Harvard University Top Questions

Make sure to get a good group of friends at the beginning. They will be your support network and your lifeline. Make sure that they truly care about your well-being. Don't do *anything* sexual. You'll regret it for the rest of your life. Be open to ideas and be humble. You won't always be right, but at the same time, be willing to stick to your convictions. Love your friends back, by helping them do what's right and by protecting them from themselves. Ask them to do the same for you.

Don't worry too much about which school you're going to get into. Make the most of your experience. Make sure your school has the extracurricular activities and programs you want.

I would encourage students to spend a great deal of time researching colleges before and during the application process. Students should make lists of their priorities in a college; for example, while dining hall quality might be seen as trivial to some, it might be important to others! If you like to research from actual books, the quality of the library system and its ease of use will be crucial. Also, don't underestimate the importance of a strong, caring network of peer and faculty advisors, as college is confusing and advisors can help you make decisions. Once at college, be sure to take advantage of unique opportunities your school or surroundings offer! If you go to college in Boston, check out the North End's Italian restaurants, rather than ordering in Domino's, for example. Also, on a related note, don't feel pressured to spend, spend, spend. Set a "fun budget." Maybe go out to eat weekly, and save up for that. Check out the flyers around campus to help you find fun, cheap things to do over the weekend. Going to concerts, plays, etc. can be a great way to find culture and friends!

One very important thing to remember is that there is no one college that is right for everyone. Every student beginning on this journey is going to follow a different path, and that's ok. Some students will know exactly what they want to do with their lives, and will be able to decide accordingly by choosing a school that is particularly strong in that subject. Other students won't be so sure, and would most likely do best at a school with many options. This allows the student to determine their interests and decide what path they want to follow. Even for students who believe they know exactly what they want to do, it's still a good idea to choose a school that will provide alternate options. Very few people know at 17 or 18 years old what the rest of their life holds. Of course, there are other considerations. Take into account the surrounding area, the extracurricular activities offered, and certainly the atmosphere on campus. All your time isn't spent in the classroom, and the college experience consists of much more than an academic program. However, it all contributes to the educational experience.

When selecting a college, the number one priority should be to find a college that will provide the best college experience. While research, websites, and information packets can be useful, the most important tool for parents and students is to experience the different schools themselves. Parents and students should visit colleges, and students should explore both academic, extracurricular, and social opportunities available to them. Additionally, parents and students should seek current college students similar to the applying student and ask them about their experiences at the school. Asking the first people you come across is not enough - one must look deeper at varying individuals' first hand experiences at the school. Once a parent and a student select a school, they should do everything they can to find out about all available opportunities and resources that are available to them.

Talk to a college admissions officer about your interests, and make sure the admissions officer knows what they're talking about and is competent.

be prepared to shell out hella cash!!!

Finding the right college is synonomous with finding the right people. People- your classmates- make the college experience. When you visit schools, of course talk to students, but also get their email addresses. Ask them to get you in contact with students involved in the kind of activities and majors you are interested in. Get in touch with multiple people from each college and ask yourself, "Are these the kind of people I want to go to school with?" You will be surrounded by them for four or more years. You want to be excited at the prospect of rooming with, having meals with, and running into them in the hallways. Once you're at college, branch out right away. It's great to have your freshman year roomate to eat those first few meals with, but continue meeting people well into freshman year, so you maximize your chances of finding people you will really bond with. Stay open that first year- and stray away from dating right away too- it almost guarantees you won't meet new people. Last thought: be proactive- don't wait until senior year to try something you've always wanted to. Do it NOW!

I think the most important question to consider is "What will this college do for you?" Will it guarantee you your dream job? Help you meet your future spouse or the best friends of your life? Will it give you time to figure out who you are and delve deeply into a subject of personal interest? Will it teach you a useful skill that you can quickly apply to a career you want? A lot of students jump into elite 4 year schools, when perhaps they would rather have been accountants or dental hygienists. Think about your own priorities and what will make you happy. There is no one fit answer for everybody. Some students go to Harvard, hate it, have no idea what they want to do afterwards, and end up working at the University in admissions or the library while paying off 200K in loans. But if you make the wrong choice, don't despair. Students transfer all the time- a few of my friends transferred and they fit in fine and are very satisfied with their decisions. It's never too late to be happy!

