Marquette University Top Questions

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

Cara

If I had the opportunity to go back in time to when I was a senior in high school, there are only a couple things I would tell myself. The 1st thing would be to not judge. It is so easy to judge new people when you are dropped into a place where you know no one and feel uncomfortable. Everyone is in the same boat, so you need to be outgoing and open to meeting new people. I would also say make sure you work hard in the beginning of the semester, because messing up early will definitely affect your grade, no matter how well you do the latter half of the course. The last thing I would say is to take advantage of all the things your school and the city in which it is located has to offer. Universities spend thousands of dollars on things for you to do--take advantage of it. There is also so much more off campus, so take the time to experience some of that. Finally, in the end I would remind myself TO HAVE FUN.

Mary

If I were talking to myself when I was a senior, the main point I would try to get across is to not rely on homework to get the grades. In college, the tests are the main part of a grade, and sometimes, the only part of the grade. Actually learn the material the teachers are giving you. So much of what was said in high school will be brought up again in future college courses. I would also tell myself to really utilize the teachers and learn the proper ways to speak to the teachers. The professors in college are there to help you, so learn it in high school the proper communication techniques to speak to the teachers. The main piece of advice I would give myself though is to really develop a good networking list early. High school is filled with coaches and teachers that are getting to know you. So keep those relationships intact because you never know when you are going to need a reference letter in college. Finally, friends and the relationships built with them are important, but don't let them hold you back from making new friends in college.

Kyle

If I could go back and talk to myself in high school, I would first tell myself to attend a different school. My current school is fine, but I feel I would have had a better experience elsewhere. I would say it's important to find a school that fits well with your worldview. The political and religious views at my current school are far different from my own and it becomes uncomfortable at times. Secondly, I would urge myself to join more groups and activities of interest. While I had no trouble finding friends at my school, I found even more at the end of my sophomore year when I began participating more. Also, these new friends shared different interests than my previous ones, providing me with a wider range of social interaction. It would have been a positive experience had I done this my freshman year. Lastly, I would advise myself on which classes to take that would better prepare me for my field. Jumping into a class without knowing what it involves is always risky, and it would be helpful to know which classes were truly important to my success.

Dominic

Although I was an outstanding student for most of my primary school career, as a senior in high school, I had an extremely bad case of senioritis. Rather than homework and studying, I choose to devote my time and energy to extracurricular activities. Even though it was a pretty pathetic year academically, it was by far my most fun year of school, and I was able to get away with it. Unfortunately, that mindset carried over when I went started college. My freshman year, I joined about 3 different clubs, a hiphop dance team, and an intramural volleyball team, and was also doing as much community service as I could. Needless to say, my grades in college have never really been anything to brag about, and 2 semesters ago, I failed a class and almost lost my scholarship. If I could go back and give myself advice, I would tell myself to really think about why I wanted to go to college. I would tell myself to make sure that I kept school as my top priority, and if I wasn?t doing well in a class, to stop everything else and put all my focus on fixing the problem.

Natalie

Get ahead now! The more you do in high school the easier college will be. Trust me it wont get easier! If you still havent taken that chemistry class, TAKE IT! Dont hold it off for college because eveything is at a much faster pase. Keeping that in mind, dont let the people around you freak you out! College is hard, it takes a lot of hard work and many hours are wasted away in quiet corners of the library BUT it's all managable. Put your mind to it and go achieve your goals. Its hard but definitely worth it in the end. I literally just took my cumulatvie anatomy final eight hours ago. It was tough and i spent over 35 hours throughout the past couple weeks preparing to remember everything we learned throughout the semester... but now that its over, im proud of what i accomplished and cant wait to utilize the information in the career field. College takes a lot of hard work but the hours you put in will pay off! Keep ahead of your work and youll be fine!

