Houghton College Top Questions

I would tell the student to look for a college that has the major he or she wants, and in an area he or she likes. Then the student should make sure the price is right or if financial aid is available. The FAFSA is very important! Being at a school the student truly likes is what will make a great college experience.

Academic pursuit seems to define the purpose of college; college costs money and time, and one feels just concern at the prospect of wasting either. Certainly, students want to find a college that will stimulate them academically. We are complex people, however, as socially, emotionally, and spiritually engaged in our world as we are mentally. Students at the most academically prestigious schools will fall flat if they are not stimulated in all those aspects essential to full life. In our society, college is a transitioning phase from almost-grown-up to adult. Prospective college students need to ask questions beyond financial aid and academic possibilities: is the campus socially diverse? Do its extra-curricular programs meet my personal interests? Is it an atmosphere that will challenge my personal growth? Is the faculty and student body positive and supportive? These and other questions will guide the prospective student to a place that sparks her transition with excitement for the adventure before her; that deepens his self-awareness; that engages interest in all manner of pursuits, academic and community-oriented, relational and individual, in the great pursuit of embracing oneself and ones world.

Some advice I would give to parents and students first of all is listen to each other. Parents and students both have different ideas about college and where the student should attend. It is important to listen to both sides and consider what the other is saying. Also, definately visit campus when there are students there and classes going on. If possible, stay overnight in the dorms and attend some classes. This will help you get a feel for what life is like at the campus during the school year. Lastly, when you do visit ask questions. Don't be afraid to speak up if something comes to mind, because chances are someone else in your group has the same question. Also talk to students of the school when you visit, ask them about things like dorm life, classes and whatever else comes to mind. More often than not they will be completely honest with you.

Choosing a college was not as difficult a choice for me as for many. The hardest part for me was the price tag. I am aware of the state of the economy today and especially now it seems like the most responsible choice remains community college or, if scholarships are available, some pricey, name-brand university that guarantees prestige. I understand the logic behind those choices, but my suggestion regarding college choice is to focus on who Johnny wants to become. I selected my liberal arts college because I wanted to graduate with more than a degree; I wanted my college experience to shape me. And it did. Between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two I watched my high school friends, who shared a foundation, adapt to new environments and alter themselves accordingly. And so did I. My friends' new ideals, interests, and priorities took root in the common ground and produced many different results. Even now, as I begin to pay back my student loans, I do not regret my college decision. I know that I did not just earn a degree; I obtained a worldview with which I plan to change the world. And I will.

Don't be afraid to go outside your comfort zone. The last thing you want to do is limit your potential by staying too close to home or too close to what is normal. Look at what students are doing on campus and how they describe other residence halls and professors. Even if they something negative are they willing, in the end, to view it positively?

In my opinion every college campus resemble each other, its the atmoshere you have to check out. If its a friendly, well mannered area. If something about it attracts you to it, thats not your intended major. That is what I would advise.

Take advantage of any opportunities you have to visit the campus - meet with current students and professors to get the best idea of what the school is really like.

Look for a place that allows you to grow. The time you spend in college impacts the rest of your life in a lot of ways. The attitudes and perspective of the college will shape your perspective and attitude for the beginning of your adulthood when you are establishing yourself in the adult world. Finding a college that challenges your worldview and makes you think about hard questions is key to becoming a successful individual.

Choose a college that has a broad range of extracurricular activities, is ethnically and socially diverse, and where the living arrangements will be flexible. Also, make sure that the professors and other faculty are approachable and accessible. When visiting, attend classes, and if possible stay in student housing overnight. Get a real feel for the way things work on a campus; experience as much as you can while visiting. Consider visiting when there isn't an event for prospective students, because although those are helpful in meeting future peers, the atmosphere of the college changes when there are large groups of outsiders, especially in smaller settings. Ask a student who is not a tour guide to show you around the campus while visiting; the student may show you things the college wants to hide, and you'll get a more realistic perspective on the college from someone whi is not being paid to tell you how amazing the school is. The best advice, I think, is to make the decision carefully, and be aware of your interests and your potential interests and conflicts in any college, and make the decision based on a variety of factors, not just one.