In my opinion, the most important piece of advice for both parents and students during the stressful college search is this: colleges are more alike than different. I go to any Ivy League college, but I can tell you that I have met people of equal intelligence and achievement that go to state or city colleges. The lesson that I have learned from these discoveries is that you get out of college what you put in. In other words, you may go to to Harvard or Yale, but if you don't take your studies seriously and you depend on the school's reputation rather than your own merit, your success will be limited at best. However, no matter what school you go to, if you put your all into your studies, you are bound to make the most of your college career, for all schools provide the essential building blocks that one needs to succeed (e.g. , qualified professors, a centered learning environment): some just have more money and resources. The key, though, is to realize that none of the trappings matter. What matters is the fact that you can obtain a great education anywhere, through your own efforts.

In the application process, cast a wide net, since it's harder to get into school than ever. Don't be afraid to apply to a few reaches (you might get lucky, like I did), as long as you have some safeties. Don't be too hasty to rely on an out-of-school counselor, especially one who charges a lot of money. Much of this process is a crapshoot, and no one can predict who wins. If they claim to be able to, they are probably lying. College is the only time in life totally dedicated to indulging one's mind and spirit. I advise going some place a little far from home, really making yourself vulnerable. I've found one of the best things about college is that I no longer feel pressure to do things I'm not totally passionate about. So, pick the extracurriculars in which you truly wish to participate. Speak up in class, study abroad, read books for fun (and for class). See plays and concerts. Develop a taste for beer and not hard alcohol. Be safe, make enigmatic friends, and take time to write down your experiences, so you won't forget them.

I would tell students to visit colleges, read up on them thoroughly and make sure that whatever school they choose has a range of options , both academically and socially, that they're interested in. Working at the admissions office, I see too many students choose Harvard because of its name yet know nothing about it. First of all, a lack of passion for the school won't help you get into college but second of all, it won't help you love college. College is the last barrier between childhood and the real world. Enjoy it! Take it as what it should be, the first baby steps towards leaving your parents and entering the world as your own person. You want to be able to find yourself at college, grow into the person whom you want to be and you'll never do that at a place you can't call home. To parents, don't pressure your kids to go to the school with the loftiest name. Your interest lies not in seeing them succesful, but seeing them happy. So after they get into college, hug them, and then let them go off on their own.

It is extremely important to visit multiple colleges and interact with the students who are currently attending the college in order to see in what place you would feel the most comfortable. Ask what resources the college has to offer, question students about their professors and their favorite class, figure out what they do for fun over the weekend and in their free time--this information will allow you to see how you would fit into the academic and social scene. College is all about trying new things and stepping out of your comfort zone. However, I feel that honesty has allowed me to really make the most of my college experience. Your parents are the ones who have always been by your side, through the good and the bad, and no matter how far you are from them, they will always be your constant support. I tell my parents everything that I do in college, including going to parties and drinking, which allows my parents to be included in my decisions and to voice their concerns and/or give me advice. I can really enjoy myself because I know that I am not doing anything behind my parents' back.

Parents, make sure your child is the person making the decision about where to attend college. Even though you are extremely excited and think you know what is best, your son/daughter may have a very clear idea of what he/she wants without being able to articulate this to you. Students, make sure you do the right research. It is definitely important to feel comfortable on the campuses of schools you are considering. However, it also important that the schools have great programs that cater to your interests. If you are interested in business, take a look at the university websites to make sure they have good pre-business programs! Also, talk to kids on the campus and decide whether you could see yourself being friends with them! Only listen to what you want! Good luck!

Do not discredit the chance that you or your child might find their way into the upper-tier of schools. For low-income families, these top of the line schools offer financial aid that can make it cheaper to go to the best school than to the worst. Also, choose schools to apply to not only because they are good schools, but because you would want to live in that town or city. Lastly, once in school, remember that even though you might be a small fish in a big pond, you are still worth something. Especially at large, top of their class Ivies, this is easy to forget. But, remember that these schools would not have admitted you if you were not special. If you remember this, you will succeed.