Stephanie

I would tell myself to keep up with your studies (both in high school and college) and not to get down about certain schools not accepting you. I would also tell myself to stay true to who you are, and not let anybody's beliefs or values change who you are, and what happens, happens. Everything happens for a reason. I would also say to keep going in what you want to go into, no matter what people say.

Jill

It's very hard to make such a huge decision when you don't know what college life is really like. When you're looking at colleges, you don't know the right questions to ask and you rely on external information coming from all angles. Piecing the puzzle together is difficult. I would tell myself to ask more in depth questions: What types of classes make up the core of my credit hours? How will my advisor help me plan out my four years? What can I do if I change my major? These are all vital questions to contemplate when picking a college. In terms of the life transition, I would advise myself to take the first couple of weeks of college in stride. I had a lot of anxiety about making friends, doing all of my homework, and adhering to my all of the activities in my planner. I would tell myself is not to worry so much. After about a month or two, you find a rhythm, and the whole process becomes easier. Your experience is what you make it!

Jasmine

I would prepare myself to be alone and accept the difference because it gets hard when you have no one to talk to at school and when you feel all alone. It gets harder when you don't even want to be at school. Everyday you dread having to get up and go. Everytime you try harder, your grades don't show forth your effort. At times you feel like a failure.

Eman

I wouldn't give myself any other advice than I had already give myself.

Brian

If I had the opportunity to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to go with my gut a little more and not try to make myself into something that I'm not. My mom kept me focused on all the qualifications we had picked out for what kind of school I was looking for, and I didn't even know why I had chose some of those categories. I ended up choosing a school that didn't fit most of those qualifications, and I absolutely love it. I also definitely needed to just be myself and give myself room to change instead of trying to preemptively plan out who I was going to be in college. I got into the Honors Program, but wanted to stay out of Honors housing because I thought the kids there would be weird. My first choice was the dorm that everyone considered the freshman party dorm. I ended up having to live with the other honors kids, and had a freshman year beyond anything I had ever expected, complete with self-discovery, great times, and amazing friends, along with a few classes.

Jason

I thought about this question for some time, and I have often thought about it previously. Given the paradox causing time travel scenario, I would not give myself any advice. On the surface there are girls I would tell myself to stay away from, teachers to avoid, teachers to build a relationship with and other instances. However, I think about the person I am today and I like that person. Some of my greatest strengths come from opportunities missed, relationships broken and hardships fought. I think about the hardest parts of being in college but those are some of my most vivid and substantial memories. I can't imagine the person I would be if I had saved myself some transient pain during those times. I don't think that person would be as capable and strong as I am today.

Sade

Really think about your future career and what steps you need to take in order to succeed in accomplishing your goals.

John

Knowing what I know after being at Marquette for almost 3 semesters now, I would love to be able to go back and tell myself to apply for a job early. It is very difficult to get on-campus jobs at this school, and I definitely do not have time to get an off-campus job due to all the homework and studying that usually fills my days. Of course I have free time as well, but I do not wish to give that up. An on campus job would be ideal because it would be a short trip to get there, and most on-campus jobs such as working at the library or in the residence halls allow for a lot of free time to get school work done.

Emily

Just like there is more than one person you could happily date, there is more than one ?perfect? college match for you out there. Look into aspects that are important to you ? whether they are competitive academics, a variety of available sports, or an extensive array of extracurricular activities ? just be sure to factor yourself into the picture! What is your background like ? are you from a rural community, looking to attend a school in a big city? Or perhaps you are a multi-faceted student looking for somewhere to combine your passions for both neurobiology and theatre? There are many great schools; they are simply great for different reasons. Finding the ones that you can most connect with is the key. Finally, one of the most important things you can do to maximize your experience is simple ? meet people! There is a plethora of opportunities to do so ? in your classes, by joining organizations, service opportunities, intramural sports, and more! You will develop lasting relationships that will allow for fun and laughter, networking, study groups, and some great memories. Don?t limit yourself - college is what you make of it! However much you put in, you'll get out.

