D’Youville College Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

Taylor

You must really take into consideration in what type of campus you want to pay for. As well as to take some interest in the job opportunity projection within the fields of studying you think that you may be interested in.

Laura

When making a choice about a college, the student should reflect about what learning style is best for them and find a college that will suit the needs of the student, regardless of financial situation. For example, if they feel they can learn best with a large group of people and to remain unnoticed, then a large university may suit them. Or if the student learns best with more one-on-one attention or gets distracted easily, then perhaps a private college that offers small classes will be the better choice. It's important also for the parents not to pressure students with making a decision about what college to attend. Parents should try not to impose what they as parents think is best for the student, but should listen and understand what the needs of the student are. If the student can't have their own say about what college to attend, they may be forced into a situation that may make them unhappy or do poorly. Lastly, the student should look for a place where they will fit in and feel comfortable at. Finding a college that will cater to the student's needs is of upmost importance!

Keila

Let your son or daughter have the final decision on where they want to go, because in the end it is they who are going to be attending that school and paying for it. Search the school online and make sure to visit the campus and talk with administrators, teachers and students there to see what they say about the school. Get involved with the school, it will be the easiest way to make new friends in a new place; these people will help you out for the next few years and will become your second family. Research what the school has to offer you and what you can offer the school and how it will help you in the long run after you have graduated.

Amanda

Some advice I would give to parents and students to decide what college to attend would be to visit several colleges. You have to decide whether you like the atmosphere of the college and whether you want to be in a rural or urban setting. Also, the students has to decide how close or far away from home she wants to be. The student also has to look at what the college offers and what the classes are like. Does the student want to be in a small class or in a large one? Another thing that they student and parents should look at is the crime rate surrounding the school. Also, the price of the school and the availability of financial aid and scholarships. The student has to look at what kind of activities the school offers. In order to make the most of the college experience the student should join clubs and get involved in the college. I also suggest that the student dorms. It is a great experience and gives them some freedom.

Jennifer

As a student and a single parent, my advice would be to find something affordable but reputable. Working on my second bachelor's now, when students are first graduating from high school, many but not all students, dont understand that a lot of financial aid is not free and eventually it will have to be paid back. So dont overspend. The are many colleges and universities that have plently of programs, extra curricular activities, some may be small or large, depending on your personal preference. Students that may be from small towns or small schools have to think about the culture shock of going to a larger university. Students that want to go away to school to get the "FULL" college experience, make sure you are mentally ready. Its a lot of work and becoming home sick is a definite possibilty. My best advice is take your time in choosing.

Mary

While it is difficult to offer only one piece of advice to prospective students, safety and cost of education is applicable to EVERY student. Before applying to any institution, you should most certainly look into the area the institution is established and visit there. Do you feel comfortable walking or driving down those streets? While touring the area, do you notice anyone dressed in security patrolling the area? If not, then you should strongly consider other institutions. Unless this particular school offers excellent programs, your safety should never be put at risk. My second piece of advice is to really recognize what your tuition is truly paying for. If you are attending a college where tuition is $10,000 a semester, figure out WHO is educating you! Is it a student in a doctoral program, or a long term professor who holds their PhD? After you figure out who is teaching you, stop by professor's offices and interview them. Do they appear happy to be working for that particular school? Chances are if your professor is not happy, you may not be! Do your research and really look into EVERYTHING!

Nicole

Ultimately I do not believe it is the parents choice for finding the right college for their child. As for the child, which I was at one time, I would advise: "Do not take advice from the person(s) on the outside, but from the person on the inside." Nobody knows your education skills, cababilities, and capacity better than yourself. If you are sure in yourself, then you are more than capable of finding the school that will inspire you and teach you to be the career person you want to be...and will be. The right college will be able to offer you the techniques and environment that are properly fit to your needs. You, not a college advisor, or highschool advisor, or even a parent know you better than yourself. There will be challenges, you may not make the right decision first, but ultimately you will get to know yourself far better than you imagine and "fall into place." College at first is an awkward time, you are making your own decisions, but I assure you, you will choose the right path and become just who you want to be.

KHANH

I would look at the variety of academic programs that the college offers first before taking any further step. It's the best to choose the program that I like to do by heart. As you know, today economics is going down; it's also decreasing jobs. Therefore, it is ok to choose the program that is short and has a high demand job. It's better to have a job rather than unemployment. The most important thing is financial aid. Everybody can borrow money form loaners but not everybody wants to pay it back. Why they don't want to pay back? You can name it easily. In healthcare field we always have this term that preventing is always better than treating. Therefore, we should calculate, make plan, estimate before borrow money. Especially, we have to making sure that the money that we spend and borrow is worthy for every cent. Parents should spend more time with children no matter how busy and difficult life is because at the second that you think your children do not need you; it may be the second the second that they need you a lot.

