Johns Hopkins University Top Questions

Make sure you visit schools and meet students and talk to them about their personal experiences. Once you are at school, join a sport, fraternity, sorority, club, or any other social activity. These activities are a key way to make friends and meet new people. Learn how to budget your time and how to study.

Analyze your priorities as a student and find a college that fits those priorities.

It is very important to visit the University you want to go to. If possible, stay overnight. A university may look one way in a pamplet or after a guided tour. The best way to know if it is right for you is to experience it first hand. Check out some classes, stay at a dorm and go out with college students to get a good idea of that university's "college experience."

Make sure you look into the types of classes and the different majors and minors as well as the courses required for their completion. Ask around on the campus. don't just ask the tour guides about college on your tour there, askany student you see and get the real scoop.

Make sure to find out information about campus life and the academic options offered at different universities. There are a lot of great colleges out there, but not every college is the perfect fit, so I think it is important to be informed about the decision you make. Also make sure to look into the financial aid of a university if that is something necessary for you. Try to talk to a few students on the campus when you visit to get a first hand account of what current students lives are like at their university. Also, try to take into account the area of the college or university, because the environment where you live can have a big effect on you. Those are some suggestions that I think would be important when choosing a college to attend.

You can make the best of any college experience by finding the right friends. Take advantage of professors and take the time to learn something.

When choosing a school I would suggest that students reach for a school where they can test themselves not only academically but culturally. As humans it is our duty to learn and share with one another in our journeys and one way to ensure we are learning from each other is to test ourselves daily. I chose Hopkins because it was completely different from any other school that I had ever attended, there was much more diversity and opportunities for me to grow as a person. So I would like to remind every student that only 20{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of learning happens in the classroom the other 70{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} is up to the individual. Choose a school where you can make a difference in your life and in the life of someone else however you see fit.

Talk to students at the school. Don't be afraid to just walk up to someone and ask them about the school. Most schools have one reputation, but the truth is much more multifaceted. Don't just listen to the school's little speech when you visit. The best thing to do is to visit the school, sit in on a class, and get to meet some of the students in a social setting. When you do choose which school you want to go to, in the end most of the schools that accepted you will have programs that you can get excited about (otherwise you probably shouldn't have applied there). The most important thing is to choose a school where you will feel comfortable and be able to have fun. College is an amazing and unique experience; obviously you'll have to work hard wherever you go, so its important to go somewhere that will let you blow off steam when you're not working. In terms of cost, understand your limitations, and do consider saving money for graduate school. Student loans can be extremely burdensome for some, especially if you want to pursue a passion.

talk to a lot of current students, both like you and unlike you. look at all aspects to find which are important to you.

In today's age, it seems applying to and choosing colleges can be the most daunting task in the world for a graduating high school student. There are many different types of colleges one could apply to, each with different pros and cons. Although these features must be taken into account, the most important thing a college applicant can do is to imagine themselves living life at their schools of interest. This is very different from analyzing a school's basic statistics and average SAT scores. Once you've narrowed down a "Top Colleges" list of your own, it is fair to assume that the majority of them will offer similar academic and extracurricular experiences. To really figure out which school is best for you, imagine waking up each day at that school. Being able to get through daily life with a level head is ultimately what will make you comfortable in college. Think about how comfortable you are with the location, what living in the different housing options would be like, what activities you would pursue and what social environment you most prefer. Most importantly, see the schools as new homes, not as items on a College Ranking list!

You get out of it what you put into it, pick a school that you will feel most comfortable at. Challange yourself so you don't get bored, but only take on what you can.

As a recruited student athlete, I was given this amazing opportunity because the coach believed I could bring discipline and focus to the team. I thought college would be easy since I aced everything in high school, but I found out quickly how demanding an institution like Hopkins is. Expect the first year to be difficult both academically and psychologically. Do not be afraid to ask for help. Do get involved and try new things. Clubs and sports are a great way to meet new people that can help you along the way. Understand that it requires excellent time management skills and do not put your school work off. The most important factor to remember in your college experience is that it lasts a very short time so make the most of it and enjoy yourself. Take classes that interest you, surprisingly you'll do better in them. The major does matter in some fields, but more importantly it is grades and fulfilling yourself as a person. Be realistic in what you hope to accomplish and wake up everyday and tell yourself just how lucky you are to be given the opportunity you have before you!

college is very different from high school

having fun is the problem for students to solve. having a opportunity at a job later is the problem for parents to solve (by getting their kids into school)

Become involved in campus groups that you are passionate about. This is how I meet most of my friends.

Take the time to go to the school and visit. Walk around campus, check out the library, walk into a lecture hall, visit a dorm, etc. Do you research as a family and pick the school that best suits the student!

Don't stress out about it! One thing I've learned in college is that for the most part I don't think it matters where you go! I'm happy at the school I'm attending now, but I'm sure I'd be happy at almost all of the schools I applied to. You'll find a group of people you get along with at probably any school--it just might take some time. Extra curriculars abound at most schools, and again most places offer a wide variety of classes. Pick your school with some care--but don't stress out about it; it's not like there is only one perfect school.

