now allowed me to be a graduate student at Notre Dame for 2014/2015. Also, I would remind myself to truly enjoy and appreciate the next four years. It is a once in a lifetime oppotunity and you should enjoy all four years. In addition, I would tell myself to make sure I choose a major that I loved and was passionate about, college is about finding yourself and enjoying the experience. Finally, I would tell myself or any current high school student to take college seriously and to know that college is an investment in your future.

Creating strategies are on of the best things that you can do for your college career and life . There are multiple ways to navigate college, but only few of them will bring forth success. See college as a playground, just like how navigating the playground in elementary school required observing the environment, the same principle applies in college. You will not be comfortable in every circle, but promise you will explore before writing people or an activity off. One of the major opportunities you will get to learn of yourself will take place in the next four years, and so one of the biggest disservices you can commit against yourself is limiting yourself to your comfort zone! Whether you are fully sure of what you want to pursue, reach further and join a club that you would not otherwise. Exposing yourself to diffrent activities benefits your thinking. Also, the cliques in highschools and their exclusivity does not apply here, so meet people, learn new things and avidly network. As a student, this is a key time to gather resources and advice from older students, seasoned professionals and alumni's. Grab your backpack and get to exploring the campus like Dora!

If I was allowed to go back to talk to myself as a high school senior, there are so many things that i would want to say! First of all, I would say "Self, make sure you maintain a healthy lifestyle. Exercise will help keep you balanced and focused. Stay focused because at the end of the day you are there to get an education. Be proactive because there is always something that you could be doing to make that diffence. Participate in everything; you knever know what you will like or who you will meet. Stay involved because you find opportunity everywhere. Don't fall victim to peer pressure because it isn't worth its hype. Remember where your home is because they helped get you to where you wanted to be. Don't stress about the money all the time; do what you love. And most importantly, follow that dream you had from the beginning because you can definitely accomplish it and the only direction you can go from this point on is forward." If I had this type of confirmation, I feel as though I would be able to take on anything that college threw at me!

I would tell myself not to enter College with the mentality that it's just like high school , because it's not. I would tell myself to work hard, and that things will get better. I'll tell myself to make friends, and stop being so awkward. I would also tell myself how proud I am, and that everything will work out.

If I could talk to my high school senior self, I would tell myself to spend more time with freshmen (instead of upperclassmen) and be more social to find friends with similar interests. I was very cond\fident and sought friends who were more mature and established at the university than freshmen. However, in doing so, I greatly underestimated the value of the freshman bond and don't have a strong network in my own age group. I would tell myself to never turn down the opportunity to go out with friends and meet new people. Lastly, I would tell myself to go for a run outside as often as possible; it lightens my mood and clears my head, is great excersize, and is the perfect escape when I feel trapped on campus with little to do.

Work hard from the very beginning-you won't regret ever working hard. Go out and have fun. Call your mom...and often.

I would tell myself as a high school senior that the only person you need to please is yourself; that there is a difference between being a "bully" and being "assertive"-- and that you have to assert your own needs and wants as much as you advocate for those around you. I would tell myself that people really show their colors when they're forced to fend for themselves, so don't make assumptions before getting to know someone. Facebook is a dangerous time-waster. Just say "no." Get to know the personnel in your career services department. Start projects early, and treat school work as if it's a full-time job. Schedule time for yourself, as you would any other important task. Find a good advisor early-on. Most importantly, laugh as much as you can. Time moves too quickly to waste any piece of this journey.

Coming from a very small town, college has opened my eyes to a whole new world of diversity in people, experiences, ideas, and beliefs. Learning about these differences between people, or even realizing that some of them actually exist, will be very important simply in everyday life.

I have learned valuable life skills that will enable me to recieve a high salary career.