Alysscia

As a student, who as experienced searching for prospective schools, I would first say to start the search according to major/ minor. During high school, I was very interested in pursuing Forensic Sciences. In order to pursue Forensic Science, I decided to find universities with creditable science majors. Next, if the student is interested in financial aid, some time should be spent finding out if the tuition will be affordable. From personal experience, I chose to attend Marquette University, which is private and can be a bit costly, however the financial aid department was determined to make sure any deserving student received the aid that they needed. Lastly, the student should consider size, location, and extra-curricular activities. To get the most out of the college experience the prospecitve student should be involved in sports, sororities/ fraternities, or clubs. It is also recommended that the student live on campus in order to enjoy the college experience completely. I hope that my advice may aid other students and parents in choosing the right schools.

EMILY

Talk to everyone you meet and never judge a book by it's cover. There are so many people from so many different places and it is so important to branch out from the people you already know.

Henry

The most important way to make the correct college decision would be to give the campus a visit and check out the environment and nearby area. This is a great factor because you will not enjoy yourself in college if the first thing you do not like is the campus.

Molly

The first thing to consider about selecting a college is that no matter what high school you went to, chances are it did not prepare you well enough for college. If you feel like you transition well into new situations, then a college with a high academic reputation would fit you well. If you are very unsure of what you want to do with your life, I would strongly recommend attending a smaller community college, or public university. Wasting money on a private university is not wise because often they assume that you know what you plan to do with your career and the rest of your life. No matter what college you choose you will have an excellent experience. Being in a different atmosphere and living on your own is always a little scary but it turns into one of the best experiences you will have in your lifetime. One last thing I recommend is not to lock yourself away the first few days. Go out of your comfort one and try to meet new people. It will make you more comfortable the rest of your first year, and you might make friends for life.

David

Do what feels right.

Lauren

The best advice I can give for parents and perspective college students is to look for a school in a setting that you see fit for yourself. For perspective students, do not let your parents choose the college for you because, depending on the college you go to, either a 2 or 4 year university, you are the one that has to attend classes daily and make the grades. If you're not comfortable at a place, the next 2 or 4 years of your life are going to be difficult. Once you find places that suit your personality, choose a school that is known for your major, but do not pick a school that you believe will be too hard on you academically, unless you're up for a challenge. Freshmen year is difficult and it takes some time to adjust, but in the end it will all be worth it. The last thing you need is to go to a school you were not prepared for. Finally, the most important advice I will leave you with is to visit your school before attending. This will give you a better idea of where you're going. Good Luck!

Catherine

Visit the college if at all possible before deciding. Once a decision is made, relax and be yourself. Parents should relax too because your child is now in college and well on their way to being an adult. This is not to say that the kids should not still repect you, but giving them a little more space won't hurt.

Brittany

Be sure to visit the school and spend the night with a student in order to get the real feel of the atmosphere of the classes, the dorms, and campus living, because that is where the student will be spending the majority of their time, also make sure that you like the study areas on campus because truly that is what the you as a student are their to do, get a four year degree and studying is a large part of that. College is suppose to be a fun experience, but along with the fun comes a lot of responsibility, so be sure that you are ready to go where ever you go, whether it is five minutes from home or 10 hours be sure it is the right fit. Also, once you get to college get involved in something either a sport (varsity, club, or intermueral), a club, a sorority/fraternity, or a musical/drama group you will make friends fast by joining and staying involved in a group.

