Emerson College Top Questions

Look in a location you would like to live in first -- your location can make or break your school experience! Also, look into financial aid and how easy (or hard) it is to get. Check the number of dorms, and how long you are guaranteed on-campus housing. If you are not guaranteed housing for all 4 years, look into where you can possibly find affordable off campus housing (that isn't a rat's nest). If you are very social and meet new people easily -- you would have no problem at a large school and might enjoy the fast-paced enthusiasm on such a campus. However, if you are shy, or prefer to have a small group of friends, a smaller school is probably for you. DO NOT only look at the academics and programs the colleges offer. These are obviously important, but you need to look at the type of people who go there, and what there is to do outside of school on weekends. Consider your hobbies and look into how you can continue those hobbies when you begin college!

No matter how close you live to campus, if their is dorming available at the school, have your student live on-campus for at least the first year. It makes it easier to make friends and connections. It also provides a lot of self-confidence and is a safe first-step out of the house.

Look at all of your options and apply to a diverse amount of schools. Do not stress once you have applied it is out of our hands at that point. The college expereince is awesome and make sure you are involved in a lot to make sure you get all you can out of your school.

There is something that happens when you first 'meet' the right college. I don't know if I believe in love at first sight, but I know I believe in college love at first sight. There is something you see of yourself reflected in the building, the location, the students walking down the street. I was sure I wanted to be part of this college I was walking through, nevermind the snow, the bums sitting across the street and the $40,000 a year price tag. There are times I regret this decision I made, becuase as an extremely cautious person, I made it rather fast. There are days when I can't think of anything but the money I am spending on these four years, leaving me questioning my education and experience. Am I taking full advantage of my college? I think that question must echo through your head during your first year. It is easy to be scared of joining clubs, intimidated of jobs oppurunities, and uneager to leave your single. But you believed when you first saw the school that you belonged there; why should anything change? Go out there. Try everything. College is fun!

The advice I would give any college student entering college is to try not to compromise too much. If you are an ambitious and determined student then really try to do whatever it takes to follow your dream and get into the school of your choice. Going to college is a great experience, not only academically but in terms of discovering and learning about oneself, so it is important to make the right choice in which college to attend. Never settle for less, even when economics play a factor in deciding which college to attend, because there will always be ways to get there. Whether it be through grants, scholarships, loans, or other means it is important to pursue your dream and never settle for less than what you know you deserve.

Make sure you visit a school before you decide to attend it. Go when there are students in session. Then pick a busy location on campus and just watch what is going on around you. Talk to a few of the students. Ask them why they go to school there. The most important part of choosing the right school is to make sure you are going to be happy there.

Don't let the end of high school make you think your education is coming to an end. In fact it is only beginning. College is a time to apply the basic knowledge you have to a higher level of learning which has a more individual approach than in high school. Professers treat you more like an adult and it is up to you to get your money's worth. A lot can happen over just a year and what you thought you knew and wanted can completely change after something as simple as reading a book. With that in mind, know that it is not likely you will find a college that gives you everything you want. It is more important to find a school that makes you happy when you visit, whether it is the location, the students, or just a good vibe. At any school you have to take some bad with the good, but as long as you are generally happy you will have a successful experience. Being happy to call the place home is more important than attending a school with a good specific program and being miserable. You are more productive at the former.

When searching for the perfect college I advice that you don't do the total opposite lifestyle you live now. I don't mean if you live in the country you can't go to the city, because country and city people also have similarities. But think really hard about how many people you want at your school. It is important to consider how often you would like to come home because distance is very important. And it is most important to visit all the schools you are interested in before you apply to them. Once you can narrow it down revisit the schools you liked the most and get involved with them before you get there. My school for instance has a program where you can shadow a student already going there. In other words you go to class with them you eat with them; it makes you feel like you already belong. By doing this I was able to choose the perfect school and before I got there I already made friends and connections. If you do this when you get to school you will already be on the right track to making the most of the experience.