I recommend spending a night in the dorms and attending classes. This really helped me in knowing whether or not the campus was a good fit for me. This helps you get a feel for what it would be like to live there for 9 months out of a year. This also gives you a longer view of the campus rather than just a short visit.

Everyone's college experience is different. No matter how many opinions you ask and how many schools you visit, searching for the "best college" and "getting the most out of your college experience" all boils down to one simple fact: your additude. I personally wanted to attend an art college in the city, but because of financial issues I had to "settle" for a liberal arts college in the country. Despite how upset I was at my situation I decided to make the best of it; I realized the art school would've been so much easier for me so I stepped up to the challenge of something much more difficult, and through my hard work I was able to become a better and stronger person. I was able to discover my individuality and learn to be not only tolerant and accepting of those people or places different from what I was use to, but I was actually able to learn to love them fully. So what advice can I give? Only this: be open-minded, be tolerant, be accepting; and allow your college experience, wherever you end up, to be one that changes you for the better.

Go with a school that you feel is the most genuine and welcoming. Try to get a feel for how the students feel about the college (try to interact with students other than the folks that the admissions office presents you with). One thing to remember about college life is that you will get out of your experience what you put into it. I know this sounds cliche, but going into a school with an open mind and the willingness to enjoy the experience will go a long ways to creating a successful career. Beyond all that I recommend attending a college that has strong connections with professionals in the workplace. Also, make sure that professors are well liked and willing to have personal relationships with the students, this goes a very long ways to making a college career successful.

To take your time in chosing the right college. Be prepared to spend alot of money on tution and books and living expenses. Make sure the college has the courses that you want to take and the class size.

Do your research and a community college is a good idea if you want to save money. If you are to make the most of your college exsperience do not neglect your acedemics and become involved within the college community.

Give yourself as many options as possible, visit as many of those schools as possible and try and talk to as many of the students as possible. Unfotunately the tour guides and other staff will only give you the best highlights of the school whereas the students are not being paid to show you around the school and have no inhibitions to be honest.

I would strongly urge prospective students to spend a night in a dorm at each of their "short list" colleges. This gives prospective students the opportunity to experience what the dorm life is like, and also allows them to question current students about their experiences at that particular college. A second option would be to interviewi recent alumni of these colleges, as this will also provide the prospective student with insight into life at that partiular institution. I neglected to do either of these things the first time around, and paid for it with two miserable years at a college I discovered was not a good fit for me. The second time around, I did my research and was rewarded with the best year and a half of my life at a college that fulfilled all of my needs. The best advice I can give students to make the most of their college experience is to get a daily planner. Between classes, work study, athletics, and all other available activities, a college student can quickly feel overwhelmed if he or she doesn't have a planned schedule allowing for each activity he or she wants to accomplish each day.

think about a college that has diversity and will accept your personality while being able to help you out with scholarships whether it be merit or not

I would suggest that they find a college that is full of opurtunities for the student. Also it important to ifnd a school that focuses on acedemics as that is why students go to college. If a college boasts of a large amount of students drinking and partying because that shows that the school is more interested in the student's social life then in the future of the student. Also find a school that has something that attracts students, for me it was the equestrian program. If you are interested in music find a school with a good music program. Don't go to a school because friends go there or because your parents went there, go because it feels like it is the best fit for you. My family says that my college fits me. They can picture me there.

There are so many factors to consider when choosing the right college. How will you know if a college is right for you? The best way to know is to visit the campus, sit in on a few classes, and speak with the students. Sitting in on classes will give you an idea of what classes are like, what the teaching styles of some of the professors use and what will be expected of you. The college administration should be able to give you all of the information that you ask for, but to get a sense of what campus life is really like, the students who regularly walk the halls are sometimes an easily overlooked resource. Most students will be honest and up front about how they perceive the school, which can be very helpful in deciding a particular school is right for you. Also, students play a big role in making the college experience what it is. College is first and foremost about learning and furthering your education, and is also about socializing, making friends, and enjoying your college years. Make use of every available resource and take plenty of time to determine the best school for you.