Erica

I would recommend that all students follow their dreams. Students should fit their desired major with the appropriate college which offers the degree/field they want to pursue. To make the most out of college is to truly experience college. I recommend getting involved with numerous school groups as well as volunteering in the community. Some of my best college experiences happened because I got involved with both the school and community. By being an active part in the school, I have made many friends throughout my college experience, friends that I will always be close with, friends I can even now rely on. It is important to make the best out of the college experience because it will only happen once.

Amy

Senior year of high school, i rembember i had applied to around seven schools, gotten all of my acceptance letters back, but i still had no idea where i wanted to go. I am a very athletic person, and of course applied to schools that had the sports that i played, and that had good teams as well. My parents did research and encouraged me to apply to schools that were known for their academics. The advice i would give to parents and students about finding the right college is quite simple; you need to find the college that has similar values to your own. My school values academics over sports, while other schools seemed to be equally balenced, or stress atheletics more. In addition i think it is important to consider the size of the school and its classes, and base your descision on your preferences. As for making the most out of your college experience i would definately say to get invovled with clubs, activites, and sports (if they are your type of thing), otherwise college is going to be really boring outside of the classroom! Not to mention, getting involved is how you meet new people!

Magdalena

The advice I would give parents and/or students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience would be to base the search on the students personal needs, personality and sense of responsibility. In my opinion I believe that the biggest mistake that parents and or students can make in searching for the right college is to apply to a college based on its popularity and size. It is crucial that the student and parents focus on the needs that the students may require because the fact is that everyone is not meant for big named schools. As far as college experience I believe that one does not reap the full benefits of college unless they are living on campus.

Krystle

I would suggest parents & students to do their research about different majors. Being a transfer student, I lost my scholarships and ended up paying full tuition for most of my college years. Also, you want to do research on financial aid opportunities and tuition costs from different colleges before jumping into any college just because your friends are going or its close. It's important to try to

Stephanie

When finding a college, make sure you research th eprograms that you want to go into throughly. Different schools have better programs than others. Also consider the type of college you want to go to. If you want to go to a smaller school, look at the smaller schools, don't look into a big school if you know you won't be happy there. Make sure you have fully researched the area around the school as well. My school isn't a closed in community so if you feel like that's not your thing and you would rather have a closed in community due to safety issues then look into closed community schools. Just make sure you have considered all possibilities and all aspects from every direction you could possibly think of. If you have even an inkling of doubt, its probably not the right school for you.

Alyssa

Both parents and students should consider the average size of classes, how frequently necessary courses are offered, the availability of tutors or mentors, the safety of the campus, and the tolerance of race/ethnicity and sexual orientation. When a student is entering college for their first time, they must be aware that most colleges contain students who participate in parties involving alcohol. This can really ibe detrimental to a student's progress through college, and they will find it in their best interest to seek out social situations that will not complicate this difficult journey. They will certainly benefit from using the academic facilities that provide tutors who specialize in subjects the student is having trouble with. Most importantly, students should be aware that the purpose of college is to become a working professional in at least four years, but this minimum of four years can only be achieved with arduous work! Their social life in not their first priority! Do encourage their search of friends, but urge them to find those who will provide a positive influence on their studies.

Margaret

When growing up a student has a picture in their head of what college is and most likely that is the type of college they are aspiring to be a part of. Picking your college is one of the most important choices you will make in your life because college forms who who are. Most people do not think about this but if someone chooses an urban campus school and someone chooses a school where their campus is the biggest part of the town both of the students will grow to be very different. When deciding on a school the student needs to choose the college that they believe will turn them into the person they want to be They can do this by talking to students who go to the schools that they look at. Ask the current students at the college what they think about the college because that is where a prospective student will find the most truth.

amanda

I would tell students and parents to talk to people that have attended the college. The school's advertisement is not the way to judge a good school. Ask people who have attended the school: "Did you feel prepared in your carreer when you graduated?" This is a very important question that can tell you if its the right school for you. The best school should have a safe location, an average tuition, and helpful staff that prepare you the best they can for the real career world. You should also look into how the school transfers credits. Some schools will not accept certain credits from different colleges. That is a terrible thing when you complete a degree, and find the next school you go to will not accept your credits. I would also tell them If you do not know anyone who went to the school then make sure you attend an open house, take a tour, and look at multiple options to base your decision on. This is one of the most important decisions you can make, and you do not want to go into it lightly.

