Loyola Marymount University Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

Anna

Both academics and social atmosphere are very important. A college might be the best business or engineering school, but if the students aren't happy, the college experience won't be fulfilling. Find a place that fulfils both academic and social requirements.

Nathalie

When searshing for the best college for your daughter or son, consider the campus enviornment, resources offered, and the program your child is potentially interested in studying. Don't be shy - visit the campus more than once and talk to students. Also, do your homework - research all the services that your child will have access to, such as the library, cultural centers, educational programs, work study jobs, health and counseling services, etc to assure a quality educational experience. Considering that "Undecided" is the most popular major, brainstorm possible department programs to assure that your final choice is the best one.

Lily

first of all, i would say to really take time to research prospective schools: make visits, talk to students who go there, talk to faculty, walk around the campus, view student housing/dining. this is important because you need to get a feel for the school you could be attending, not just imagine what it's like based on a website description or some pictures. then i would recommend attending a freshman orientation at your chosen school if they offer one. this is a great way to make friends and meet upperclassmen, and to become familiar with your school. i would also say that it's important to get involved in your school in some way, whether it be extra-curricularly, getting an on-campus job, or starting your own club! it's vital to feel a sense of support and involvement in your school, to feel at home and excited about what you're doing. college is very expensive, you should try to get your moneys worth in any way possible! take your grades seriously; a sense of accomplishment makes you feel like you're really learning something and boosts self-esteem, not to mention making the parents proud!

Dani

Just go where you are comfortable and to the one that offers the most important aspects of what you want out of life. LMU cares about service, and that is the best thing i can be involved in.

Samantha

Make sure to take your child on plenty of college visits, and pay attention to financial aid packages prior to choosing a university.

Christine

Find a college that offers a degree in your perferred profession. If you do not know what you want to do in the future pick a school that has a variety of good choices. Also, select a college in an area you are going to like. Make sure you visit the place first and get a feel for the school to see if you think you are going to like it. Make sure it is a good school that will help you find jobs in the future

Hollis

My family wanted to make the ?right? decision when it came to college. Their thought was USC. When I did not get in, I felt like I let my family down and failed. I chose LMU because class sizes were favorable, the campus was laid back, and I wasn?t just a number there. I suggest the parents to keep the pressure off their children because the college process is hectic enough as it is. Students, take a look at what you want from college, pay attention to whether or not the school fulfills your wants and needs. Try not to let your parents rattle you when making your decision. They love you and want you to attend the best school for you. Don?t be afraid to go with your gut decision because if you feel that this school is the right one for you, most likely it is. At school, get out and do what you can to make the most out of your experience. Get out and meet people, it is likely that you will meet lifelong friends here. Go out and do new things, because these four years are a great time to try different things.

Craig

Right now, my little sister is waiting to receive her acceptence letter from her top choice school. I had just gone through this process two years ago, so I wanted to fill in the role of her loving older brother to help her find the right school. After considering cost, finding the right school comes down to the little things. Like, are the coffee shop and library open 24-7 during finals week? How useful is the gym? and is the social life dominated by greek life? My sister has her heart set on a small school in Tennessee. She got rediculed for liking it so much for its beautiful location. However, there's more to it than love at first sight. Deep in her subconscious, she knew the small school meant intimate friendships and dedicated teachers who actually encourage students to visit during their office hours. I ended up getting into my second choice, but it worked out in the end because I actually like the smaller faculty-student ratio that my first choice couldn't offer. If you like what you had in high school, stick with that, if not, maybe it's time for change.

Kristen

When trying to find the right college for your son or daughter it is important that you first figure out if your child wants to stay in state or go out of state. If they are unsure then figure out what states your son or daughter would go to for school. From there figure out what environmental factors your child wants. Example, if you kid wants to go to California figure out if they want to go somewhere near the beach or somewhere where it rains more. Whether they want the city life or a more quiet town environment. When it comes down to eliminating colleges it is important to visit each campus and decide what classroom size is right for your child, what the study environment is on campus, and what extracurricular activies the school offers to its students. I would also recommend contacting the specific college of interest and seeing if there is a student tour guide offered. This way you can be informed about the campus and the communities surrouding it as well as be able to ask the student first hang about what he or she likes/dislikes about the school.