Students, when you're going to college for the first time, one of the biggest things you're looking forward to is change. It's really exciting to look ahead and see new people, a new place, a new lifestyle. I just want to counsel that the college experience is what you make of it. There will always be responsibilities; there will always be imperfect or unpleasant people to deal with. Leaving home won't change that; it's life. You're not going to find the perfect college. So here's my advice: prioritize. Choose what's most important to you and run with it. And when you get there and find out what the problems with the school are (and there will be some), just keep those priorities you chose in mind and weigh them against the difficulties. Sometimes you'll find that the benefits outweigh the costs; or you may find that you made the wrong decision and would be best off somewhere else. The decision you make now doesn't have to be final. Be smart but don't sweat it.

I think one of the most important selection factors to be considered in selecting a school is its size. The size of your school is going to be something that has a very strong effect on the entire experience. Are you the kind of person who likes a smaller, friendlier environment where you can be familiar with most of the faces around you? Or do you prefer a broader experience and the sense that there are always more people to meet and more things to participate in? Choosing a school that is the wrong size for you can be one of the most frustrating things about your educational experience. Make sure that you consider this question very carefully. In order to maximize your enjoyment of the college experience I would stress early involvement on campus. It takes time to work your way into some organizations. You must be careful not to overcommit early on, of course, but try to select one or two extracurricular organizations to be active in from the very beginning. This is a great way to make friends and also to make your mark on your school.

Take your time. I think that is the most important thing. Don't rush into it, and don't put it off until a few weeks or days before you have to choose. If you take your time you are able to look at all the schools you are interested in. You can see what majors they offer, sports, clubs, the layout of the campus, what the dorms are like. You can visit the colleges you like the most, get a feel for the school, the people, the professors. If you take your time, you are liable to make a much better, wiser decision than you would if you were stressed from rushing or procrastinating. If you do this, when you make your decision and become a student you'll find that life will be so much easier. Once you're on campus as a student it will be easier to put yourself out there and make friends, meet new people, interact with the professors; join clubs, sports, and attend events. You will begin to feel like you're part of a community, not just another face in a crowd of people. You will belong.

visit the campus before deciding where to attend. it is important you feel safe & comfortable there.

Prospective college students must find the school that is the right fit for them--there is no one institution that will well-serve all kinds of students. I encourage high schoolers to first do their research using the Web and guidance counselors to determine the kind of school that fits their desires--urban, suburban or rural; public or private; religious or non-affiliated; large or small. Students should then plan a series of visits to the schools that fit their personal criteria. While there, they must stay open to what they are presented but should also ask tough questions of admissions counselors, faculty members, and current students. Finally, after applying and being accepted at (hopefully) many schools, prospective students should weigh financial and other considerations in consultation with their families. By actively seeking the college that is best for them, students will find a school that caters to their needs and desires--a place to call home for four years.

To find the right college, I would suggest a lot of visiting. Do your research. Be familiar with the school and its programs before you get there. If possible as a prospective student, arrange to stay in the dorms with current students, attend classes, meet professors, etc. Take your time. Walk around campus, and as you do so try to visualize yourself as a part of the community. If you feel welcome and comfortable, that's a good sign! Getting the most out of your college experience simply takes the right mindset! Don't get sucked into the mundane, stressing about classes and papers. Remember that you CHOSE to be there! Take electives that interest you. Try to maintain a balance in your life - study enough to succeed in your classes, but also allow time for social activities, extracurriculars, or a job. Take advantage of as many unique opportunities as you can - these chances may not come ever again! And most of all - work hard and enjoy the best four years of your life!

Take your time and start looking early. For two reasons: 1) so you don't get overwhelmed come senior year; and 2) because of the sheer number of colleges in the states. If you get the chance, go and visit the school to meet professors in your desired area of study. If the professors are not enthusiastic about the subject matter, it won't matter if you like the subject or not. One thing to consider is going to a smaller school or lesser known school. You will have a better chance of getting scholarships and much better experience because more resources will be available to you and you will meet more people. That being said, no matter where you go, college is what you make of it. There will be tons of opportunities, but even the best school in the world will be wasted if you don't actually participate in anything.