Chelsea

To find the right college, students have to seriously consider what the most important traits in their ideal college are; that way, they can quickly reject any colleges that don't meet these criteria. Once they've narrowed down their options, they can start to consider other, less important factors in reaching their final decision. If the student has truly thought long and hard about what they want their college to be like, then they should have no problem finding three to five colleges that match what they're looking for. Once students are at college, they have to realize that although having fun is healthy, keeping their grades up is still highly important. Yes, that means they might have to stay inside studying some nights instead of going out with friends, but building self-discipline early will pay off later, as classes get harder and more intense. Of course, they shouldn't stay in their room studying all the time; making good friends and having a good time in college is important too. If you make the right friends you'll have valuable job connections at best, and at worst you'll still have a great circle of friends

Caitlyn

I believe that there are many aspects important in choosing the right college. Size of the school, distance from home, activities of interest offered, and how academic oriented the school is all are very important. From experience as a transfer student I have been able to see first hand how schools compare. I spend my first year 7 hours away from home at a large university where the social life was based on drinking and being involved in greek life. Academics came second at the univeristy, which was the opposite of what I was looking for. I now go to a university of only 7,000 undergrad students where school work comes first along with community service and I am only an hour and a half away from home. It is important to think about all of these aspects and make a list of what is important for you to have in your college experience and what you don't want to be a part of your experience. Visit all of the schools you are interested and ask any questions you may have. Parents, my advice to you is just to support your child's decision.

Elizabeth

Parents, allow your students to make the decision on their own without too much of your input if possible. Even if you think they aren't making the right decision it is better for them to make the decision and learn from it then to make it based on information other than what they feel will be best for them Students, when you get to the school of your choice GET INVOLVED! Join at least 1 club, intramural sport team or something. Getting involved is the best way to meet people especially if you're going to a school where you will know no one at first. Expand your horizons right off the bat and you will be surprised how many people you will meet within your first few weeks.

Karina

Research is key when finding a college. Make sure it will fulfill your academic and social needs. If you aren?t able to pay tuition, search for grants in a timely manner. I would tell parents to encourage student to go out of state or live on campus.

Elizabeth

My advice to you is to go with your instincts. No matter the cost, no matter the city, no matter the size. Where you feel at home, and where you feel you can develop into your best self is where you should go. The financial aid is out there, and you just need to look for it. I believe in the phase, "Do what you love, and the money will come," and that you can apply that to your college choice. You could even say, "Go where you love, and somehow you will be able to pay for it!" I know choosing a college is a serious decision because, in fact, you are shaping your future. However, the most incredible part about the process is the unknown. There is nothing more exciting then the wonder of the next four years. You will change tremendously, and that is the fun part! No matter what school you choose, you will have an opportunity to make it your own, a place you are proud to call home. Go into this choice with an open-mind and eager heart and you will not be disappointed.

John

My advice to give to a student searching for the best college match would be, do not believe everything you hear from colleges. Every single one is going to tell you their strengths to sound the best. Make sure you do some research on the school, go for visits to the campus, and speak to both current students and educators at the institution. Once you figure out the school that is best suits both your desired future occupation and your personality, then worry about financing it through both student loans and apply for lots of scholarships. The two best pieces of advice I can give for making the most of one's college experience are very simple. First, get involved with something you enjoy. You will not only learn more about yourself and remain busy but you will also meet peers and make friends very easily because you share common ground. Getting involved is also a great way to network and earn leadership positions which are very important for your job in the future. And my second word of advice is to step out of your comfort zone and try something you never thought you would...You may love it!

Raymundo

Do not be afraid of trying something new and different. There are many colleges that you have in mind before you acutally apply to them. Marquette University was not my first choice, but now I realize that it was the best choice that I could have made in my life. I absoulutely love it! Just follow what you think is right.

Lauren

n/a

Gretchen

I would tell students and parents to research different schools online. Even a simple Google search is helpful. The school's website can help you find out if they have your major and what different programs they offer. From there, narrow your choices down to the ones you want to visit. You should also consider how far away from home you want to be, how you will be able to pay for it, and where it is located. Visiting the school gives you the best impression of it. Some schools even have programs that let you "shadow" a current student.

Austin

Don't worry about choosing the right school the first time. You can always TRANSFER!

