George Washington University Top Questions

If I could talk to myself as a senior, I would say to embrace change and accept that it is, and forever shall be, an essential part of the maturing process. Prepare yourself to open up to people with different cultural backgrounds and open your mind to opinions which may initially seem unfamiliar. Sometimes it feels as if you are going to buckle under the pressure of not knowing what your future will look like. Be prepared for this and learn how to cope one day at a time. Embrace your love of learning and you will realize that any challenge that comes your way is worth passionately fighting for. There will never be a time in your life where learning is more fun, more rewarding, and your brain is wired to make the most change in the world. Take off at a sprinting pace and take advantage of sunny days, quirky classes, out of class guest speakers, uncomfortable social situations, problems that you see a solution for, and friends who open their hearts and minds. Respect yourself, your values, and you are bound to succeed. Wake up each day with a smile and see life as an adventure!

Take the time to look for more scholarships and grants. It will help you so much more in the long run. Treat it like a part time job.

My dear Monica, let me start off by congratulating you on graduating from high school. In just a few short months you'll be moving from the middle of nowhere to the capitol of our country. Before you leave on your big adventure, let me pass on a little advice to you. I beg of you, do not take Chinese and Calculus 2 at the same time. You will spend countless hours and nights wondering what is wrong with you. Especially once you decide to sell your soul to the NCAA and join the crew team. 18 credits and college sports is a bad combination for your first semester at school. However, you will make it through after catching multiple colds from lack of sleep and developing a slightly unhealthy addiction to coffee. You will want to smack yourself for doing it though. Other than your stubborn refusal to believe you can't handle such a ridiculous workload, I want you to know that you are right on track with everything else and to not worry about anything. You are more than ready to be a college student. Now go get 'em!

Balance is essential in trasitioning to college. Too often I hear people tell high school seniors to join five, ten, or even fifteen clubs at the beginning of freshman year. "You'll meet a lot of peope," they often counsel. And while this may be true, one must also assess the academic impact of being involved in so many extra-curricular activities. Having just finished my first semester at GW, I can say that a substantial number of my friends fell into such a trap. They met a lot people, but only superficially, and their grades suffered because they found themselves overextended. My advice would be to do in college what you enjoyed doing in high school. If you played soccer, try out for the soccer team. If theater was your thing, audition for a production. It is by pursuing these genuine personal interests that you will meet people with whom you have a great deal in common. Minimizing the volume of your activities and maximizing your involvement in them will give you more opportunities to succeed both socially and academically.

First semester of your freshmen year in college is one of the most difficult transitions in a young person's life; yet I believe some people thrive and grow through the sudden change. The most important aspects of how to make the transition into college life the best, specifically at GW, is to become organized with your academics and to stay true to your character. Your decision for going to a more northern school in an urban environment may allow alot of frustration; yet as long as you stand tall and stay organized you will thrive.

In high school, the competitive environment of a New England prep school distorted my perspective on academic life and what is truly important in education . A less than impressive grade on a test, a critical comment made by a teacher, or even a tardy of 5 minutes would always be met with the response: "I'm not getting into college." By senior year, this threat was at its most menacing. Knowing what I know now, I would advise my former self to relax and enjoy the journey. Education is not just about grades and reports, but about lying the foundation for a worthwhile and intellectually rich life. In college, it's up to each person to get the most out of the opportunities available, even in the most unexpected arenas. The higher you go in education, the more you must be motivated by your own desire to learn. This is becomes more clear in college when you notice that nobody is taking attendance in lecture or checking to see if you did last night's homework. It rests on each students shoulders to take advantage of all that higher education has to offer.

Enjoy your college and get educated as much as you can

I would tell myself to stay focused and communicate often with your professors/advisors. I would also remind myself NOT to squander money on campus.

Go to a state school and then go to a private school for graduate school. That is the best advice I could give myself. Also, look at undergraduate options abroad.

