Fordham University Top Questions

The key to finding the right college is to begin the process early. I began visiting colleges my junior year of high school and I honestly think that it really helped me to narrow down my options. The first step is to make a list of everything that you are looking for in a college. That way as you make your visits to the different schools you know what to look for and what to ask about. My advice for how to make the most of your college experience is to get involved. Becoming a part of a team or a club is the best way to make friends as a freshman. it is easy to get involved whether you dorm or are a commuter so take advantage of all that your school offers.

parents-keep an open mind and don't limit your child with want you think your child wants, they can make their own choices. students-think about financial situation realistically, understand that college size makes a difference in terms of attention and overall progress, once you begin college try your best to find a balance between school work and social life because raising your GPA once its dramatically low is extremely difficult

Go witha school that is open, has general classes and majors, and is acedemically flexibly. that is so if you don't know what you want to do when you get there, you won't feel boxed in. Try to find a diversy campus because it is my experience that students do better in more cultural diverse campuses. Make sure there is enough housing and jobs around the area of the school because you never know when they will come in handy.

I would advise parents to really listen to their kids and what they are looking for in their college experience. College is truly a time for students to not only expand their intellect, but to discover and define who they are. It is important that their children feel as though they have a say in this stage of their life as going to college is really a right of passage that has the potential of being one of the most fondly looked upon times of one's life. I would advise students to take the time to really reflect on what is important to them, and what they are not willing to compromise. I would also encourage them to consider colleges outside their hometown. I believe that we truly need to seperate ourselves from everyday familiarity in order to find ourselves. We learn a great deal about ourselves when we are outside our comfort zones, and we are forced to grow and stretch. College is just as much about academics and earning a degree as it is a journey of self discovery.

Finding the right college for you isn't just about finding a college with the highes ratings or the best one you can get into; it's about choosing a school where you feel comfortable that includes not only finding a academic program that will challenge you but finding a school and community where you will thrive and grow as a studet and as person. Don't jsut look at statistics look at the students and faculty and see if you could see yourself as part of their family. And when you're here it's all about finding the balance of that comfort and new challenges.

My advice to parents: Your children know who they are. They know their dreams, their desires, their likes, and their dislikes. It may be hard (because of course you want to share with them all the knowledge you wish you had when you were their age!), but it is important to step back, let go, and let them make this ever-so-important decision themselves. If, to you, it seems like a mistake, it is still theirs to make. But you should be confident that you have done your job well, and that in the end, they will absolutely make the right decision for them. My advice to students: Go with your gut, and don't be afraid of your dreams. What do you want most? Where will you be able to best pursue it? College is the time to try new things, meet new people, and have incredible new experiences--but most importantly, discover yourself. Conquer your fears, quiet them before they begin to roar too loudly in the darkness, because you are infinitely more powerful than they! Remember, everything new you do in these next years will make you stronger, and will help shape who you become.

Make sure you visit. It is very important to vist schools. It is impossible to get the entire feel of the school without a vist/ over night stay. Give every school a chance and go to the one you mesh with

Do your research. Assess your preferences no while you are in highschool: do you like big classrooms, or small; do you want a diverse campus so you can learn more about other cultures or do you prefer to learn about people like you. When you get to college, go out and learn and see as many new and interesting things as possible. Meet new people that are not like you and who are like you. Stay focused. Dont always be a follower, you'll be surprised at how many people respect you when you choose not to follow the crowd. Have fun and enjoy yourself!

visit the college before you apply

Evaluate all aspects of the college in order to find the perfect fit for you. Initially, one might assume that the environment and socioeconomic factors do not play into your college experience, but they will. If you need out of classroom learning, find an urban school with cultural outlets. If you need to be free of distractions, do not go to an urban school.

Take your son or daughter to as many colleges as you can. Let them explore the campus, ask questions to students and administrators and take a walk outside the campus gates. Don't interrupt too much in the process. I understand that you're paying, but it is ultimately their experience, their classes and their career. Be sure that the campus is safe and academically challenging for your child, but don't become overly involved. Listen to their needs and respect their desires. They are 18 and they understand what is good for them and what is bad. Once in college, immerse yourself into anything and everything the university or surrounding community has to offer. Try new things, indulge yourself in old favorites and don't stress. College is supposed to be the best four years of your life and you don't want to miss out on any opportunities or worry about a sophomore year chemistry of art exam that won't matter in 3 years. Enjoy your time at school. Meet as many people as possible, explore new activities and develop skills from high school. Embrace the college life. Don't waste a second.

