Gonzaga University Top Questions

Go on campus visits, a student can feel if it's right or not just being around the buildings and the students who go there.

encourage students to do their homework and learn time management

Finding the right college can be very stressful for parents and students. The first thing a student should do when searching for the perfect college is to make a list of qualities "their" campus must have. Size, location, and possible majors are three aspects to look closely at. However, the best way to find the right school is to go visit. For me, seeing the intramural fields lit up and being played on at 10pm, the banners throughout the university reading, "educating the people the world needs most", and the friendliness of all the students I met made my decision. It is important the student can see themselves making this campus a home. Once at the school, the best way to make the most of the college experience is to get involved. Join an intramural team or the student body government, become a resident assistant, get an on campus job, or volunteer through a school program. Through these activities, students meet other students with similar interests and form strong friendships. Getting involved in campus activities makes the student become an active member of the school community.

Let the student decide for himself. The most important thing is that the student take ownership of his/her decision and is going to put academics first. Fun and friends will naturally follow.

I would advise students looking for the college that suits them best to be honest with themselves with what they are looking for. Weather is key - if you are not a fan of the snow or cold, realize that even though a potential school may be great, you most likely will not thrive as well as you're capable of.

Remember that this is the place that you're going to live. Do not just consider only the academic bonuses that your school will offer you, but if you could consider this place a home. If you're not having a decent living experience, it doesn't matter how great your education is.

Almost anywhere where you go is going to have a good program for whatever degree you want. You should pick a school that fits what type of environment that you want to be around. While education is important, so is quality of life and happiness. Most schools get people to come because of their reputation, but I really think that most eduaction levels at most colleges are pretty equal.

The attitude of the students on campus, is commonly the feel of the whole university. The university rubs off on the students-- so a warm student population is a good sign of what is to come in the classroom and other activities. Make sure you are comfortable with the class size, residence hall options and activities available, because these will be where friendships are formed; if you are uncomfortable it will be harder and less likely for these vital relationships to be formed. Of course, this will be a life-changing experience so have fun, and do a little thinking before making your final decision.

pick the one that makes you feel the most comfortable. that way you will be best suited to follow whatever path you choose remebering that it may or may not change along the way.

I think wherever you choose to go has to feel like home. The first time you visit, or on move-in day you should feel overwhelmingly happy and comfortable. Many people choose a school because it looks good on paper or its their "dream" school. If I have noticed one thing about the whole college process, those dream schools don't always end up having all the things you end up wanting in a school. Going to college is about academics, but it is also about growing up and finding yourself. You can't do all of those things unless you are in a place that makes you happy.

academically first, then socially

Let the student make the decision, he or she is the one who's life is going to be spent at this place, not yours. The student should pay for at least part of the fees so they have some sense of ownership behind the college choice they are making. Don't be afraid to travel far away for school. Look for the best possible match and GO. Don't let money be an issue when choosing a school, take out a loan if you have to, make these 4 years worthwhile. Don't waste them. Have fun, but be midful of your coursework. Once you make your decision, stick with it and live the dream. Make sure that you make the right choice and run with it. Find out about course offerings and talk to current students and get them to honestly tell them what they dislike about the school and also find out what they genuinely like. Campus catalogs are going to portray themselves in a positive light, really dig down into the details and make sure that you are making the right choice.

In order to find the right college, be sure to go and visit the campus and talk to as many students there as possible to gain a better understanding of what the people are like there. In order to maximize your college experience, try and meet as many people as you can and try and meet others who are different from you. Join campus clubs and organizations and just enjoy the time you have at college becasue it goes by FAST!

Look at many, apply to many, go with a gut feeling. When you're there, does it feel like a place you could call home for 4 years? is it far enough away from home to be independent, but close enough ( or accessible enough) to go home for holidays and summer vacation? How's the financial aid? is the alumni network strong?

Prospective students should sit down with their parents AND close friends and create a list of not only what they are looking for out of a college experience, but also what experiences they need day to day. There are many excellent academic colleges and universities throughout the United States, however if they lack the social and/or personal needs of a student, it will not make for a rewarding fit. Identify what your core values are and choose a college that reflects and embraces those same values.

Think outside the box, outside the state, and within your price tag. Your college experience is so much more than your time spent in the classroom. Going off on your own, letting your kids go, experiencing life through new eyes as young adults is one of the most important aspects of going off to college. Moving to a new area opens your mind to new and different things; the desert of Phoenix Arizona is totally different from the winters of Spokane Washington. Make sure it is affordable, look at the feedback from student?s because their word is the one you should trust, not the schools.

It is so important to visit the universities that you're considering. There is a palpable feeling or chemistry that you can sense when you're on campus...it either feels right or it doesn't. Pay attention to that impression. I feel that it's very important to make a college choice based upon your individual impressions, and choosing a school because friends will be attending can be a mistake. Once on campus, you will make the most of your college experience by being open-minded, while holding fast to your personal convictions. Allow yourself to spend time with people who are different....different backgrounds, political and regilious views, etc. You will become a much better rounded person by gaining understanding of their perspectives. Become involved with your university community. While it's true that you are in college to pursue academics, it is critical that you maintain balance and spend time with recreation, friends, and personal interests.