Alyssa

The best way to get a good sense of a school is to do a shadow visit. When paying a visit to the campus, arrange to follow a student around and basically get a sense of life in their shoes. For me, I went on a recruiting visit for track. The coach set it up where I would meet a fellow team member, follow them around all day, and even stay the night with them. It was the greatest thing I have ever done as far as assisting me in my decision to attend Marquette. There is really no other way to get a better taste of the potential life that could take place at whichever school you are looking into. In addition, once you decide on a school, don't hessitate to get out of your comfort zone and get involved. You definitely will not regret it! I was always really shy, but once I got to Marquette, I put that aside and decided to enhance my college experience by getting really involved. This way, I met a ton of new people and made life-long friends! So, don't be affraid to get involved!

Katherine

You really need to figure out who you are and what you want from a college experience. I knew that I wanted to go to a Jesuit school in a city where there would be other options on the weekend then just go out and party. Make sure that the university has the best program that you are looking for and can really boost you into the real world when you graduate. Also, it is important for kids and their parents to agree on the distance of the school from home. In the end, make sure you can see yourself becoming a "Golden Eagle" or a "Warrior" or anything else. Make sure you want to become a part of the community that you're looking at.

Katy

It's not any easy choice finding one place that will accomodate exactly what you're looking for in a college. What is important is seeing if the schools you are interested in provide the right learning, social, and spiritual environments so that you can grow as a person. Another matter of importance is seeing the educational value for your money. A school should be worth the thousands of dollars you will be spending for the next few years. Be sure that the campus is what you want and that it provides ample opportunity for you to try new activities and meet people from various backgrounds. Sometimes the best school for you is not following your friends to a large university, but going along your own path to fit your own personal needs as a student. Allowing yourself to be open and knowing what you want from a college will let you realize your full potential when you graduate those short years later. Good luck!

Sean

I would say that look at schools where your interests are important. Choose a school that has the same values and one that will be nurturing and guiding for you. Go with a university that is known for it's services to both students and it's community because that is extremely important in the end. The best thing to do is to go to a school that will make you happy because when it comes down to finals week, that little bit of stress relieved will make all the difference.

Hilary

The advice that I would give to parents and students about finding the right college would be to let them know that it is very important to do research about your college before attending it. Additionally, I think that it would be very beneficial to shadow a real student or stay the night with someone who goes there to get a better feel of what the school is like from a student's perspective. A full tour of the university is also important, especially the area that pertains to your major, since that is where you most likely will spend the bulk of your time. The advice that I would give in regards to making the most of your college experience is to get involved. Pretty much all schools have ample opportunities to participate in extracurriculars. Also, I think that it is good to live in on-campus housing to begin with in order to meet new people and make the friends that will help you to provide the best college experience possible. I am confident that college really can "be the best time of your life," and for me, I can honestly say it has been.

Jennifer

I think it is important that students try and picture themselves living in that particular city or on that campus. A huge part of the college experience is how comfortable they are, both in, and outside of the classroom. When making the final decision, follow your instinct because by that point, you are already going to be choosing from what you feel are the best schools for yourself. Choosing a college is a huge decision, so it is important to really believe you are making the best decision possible. I advise all students to get involved as soon as possible, whether it be joining a club or intramural sport. Meeting new people and making friends is essential to having a positive college experience.

Kyle

Just go someplace that has the courses you want and feels like a good fit to you as a person.