When deciding on the right college make sure you visit the campus and get some in sight about the school first. Talk to the faculty and other students you know who are attending there (if you know any). Have an idea in mind of what possible majors you are striving for and make sure the school its your needs. Remember to pick something you love to study so classes are not agnoziing and you will fully enjoy your experience. When you get to college manage your time appropraitely. It is a must that you know how to manage school work, jobs/internships, and your social life. College will be most rewarding if you are happy both academically and socially. Ask yourself, what type of school could I see myself at? Evaluate your personality and future goals. You will not be disappointed.

I would adivse parents and students to start visting colleges as early as possible. It is important to keep yourself open to various different types of institutions because if you don't expose yourself to them, you limit your options substantially. Once a student chooses a college and enrolls, try to remain as outgoing as possible. It is easy to let nerves keep you from experiencing everything that college has to offer, because it is scary at first, but once you make the decision to keep an open mind, you will realize that opportunity is everywhere! The time spent at college goes by incredibly fast, so try not to waste time stressing the little things, the bigger picture is what is important!

When choosing a school, you have to know what you are expecting out of your education. You shouldn't choose a school based on where your friends are going or, what school your parents went to. You should look at all of your options so that you can decide what is most important to you academically, socially, enviormentally, etc. Also, you should definetly visit your top choices before and after you are accepted. Alot of schools look good on paper, but you have no idea of knowing how you will fit in /adjust to school without first getting a feel for the campus life . You should talk to students who aren't campus ambassadors or res hall leaders; students that are currently in the major(s) you're interested in, to get a real feel for all that your possible school has to offer. After that, don't think of college as a time to reinvent yourself, but as a time to grow and learn and become a responsible and valuable addition to the "real" world.

The best advice I can give is to do your homework while chosing which school to attend. Go and see the schools and find people you know that already are there attending and find out their honest likes and dislikes. When attending, have fun. Study and do your work but dont be afraid to have friends and to go out. College is about fun and growing into an adult as much as it is about studying. There needs to a happy medium found. Otherwise, just enjoy!

Visiting the schools you are choosing is crucial to making a decision. The student has to feel comfortable at the school otherwise the transition will be very difficult no matter how much you like the classes or how great of a personality you have. You should also consider the strength of your major's department if you have already decided what you would like to do. If you haven't decided yet then a school that has many strong options might be better than a school that's more specialized. Personally, there was just a feeling in my gut the second I stepped on my campus, it just screamed "home" to me.

Choose the school that you know fits right the second that you step onto campus. Don't worry about financial worries because it's better to be in debt, happy at the school of your dreams and making the most out of your college experience to come out with a great resume and a great job than financially secure, unhappy at the local community college that will not get you far. You are paying for the name of the school and the connections it has as well as the education, something you can't get at a state school or the community college down the street. You'll meet great people, learn to be independent and become who you are meant to be while in college, so pick the one that you KNOW you will be happy at, not the one that everyone else thinks you should go to or gives you the most money. No one else has to go through this experience except for you.

Finding the right college is a difficult process, especially when you're unsure of what you want to do with your life. Before I applied to schools I had a general idea of what I enjoyed learning about but not much else. If you're in a similar situation then i suggest you look at the following items when choosing a school: 1) Academic Diversity (My first semester I was placed in an anthropology course as part of my core curriculum...and I loved it. I may not have taken that class otherwise, and now it's one of my majors.); 2) City vs. Rural (I love NYC!!! But it's not for everyone.); 3) Class Sizes and Style (I know I learn best in a small, discussion-based setting which are most of my classes at Fordham. I also know that one of my friend's learns well from lectures.). Once you've chosen a college, make the most of it! Chat with people when you're moving in and try to use the lounges. It'll help you meet people. Be willing to try things; it'll be a good time, or at least a good story. Enjoy!

Stay close enough to home, but far enough away at the same time. Definitely visit the schools you plan on attending and talk to current students to get a real idea of what it would be like to attend that college.