I would definitely recommend that students and parents visit schools before applying. Especially if you are unsure of top choices, visiting is a great way to see what the student body is like and get first hand accounts of life on campus. It can also be a fantastic opportunity to meet with professors and learn more about specific programs of interest. I would also suggest making the decision based on what is right for you personally. It can be alluring to attend the school a family member attended for the sake of keeping up tradition, or to pick the same school as your best friend. However, ultimately this is a choice that will have big impact on your life, therefore it should be your decision. Once you get to college, get involved! Play a sport or join a club that sounds interesting. You will automatically feel more connected. Alos, keep an open mind. You will meet a lot of people similar to yourself, and many with entirely different backgrounds and perspectives. Use it as a learning opportunity. Most of all, study hard, play hard, and remember to call your family. These are the best years of your life!

Research the school you want to go to!

It is essential to make an effort to visit the campus of your choice before applying. I had never heard of Gonzaga until my mom mentioned it to me. The second I stepped on campus, I knew that was where I wanted to spend the next four years of my life. Had I not visited, I would have ended up somewhere else. It is important to research and take advice from others on where to go, but also listen to your instincts. You won?t get as much out of your college experience if you attend a school someone else wanted you to go to. To make the most out of your college experience, don?t be afraid to try something new. Make new friends, sign up for campus activities, attend plays and lectures that aren?t required, and show your pride for your school by being present at sporting events. College is about getting a good education, but it?s also about being an integral part of the whole college atmosphere. Whether or not your name will be remembered years later, knowing that you were involved in more than just classes will make your experience there more memorable.

Highschool Seniors To be completely honest, I had no idea where I wanted to go to college. I looked at numerous different schools but never could find a college that I believed I would fit. My advice to you is to follow your heart. Of course you need to take in to consideration the location, the size of the school, and the type people, but the real question is: what do you do once you have found those schools? Each school is just as individualized as the students who attend them, and I can't stress enough for you to look at a variety of schools and find the one you believe to be the best fit. Once you think you've found it, take that leap, take a chance, and go with it! As for making the most out of your experience, have fun, be yourself, and enjoy every minute of life. You only get to live once, so forget regret. Enjoy and be thankful for what has been given to you, and from there you will meet incredible people who will shape your life in ways you never thought imaginable. Your out on your own, enjoy it! -Abby

Advice I would give is visit all the schools you apply too. Don't make a decision quickly, take your time and find the school that feels right. Also, know that you don't have to stay there. A lot of people feel that this is there one and only chance and they can't change their mind after. That is not the case, if you are not happy go find somewhere else that might fit. Life is too short to stay somewhere that you don't like. There are tons of colleges and there is one for everyone. Once you are accepted get ahold of someone to talk too. See if you can talk to a student and get their prospective. College is also not just about learning, it is a life experience. So, make sure it has things around it that you love and people who are like you. It is one of the first times where you make a huge decision on your own. It is a big step, but an extremely exciting time. Don't ever lose sight of that and try not to stress. Enjoy every moment because it only happens once.

Visit the colleges before you apply to them and talk to professors and current students to understand the pro's and con's of a school. Some colleges offer a weekend where prospective students can spend the night, definintely do this! You will be able to decide whether people there are like you, or not and whether you will enjoy the experience. Also, branch out while you are enrolled. Never feel like school is just enough. Internships, networking, working with professors, and other school programs are great ways to meet people and form relationships that can turn into jobs, and help direct you toward your interests.

It comes down to three main things: location, campus life, and academic intensity. In considering location, do you want a metropolitan area with lots of culture, a rural area with some privacy, or a mix between the two? In campus life, do you want a large school with lots of diversity and new and constantly changing social life- which comes with big classes and less professor-student intimacy- or do you prefer a smaller, tight-knit social network where classes are small and your professors recognize you? Lastly, you have to consider the academic intensity of the programs you are interested. What do you want out of your college experience? A degree and job or possible grad school options and if the latter, is the strength of the program going to support that? Is the program so strict that changing your mind later on is not an option? Will you be able to work to meet this program's standards? Once you can answer all these questions, you're set for determining what is right for you.

I recomend visiting all the schools you are considering and talking with students there. Try to look at all the aspects of the school and don't focus to much on one part of it. Go with your gut feeling about a school. If it doesn't seem like it is going to be a great school it probably isn't and vice versa. When you choose the school for you, really try to be outgoing and meet as many people as you can. Join a few groups and be an active citizen of the community.

One of the hardest parts about finding a college is discovering that the best college is not always the perfect for you, and you can?t figure this out without spending some time on campus. Yes it?s all fine and dandy to visit a school and get the traditional walk through tour but you won?t truly know just by walking around! My school offers GEL (Gonzaga Experience Live) where accepted students are allowed to stay on campus with a current student for a weekend this is the best way find out about a school. Making the most of college is easy GET INVOLVED! Volunteer, join a club, go to socials, study abroad, have a dinner party in your room; meeting people is a big part of the college experience and living in the dorms only gets you so far, pushing yourself to be social is well worth the extra effort.

To the students I would say: don't allow people to make you feel as if you don't belong just because you don't feel like drinking and partying all of the time. Know who you are and stick with that no matter what. You deserve to get the most out of college, and only you control the experience and its outcome.

Visit all schools. meet academic advisors. meet teachers. talk to current students. find out about academic guarntees such as four year graduation and class size, as well as financial aid. Think about weather and distance from home, the housing offered by the university, and the dining services.