I would say just because you don't know what you want to be or who you think you should be, doesn't mean you won't learn as you go. I started college late, after I had turned 22. I thought if I gave myself time that I would figure life out before I started school. School helps you decide though. It helps you find yourself and develope your personality, your skills and your talents. When I looked at it as a senior I was so scared of it being the big crossroads. I thought I had to know exactly where I was headed and why but I was wrong. I would tell myself to be confident in the unknown and in myself. To look forward to growing and learning, not just about a career, but about who I am capable to be. I would say to start as soon as possible because it's not just a great job I am missing out on, its strength, its confidence and its knowledge. Its a ripe world of opportunity with the person I want to be at the other end yearning to get to know who I am now.

follow your passions!

The most important thing about choosing a college is giving yourself the flexibility to discover what you want to pursue a career in at an affordable cost. I would caution against applying to a trade or technical school, especially if the school was only strong in that one field, because that limits your options if you change your mind after your first year. Your second priority should be to find the best value for your money; choosing a school for its reputation should play a small role in this part of the decision. Instead, a school with a high caliber honors program, a wide variety of strong departments and a smaller price tag can be a better match. Finally, TAKE LOTS OF AP EXAMS! Getting credit for introductory classes before college gives you the opportunity to take more electives and a lighter schedule freshman year, so that you can truly take advantage of your school and avoid those boring 200 person lectures.

Life, to me, seems to be like planning a balanced meal. Food choices have to be chosen carefully in order to be sure that proper nutrition is incorporated into the meal. Too much of anything, no matter how tasty, can throw off your nutritional balance. Too little of anything can have adverse nutritional effects as well. If a well -balanced meal is the ultimate goal, then the correct balance must be achieved. Both high school and college life are balancing acts, too. Curriculum and activities and recreation and study time must be chosen with care in order to maintain the healthy balance needed for success. Too much of any one thing can throw off this balance, just as too little can have adverse effects. If a well-balanced...and happy...student life is to be achieved, then planning and goal-setting must occur. I have learned this. I have found this life lesson to be invaluable. This is the advice that I would give!

I would advise myself to think of the long-run and where I wanted to be when I finished college so that I could pick a college that had the program, the staff and the resources to get me to there. I would tell myself to think of what kind of place I would be comfortable, but that would also challenge me to experience new things. Get to know your professors, your TAs and your dorm-mates. I would say, have fun but remember that you're in school first and foremost to learn and earn a degree. I would say make new friends, but remember you don't have to keep all of them, take care of yourself and make sure you're happy. I would say there's going to be times when there are a million things to be responsible for and personal things going on and you'd rather let it all go, but work hard and perservere because it will make you better for it. Mostly, I would tell myself that there is going to be uncertainty, there is going to be doubt, but be confident, adapt and make the best of every situation.

I would tell myself to choose a school with people who are more similar to myself. While GW is a great place and I appreciate the opportunity to attend, I sometimes find myself feeling as if I do not come from a wealthy enough background to fit in within certain contexts. I would tell myself to choose a less expensive school so that I could take my time and not graduate early. And I would tell myslef not to underestimate the value of school spirit provided by a good sports program. While I am not unhappy with where I am, had I examined these aspects more thoroughly during the application and decision-making process, I fell I may have ended up somewhere else and been even happier with my choice than I currently am.

Money isn't everything. Parents may right now pressure you that you must choose a major that will in the end have a high paying salary, but if you don't like it, its just as miserable as life without money. This is your life, you choose in the end what you want to do. Take a risk and just do it. Even if you regret it, it can become a form of a great valuable lesson that will still help you succeed later on in life. Have hope for the future and enjoy the present. Hardships will come but if you enjoy what you love doing, you can overcome it and meet great success. Success comes because you overcome your obstacles. Be grateful of the upcoming obstacles rather than resent it and you will surely succeed.