Choosing a college is by no means an easy process. My advice in picking a college is to visit, go on a tour, and talk to actual students, as they will provide the most accurate/unbiased information about the school. Also, make sure the school is located in an area that you like. It will be your home for the next four years and will make or break your experience. A last bit of advice is when you look at the academic programs make sure it is somewhat diverse. I've seen so many students change their major that by attending a school with several strong programs, it will allow you to more easily switch between majors instead of having to transfer to a new school and start the college search all over! I hope that this advice is helpful and remember that the most important thing is to relax, the right college will find you!

I would advise parents to allow students to pick a college not only based on academics, but also mental health. As a college student, I have realized that your campus becomes your home. Also, the student should take into account the location of the school; if the school is located within or near an area full of many career/job opportunities, he or she can easily be proactive about internships, which is a big part of learning and college. A great idea is to too to many students as possible from all the schools you are thinking of attending; take into account their academic, social and career-oriented experiences. While visiting many colleges is a great hands-on experience, both parents and students should not visit more than they can mentally handle. Take it slow. Most of all, students should go with their heart and gut instinct when selecting the right college.

Don't settle for anything but the best for you. Don't go by what your friends or your parents want. Go to the school that's right for you. And if you get there and you don't like it, try to make it better before giving up and transferring to another university.

Make the best of your situation and never give up! Work you butt off because it's totally worth it in the end. And don't be shy!!! Talk to everyone you see!!!

I advise that kids know who they really are - their interests, talents, intelligences - and mix it with some reflection concerning whether they like cities, small towns, or rural areas; whether they are artistic, scientific, mathematic; whether they are liberal or conservative; and whether they enjoy harsh seasons or a steady climate.

You can only plan so much when picking a school. There are things you will love about a school, and there are things that you don't like as much, but when it comes down to it, you just have to hope for the best. You most likely aren't going to find an absolutely perfect school that has nothing wrong with it. However, you can make the best decision that you are capable of and just go with it. The chances are, if you are open to new experiences you will have a great time at college.

I would suggests that students visit the school and take a tour of the campus before making any hasty decisions. Make sure the school has a program or at least a few academic programs that you could see yourself participating in. Also look to see what the school has to offer not only academically but socially, what activities, clubs, sports, intramurals does the school offer. Could you see yourself fitting in here? What is life like outside the campus I looked at Fordham and realized that the possibilities in New York City were endless. Lastly make sure you feel comfortable on campus and could see yourself living in the environment as you discover it once you take a campus tour. If you have an opportunity to talk with upper classmen do so, ask them plenty of quesitons!

If you are setting out to find your dream school, you should understand that maybe there isn't one...you might not find one school that is a perfect fit for you, and even if you do, be aware of the possibility that it will be financially unfeasible. People often talk about finding your "match" and the abundance of financial aid, but it's much more complicated than that. All of this might sound pessimisitic, but being aware of these realities can prepare you much better for the college search. Be direct when asking about financial aid or scholarships, and be sure what you can actually afford. Find a school that is welcoming to people like you, and, if you are unsure what you want to do, make sure you keep your options open, and you will be fine. Be ambitious, but realistic, and when it comes time to make a decision, you will be in a better place. And once you are at college, take care of yourself, physically and mentally. Eating healthily and getting enough sleep can help with stress immensely, and being aware of your emotional state is crucial to your schoolwork, social life, and happiness.

Make sure to give your school a fair chance before deciding if its for you.

College is what you make of it. Regardless of the school you attend, you must have a positive attitude to make the most of your college experience. If you go into college thinking its going to be hard making friends, or it will be hard being away from home then you are only predicting what you have been thinking. Go into college like a whirl wind. It is a time in your life when you get to start with a blank piece of paper. Let your true self show, and you will make true friends who will love you for who you are. Join different clubs for fun, strike up a conversation with the person sitting next to you in class. You will be surprised by the variety of people that attend college. Each individual has their own story and it is fascinating to hear about them all. Let you mold your college experience. Attend cultural activities and let your inhibitions sit back seat to this new experience in life. College is what you make of it, make it the best experience of your life.

It's important to know what you're looking for in a college. Size, available majors and minors, and what departments the school is strong in. Can you handle classes with one hundred, two hundred, or five hundred people in them? Or do you prefer a smaller setting with twenty or thirty students per class? You have to know what you want and what the college offers. It's important to do the research. To make the most out of your college experience try not to go home freshman year. It helps you get acclimated to your new environment and forces you to meet people. It's almost terrifying, but forcing yourself to stay weekends or days you don't have classes helps you to get more comfortable, more quickly in your new environment.

visit before you apply. college is not the end-all be-all of life.

