Georgetown University Top Questions

Students should look at college as one of the greatest adventures they'll face in life. Though it seems cliche, going to college allows for self-realization that the bubble of high school lets you only dream about. Parents shouldn't force their kids to go to a school that the student doesn't feel "right" about. When you see the school you belong at, you will know! So visit as many as possible. Any accredited university will provide its students with a good education, but not all universities are suited for every individual. Seriously examine the social life of the school, as well as everyday student life. If at all possible, try doing an overnight stay with a student on a typical day (i.e. a weekday) to see if the people, places, and lifestyle fit. College is not just about education, it is an experience that nothing else can compare to. How many times in life will you get to live with thousands of other young, motivated, fun people? Zero. So take advantage of the next 2-4 years, and make sure you feel good about your choice.

Don't let school get in the way fo your education.

visit the school and if possible do a weekend there.

You can be happy anywhere, as long as you want to be.

Don't know.

Find a school where you feel welcomed, yet not completely comfortable- whether that means moving to another setting, or simply finding an academic or athletic program that will challenge you. Get involved in activities- both ones that you have an interest in, and more importantly ones that you never thought of before coming to college. Interact with people beyond your own racial, religious, or economic group. Don't just say hello but get to know their stories. The growth you gain from watching the sun rise after spending a night learning about the culture and values of another individual is exactly the kind of incredible growth experience you should gain from college. Learn that everyone has their own stories, their own strides, and that you as an individual have your own path too. College is aboad finding out who you are relative to the incredible diversity surrounding you, and gaining the confidence that will assure you that you have nothing to hide from. In highschool there is an incredible pressure to conform and not stand out- at the right college, you will have the chance to define yourself on your own terms, and shine through your distinctions.

Pundit Tucker Carlson once described college as a half-way house, and he's really right. College is as much about the transition from adolesence to adulthood as it is about developing career skills. When choosing a school, it's important to give equal weight to social and scholastic considerations. Many people meet their future spouses (or at least members of the wedding party!) during these four years. At the very least, students cultivate relationships that form their professional networks for years to come. Applicants should feel at home amongst their prospective peers: a good fit attracts kindred spirits. On the academic end, programs matter more than prestige. An aspiring artist may get lost at an institution known mainly for its foreign language programs, no matter how elite it may be. Choosing a school based on its institutional strengths ensures a richer time inside the classroom and stronger preparation for life beyond it.

Make sure you talk to students at the college before you choose a school. Tour guides are not always accurate representations of the student body. Really think about how some factors may play into your life at school down the road. I didn't think that the wealth of the students would matter to me, but now as a junior I am realizing how hard it is to find a social circle with whom I can afford to go out! Most of all, visit the campuses to get a feel for your comfort level walking around because you will do it for 120 weeks of your life after you choose a school.

Sit in on a class, meet with a professor who teaches an interesting class, and have an overnight.

You only have 4 years and while academics are very important, its only about 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the pie. Take it as an opportunity to try as many new things as possible and find out what you are really passionate about.

Parents, be supportive! Students: be bold! College is a time for a student to express him/herself. When I was a senior in high school, I spent many nights up agonizing over what school I should choose. My parents fought with me and with one another over which school they thought would be best for me. Finally, my mother told me to be bold and just choose one because college was for me, not for my parents. Now that I am a junior, my parents are both glad that I chose the school that I wanted to attend, and they realize that college has helped me to be more independent. So, I encourage students to consider what others (such as parents and guidance counselors) think of your school and weigh all of your options, but in the end to be bold and choose a school on your terms. No matter what, remember that you will be the one attending classes at the school, and it is your decision. And I encourage parents to be supportive of their child in whatever decision he/she may make. College is a time to grow and learn, and growing requires a positive environment.

One of the most valuable parts of the college selecting process is visiting and touring the campus. Through a visit, a student (NOT the parent) will KNOW the college that will suit them best the moment they step on campus. I remember being in awe the moment I entered my future school's grounds, and every fact I heard about the school from then on made me all the more eager to apply and go there. If visiting schools is not possible or if there is not a school that stands out for the student, the best way to go is to select a school based on the student's interests and desires for an education, and make sure to choose a school that is well-rounded. The worst thing to do is select an overly studious or overly partying school that ends up smothering the desire to do other things. This situation will make college miserable for some students. Also, do not be afraid to apply to that school you do not think you will get in to. You never know, you could be just what they are looking for, and it may be the perfect school for you!