Don't be limited by rankings or the most "prestigious schools" - it's all about marketing, and the applicant has to look past the marketing and choose a school that is right for them.

You really have to visit a school, attend some classes, eat some food, and talk to some students to get a feel for the environment. Don't do any superficial investigation.

An overnight visit at a college is a good idea if they offer it; you'll get to see what kind of students go there firsthand and if you would fit in, and having friends is really important--you'll get a good education wherever you go.

I am intending on going into the medical field. In high school I got really good grades and participated in a lot of extracurricular activities and my parents had saved up a significant amount of money for my education, so i could pretty much go to any school I wanted. I talked to many people in the medical profession (from those who went to ivy league colleges to those who went to community colleges) and they all told me the same thing; it matters less what school you go to and more how much effort you put into your education. Although everyone i talked to said the same thing, for some reason i didnt believe them and thought that i had to go to the best of the best schools. I applied to some top-notch schools, and some that werent well known, but that i wanted to go to. in the end i decided on going to a well known school hoping the name alone would advance my career, but i do regret it sometimes. I love my school, but sometimes i think i would have been happier in a more laid back enviornment that catered to my needs.

Sometimes I felt like I'd never find the perfect school for me, but then I realized that when searching for schools, one must learn what you can work with and what you should not compromise. If you know that you work well with a smaller crowd, choose a smaller school, in a smaller city, with less distractions. If you know that you work better in a larger, people friendly environment, then go to a bigger school. Also, just because you might go to a community college, doesn't mean that your education is worth less than anyone elses'. People have graduated from local colleges and have moved on to be great men and women. Use the resources that your college has to offer. If you know that your writing isn't the best, go see the writing tutor. Don't be afraid to speak up to the professor after class for help, or to form a study group with friends. The worst mistake that you can make is to not ask what you think may be a dumb question. No question should be left unanswered. Never stop at the word no, keep striving for what you want.

Focus on the program that you are interested in, not necessarily the school.

Finding the right college isn't about going to a college that has the best reputation or is a big name, it is about finding a college that works academically and socially. Before looking at college, try to figure out what sort of characteristics are best for you- small vs. big school, school spirit important or not, greek life, etc. Once you decide, it will be a lot easier to narrow down choices. VISIT VISIT VISIT schools is truly the best way. Walking around campus, you will be able to picture yourself at a certain college or not. Visiting is the only true way to know if the college is right for you, you can't rely on what other people say because what is important to you may not be important to someone else. If it is the right fit for you, you will feel it by the end of your visit. I did- I visited my school when I was 15 and I knew at that moment, that was the place for me. I applied Early Decision and here I am at my first choice happier than ever, enjoying everyday more and more.

Parents support your child and be there to remind them not to panic or be afraid of college. Try not to impose your opinions, listen and make suggestions. Parents talk with your kids and really understand what they think they might want to pursue. There are so many resources out there, so use it to your advantage and try to find schools that will best fit your child. Also, take time out to go visit the schools just to make sure the atmosphere is right for your child. For students, remember that you should be afraid of moving on to a different stage in life. It might seem scary, or difficult, or the process might seem to take a long time, but remember there are many rewards when you have a college degree and you might not see or know what it is until after you graduate or maybe even sometime after that. Remember its going to be your school, so choose the one that will benefit and fit you the most, not what will fit someone else. Remember for those couple of years, you are only those ages once, so make sure you enjoy life during that time also.

Big School, small school, average class size, who knows what it all means as an applicant? I had no idea how any of that mattered when I applied to schools. I applied close to home, but not too close, and that was my stipulation. Maybe you'll get involved in the paper, maybe you'll play basketball everyday, who knows? College is going to change the way you think: not as in politically or socially, but how you think. If you're willing to open up your mind and accept that college is a great tool conceived to produce adults, you will succeed. You have to work hard for your own sake. You need to take care of business on your own terms. It is this limbo, where you get to stretch your legs of adulthood without really worrying about things like supporting others, that truly make a college experience. You will enjoy yourself. I didn't get into my first choice, and you might not either, but every twist has been a lesson, and it will be those adversities and how you deal with them, which provide your true college education.

I would recommend that students look through college brochures with the parents so everyone will be on the same page when it comes to applying to those schools that are appealing. There are a few things that should be carefully looked over when choosing a college. First, tuition is by far the most important factor becasue it can have major affect even after graduating, what with loans and all. So, look into scholarships, grants, and any type of financial aid that will lower that tuition bill because it can stand in the way of registration and graduation. Second, location affects tuition and independence. A person who attends school out of state will learn to be independent quite fast when they realize they won't be bale to run home as they please. Third, majors and minors definitely need to be well examined and chosen. When deciding what career to go into, it is important to pick the right major(s) and/or minor that will transition properly into graduate school, medical school or the job market. College is probably the most important time of an individual's life because it allows growth mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. So, choose wisely.