I would tell myself not to be afraid to study what I want to study, even if it is not the most guaranteed direction. I would also tell myself to be sure I have the fundamentals down in topics that I want to persue further. Most of all, I would say to enjoy the time and not stress out about what was to become of my future. I think I also would have recommended to myself to study in Germany, to save money and have a better education.

I have thought about this question a lot in the last few years. Since graduating college, I have applied to many, many jobs, been through many interviews, and learned a great deal about what I do and don't want in a future career. All of the knowledge I have gained since graduation was a result of this experience, but I always wish I was more prepared for the journey to begin with. Upon graduation from GWU, I had my studies under my belt, and a minimal amount of administrative experience. If only I had the skills then that I have now to write cover letters, build my resume, and search jobs. My biggest piece of advice to a high school senior would be this: even if you don't know what you want to be when you grow up, know what's out there. Start to research companies/organizations in your chosen field of study. Not only will this help you through your college career, but it will prepare you for the journey ahead. Also, don't be afraid to seek out training in resume building and interviewing - it is never too early to start preparing for the future.

I would tell them to not give up until the student finds that school that makes them say "Wow, this is where I want to be". Whether it's the academic programs, after-class activities, job opportunities, location, student population, dorms/residence halls - whatever! - I am a true believer of not giving up until you find that place that makes you feel like you have found your niche. At GW, the first time I stepped on campus, I was taken aback by the beauty of the school, I loved the student organizations, from photography clubs to the College Democrats to dancing groups, and I LOVED the location! After finishing my first year, I would encourage new students to take advantage of everything free and informative! Whether it's resum? workshops, student organization fairs or career seminars, all these little things add up to broadening one's overall knowledge, helping choose the right major and potential career path, and even opening doors to getting more involved on campus and making new friendships.

Where you go to college doesn't matter. If you are a hardworking driven person willing to seek out opportunity and take advantage of what is available to you then you will succeed irrespective of what university stamps it's seal over your degree. College is about learning. Learning about the world, about life, about other people, but most importantly about oneself. There may be some choices of college that will catalyze your learning even more, but the bottom line remains: your job in college is to learn. And if you're the kind of person who has a passion for that anyway, you can do it anywhere.

We all have visions of the perfect college experience, but there is no one way to enjoy college. Everyone's experience is different, so do not feel like you have to join greek life or drink every night in order to enjoy yourself. Narrow your college search so you can visit the schools you are really interested in. Talk to and meet as many people as you can at the schools you visit, and at the school you decide to attend. It's ok if you don't find your niche in the first week of school--just keep looking.

First of all, to the students, remember that no matter at which school you end up, it is what you make of your college experience. Secondly, if you are truly unhappy at your choice of school, remember you can always transfer. Transferring may seem scary because you have to start over, but if you are truly unhappy, you should not ignore your true feelings. I suggest, however, to make sure you have made your best effort to give your school a chance and to make it the best experience it can be before you decide to transfer. Finally, just remember to work hard, but still save time to have fun!

Academics won't matter as much. Make sure you enjoy the place you will be living for the next 4 years, and you will be happy. There is not much weight on where you received your undergraduate degree, as long as you have it. Go to a fun and comfortable undergraduate college and save the expensive and high profile schools for a graduate degree. Most of all, remember it's your life and find something you enjoy at a place you want to attend. Don't worry about reputation.

The most important thing about finding a college is not finding the school which is necessarily the highest ranked or even the school with the best academic program. Your school is not just a school, but the center of your life for four years and you need to find somewhere that you can enjoy your life. Don't be afraid to take residences, student organizations, location, climate, social factors, or anything else into account. If it will make you happier, then it's important that your school has it.

Make sure you pick a school that fits your size desire (small, big, urban, rural...) and that has programs you like. Going to a better school, that is a better fit will be work the loan money. You only get to go to college once, so make it worth it!

Visit a lot of colleges and really get a feel for what your child wants to do before you commit to a school purely based on reputation.