I was born and raised in Mozambique a third world country in the south east coast of Africa where I attended school from primary through high school. When an American family came to Africa and met me, they offered me an opportunity to come to the country in order to go to college and earn a better education. My first year of experience in college was not pleasant because I sufferd a major culture shock in how life in college and new teaching methods were. However, I was oppened to my instructors and colleague in sharing the difficulties I was going through. Therefore, I overcomed the mejor issues such as language barriers and missinterpretation of information due to the luck of strong language proficiency. After my first semester, however, a major change took place in my life as a person and as a college student. My communication skills got better as well as my grades due to the immediate help I sought from instructors and from other students. Therefore, with the progress I made from improving my interaction with students and professors my grades improved as well and I can surely see that attending college has been valuable to me.

Now that my first semester is over, I have had a lot of time to reflect on my experience so far at DePauw, and I have realized that I could not have chosen a better school to attend. DePauw has changed me, and the knowledge that I have gained has made me a stronger person. The passion that my professors have displayed for the subjects they teach has inspired me to work hard so I can find something that I am just as passionate about one day. And although the workload is immense and challenging, I feel as though I have more of an appreciation for what I have learned, and I have come to understand more about myself in the process. I have learned how to organize, balance time, and work hard, and have found the importance in reaching out and getting to know others. But most importantly, I have learned how to live on my own, how to handle stressful situations, and how to rise above despite the difficulties I may encounter. There is no doubt that DePauw has helped me become a better person, and I am excited for what next semester will bring.

This course has shed light on and assisted me to enumerate problem solving skills that I already possessed. Through the exercises presented in this course, I have practiced and sharpened my ability to use my critical thinking acumen, and that I will carry with me throughout my academic career.

I got a very liberal education. One that I was able to gain insight on topics that I would not normally have been open to. I opened my eyes to a lot of different opportunities as I traveled and studyied abroad. I learned more about people and communicating. I learned a lot from my experience as I was able to become close to a lot of people and professors in this small school.

I feel as though I lucked out with DePauw University because the transition to college life was easier than I thought. I am from Hawaii and Indiana is thousands of miles and an ocean away. I wanted to go this far out to experience as dramatic a change from home as possible. I thought I would be homesick, crying, and ultimately culture shocked. There is a culture shock but, everyone was so friendly from the beginning. I would tell myself to relax because everyone experienced being new to college and everyone in my class would be in the same boat, adjusting to a new more independent life. Another important thing, would be to pack smart because the airlines charge for checked baggage. Check when you can buy at a store closer to the college, so money is not wasted on extra baggage. Good luck and enjoy the next four years because they are going to fly by fast, my first semester sure did. You will meet so many new people from so many places, it is a great time in your life.

Try to keep in mind the distance. Though the idea of going off and being this first-generation college student might be thrilling at first, picking a school so far away from home is not the best choice when your family is so tight. The cost fo getting back home for holidays and breaks might be more than your family can bear, and holidays are lonely when you can't be around your favorite people. You should also try and put yourself out of your comfort zone in terms of socializing. I can be hard for an introvert to make friends but when you aren't next to your family, those social connections and friendships can be the difference between passing and failing. With that being said, consider the diversity of the school. Make sure the campus population reflects the kind of people you want to be around and who you can rely on for support. Lastly, try not to stretch yourself too far. Wnating to conquer the world is understandable when you get to college, but sometimes it's best to just concentrate on a few things and do them to the best of your ability. Have faith.

?Be open-minded. ?Visit professors during office hours. Professors love when students come to talk and ask questions because it makes them think you are very interested and passionate about your work in their class. ?Time management: Avoid taking on more than you can handle. Make sure you have time for the things you need do before you make time for the things you want to do. ??Freshman 15?- True or Myth? : Expect to gain an extra 15 pounds or better if you do not work out, pull all nighters every night, and eat too much unhealthy food. To avoid the infamous ?Freshman 15? make sure you go to bed at a reasonable hour, work out a little, and make better food choices. ?Do not buy books full price!!!! Avoid the school book store. I spent almost $1000 on books my freshman year. Purchase used books online for cheap. Borrow books from the library for free. ?Talk to upper class man about potential professors before you enter a course. They can tell you first hand what a specific professor is like in class. ?Got to the Academic Resource center for extra help. ?Be confident and stay true to yourself.