I got so caught up in finding the perfect school in the perfect location. I would recommend that students find a reputable school with lots of good teachers, but with a reasonable cost of tuition. If you get a scholarship to a school near the top of your list that trumps the school at the top of your list, take it! It is stressful to be spending so much money on an education you could have gotten in state for so much cheaper. What I'm saying is...don't rule out a good state school. Also, remember to find balance in your social and academic lives and to take good care of yourself. Work out, study, and find time to be with good friends.

To Students: Do not apply for a distant school because it's "cool" to do that. Stay close to home so you can save money so you wouldn't have to either pay extra money or put your family into debt. The college experience isn't all in the college, it's about group interactions with one another. Colleges and universities don't make the experience, people do.

Think hard about what it is that you want out of your college experience. It is easy to get overwhelmed with the college search process but if you think carefully about what is important to you in terms of your school, it will be much easier to make a decision. Important things to consider: 1. What kinds of activities do I want to be involved in? 2. How important is it to me that my peers share my political convictions? 3. Will I be more comfortable in an urban or rural setting? 4. Is it important that I be able to travel home easily?

I think there are several imperative things to consider upon preparing for college. Regarding both students and parents it is crucial to visit the colleges of interest. In addition, it also helpful to take full advantage of the programs and info sessions schools have to offer for prospective families. The application process is a tremendous committment, and you are essentially signing a contract for the next four years of your future. Emailing and facebook are also helpful in maintaining a dialogue and staying in contact with students and admissions faculty you meet during visits. Also, if you have access to older students already enrolled in the college of your choice such as, family friends or graduates; you will certainly want to sit down with them and go over any questions or concerns you may have. Overall, you should try and come up with a list of the things you would most desire in a school whether it be special programming for your major or minor, or career placement options or even clubs and sports on campus. There are thousands of schools out there all it takes is a little research and you can find the school of your dreams!

While the advice your parents give is extremely valuable, this is ultimately your decision. Make sure that YOU are entirely satisfied because this is one of the biggest decisions of your life. The school you choose will shape your college experience and the beginning of your adult life. College is a once in a life time opportunity to not only learn academically, but to leave the safety of your parents and your childhood, and to form your own person. There are only a few years left before you will be working. Utilize these formative years as a chance to spread your wings. Live somewhere you have always dreamed of. Be brave and travel. Take up every opporunity. In the blink of an eye these amazing years will have passed, don't regret inaction. The greatest piece of advice one can take is to be open. Be open to new things, including people - you are going to be exposed to all forms of diversity - new ideas, organizations, clubs, areas of interest.

Never count anything out. I didn't think this school would be the one for me but now I love it. Parents, don't pressure your kids too much. It is a big decision in the lives of a teenager and it needs to be by them, no matter how long it may take.

In order to find the right school for you it is important to not focus solely on ratings, location or size. Generally students may do better at schools that are not as highly ranked, but fit the student?s personality better. So keep in mind things that will be truly important to you as a student such as student to teacher ratio, campus life and accessibility to entertainment, shopping and public transportation. Once you find a school, it is important, as a freshman especially, to become involved in campus life in order to make friends who have similar interests to your own. However, remember not to stretch yourself too thin. Making the adjustment to college life means learning how to manage your time between your studies and your other interests. Most schools have a wide variety of clubs, some social and some academic, where students can pursue their passions and become part of social networks with those who are pursuing similar fields after graduation. Lastly, make sure to take advantage of the resources your college offers such as writing centers, career centers counseling services. These services are instrumental to helping you succeed in college!

The advice I would give to parents and students about making the right choice for college would be to first leave yourself open to options. Often what you feel is your first choice, actually may not be the best fit for you. Visit all the schools you are accepted to, get a feel for the campus and individuals who attend, and talk to upperclassmen about their experiences. The best advice is to listen to what current students have to say. They will known better than any advisor what that particular school is like. As for making the most of your college experience, my advice would be to get out of your comfort zone. Take an interesting class, explore the city, meet people who have different interests than you, because most of your college education takes place outside the classroom.