My best advice would be to look online at college research websites to show you stats and even take online tours of schools. Find out what size school will be right for you and then narrow down to a list of 10-15 schools before choosing ones to visit. When deciding, also take into consideration its area, modes of transportation and if it seems to be a complement to your personality. Does it fit you? On visits DEFINITELY take pictures; after a few tours they all seem to blur. Be genuine in your admissions essays and if possible set up an interview at a school you are hoping to gain admission to. Talk to students at schools you hope to attend and definitely visit insider websites to get the real scoop on the schools you're interested in. Lastly, remember that it's all a peculiar game and wherever you get into is often the right school for you. Sometimes a school can even surprise you. I, myself, did not even want to apply to my university and didn't visit until I was accepted. Upon visiting, I fell in love and couldn't wait to start in the Fall!

If I had to give advice to a parent or student about choosing a college I would have to say that visiting the college is so important. A student has to be able to feel comfortable in their environment in order to learn and grow. A future student has to see whether or not they can live there and see the types of students that attend the school. I made the mistake of going to a popular school my freshman year. I went to a school where a lot of people from my area went and thought that I would be fine. I later realized that I should have gone with my instincts and ended up transferring. It is important for students to realize that you are primarily at a college to learn and obtain a degree. Extracurricular activities are just that extra. School activities are important and should always be looked at while trying to choose a school and be utilized when you are at a school. Choosing an area where you are comfortable to live, learn and socialize is important for the success of the student academically and socially.

Stop looking for the one college that best fits your needs. You make the best or worst out of college, so there are infinite possibilities. You may even be happiest at your (gasp) safety school. Therefore, it's most beneficial to make some basic decisions (location, size, academic focus, urban vs. rural, cost etc) based on who you are and then create your own experience. You don?t have to answer every question, but if you hate the cold, don?t look at schools in Maine. Then, narrow down your choices; visiting and speaking with students helps! Apply to several schools on your list that vary in prestige and, once accepted, start looking for activities and clubs to join. If you are active in the college community ? whether in clubs, student government, fraternities or whatever else interests you ? you will meet new people, learn from them and start to discover what your future holds. There is something interesting at every college; however, if you don?t take advantage of what's offered, you won?t make the most of your years as a student. It doesn?t matter where you choose, but rather what you do when you are there.

Talk with your parents about your career goals and personal desires; this will help you aim for the schools which best suit your personal and professional needs. Talk with your couselor about scholarship options; this will help ease the sting of college tuition, as well as help you weigh your financial options with your parents. Think in depth about the environment in which you were raised; this will tell you whether or not you want to duplicate or escape your surroundings. Most importantly of all, reach for the stars, and never be afraid to apply for a certain college, because it may delight and surprise you the places you go!

Choose where you want to go based on what you want and not on what others think of the school. It is very easy in today's society to get caught up in "brand power" and the name and persumed prestige of a college/university is not exempt from this. Take the time to visit the campus, hopefully more than once. Try and speak to students on the campus and not just the ones that the Admissions Dept. introduces you to. Gather as much information as possible and think about whether you can stay at that college for the next 4 years. Explore as many options as possible, so that you can get the full view of what is available to you. Lastly, remember that no decision is set in stone and you can always change your mind. College is a time of experimentation and if Sarah Palin can transfer a bunch of times than so can you.

For many students, the first life changing decision one has to make is which university he or she wishes to attend. An important consideration is the location of where they want to wake up at 7:30 am to go to Professor Chin?s 8:00 am calculus class. Students may look at who teaches calculus or what Professor Chin teaches and forgets that there are many other professors and majors. However, they only experience one location, which is unique to the university they attend. Some students look for a school that is fast pace and located in the city, like NYU; a school that has walls and a college town, like UVA; or something in between that is located on the outside of a city, like Northwestern University. Ultimately, they are the one who wakes up in the same place every morning for that 8:00 am class that eventually ends. Therefore, regardless of the prestige of the school, the awards, or the ranking it holds, the most important aspect of their college experience is whether they wake up in content or not and the basis of that is the experience they gain in the location they study.