Hey younger Joseph! I know you're excited about not having to pay tuition in college, and even more excited to leave. However, there are some catches out there. You may have been able to stay out of debt thus far, but you haven't even touched a credit card, and not ever have to file your own taxes. There is some things out there that nobody gave you a workshop about. I just wish there was an easy place to point you to, but from my experience you have to glue bits and pieces of advice and hope that the information given is correct. Otherwise you'll be where I am. Stuck in the midwest, with a little bit of a money problem. Not to crush your hopes, but you need to be prepared to handle you're own money. We don't have old money to support us, or new money to dig us out. The only thing we got is the head on your shoulders, and hopefully that will make up for it. So keep track of your spendings and make sure you make more than that amount.

I f I could go back in time, not much but the advice I would give myself would change. At the beginning of my freshmen year here at DePauw University, I had a horrible experience. I tried everything to get along with my roommate, but we just couldn't get along. After deciding to go through with switching rooms, I went through the long process of finding a roommate who was a "right" fit for me. It is hard when people routinely say they do not want a roommate. Doors are slammed in your face left and right. After looking for a new roommate for about a month while dealing with my old roommate and her friends, I found a new roommate who is now my best friend. During not only the transition to college, but while dealing with my roommate issues, I couldn't muster the strength to get through the days in my own room. I hid out in other buildings and did not focus on my studies. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to be prepared for the worst and keep my head in the books no matter what were to come.

The best advice I would give to high school seniors is to explore any and every topic that interests you. Do not feel limited to pick one career track and rule out all others before you get to college, because new jobs and opportunities are developing all the time. The job you end up taking after college might not have existed when you started! The most important skill to develop in college is to make yourself marketable. Demonstrate that you can apply yourself to any situation and your potential jobs will be endless. So don't worry about what career path you are taking when you're deciding what classes to take. Simply spend your time on classes and activities that interest you and the opportunities will come out of your genuine enthusiasm and excitement for the subject.

You're going to DePauw and don't worry, it's a great school. Go apply for more scholarships.

I would tell myself there will be many seemingly impossible obstacles and struggles that you will overcome. More importantly though I think I would try my best to convince my younger self that I am capable of so much more than I ever realized. I came into college nervous about my ability to compete at such a school, and as a result I think I hid from putting forth my best effort. I must have had some twisted logic that had convinced me that if I never tried my hardest I would never truly realize that I couldn't compete. The very opposite, however, happens to be the case. I wasted many a class and many a semester doing less than I now know I can do. The most important advice I could give myself, "You can do much more than you think, just have faith, take the plunge, and you'll be surprised at what you can accomplish."

Be ready for a lot of reading, people judging you, and a lot of late nights and weary days. Also be ready for long bus rides for sports, and considerable time put in in the gym and at the practice field with no direct benefits promised to you. But most of all, be prepared to live with no money, party more than your body can handle and make some of the best friends you will ever make.

Do it exactly the same! Part of the experience is learning and every student definitely learns a lot about themeslves and growing up from their transition from high school to college. At times it was hard and I wish I was given more advice, but some things you just need to learn on your own.

The biggest advice I could give would be not to allow the extreme amount of new freedom become a problem. When you do not have a set 6-hour block in the middle of the day set aside for classes as you do in high school, the new freedom in your schedule makes things like skipping class or saving your homework for later seem very tempting. However, it is so dangerous to start down this path of abusing your free time. I have had too many friends who have been decieved by the seemingly endless amount of free time, and who have ended up skipping classes, partying too much, and just not being responsible enough to keep themselves healthy or in control of their own lives. It is a scary and stressful situation to not have control of your schoolwork or personal life in college, so I would advise myself to take the initiative and stay accountable to my own priorities and goals. Managing your time and planning ahead are the two best things you could do for yourself in a college environment.