As an applicant and a parent I would like to get a feel for the university by visiting a few times and by engaging in conversation with the students. This way, you can hear perspectives of many people and form your own opinion about the university.

Consider the financial burden before the academic prestige;of a University. Indebtedness, is not conducive to benefit, as those who attend a "lesser grade University" will inevitably be the same individual's who enter similar professions.Then, the only difference will be the amount of take home pay between employees;co-worker A will be pay-off student loans,while co-worker B deposits pay into an interest bearing account.

It is not just about the schools ranking. Pick a school with the atmosphere that best suits your personality. A complete college experience incorperates academics as well as a social scene.

Get involved. Talk to kids who go to the school.

As a young man or women you may not know what you truly want to do with your life or where you want to attend college; however, there are a few points that should influence your decision. Finding the right college has alot to do with the intensity of the learning environment. If you are a very ambitious person and you love competition then you should select a school that is known for its competitive students and accelerated curriculum. Another factor that weighs heavily in deciding the proper school for you is its proximity to your home and/or your work place of interest. This is a very delicate balance for many students. Some students enjoy being close to home and some enjoy being far away from home and coming home minimally. Many business students tend to want to go to school by a large city so that they can get internship experience in a large corporation or partnership. These two factors should be at the forefront of your decision making process as a senior in high school while your looking and different university's opportunities.

Parents should accompany their children to campus visits, give meaningful advice, share stories about their college experiences, and help with the application processes. The students should research the colleges and apply for ones that seem right for them. The biggest mistake that a person can make is to attend a college ONLY because it has a prostigious reputation. All factors should be considered: available financial aid, majors and minors that are offered, the campus enviromnent, class sizes, study-abroad options, and dorm situations. I have learned that in order to make the most out of the college experience, the student should try to be social, join clubs, attend campus events, and join study groups. Having a strong social circle means that the student has a reliable source of support. Also, internships are beneficial; they bulk up a resume andare an opportunity for career experience and fostering of business contacts. Balancing work and free time is important; academics ALWAYS come first and should not be sacrificed for an outing with friends. Most importantly, NEVER hesitate to meet with professors for extra help. This shows that you have initiative and a desire to learn the material; professors are always impressed by that.

I would say make a list of what you want in a college and then weight which aspects mean the most to you(i.e. your field of study, closeness to home, size of college, etc.) and then rate each college baswed on each of these merits with the aspects with most weight obviously being worth more. Finally add it all up and see which college best fits your standards and noone elses. I believe this is how you'll find the best college for you.

I would just say visit every college you are interested in and speak to the students. Before you visit make sure you outline what is most important to you in terms of diversity, resources, networking, etc.

In addition to reading all the literature, you should visit each college for a full day during the week. After you have narrowed down your choices, you should check into a program which aloows you to stay overnight with a student. Make sure to talk to students randomly, go to a class or two and eat in the cafeteria. Take a complete tour of the campus with your host student. Try to meet with Financial Aid during this visit. Find out as much as you can however you can in order to make an educated decision.

The notion of finding the best school that will accept you is ill-conceived; the trick is to find a school that fits you, not the other way around. Throughout the process of applying to colleges so many numbers will be thrown in your direction: student-teacher ratios, squarefootage of athletic facilities, GPAs/ SATs/ ACTs, tuition, financial aid? However, the final choice should not be based solely on "US News and World Report" rankings. On the contrary, a potential school may look great in Kaplan's "Unofficial, Unbiased Insider's Guide to the 320 Most Interesting Colleges," but seem very different once you arrive for a campus visit. Earning a degree is an investment of your time and money ?a huge investment. Many students will spend four years and $100,000 on tuition alone to earn a degree. No investment banker or stockbroker, no matter the size of the accounts they manage, would make an investment of $100,000 without some serious research. Likewise, you must spend a significant amount of time researching your decision. So, do some serious research and visit your potential schools. And, hopefully, you will be able to successfully find a school that matches your personality.

It is important to for high school seniors to know what kind of environment they want to be in. For example, it is important to know whether they want to be in the city, or on a campus in a more rural area. It is also important to look into what kind of majors the school offers and see if that is what they are interested in studying. I think the most important thing is how comfortable one feels on the campus and in the classroom, and that will determine whether or not the school is a perfect fit.