I am actually a transfer student to my current, private university. So, I understand how hard it is to make the right decision about college. I had attended a lot of college programs in my high school years, and so I had a vague understanding of what I was looking for the first time around. However, when I got to my first day of orientation, I came to find that the university I thought I was attending, was not an accurate understanding of student life, etc. Thus, while everyone will tell you to just keep your basic needs (majors, learning environments, finances, etc.) in mind, it is important to do more than just tour the campus. Take the opportunities that the universities offer to sit in on classes, talk to a wide variety of REAL students on campus, eat the food. And, while transferring is always a feasible option, it may hurt you in the end. So, make sure the university has options to help you cope with possible desires to leave: like, study abroad options, student organizations both on and OFF campus, and a large variety of classes to experiment with majors. Best of luck!

Finding the right college has less to do with the prominence of the college itself and more to do with the way in which the studnet wishes to benefit from attending the school. A college is just a college; the student's success will be a result of what they do while there. Going to an ivy league school will give a person access to resources in research and prestige that one may not get at a lesser known school, but if a student has no interest in taking advantage of these resources, then they really only benefit from a name that will only get them so far in life. At the same time, by going to a school with less prestige, and yet the resources needed for a student to learn and experience exactly what they need in order to prepare them for the career they desire, it would be that school, and not the ivy league institution, that will lead them to the best outcome. Overall, successful students will do best in an environment that plays to their individual strengths and needs, not necessarilly what will look best on paper.

Visit the school and talk to students who go there, do not worry about money, take classes at a community or state college and transfer credit to graduate from a private university

Visit the campus, talk to students and ask lots of questions!

Make sure that you attend the school that best fits your needs. Consider your financial status as well as what the school offers. But above all pick a place that you will be happy and have a lot of fun at for the 4 years you are in college, because they are the best 4 years of your life and you will never have an opportunity to choose a path that will most change your life like picking where to go to school.

College is about finding yourself and exploring what what world has to offer. Despite all the pressure that prospective students face from parents, teachers, friends, etc., the most pressure needs to come from yourself. Parents, support your child's decision. Let them grow and learn. You've taught them well, now let them show you what they've learned. Students, listen to yourself and your heart. Choose a school YOU want to go to. Experience everything you can in college. Make mistakes, not big ones, but learn from every experience you encounter, good or bad. College is amazing. You walk away from it with more than a piece of paper and a handshake.

I suggest not only visiting all the schools you are interested in but also staying for a weekend and attending c ouple classes at the college or university to really get a feel for the social and academic environments. Most schools can pair you up with students who are willing to show prospective students around for a weekend and/or take them to class with them. I can't think of any better way to really get to know a college or university. After getting to know the environment, opportunities, and campus of a school, weigh all the costs and benefits of attending, paying special attention to tuition, in making your decision. If you make the best choice possible for you, your college experience will be that much more rewarding. If you know your interests, finding a college or university that is very strong and well-connected in those areas can give you opportunities that other schools can not.

The best advice for parents and students looking into college is to keep an open mind and not let the urge to 'go for the best' college take over. Every student is unique and subsequently each institution is similarly different. Although a prestigious university such as Harvard or Princeton may appear the ultimate destination to which all students aspire to, this is not the case. The choice of college must be made with the student's interests in mind as well as curtailed to his strengths and weaknesses. Some individuals may prefer a college with a rich athletic heritage while others want one seeped in a tradition of community activism. If the student desires a more cosmopolitan experience, perhaps a university surrounded by a robust and lively city, such as Philadelphia or Boston, is better equipped to serve his needs than one in the countryside. Last but not least, the financial situation of the student and his family must be taken into account. If a university considered superior to a student fails to impart adequate financial assistance, then it may be necessary for him to attend one he regards a little less. Remember, keeping an open mind is key.