My advice to any prospective college student is to do extensive research of the school. Navigate every part of the Web site. Learn the academic programs. Ask what majors are offered. Then visit the school. Sit in on some classes to get a feel for the academia aspect. It's also important to hang out with the students. If a student can spend the weekend, he or she should do it. Granted, the most important reason for going to a school is for an education, but the social side is crucial as well. Any given school can be listed one of the best schools as far as academics are concerned, but if the social life is a bore one must ask himself or herself if this would be a detriment to the college experience.

It may sound completely cliche, but go with your instincts! Somtimes I wish I had looked at more schools, farther from home, more prestigious, etc. But I chose my school because it felt right from the first time it set foot on it. I experienced some of the intellectual atmosphere and didn't want to let that go. Look for those major feelings--where you feel like you can be at home with the student body, and you will be GOLD.

In order to find the right college one needs to go into their search knowing what it is that he / she is looking to get from his / her college experience. Each and every college has something different to offer their students -- ranging from academic demand, possible majors, study abroad opportunites, school spirit, campus and class size, housing, and his / her social life, among others. It's more about finding the college that best suites one's needs rather than picking a college based on its popularity. If done in this manner, it's becomes pretty easy to find the ways that allow one to get the most out of his / her college experience. Being active on campus is just as necessary as striving for success in the classroom. Attend campus events, show school spirit, meet fellow students, and make lifetime friends. No college experience is complete without the ability to find a healthy balance between hitting the books and spending time with friends. Taking advantage of every opportunity that a college campus has to offer is by far the best way to ensure that friends, professors, and memories won't simply be forgotten after graduation.

Put down those college leaflets, that "100 best colleges" book your neighbors lent you, turn off your computer and go find somewhere quite to think. Students, college is a privilege, not a requirement, so spend time thinking about why you want to go and what exactly you want to do. Although you don't have to have your life planned out week by week for the next ten years, be honest with yourself about your life goals. Is being free of debt or studying an obscure field more important to you? Are you more interested in staying on the West Coast than studying with a writing expert in Iowa? The greatest gifts of college are time and training, which give you room to experiment and set the roots of what you want your future career to be. The best advise I can give is to be honest with yourself, students, and to express to your parents what your work, social, and financial goals are. Then you can return to the seas of information, but this time only keep the ones that line up with how you want your future to be.

Try to search for a school that fits your academic needs first. Then consider the extracurricular opportunities, social environment, and location. The last three criteria are not nearly as important as the first criteria. They do contribute greatly to your overall experience, but it is more important to get a good education than to have a good time.

You know, before I left for my freshman year, everyone home would come up to me excitedly asking, "You ready? Are you ready for your first year??" Never quite knowing the answer, I'd just crack some joke instead. However, one day at work, a lady caught my nervous glance and said, "If theres one thing I can tell you, its to meet all sorts of people, meet whoever will shake your hand. Talk to them. You'd be surprised." She was right. I would pass on her advice. Trade a handshake for a conversation, and then for a friendship. That handshake will EXPOSE you to things home, or your comfort zone, will not teach you. A handshake can make you a better person. You go to school to learn about yourself and who you want to become. Allow other people's experiences shape and mold you. You do not have to be all philosophical with your new friend, all you need to do is talk. Study together, eat together, watch out for one another, RESPECT one another. Take each moment and LEARN from every second. Soak it all up, you'll be a better person because of it. Promise.

My advice is to really think about what is important to you concerning class size. It can make a big difference in your education if you get to know your professors and build a relationship with them. Talk to current students about the social life and find out ahead of time some of the extra-curricular activities on campus. As for parents, look at the tuition and factor in an increase in tuition every year. If you cannot afford the tuition, begin looking into financial aid options. College is possible for everyone, and if you make the right decision it will improve your life immensely.