Phillippe

I believed that students and parents should all visit the college before you sign the letter of intent. Also, do not get yours hopes up about just one school that you really want to go to. Make many different choices and keep your options available. Sometimes your middle choice schools are the ones that turn out best for you.

Christina

follow your heart

Alex

Don't just focus on academics alone. Find a school that fits you best in every aspect.

Emily

The most important aspect of picking a college is happiness. Whether or not a student is happy in his or her surroundings will determine how well he or she will perform. Many aspects of daily life factor into happiness- location, size of the school, type of classes, school spirit- all of these are things to consider. Although a school may be prestigious, it doesn't mean anything if a student isn't happy. When I think of college, I get a happy feeling because not only am I able to grow as a student, but I am able to grow as a person- there are so many opportunities for me to get involved with service and sports and extra curricular activities, that it is so easy for me to meet new and exciting people. When you're happy, everything else comes easily- you will be more motivated to study, and more willing to try new things, you will be more willing to expand your horizons and share your ideas with your classmates. Happiniess is key in deciding which school is right for a person.

Sianna

Going to college can be one of the most stimulating few years of a person?s life. In looking for the right college or university, it is important for parents and students to consider all options; often times, students have a set list of colleges in mind and ultimately limit themselves to only these school; this may prevent them for learning about and visiting other schools that may be better for them. Once in college, it is crucial for students to become involved on campus, whether that is through an on campus job, sports, clubs, or Greek life. I have found that students that are unhappy with a school are usually unhappy because they are uninvolved in campus life and therefore have trouble meeting others with similar interests. Overall, every college and university has an immense amount of opportunities to offer to students and everyone will fit in somewhere; it is just a matter of finding the right place to begin an exciting journey in life.

Adolfo

The first advise will be to start the process in the early years, visit campuses and determine if the personallity of the student fits the life style of the students at the school. Verify that school provides all the aspect that are of interest of the student for example if the student has interest in sport, academic, environmental, or service. Another mportant aspect is to know the number of student per classroom and the general population. When a person find the school of preference needs to focus in grades and finding alternatives to pay for the school of their dreams.

Danica

Look into financial aid as much as possible and have the student live on campus for at least 2 years

Tatsuya

The rank of the college/university should never matter. What should matter is the program the school provides. You are going to be spending the next four to five years in that school. So, make sure to choose a school that has the right enviornment for you. Do you like living in a cold/hot climate? Do you like the city life? There are many things you might want to consider. Just think about it. Take your time. Go visit the schools. Who knows you might just fall in love with the campus bookstore! P.S. make sure you check out the food and meal plan at your school because as a incoming freshmen that is VERY IMPORTANT! Good luck.

Steven

Parents: Make sure you have your student spend an entire day, if not more, at the college with a current student there so they can completely immerse themselves in that college's enviornment. Students: Go out, have fun, and be involved. Take risks, but remember to make them educated risks and be responsible for everything; you're in college now and everything is up to you. You are accountable for your actions, all punishments and rewards. And act professional... you are going to college to get a decent job after all.

brittany

to pick the place your heart desires. do not go to a school because your parents told you to. the school becomes your new home and life and you want to enjoy that as much as possible. also pick the major you want. majors get very hard in the last 2 years and you really have no interest and only did it cause of your parents you will have a very hard time. also get involved and meet lots of different people and be willing to try new things.

Robert

Choosing the right college is likely the biggest decision a high school student will make, and the most important thing to remember when making a selection is that you should feel at home on campus. Those who go to a school that they do not love will almost always say they "just didn't feel at home there." Find a school that you are excited about and feel comfortable with, and it will lead to the best 4 years of your life. Once in school, the best way to take advantage of the experience is to be open to trying new things and making new friends. Consider college a blank slate and enjoy everything in moderation.

Amanda

Shadow the colleges you are thinking about applying to, before you submit any application. If you don't get into your top choices, go to community college for a year or two and then try again, you will have a much better chance of getting into where you want to go and be happy, while saving money.

Christina

Finding the right college means meeting the professors you're going to be studying with and going to that campus to check out the surroundings and the dorms and facilities. If you're comfortable , the transition will be much smoother. Good financial aid also helps, because financial worries can severley impact the choice you make about where you go to school.