Go to the place where when you step onto the campus you think, "This is home"

I actually transferred to Harvard, and that experience was very helpful in understanding how to choose a college. You don't find out about a place by taking the campus tour and doing those things, although visiting is imperative anyway. The campus tours tell you how many books are in the library and what famous people lived where, not what life will be like during one's 4 years in college. Visiting is good, but more importantly, try to talk to and understand the lives of real students. Talk widely and broadly, since no two people's experience is the same. Ask: What is their balance between extracurriculars and academics? How have they found their academic experience? What is their most and least favorite thing about their college experience? What are their regrets? .... Second, once you're at a college, whether your first choice dream school or your safety school, make the most of it! I was at NYU and hated it, mostly because I didn't give it a chance. It wasn't my first choice, and I wouldn't let myself enjoy it , and although I successfully transferred, it's not a route I'd recommend for all.

If you can, spend time at the college and trust vague, general impessions you might have. Pay attention to students' comments about the administration and administrational procedures. At college, take advantage of where you are, with or without people you meet on campus.

talk to a variety of alumns

In three words: Visit The School. No matter how much research you do, no matter how many people you talk to, no matter how well you think you know a school, you can't really know whether a certain school is right for you until you immerse yourself in the campus life. Don't just do the standard admissions tour- mingle with the students, visit the dorm rooms if you can, eat the food, sit in on classes. Visualize yourself as a student there, and ask yourself if you can imagine this place being your new home for the next four years. Oftentimes, a school you thought you liked before visiting will turn out to be completely different from what you imagined, and you'll be glad you visited before making a decision. No Google search or conversation with an alum can replace a personal visit, because the little things you never thought would factor into your decision (i.e. the quality of the food or the size of the dorm rooms) can be the things that affect your quality of life the most. Spend a few days visiting, and you'll ensure a successful and happy four years.

Along Massachusetts Avenue, on the perimeter of Harvard Yard, stands Dexter Gate. Above Dexter Gate, a simple inscription provides unique perspective: "Enter to grow in wisdom". The inscription reminds us that the college experience is made up of much more than a formal education. We will undoubtedly forget much of the minutiae that makes up our daily experience. What lasts, however, is the wisdom we attain by hurtling ourselves into new, potentially uncertain circumstances and discovering what it takes to succeed. More importantly, college allows us time to discover how to learn from our failures and then how to build upon our successes. This trial and error allows us to grow. It is important to find the best environment that will be conducive to growth. Every flower has a unique environment where it thrives best. Similarly, each student should strive to find the college that provides the best environment where he or she can blossom. Just as a flower needs the right mix of sunlight and water, you should find a college whose values best reflect your own. It is not the college?s name that is important. Rather, it is finding the best environment where your potential can blossom.

When it comes to finding the right college, students should make a concerted effort not to pay any attention to name. Fitting into a college environment is all about understanding yourself as a person - your skills, your interests, the things that make you happy, and your goals. Once you get a general sense of these things, one should make a list of the priorities you would look for in a college. Then the research on actual colleges may begin, and should be tailored to match one's attributes. A lot of attention should be devoted to visiting schools and speaking to students. For me, social life was a very key aspect of my college experience, and I think in any environment it is important to understand the dynamic's of a school's social situation.

Look at the platforms for students running for student government to find out what's wrong with the school.

Work your hardest.

Choose the place where you feel like you'll fit in and be happiest. These are supposed to be the best years of your life. Try and make it happen.

When picking a college, it's important to read all you can and then visit campuses and talk to admissions officers, current students, etc. Once you begin college, explore and figure out what you really love. Sign up for classes you think you may not be good at, but are interested in and work hard; GPA is not the most important thing. After your exploration, narrow it down to just one or two things so you can engage in those things fully. When you know what direction you want college to take you, talk to as many people as you can--professors, teaching fellows, counselors, peers--to get a sense of what you need to do to accomplish your goals. Make some plans based on what you learn from talking to others; plan your course sequence if your goals are academic in nature; if you are interested in research, get situated in a lab early; if you like theatre, join a production. In order to learn, volunteer to do anything, even if it's not the most exciting job. As you prove yourself, you'll be given more responsibility and ultimately gain respect as a campus leader.