Amaryllis

My advise that I would give to parents and students about finding the right college is to make sure you look for the major you want. That is the most important thing about looking for the right college. Make sure you also check to see if you like the campus. Do you want a big school or small school? If you want to live on campus, make sure that you are comfortable with the area, and if there are activities to do outside of classes, so you don't get bored. Try to get into social activities so you can meet new people. Most importantly, if you go to a college, you can go undecided, because once you go into a field, you may notice that there are alot of different careers you can do. If you have a major already decided, make sure the school you want has all the requirements for the major and clubs to join, so you can meet people that are also in your major. There are alot of universities and colleges everywhere. Try to do your research before you choose one, so you know if the college is the right one for you.

Megan

When searching for the right college, both the parents and students should feel comfortable with the college atmosphere. Make sure to visit as many schools as possible and keep your options open! When you go to visit a school be open to new ideas and really know what will help you succeed during your college experience. When you first arrive at the campus you are looking at, you should feel comfortable right away and feel welcomed. If you dont get a good vibe, then that school is not for you. The environment should feel friendly and not fake. Faculty members and the students that are helping you should come off as a peer and not as if they are selling the school to you. College is a big step and should be discussed amongst friends and family. You may not know exactly what you want to do the first day of school and may even change your mind, but that's ok! What you choose to do in college is your choice, no one elses. Make sure to always have free time to relax and do fun activities other than study! College is a great opportunity, choose wisely!

Danielle

Make sure That the college has everything you are looking for. Not just a good program. You want to look for finacial, class sizes, activites, if you like the campus, if you like the dorms, the proffsouers and also how dose the college make you feel when you step on campus. I think that if it is not confotable to be there or you are nervous or worried than it is not the college for you.

Sarah

I would advise them to choose the college that they feel is right for the student. It must be the students choice or they will feel miserable the entire time that they are attending that college. It is something that must be thought over very carefully and thoughts of the future must be kept in mind. The student must think about how they need to make the right choice to ensure that what they want for their lives and future will happen. And they must realize that things change, people change, and times change and as the saying goes they must "roll with the flow." After a semester or a year they may not like the school anymore or want to major in the same thing as they started out with anymore, but the important thing for the parent to do is to be supportive and to not make the student feel pressured and guilty for wanting to change their mind. It is what the student wants that should matter the most because it is their future and happiness that is at stake.

David

Make the first move all about what the school can offer you. Financial aid is the key to attending any college.

Georgette

Make the most out of every moment of it. Have no regrets work hard and keep your gpa up it is very important some may not think it is but it is. Make sure you budget for the years. Makse sure you have enough money for the school you choose.

brittany

visit the school as much as you can and try to get the full effect of the camous not just what they want to show you.

Danielle

dont look at the extra perks for a college (like what you may get for free when you go to a football game) but look at the size of teh classes and maybe go to a class. you never know how much you could hate a school until you see how the teachers react to students.

Kathleen

Make sure you go somewere you know you will be comfortable and try not to look at the cost so much!

Amber

The only advice I have to give to parents and prospective college students is to make sure you pick a college in an area that you like and can live in. Make sure students that you try everything at least once and never be afraid to come out of your shell. College is a new, exciting experience and can be a marvelous one as long as you do not live in fear. Always make sure your financial aid is done on time and get everything explained to you so that you do not get into trouble later and then have to struggle to make up money to pay for school. Parents, your child is growing into an adult now, let them try to solve their problems on their own and only step in if it is absolutely necessary. But also don't forget that your child is indeed still your child, and that this whole college experience is a new, exciting and also the scariest time of their lives. And your child will still need your advice, guidance, love, support and yes, sometimes, some cash as well!

Kathryne

The one thing that I would tell parents and students who are looking at colleges is to go visit colleges. As a student, you will be spending a lot of time on campus (commuter or resident). As a parent, you want to make sure that you feel comfortable with your child in this setting. The physical campus can tell you a lot about a school that you just can't get over the internet. Make sure to visit the whole campus - dining hall, gym, dorms, classrooms, you name it. I think that this played a large part in why I chose both of the colleges that I did. As far as making the most of your college experience, I would just suggest moderation. Make sure to study, but make sure to take breaks. Join groups, go out to lunch, then go back to the computer lab. Make sure that you will never look back at this time and hate what happened during these years - you should love your life every possible moment.

Lauren

Ask lots of questions even if they seem dumb. Take as many walk throughs as possible and make sure they offer the right programs that the student is interested.