When selecting the right college for you first look at what kind of environment you feel is best for learning, whether it be a large school with lecture halls full of hundreds of students or more one on one based with about 20 students in a class. Also look into what the college or university can do for you. Can they give you the things to do well at school and help you to achieve the goals that you have for yourself. If the university can fulfill your needs then look into if they fulfill your social needs.

I'm sure everyone will say visiting the school, but I'm not sure how much of a difference that made. I visited my school, hated the small size and the Greek life, (but liked the professors) and decided I didn't want to go. Then, I received a full tuition scholarship that helped me afford a new cello for my music performance degree. I reluctantly decided to go to DePauw anyway. I threw myself into all sorts of activites and discovered all sorts of people and things that I never knew about after one tour. Making the most of your college experiance requires you to GET INVOLVED initially and just let things flow in a positive direction from there. Im proud to say that I now love my university!

College is an opportunity for students to obtain knowledge which is otherwise unreachable. It is a time to make connections in pursuit of a career after graduation. It is a time of maturation, comprehension, and acclimation. Let your child attend a school that will challenge him both academically and socially. Becoming well-versed in all aspects of life is the most important skill anyone can possess. Do not be preoccupied by the so-called pros and cons of a state vs. private college. Look deeper than that. Factor in aspects of campus climate, diversity, financial aid, on/off campus relations, academics, and extracurriculars. When one maximizes the benefits in all of these areas, the best possible college experience can be achieved. I advise parents not to let their children make an adamant decision one way or another without weighing out other possibilities. I was in a situation where I was certainly going to one school, but my parents' desire for me to see alternatives changed my opinion. Observe all types of schools before making such a life-changing decision. The student will know where he/she belongs. It is up to you to discover it.

If you have any idea of what you plan to do with your future or what your interests are, really make sure to consider these when you go on campus visits. Also, keep in mind what will make you look better down the road. For instance, if you're planning on going to medical school, will the school you're applying to make it easy for you to obtain a research position or internership. These things REALLY help and you really want to make sure that the school you go to is going to have these options available.

Take a chance, follow your heart, and try to change the world with everything you learn in college.

Follow your heart. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. Look at practicality but do what you want to do, regardless of the obstacles. College is a growing experience both on an intellectual and moral level; a "good" college should never compromise either one of those. Don't be afraid to take a leap of faith. If you are not happy, you can always transfer. If you do decide to transfer, stick it out at your current college for at least a year. A semester is not enough time to settle into your surroundings. Give your school a fair chance. Do not settle in your college search but remember that there is no such thing as the "perfect" place. Obsessively searching for it will not help you find it. While a name goes a long way it is important to remember: an education is an education. If you are good at what you do you don't need a flashy college to get you places. Don't be afraid but stay on your toes. College is first and foremost about your education. Get involved, even if you are homesick or unhappy. Most importantly, do what you love.

Look at a variety of colleges, whatever your budget allows you to survey. Colleges and universities, while seemingly endless, fall into a relatively short list of scenarios; that means go where you feel comfortable. Go where the professors are friendly, when you are greeded the minute you step on the campus and escorted throughout your stay. (And if you don't like that, go to a larger university!) Be conscious of the institution, but realize that your education lies mainly in the hands of you - the student - depending when and where you choose to focus your studies and how diligent you are about learning. If you apply yourself, no matter at a state school or the priciest liberal arts college, you can get a quality education that will benefit you endlessly throughout your college career. Make friends, be open, and enjoy your time. It's hard - I know, I'm finishing with finals as we speak! - but it is a special period in your life. Make the most of it!

Do a weekend visit where you stay with a current student. Get them to tell you how it really is and get an accurate sense of the campus, not just what the brochures want you to pick up.