You don't have to know your major right away--by taking classes on different subjects (especially at liberal arts colleges), you will likely find something that you will want to make a career out of. Think about the things you enjoy most, and chances are there will be a college out there somewhere that has a major that makes use of it. There is no use in going to a college to study something you don't find some fulfillment in. Financial aid of course is a huge factor in choosing a school, especially in these economic hard times. See if you can stay in-state if you can, because you will have more opportunity for scholarships. Regardless, consider your options carefully and think about the long run after graduation when loan repayment comes knocking at your door. To get the most out of your college experience, get involved. You only get out as much as you put in--do what's comfortable for you, but stretch yourself a little bit. There are lots of interesting new people to meet and things to do. College is a time where most people "live it up," so go do just that!

Make lasting friendships with you professors and classmates.

To me, all colleges can look the same. To find out what college is right for you, you have to meet and talk with the people. You also have to have fun with friends to make the most of your college experience, like not doing stupid stuff but rather things that will make a life-time friendship with those people.

I have always believed it should be the student's choice as to which college he or she attends, even if the parents are offering financial help. It is the student's life, and although the parents have a right to advise their children, they should not force a decision upon their children when college is concerned. A student should choose a college that makes him or her feel at home and invited--because even if he or she only attends for a year, it will have a great impact on his or her views on college life, and possibly life in general.

First of all, if you have a strong interest in a specific area and are almost certain what you want to pursue as a career, choosing a college with a good department and good professors is crucial. If you can visit and sit in on some classes, take advantage of the opportunity to see if the teaching fits your learning style. The atmosphere in a college is also important. You want to find a place where the professors give their best and the students are supportive. Although finding the right college is important, it is not as much an issue as your attitude after you start attending. Once you have chosen a college, do not go in with the attitude of an inspector. It is good to recognize problems at your school, and good to work to change them, but do not complain about everything that you don't like. You are one person; the school is working to provide the best environment for everyone. Try to appreciate the good points of your school and the enjoy your experience. That way, you will get the most out of your four years.

The most important part of finding the right college is visiting the college before you attend. Where I attend school, I visited many times, and attended classes, and participated in the sporting camp before I made a decision. After a while, I found that it was the perfect place for me, the community accepted me, the staff was incredible, and I felt very at home in the rural setting. If I had not visited, I most likely would not have attended, due to my misconceptions about the college. It is very important to see first hand how you feel in the community at a college. Making the most out of your college experience is more difficult to answer, because it relies on personal discipline. Focusing on what matters is perhaps the most important part of college. Classes and, if applicable, sports, should be your top priorities. Then social things and volunteer work. So it is important to stay focused, but also important to stay involved with campus life.

The most important thing in finding the right college is to go with your instincts. There are so many factors to conside when making a decision on colleges but usually your first instinct will be right. The most important factors are class size, location and academic rigor. It is more rewarding to go to a difficult school and succeed then to coast through an easier, less challenging school. And most importantly, the sticker price is not final!! financial aid advisors are able to help in extreme circumstances and there are scholarships and different types of aid available.

Prospective college students and their parents should not worry about college. Be open to different opportunities that arise. You may have your eyes set on those one or two "perfect" colleges, but they may not be all that you think they are. If you are having trouble getting into any college, maybe it is not the right thing for you to do. If and when you do get into a college, check out what orientation programs they have. It is usually a good thing to meet a lot of people early on. Find one or two extra-curricular programs that interest you and try them out. Get to know the friendly upper classmen who will recommend the best classes and professors. It is better to make mistakes at the beginning when you are not the only one, then later on when they expect you to know better.

Everytihng, every choice you make, has a cost. Do not fear the cost of a good education. Have faith, be brave, and go for it. You'll be surprised how well it can turn out.

Shop around. There are an enormous number of colleges within this country that have much to offer. In order to find the perfect college, it is so important to check out as many as possible. After you make a list of the possiblities, begin to "funnel" some of the least likely choices. It is important that the student is happy with their decision instead of just agreeing to do what their parents want. To choose the right school; talk to alumni, talk to current students, check the website for student blogs, and witness the quality of life from campus visits.