Adrian

The right colleges should offer the student?s field of interest. The right schools will make the application and transition into the school as friendly and easy as possible and will have a knowledgeable staff that can answer various questions about the process. The college should also have numerous extracurricular activities, study abroad options and show a desire for the student to succeed in the school. Also, the college should be considerate when financial problems arise and attempt to work with the student/parent to keep the student enrolled. The right college will stimulate the students mind and have them think differently, but in a positive way. The school should be able to exercise the soul, mind and body of the attending student. In order to make the most out of the college experience, the student has to remain proactive in class work, extracurricular activities and make friends. Also, the student must make an effort to build relationships with the faculty. And lastly, when the student graduates, she/he has to feel that they received a complete college experience and not have any regrets about not being involved in activities.

Colleen

Parents you need to act as a road map or a guide, but never impress your own desires onto your son or daughter. Let her make the ultimate decision, but help her to weight out the pros and cons. Make time to visit the campuses she is seriously considering; it makes a huge difference. If she is interested in pursuing a degree you don't think will be 'successful,' let her do it anyway. Lots of students end up changing their majors and most of them end up in a career that doesn't exactly fit the degree they obtained. Stop worrying--everything will turn out okay--and it's part of growing up and being independent. Students! Make as much effort to speak with your college counselor--you'd be surprised how incredibly helpful he or she can be. If you can, speak with students already attending the college you are interested in, specifically someone you can identify with. Nothing is better than feedback from someone who is experiencing that school environment firsthand. If you end up torn, just go with your intuition. If worse comes to worst, you can always transfer, so don't freak out. Good luck.

alex

the alumni network is extremely important and almost always overlooked. you are a student for four years, but you are an alum the rest of your life. Take time to talk to alumni and look into the resources/communities available to alums of the schools nationwide.

Barry

Allow yourself to become familiar with every aspect of the schools you are interested in, and definitely visit them. As for making the most of your experience, find the things that are right for you and do them, and then find some things that are new to you and do them as well.

Noelle

visit the school first and sit in on a class

Kindra

To students I would suggest that you pick a major that you know you will find intersting for years to come. Yes, business and accounting may have practical applications, but if it bores you death, is it really worth it? You only have this one life. Make sure you're living it the way you want to. I would also suggest that you visit the campus of the school you plan to attend before making your final decision. It is often the case that the qualities of a campus are exagerated in the pamphlets they send you in the mail. Upon attending the actual school, many find that the condition of their school is not what they had expected to pay for. It is a good idea to get involved in campus activities as early as your freshmen year, and make an effort to find a social group. It can be hard to find good friends if you spend the first year of school hiding in your room. Your peers will not go out of their way to include you. You're a big kid now, and it's your job to make sure you are happy in your environment.

Jungah

dont go for the sake of the name of the school but find the right school for you. consider all aspects of school like the size, diversity, mission statements, history etc.

Sierra

Definitely get involved in whatever school you go to. And visit lots of schools, keep your options open, and you'll know when you've found the right one, it will "feel" right.

yasmin

look at the academics offered at the school as well as the class sizes and social activities present

jennifer

I would just say to follow your passions and they will lead you in the right direction. If a school appeals to you physically and in terms of the academics as well as extracurricular activities, it could be the right school for you. I strongly believe that there is more than one "right school" for each person and that it is just a matter of finding your niche in the school you choose.

Terron

Do what makes you happy

Kristen

Students: Imagine yourself at the univserity, visit all possibilities and see if you can picture yourself being one of the students walking around and living/learning there. Take advantage of all the opportunity the college sets out for you (athletics, studying abroad, community service, greek life) Think about what you want in your future and find a college that best suits your goals. Keep an open mind at all times. Try not to get stuck in your past, keep your high school friends in contact, but dont let that prevent you from making new ones. Stay optomistic. Overcome your struggles by remaining positive. Be careful in weekend life situations (drugs, alcohol) Learn to balance time between social life and academics. Know your priorities and stick to them. Have fun and enjoy time here, it goes by extremely fast!