Whatever your expectations are...drop them. If your expecations are high, you will only find things to be disappointed about. If your expectations are low, you will only feel self-deprication at being pessimistic. Whatever your expectations are, as long as you have them you will never be fully open to what it means to be at college. College is what YOU make it to be...it doesn't matter where you go or which college you pick- it is up to YOU to live the next four years with a purpose. If you do things for a reason, you will never have to second-guess why you did it in the first place...and while you may second-guess the reason, you will never second guess that it was worth doing. (Almost) everything is worth doing at least once. Push your boundaries, and live life on purpose. Do it. It's worth it in the end.

Visit the college campus and talk to students already attending the school to get a feel for how the school is like and choose the one that fits you the most.

The college years, while being perhaps the most formative of early adulthood, also pass by the most quickly. The rigors of academic life and the possibilities of social life upon up and accelerate like never before, as you become immersed in a community of learners. While this is a wonderful time for exploration and it is vital that students use their college experiences to gain a broader understanding of the world with its many different cultures and peoples, and it is also intensely important to reach out to your fellow students to gain insight into the variety of backgrounds and interests of others of your generation, college is the time to find your passion and to begin a foundation in that passion that can guide your life. College is a place where we go to find out what we really love, and this quest is best completed in a place you can love. The ideal college stimulates by challenging and engages by encouraging. Find the community that will be most likely to allow you to propel yourself to this.

Visit a variety of schools and get a chance to talk to students currently attending.

Decide what it is that you want to get out of your college experience and choose accordingly. If you're sure of your intended major and the career path that you want to pursue, then pick a college for its program based around that subject. If it's important for you to explore fields, play sports, join a sorrority, etc. also pick around what specific environment(s) you'll feel most at home in. Of course, balancing other factors like the types of social events and the students that attend is important. If your "average" student at a college in question does not have interests that match up to your academic or social interests, you should likely keep looking. Visit a school, both before and after you've gotten in, to determine if it is really a place you could see yourself living in and enjoying for four years. Remember when picking a schoolthat it should adapt to your interests and persona, not that you should adapt to its.

Of course, the selection of a college or university is not one to be taken lightly. A lot of thought goes into it on both the parent and student's side. But I remain not completely convinced that a "right college" exists. Most students at one school would have been equally happy at one of many other schools. So I think regarding the college search process, my advice to applicants would be to apply everywhere that you could conceivably see yourself going in the end. Then, leave it up to the colleges to decide. Once you have your acceptance letters, then worry about the decision. Chances are, if you have a good attitude, you'll be fine. Making the most of the college experience is a hard thing for many people to do. My advice can be summed up in two words: CHILL OUT. College is not about grades, and it's not about who does the most activities. More than high school, it's about the relationships you have with others and learning how to eventually function in the real world. The one thing that can most easily ruin a college experience is stress. So relax. Be happy. =]

I would recommend looking at the whole package - the feeling of the campus, academics, how many students are involved on campus, etc. One of the most important aspects of my experience was the strong community feeling that was acheived through student groups and on campus house life in particular. I am now a graduate student at a state school where most undergraduates live off campus. Seeing the other side of the spectrum really makes me value the fact that I went to a college where the vast majority of students lived on campus. Rather than college just being classes and homework, it was a life experience involving not only high level academics, but also collaboration and socialization with other students from a diverse range of backgrounds. When picking a college, it is also important to look at things which might be of interest to you in your junior or senior year that you may not have thought about yet, such as opportunities to join research labs. My experiences in a physics research position set me up well for graduate school, something that didn't consider when I chose schools and might not have happened at a small liberal arts school.

From my experience and observation, almost all students end up loving the university which they attend - keeping this in mind while applying for schools will help reduce the stress greatly. When looking for colleges, be realistic, have back-up options, and find universities that have programs and students that will be engaging for you. Before you apply, ask yourself WHY you want to attend college, WHY you value what you value, this will help you express these feelings in your essays and interviews (it's what the colleges want to see). While college is obviously a place to get a good education, it is also a place to make connections that you could use for the rest of your life. Wherever you end up, meet as many people as you can, get involved in as many organizations you can, and take classes that you find engaging and interesting as those are the courses you will succeed in the most. Aim high, strive to succeed, believe in yourself, make friends, and make time for yourself.