I think it was important to visit and schools and spend time with students away from parents and meet-and-greet events. By doing this I got to see the negatives that were not advertised. The most important thing that defined my college experience is that I got what I put in. I joined a fraternity, a varisty sport, and other groups to have a better time and I never took school work to the extreme that other students here did. My best advice is to know who you are and where you will succeed. I imagine its easy to make friends and enjoy life at a big school and it might be a little harder if you attend a small school that does not fit you. Try your best to know where you'll succeed and try your hardest to make memories wherever you go.

Finding the right college is about finding yourself and your likes and dislikes. First, sit down and figure out what your passions are. Then see if if that lines up with your career goals and look for schools to aid you in that. If undecided, that only means you have more opportunity to explore many different subjects until you find your true calling! Look into different types of programs, but not just academic- extracurriculars are just as important! Also think about the location and size of the campus- are you more partial to urban life? Do you like a small, closed campus? These are all important factors when choosing the right school for you. As for making the most of your college experience.. get out there! Meet a diverse group of people and join clubs. Focus on your academics but don't kill yourself. It's all about balance.

Let your kids decide. Visit over night. Ask students what it is really like. Making the most of college: Don't forget that college is a learning experience for life, not just for acedemia. Grow as a person, get better, be the man you want to be when you leave college and learn some knowledge along the way.

Enjoy every second of it.

The first thing any high school student should do is pick an area that he is interested in. The student should ask himself what his strong qualities are and make a list of colleges that fit those standards. He should then pursue more information regarding these colleges by going to his career center, researching the university online, or even visiting the campus itself. The student should think about what the pros and cons are for each college, and weigh out which university will be most beneficial. These things will help guide the student towards the path that is specific only to him. There will be a myriad of things to explore in college. The only way to find exactly how the student fits into college life is to surrender to all new opportunities. He will be most successful if he understands that there are no closed doors to stand in the way of pursuing any future. It is completely normal to open a few doors and realize the one opened is not the right path. Failure should not be discouraging, but should inspire the student to continue to try and find his niche. Self realization is a life long process.

Many high school students see college as an opportunity to move far away from home and the communities they grew up in. However, after being in college for a year, I have learned that being close to home was possibly the best decision I've ever made. I still live on campus and can enjoy the 'college life,' but know that if I want to sleep in my bed I'm just a short drive away. And believe it or not, a majority of my friends that have left the state to attend college returned home within the year and transferred. Students- you might not believe it or realize it, but home is truly where the heart is. As for both students and parents I recommend looking at all options when selecting colleges, from the types of meal plans to available housing, security and activites. While the school's popularity is highly ranked in a students mind, it often distracts from the things they should be looking for-size, comfort, and flexibilty. Afterall, if you're not so close to home, then your college will become your new home and you want to make the best situation possible.

The most important thing to keep in mind when entering into the college experience is to keep an open and fresh mind. As a student, you have so much in front of you that if you let your prejudices get in the way then you will be missing out on a great deal. Also, don't do yourself the disfavor of confining yourself to just academics; explore a little bit. At the same time you should still be prudent and pursue academics with zeal as it is easy to underestimate the commitment required at first.

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Allow for a visit of more than just one day! Stay near campus and walk around and talk to as many people as you can. Also, walk around the surrounding part of town/city. Find out everything you can about what students do for fun! If there are sports games or concerts going on while you are there, attend them! This is the best way to feal like you acctually go there! If you don't feel like you fit in within those couple days, you may not.

Try to visit and meet with people thyat attend the school before you go - networking and seeing how you would fit the environment before you get there will give you a huge advantage. Stay on top of classes, but don't let them consume you; also, don't be afraid to ask for help studying or going over what you learned in class, because many of the professors and your classmates are more than willing to help. Find things you love to do. Pick a major that fits what you're interested in, and talk to an advisor about how you can make it fit with any future plans you might have. Also find a club or activity you love - it will help you make friends, and give you a break form academics every once in a while; for me, joining a sorority was the best thing I could have ever done, because I really have found a second family, a home away from home. Parents should be supportive and encouraging, but not overbearing; let your child decide how often to call or what classes to take. College is about making decisions and mistakes to find out who you are.

It's impossible to make the best college choice for you without really getting to know the school, campus, and student body. I visited my school at least 4 times before I decided to apply early decision. I read college manuals, talked with students and other potential applicants, visited their website hundreds of times, went on a tour, sat in on information sessions, walked around campus myself; I literally did everything I could think of to get the best perspective I could. And it worked! I found a school with a wide range of extra curricular activities, both familiar and new, that interested me that also had an academic caliber to challenge me to become the best student I could. However its important to explore the city the campus is located in, its important to not get lost in the campus bubble while in college, or simply just be too far away from home. So make sure you look at the school in its entirety before making your decision.