The best advice i could give somebody looking at colleges is to talk to the professors and students. The information you receive from the University/College is true but only to an extent. This is their goal or ideal. To understand how the intent of the college actually applies it is best to go to the source. Students are usually frank and open about their interpretation of the school. Visit the school and take part in a class. After class ask some questions to students and even spend some time talking to the professor. In discussions outside of the classroom, I have learned a lot about the type of professor that teaches at my college. Any professor can reiterate what is written in a book and even make it fun or interesting. What is important is their drive to teach college students. A positive drive to further education is more important than a drive to just teach from a book. It's like reading between the lines, you have to see the college outside what is put right in front of you. Don't hesitate to impose yourself to make sure that the next four years are worth it.

Think about the major that you want to study and ask yourself if this school has the best program and professors for you. Also, make sure there is a healthy social scene that is not constantly dominated by alcohol.

Remember that this is your education. Visit schools, talk to people there, and spend the night. Go to the school that makes you excited about learning, whatever it is you want to learn about. Be sure to look for scholarships and don't go too crazy on taking out more student loans than you need. Parents, if you can help your kids out with college, do so. It is a huge and worthwhile investment. Students talk to your parents about exactly what you want from a school and DO NOT go to school just because that is what is expected of you by someone else. Decide your own expectations for your school, your education, and for yourself. Find the college that has the people you see yourself being friends with, because they are what get you through the four years and are some of the best things you get from college. This decision is big but doable. It's most important that you go to college for no one but yourself and make your education something you love.

I would definitely recommend spending the night with a host at schools you're looking at. You will be able to see the school from an insider perspective. Set up meetings with professors in the field or program you are most interested in, as you will probably be working very closely with these people. Lastly, I recommend exploring the campus with and without a guide. This way you'll see what the school wants to "brag" about, and then you'll be able to find probably more interesting things you wouldn't have otherwise seen with a guide. These things will help you decide if the school is worth applying to. I did these, and I'm very happy with my school.

The most important thing is happiness. Parents cannot choose the school for their children, even if they know what is best for them. Students must feel comfortable at the campus, and parents must be okay with the school they have chosen. Of course, students must listen to their parents because they have raised them from birth, however, a medium must be found. The student has to be happy with the choice. I have found, as a multiple year resident assistant, if the student is not happy with the choice of school, they are much more likely to transfer and be unhappy with their time at the school. Parents, you must trust your student enough to know that they are thinking about this choice a ton, and students, you must trust that your parents are not trying to end your life by sending you to a college you will hate. They do, in fact, know you quite well and they want the best for you. Students: choose a college that makes you happy and listen to your parents in the process. Parents: don?t be afraid. Your student will do awesome at college.

Research the school very carefully, go on an extended visit and speak to students who currently attend the school who are not pre-selected tour guides.

Make sure that your child is able to plan an overnight visit as well as sitting in on classes. In doing this, they can get a feel for the social life as well as the structure of the school.

Once you choose a college, make sure to take full advantage of what the school offers. Go to concerts, sports events, fundraisers, and use facilities such as an academic resource or career center.

Advice I would give about finding the right college is to visit as many college campuses as possible. The only way to see what you like about particular college is to compare it to others, and there is no better way to get a feel for a particular campus then by visiting it. I would also recommend sitting in on classes that interest you, as well as meeting with faculty members of your desired major. After all, these are the people and classes you will be dealing with while at college, so you need to be sure you will enjoy the classes and be engaged in the material. When it comes to making the most of your college experience, I recommend that you try and get involved in particular groups that interest you (i.e. intramurals, clubs, ect). This will allow you to meet people and have an active social life while on campus. Although having a good social life is important, don't get too crazy though! Always remember why you are at college, and try to learn as much as possible. You never know when you will need to apply something you learn in college to your future.

There are many things that factor into finding the right college or university - academic life, social life, housing, dining options, etc., but the most important consideration to make when looking for the right college is a place that where you can literally see yourself walking about, interacting with students and faculty, and calling home. When I looked at colleges and universities, I knew that I wanted to be a name, not a number, and I have found that in my school. Find what works for you, and don't hesitate to take risks and step out of your comfort zone - it will make the college experience that much more worthwhile.