Choosing the right college is something that is very personalized to each student. It's great to aim for a college like Harvard, but like any school, Harvard does not suit every individual's needs and preferences. The best question to ask yourself is, will I be happy here, and will I be able to maximize the opportunities given to me? Will classes be so hard that I am left struggling and studying every minute of the day, or are they going to be so easy that I find myself bored all the time? Choose a college that will allow you to explore new subjects, and discuss your thoughts with people who might disagree with you, and choose a college that will allow you to give back to your community in terms of volunteer options and career options during and after graduation. Above all, ask yourself if, ten years later, you will look back and consider yourself a better person for going to this college, whether it be the education you received, or the friends you made.

College is not only a time to develop your career path, but it's also a time for personal growth. It's a place where you learn about who you are outside your family, friends, and hometown. This can be an exciting and confusing time. Choose a place that you feel comfortable and can see yourself being happy. When you are happy, it's easier to focus on your studies and really engage with your classmates and resources available to your school. Of course, money, location, and major is always important to consider. Just remember, it's not just about a name brand school that counts, but rather, a place that will help nurture you to achieve your highest potential. Finally, to make the most of your college experience, continually ask yourself what it is you want to learn more about about. This can be in the classroom or with extracurricular activities. Then, seek those people out. At college, there are an infinite number of ways to learn about anything you are curious about, and people to support you in that process. Remember, you are in the driver's seat now and your reality is sincerely your creation.

For everyone it is an individual experience, and the choice is the student's not the parents to make.

Walk through the campus and close your eyes. Can you imagine yourself here? Can you imagine yourself walking through this courtyard every day, taking classes in that building, sleeping in the dorm you visited earlier? There are hundreds of great campuses in this country, but that doesn't mean every one of them is the right fit for every person. Knowing the right pick for you is like knowing what kind of muffin you want for breakfast. Both pistachio and blueberry are equally delicious but you can visualize the one that will make you happiest based on your individual style and taste. At first, you can narrow down your choices by objective measures. If you know you want to take Arabic, you can eliminate the schools without it. Or if you play rugby, you can knock of schools without a team. But when it comes to making that final decision, imagining the day to day process of going to class, spending time with friends, and just living your life is what will bring you to the choice that will not only provide you with a great education but will make you the happiest.

I would advise students to really take notice of the feeling they felt on their first visit onto the college's campus. Your gut instinct can tell you more than you intially believe. Students should ask questions that are otherwise unobvious, but would impact their daily life greatly. How clean are bathrooms kept? How noisey do the dorms get? Is the area safe at night and within walking distances of certain necessities? I would also suggest talking to students actually attending the school rather than just administrators and parents. They are the ones experiencing first hand the college experience that you can expect once you arrive there as a student. Furthermore, I would suggest finding the right balance for the student between academics (demands, classes offered) and social life (diversity of people, activities offered). If the student's prefrence for the balance of those two factors are in line with that of the rest of the campus, than I'm sure it will be a perfect fit. Lastly, I would advise giving yourself time to get used to such a major change. Growing up is a transition and college can be a fun part of that process.

The best thing that an individual can do for herself in selecting the right college is to figure out her own inclinations. In addition to burying herself in piles of Princeton Review guides and stacks of school mailing materials, she must engage in enough soul-searching to know exactly **what** aspects of a school are most important for her. The athletic teams? The riverside location? The history department? Bigger isn't always better, and prestige isn't everything to everyone. That said, probably even more important than choosing the "right" school is simply knowing and using the resources of the school in which one ends up. In college and in life beyond the ivory tower, you can't always choose the situations into which you're thrown, and it's the people who revel in their coursework at a small-town night school, who I feel, ultimately lead more meaningful lives than those who skip four classes a week at an Ivy League meatgrinder after choosing to enter just because they got in. It's a matter of perspective, and THEN action--because without the right attitude, you're just going through the motions, and then what's the point?