The most important thing when you are choosing your college is the campus visit. When you go to the best school for you, you will feel it as you walk around campus. It will just feel right. Financial aid and money has a way of working itself out. Just make sure that you feel comfortable on campus, before your sign your committment letters. To make the most out of your college experience. Do not go overboard on work. Make boundries between work time and play time. And always make sure you leave your work behind you. Don't make yourself too busy or you will get bogged down and your time won't be enjoyable. Relax, school is only hard when you put too much pressure on yourself. Give yourself time everyday to unwind and leave your work behind you.

The first piece of advice would be that one should start the process as early as possible. When a student is trying to figure out what he/she wants for their college experience it is very important to consider all of the options. Look at different types of schools and take some chances in the summer before your junior year and the begining of your junior year. Then try to narrow down the type of school and program you are looking for. Go on the campus tours, information sessions, interviews etc. Get as much knowledge and information as possible to make the educated and well-informed decision. Enjoy the process and the trips along the way. When in college focus on your academics but remember to make time to spend with your friends. Join a group or two and dedicate yourself to them, don't try to be in ten different ones. Study appropriately and work hard as it will all pay off!

I think in my own experience, looking and taking a tour of the school was key to finding out what best fit my needs. When I came down to GW for the April Visit I knew it was where I could see myself going. Taking a trip to the admissions office and financial aid office made my dream a reality. I knew I couldn't afford it but they assured me that I didn't have to give up on my dream if I qualified for financial aid or received a merit scholarship. Since I have an older brother in college (SVA) and a younger brother in high school, financial aid is impportant. Academic performance was also very important to me. I qualified for a top scholarship. I think there are a lot of opportunities and people willing to help a student with these concerns and GW certainly was able to help me in this process. I went to a lot of different schools during my college experience-as far as California and Utah. Choosing a school where I could be happy and live in a safe, fun, and tolerant environment was hard, but I found it.

Any college can give you a good education so make sure to focus on primarily on the campus and student atmosphere and whether or not you would enjoy it for 4 years.

Visit and research colleges that come from different backgrounds: large state schools, smaller state schools, small liberal arts colleges, private schools, city schools, suburban schools, and country schools. You'll learn more about yourself in college than you expect, and looking at a wide variety of schools, even if you think you are convinced you know of exactly the type of school you want, might really open your eyes. Be open minded when searching for schools and once you have entered school. You'll be bombarded by all of the extracurricular activities available, and don't be shy about trying them out - and leaving them if they aren't for you! You will most likely make a lot of your closest friends on your floor and in your dorm, so while that can be awesome, be aware of that and try to form networks that extend out of your building. Finally, it can be easy to fall into an extreme: too much school or too much party,;be wary of that and try to enjoy yourself while still taking advantage of all of the great academic resources available!

Visit the schools you apply to, and go where it feels right. Location and social life are key, because, as long as you go to a good school, you will get a good education, but you want to be happy as well. There are a lot of good schools out there, but only one right fit.

Go with what feels comfortable, but do not overlook the student body as weighing in on your decision.

pick a school in an environment that you know you will be happy. If you hate the cold, do not go to a school in the northeast and vice-versa. Do not hesitiate to seek help, and do not get caught up in comparing yourself to the other students. Do not let your GPA go down; once it goes down, it is hard to bring it back up.

Don't just talk to the students who you meet as part of the touring process. Grab a kid on the street and ask him/her what he thinks about the school. The tours are run by by people trying to sale you, just the same as if you going to buy a new car or television. In order to have a strong opinion about a school you need to talk to students who are untainted by the school and have their own opinions that they are willing to share with you. With their opinions you will be better suited to finding the right college for your kids.

Don't attend a college where you want to fit in. Pick a college where you already fit in.