Emily

If at first you don't suceed, try try again. In other words, if it seems no school is right, keep looking, don't give up. And if you end up not enjoying the school you're at, change schools! It is no use trying to learn somewhere that does not make you feel alive and at home.

Amanda

Find a college in a city that you love. If you love the location that you are situated within, you are a lot more likely to be enthusiastic about your college. Before you choose your college be very aware of the financial sitaution. If you recieved scholarships, make sure they are for all four years. See if the school has a reputation of increasing the price of tuition rapidly. It is really hard to love your school when you're just worried about money, worried about the amount of money being worth it, and worried about being able to pay off loans after college. Also, do not try to get a feel for the campus just by going to one of their prospective student days. Shadow a student during a normal day and get a real feel for the campus and the people there. As for making the most of the experience, the biggest thing is to find something that you love doing and get involved, even if it's with one thing. That is the quickest way to make friends, and even if you get homesick at times it helps you to find a place at school.

Andrew

Chose a college where you can see yourself loving everyday for 4 years.

Joanna

The decision of choosing the "right" college is something that is often hard for both parents and students. I believe that visiting a prospective college campus would greatly help in finding out whether or not that particular campus is right for that student.

John

It's a crap shoot, good luck.

Daniel

Parents: If your kid looks amazed, surprised and excited about first glances at a college. It's most likely going to be her/his #1 choice Students: What ever feels right is yours. If you don't get into your "dream" college, try again. Make a case for yourself for the university. E-mail professors at an interested major you plan on studying. The professors can make a case for you for admissions.

Melanile

Before you apply to a college, definately take a tour and visit the school. Also, trust your gut on whether it's the right school for you. Don't let other people alter your decision, because you're the one who's going to have to attend. But the most important thing is that people can usually be happy anywhere, but only if they get involved and make an effort.

Neal

Time the time to go and visit a college and try to meet students who already attend.

Nicholas

Ultimately, I believe that there is more than one "right" college for any person. Pick the college you think you will enjoy the most, and then make the most of it when you get there. If you know your major, make sure you investigate each school's program and compare them. The structure of your major department will be one of the most important aspects of your academic life. Make sure you participate in campus activities, and be involved in your major's department. While class is always important, your extracurriculars may be even more important to you, and there's no problem with that. As a film student, most of my education comes from outside of the classroom when I work on my classmates' film shoots. Take a hands on approach to your education. Don't be afraid to get involved. Remember, there are good teachers and bad teachers at whatever school you go to, and you will love some classes and hate some others. But it's up to you to enjoy yourself and get the right education. Get to know as many people as you can and hang out with more than just one group of friends.

Samantha

Pick a place that offers more than an academic education.

Samantha

I would say that you shouldn't simply go along with whatever college all of your friends are going to or what college they think is cool. You need to find the right one for you. Also, don't simply go for a college because it's a "party school". All colleges have parties so that is not a big deal. Just stick with your heart and you will find where you belong.

Crystal

Good luck!

Lauren

Definitely go visit the college before you commit. The feeling you get when you step on campus will tell you all you need to know. And always keep an open mind and apply to many different kinds of colleges. When you get to college, take advantage of all the opportunities the college has to offer because you may never get those opportunities again. Meet as many people as you can, do as many different things as you can, and don't let anything or anyone hold you back.

Garret

Definitely fill out Princton review and the College board survey's for narrowing your college search. Really take your time and give alot of thought to the size and diversity of the school. Look at the City the College is in and the Job market in that city. Ask about internships and job placement. Visit the school!!!!

Jay

No comment

Felicia

When selecting a college, money should not be the first deciding factor. Think of things such as location, courses offered, university size, class size, and other factors that matter most to you. Making the most of your college experience is completely up to you. Think of your education as an investment, you get back what you put in. Live on campus so that you are constantly immersed in college atmosphere. Get involved in campus clubs, organizations, and activities so you may be fully engaged in your college experience. It is a great way to meet friends, become acquainted with faculty and staff, and also an amazing way to make bridges and connection to your future. Go to college with an open mind. There will be many people from several backgrounds and you will all have different perspectives of the world. Share your opinions and experiences with each other, do not let differences deter you from engaging with people unlike yourself. College is a time for you to discover who you truly are. It is a time to mature emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and intellectually.