Take care of any problems, whether personal, financial, or academic, as soon as they arise.

First, one of the biggest considerations on my family's mind was the financial burden of college. Any student considering a top college should not cross that college off of their list based on money. Colleges like Harvard have great financial aid packages and their financial aid departments want to work with you to make sure everything works out. Second, the campus and student population are important considerations. A lot of the learning a student does is outside of the classroom, talking and being in extracurriculars with peers. Plus, classes can only be as engaging and challenges as the students in the classes allow them to be. Are there people at the college with similar interests to you? Are there students with diverse interests? Will there be interesting extracurriculars for you? Will there be things to do (bars, clubs, restaurants) on or close to campus? Will you feel safe around campus? Finally, although the name of a college isn't everything, a college with a great reputation can promise important alumni networks, opportunities (internships, extracurriculars, etc.), and resume building that will ensure amazing future opportunities that would not be as guaranteed at other schools.

Let the kid do what they want. Seriously, they will be miserable in college if they go somewhere where they don't fit in and aren't happy. Follow your heart, go to class, and turn your work in on time. That is the key to success.

Students definitely need to be able to find the right fit. I highly recommend visiting the campus and talking to students in order to see if the personality of the prospective student and the student body mesh. My college was not my first choice, but upon my pre-frosh visit, I realized it was the one that was right for me, and I have not regretted my decision. Another thing to remember about college is that the experience embodies the four most independent and diverse years of your life. Try to say yes to everything, and get out there on campus and try things.

Just about every guide has a scheme for selecting the right college, choosing the right career, and finding a place for yourself in the world. That in mind, no one system stands apart from all the others as any better or seriously worse. Why is that? Because choosing a college is a holistic process, one that can't easily be broken down into its consituent parts. There are all manner of factors that go into it, but no one criterion trumps the rest. The best thing you can do is to gather as much information as possible about all your choices, visit them if can, and apply to the ones that feel right. Sometimes they'll choose you as much as you them. In the end, it'll probably come down to two or three strong possibilities. Trust your judgement, and cross your fingers. Finally, once you get to that perfect place, get to know some professors and don't slack so much. You'll be all set.

The college you go to for four years (which is much shorter than it sounds) will be your home and family away from home. Because of that, you need to make sure that every school you apply to is somewhere you know you will be happy. Don't apply somewhere just because it will look good on your resume or because your parent(s) went there. Do some in depth research, visit schools, talk to students, spend a weekend if you can, attend a class, take a tour - in short, spend enough time to discern whether a school is a good fit for you. Because you must spend a good deal of time on each school you apply to, this means you shouldn't apply to a ton of schools. If you do your research well and get good, realistic advice from friends, parents and advisors, you will find and be accepted at schools that are a good fit for you. Once at college, make sure you get involved in extracurriculars. Life is pretty boring if you just go to class and do your work. You will meet your lifelong friends outside of class more often than not. Good luck!

When you step foot on the campus of the right school for you, you know it. It is so easy to get caught up in where everyone else is telling you to go, but at the end of the day, you are going to spend the best four years of your life at the college you go to, so it had better be your choice. Take everyone's opinion for what it is worth, but make your own choice about where you go to college. You will never regret going to the school that feels right -- the school that feels like home.

More important than the price of college is the experience that one will receive. It makes most sense to invest in your future - even if a school is offering a scholarship, if that is not the school of your dreams, the money just isn't worth it. College is the most revolutionary four years of your life; more learning takes place outside the classroom than in it, and for this reason it is important to surround yourself with people who will shape you into the human being that you want to be for the rest of your life. Do not choose a college solely for the academics - choose a college for the people. The extracurriculars, the dorm experience, the cultural groups, these are the activities that are more important than anything else. Academics will be there at any institution, and to be honest, many things can be learned on the job instead of in a classroom. But the real learning is through the friends you will make and the people you will be around all the time. Do not fail to underestimate the importance of networking.

Definitely visit the campuses of prospective universities before you decide whether or not to apply. And try to be as honest and specific about what kinds of qualities you are looking for in your college or university. Most of all: Stay true to your heart!

the whole thing is about fit.