Do not just look at the name of the school as the deciding factor. Shop around and visit each school you are interested in to find the perfect fit for you. With the right organization of time and money, you can greatly enjoy the college experience by both learning and exploring the surrounding area.

I ended up at a college I didn't like upon initially visiting, barely completed the application for, and didn't consider attending till a variety of freak incidents led me there. Yet, I think it was the best choice, in retrospect. In other words, there is no good advice as you won't get into colleges you should, will get into others that you didn't put any effort into the application, and definitely won't get into the exact Ivy you wanted.

College is a time for self discovery. But such discovery is not limited to only the time in which you are enrolled. Take the application process as a time for self identification, as well. Be sure to never sell yourself short, and always put your best foot forward. If you do both of these things during the stressful times we call application season, you will be pleased with your results, regardless if your mailbox is filled with those big envelopes. The right college is somewhere you will feel at home. Remember that home is where the heart is, and it will take time in order for your heart to feel comfortable in this foreign setting. But give it time. Quickly you will meet people who share similar interests, professors with insights beyond belief, and dining food that actually is comfort food. College helps you find yourself, but the journey of self discovery is the best road. Make sure to have fun, but study hard. You only get one GPA, so make it count. But at the same time, 15 years down the line what will you remember more, the epic basketball game or the paper you wrote to miss it?

Go with your gut. College is not the end, but rather an experience that will shape you into the person you will bring to the workplace, graduate school or wherever graduation takes you. Make sure that, when you step on to campus, you feel as though you were meant to be there. At the same time, though, try your best to pick a school that has enough variety in terms of extracurricular activities and majors that you can have the flexibility to change. Maybe you'll come in with a specific idea of what you want to do academically and in terms of extra-curricular activities and maybe you won't, but chances are any ideas will change and you should be in a place that affords you the opportunities to allow you to change and grow in new directions. Finally, remember to have a little bit of fun while you're in college. There are few other times in life when your only job is to study and participate in voluntary activities with friends, so make the most of it! Try not to worry about the future and soak up the present every step of the way. Good luck!

Make sure that you are able to adapt to a new environment (if you are looking at Universities in other regions). Make sure that you also note all the pros and cons of each University, and be sure to visit the campus. Once you have chosen a University, make sure to do as much as you can. Being a Varsity Softball player has limited my extracurricular activies, but if I had the chance, I would have loved to do more community service and maybe even an internship. Make sure to also get off campus sometimes and notice the different places around you. Get to know your University's surroundings and make sure to meet new people. These people can turn into lifelong friends, and ultimately a satisfying social life during your 4 years at the University. Overall, make sure you step outside your comfort zone and find activities that you would not normally even dream of doing. You never know what you may find, and it could even lead to a positive change in your future plans.

My number one piece of advice is not to set your heart on one school. A lot of people believe that they will only be happy at their number one school and experience incredible dissapointment when they don't get in. Only apply to schools that you would be overjoyed to attend; that way, you can't be dissapointed. Also, keep your mind open when looking at schools. Sometimes the school you think you love might not be the best place for you, and a school you might hate could turn out to fit you perfectly and capture your heart in the end. The best way to make the most out of your college experience is to get involved and try new things. Take classes you might not have concidered before. Try new activities you have always been interested in. Never be afraid to talk to new people or make friends. Put your heart into everything that you do and you will surely have a wonderful college experience.

First, visit the campus and ask lots of questions. Look at the students around you and see if you feel like you would fit in. As far as making the most, always be true to yourself without being afraid to try new things. College is about learning and growing, socially and academically. Keep a good balance.

Don't visit any colleges you haven't already gotten into. They are all fun with the right attitude, so don't get your hopes up of getting into a certain school. Rather focus on your attitude that you're going to have when you get to the school. Make a list of goals you'd like achieve and things you'd like to do when you attend. You only have four years and although I've only been through 2, I can tell you: they go by too quickly.

Trust your heart. Education is one of the most important things in the world, no matter the cost, the money, or the distance. Sure, tuition these days is sky-high, but in the end, it really is worth it. There's nothing better than feeling at home on your campus, finding new friends with similar interests and ideals, learning from experienced professors, and having a whole world of opportunities right at your fingertips. As they always say, your college years can be the best years of your life... if you let them be. Follow your dreams, step out of your comfort zone, and don't be afraid. But remember, even if you can't get into your first choice, you can always find happiness, wherever you go. You don't have to worry about the name of the school and how good its reputation is. Those things may be a plus, but you will be happy anywhere, I promise. I wish you the best of luck!

You have to go visit the school for yourself before you make the final decision. There is a large disparity between hard facts and numbers and the general "feel" of a school. When you visit the right school, it will just "click" with you--that's what happened to me. When you get to college, make sure to keep an open mind. If you can work hard and play hard, then do both, but you don't want to have to look back after 20 years into the future, wishing your college experience had been different.

Search for schools that have a variety of opportunities you are interested in. This can be academic, extracuricular, job elated, or athletic. The more opportunities available, the more you will be able to find something you love. Once at school take time to seek out diffrent activities and meet many people. Being involved makes you feel a prt of the school and making new friends helps with the transition process.

On a drizzly morning last spring, I was giving an impromptu tour of my university to a family friend. When we stepped inside a building to escape the rain, the student's father asked me if college was everything I thought it would be. My first impulse was to tell him how much I loved my school, how attending it had made me a fuller, more thoughtful person as it certainly has. But I hesitated. For, loyal though I am to my home university, I know that there are many such extraordinary universities. What makes one's college experience memorable is not the school you attend but what you do with your time there. My Dad once told me: "make a decision and proceed as if your choice is the right one." As arbitrary as college admissions sometimes seem, the idea of a dream school is a dangerous one. Regardless of where you are accepted, rejected, or waitlisted, the school you ultimately choose is the right one for you; you make it such in choosing it. And if you let it, your university, whatever one that may be, will change and shape you just as you will shape it.

I would advise students to tour a variety of different colleges and take note of the many things that vary between them: class size, urban vs. rural settings, the types of clubs on campus, etc. Be sure to sit in on classes and get a feel for the size you like best. Most importantly, after you have done this research sit down and really examine yourself. I was displeased with the first college I attended; a large state school, close to home. I had really wanted to head east (but chickened out), and within the first quarter I regretted my decision. My first school showed me that I wanted a smaller school with a close rknit sense of community and a larger variety of off-campus opportunities. Confident in my new criteria I chose Georgetown University and loved my years there. Although nervous to transfer, the welcome program was inviting and I felt at home within the first week. My advice, then, is to know yourself and don't worry yourself into a rash decision! College is a big decision, but not of life or death proportions and transferring IS an option if you are unhappy with your first choice.

I think the biggest things for me is both location and size. You have to know what type of environment you are most comfortable in. I knew, for example, that I could not go to a school in a rural area. I like being mobile. I'm sure in a rural setting you could just get a car but that limits the number of people that can travel and there is also the issue of parking. Not to mention the cost of gas now, public transportation is a lot cheaper. Size, in terms of students, was a big issue because I like to develop personal relationships with people and my professors are no different. I have a number of professor that I can just go and talk to about what's going in my life because we were able to develop personal attachements. Some Professors I've only had one class with but we still keep in touch. At a large school where there are a million people I think it would be hard and intimidating to try and create such a close personal relationship.

Consider all aspects of the university of choice. There is a school - a "perfect fit" - for everyone but it requires time and research. Make the most of your college experience by exploring all the opportunities outside of class - get involved in the community, join a club, play a sport, or get a job. Every campus has unique opportunities through which you can meet other students and make new friends. BE YOURSELF. There are so many different personalities on each campus ? never compromise your values or beliefs. If you are uncomfortable with a situation, speak up. Your friends will respect your opinions and if they do not, then they are not worth having in your ?inner circle.? Study hard but make sure you also take time to relax. Take a walk or go for a run ? being outside will help take your mind off your studies and is a perfect break. Have fun but do not lose sight of your goals. It is absolutely possible to have a "balanced" life so work hard, eat smart, and smile! You did it!

When choosing the university you are going to attend, be sure that you give the appropriate value to the different aspects of a university. Aspects that are important to consider are academics, availability of you major of interest, prestige, alumni involvement, school area, size of school, amount of students per class, among others. You need to make sure you do not let the fame a university might have, opaque your necessities and what you want out of your college years You might be chosen at a school that is more renown than another, but perhaps, is not the right fit for you. When choosing a university, you have to be objective and really ask yourself what you want and expect from you college experience. The important thing is not to be influenced by outside sources such as friends, boy/girlfriends, parents, regarding which college you should go to because of their attendance there. The decision of what college to go to is very personal and should be made with constant communication with you parents, since they will want the best for you and they will also be the ones financing your education. Be objective and the choice should be right!

If you visit a college and it doesn't feel right, don't choose it. Also, know that colleges try to make their campus seem like it is better than it is. You will hear a lot of the good things that the college has to offer, but they will not mention the bad things. Also, they might exaggerate some of the details. If you can, take a college tour but ask a real student questions about the school (not a tour guide) and see what they have to say. Also, consider the community surrounding a college. If there is only a small town, make sure the college offers many clubs and activities so the student won't grow bored. Lastly, remember that classes are held mostly during the winter months. If buildings are far away from each other and the college is up north, the weather might make the student miserable.

Although it is important to find a school that fits your preferences (location, size of school, majors offered etc), the most important factor in choosing a college that you will enjoy is the atmosphere on campus: how the students relate to each other, to their studies, and to the world around them. A few good questions to ask yourself are: Do I "fit in" here with the student population? Do we have the same attitude towards our studies and our social lives? Do we have similar opinions or beliefs or philosophies of life? Do I think I could make lots of friends here? Although it's always good to have diversity within a college community, it's important that you feel like you could relate to the other students. That's why the college decision is such a personal one: students need to find colleges that fit their personalities, not just their requirements.

I would advise parents and future college students to study out each school in depth. Determine what careers the student is interested in, and find the school that best prepares the student to excell in that field. Each university is different, just as each student is different. There is no one university that is right for everyone, so find the one that makes you feel comfortable. Then, once you have made the decision, expect to have an incredible experience, and then make it happen. College is what you make of it, so make it good.

I think making the most of your college experience is very important. Dont fall into the ways of this world because they dont last. The alcohol the drugs, and everything of that nature is only a short term gain. The best thing you can do is form great friendships and relationships with all kinds of people, and love them with everything you have. Trust me on this, the only thing that matters in this world is the relationship you have with the master who created you. Be yourself, dont fall into peer pressure, and set your morals before you come to college!

There might not always be that "feeling" when you walk onto a campus that a school is right for you, but upon delving further via campus tours and visiting popular student hangouts, you should be able to get a sense whether the school would be a good fit. A campus tour is most effective while classes are in session, as one can observe students in their element, whether they're running to class or internships, or studying on the lawn. Sitting in on a class in the field of your academic interests is also important, to get a feel for how professors interact with students. While professors' style and class sizes vary, this will help you to gauge how serious students are about learning as well. You wont know that you have picked the right college or university until you have fully metriculated and become a part of the campus community. If a college is truly right for you, I believe that it will become part of your identity, as your education at that school will have a large role in molding who you become. With that, I am confident that I will always proudly identify myself as a Hoya.

After more college visits than I could count, each campus began to be more and more indistinguishable. Every information session told me the same thing, and every tour had the same witty quips about campus. After finally getting my acceptance letters back, I realized, that while I'm glad I had the chance to visit each school that I was admitted to, I still was completely unsure about where I wanted to go. I chose Georgetown mainly based on campus feel (I felt comfortable and at home in my short time on campus.), but in actuality, all of my top choices made me feel comfortable on campus. After one year at Georgetown, I realize that, while Georgetown is one of my favorite places in the world, I could have been happy at any of the universities I was choosing between. It all comes down to making the most of your experience. Every college campus has so much to offer, that it's possible to find anything you want. At Georgetown I found the perfect balance between my social life and school work and have made friends that I know will stay with me for the rest of my life.