James

For perspective students: your #1 pick of college may not be the most fitting place for you. I didn't get into the #1 school on my list when I was applying. I was looking for a school where I could have a lot of service opportunities, that was demanding, and where the students knew how to have a good time and did stuff on weekends. I found this at Marquette and from one of my best friends who transferred to Marquette from my first choice school, said that those things don't happen at that school. But if you don't get into your #1 school, don't be discouraged, give your next pick a real chance, it might be a good fit. For parents: let your child decide for themselves on which school to go to. Please suggest different schools for them lot look at, so they have a broad perspective on what schools are out there, but ultimately it is their decision. Also, your child is different from you, they have different aspirations and needs, so even though the college you attended may have been a great experience for you, your child may think differently about it.

alan

visit as many as you can

Kaley

The intangibles are really what matter. The atmosphere of the school, whether people smile at you, how you feel on the campus, and other things like this are really what should make the choice for you. I should have done a bit more soul searching before dragging my parents on trips across the Midwest looking at a hugely diverse amount of schools. Small schools, big schools, small town schools, city schools, etc. This was slightly a waste of time. While it did help me to understand what I was really looking for, I think I already knew that I wanted a small to mid-sized school not in a rural area. If I could have narrowed that down before trekking across America I think I would have seen more schools I was really interested in. The most important advice I can give is don't make an opinion about your school until after the first semester. If people ask, reserve judgement. The transition is difficult and it is incredibly important to keep an open mind. It will make all four years much better.

Tony

Find a place that will push you out of your comfort zone. You will change a lot during your college years, find a place that is diverse and different.

Brittney

The best advice I have to say is to relax. Applying for college and finding out what schools you get into can be stressful on its own, do not be too hard on yourself when you are making the final decision. Choose a school where you will feel comfortable, and know that even if it does not work out there, transferring is an option. Whatever decision you make, it will work out. When it comes time for your first tests and finals, again, relax. I am not saying that you should not study, because you should, I am saying that stressing out will not help no matter how much or how little you study. Having fun must also go along with relaxing. Find something you and your friends love to do, and make it a study break. Students at Marquette take their breaks to do things such as; walk a mile to Lake Michigan and spend some time by the beach, go to a basketball game, watch a movie, go iceskating, go shopping. Students, while you are having all of this fun at school, do not forget to call your parents, they want to be a part of your experience!

Eric

Parents and students should start by looking for schools that teach the field of interest the student is interested in, as well as looking for schools the student believes they will enjoy academically and socially. From there they should probably look at both size and tuition costs. Some students like a smaller campus, while others like a large campus. Depending on a family's income, some colleges on their lists might just be too pricy. Based off of this criteria I had my selection narrowed down to three schools. Then the weight basically was on my shoulders to decide what college would fit me best personality wise and academically. After months of deliberation I finally made my decision to attend Marquette University, and I don't regret my decision one bit.

Marco

Make sure you do you're work on time. Procrastination will make college so much harder. Stay on top of your work, study hard, and you should be fine.

Tracy

Stay overnight there. Understand the impact of distance. It's nice to have mom and dad an easy car ride away.

Erika

College is about learning to make the most of everything. The best advice I was ever given was to be involved. Since coming to Marquette, I have come to understand that "being involved" is not just about extracurriculars: It is about volunteering. I joined a volunteer program my Freshman year that takes students to volunteer at inner-city churches. I have been serving at St Paul's in downtown Milwaukee. Walking into the basement of that room was the first time this small-town white girl really began to understand what it is like to live in the inner-city of one of the most segregated cities in the united states. I have learned that college is not just about what you learn in the classroom--it's about what the community can teach you. My college advice? Get involved on campus, but find a way to volunteer off-campus. It keeps you grounded in the community, and can sometimes show you how fortunate you are.

Heather

You should understand what it is you want out of your college experience--study abroad opportunities, internships, creative outlets, etc. Only then can you correctly identify the university that offers the most of what you want. I chose Marquette becaues they guaranteed graduation in 4 years and had hundreds of opportunities for study abroad which were my two main concerns! Also you should be certain of what type of university you are looking for--small town, big city, suburban, etc. This can have a huge impact on your overall perspective of your experiences in the end. Just go with your gut and visit campuses! That's the best way to choose the right school!

Suzanna

I would tell them to go with their gut. Also, save money. Don't attend a school because it sounds better to go than it would to go a state school or technical college. The public schools are more diverse, and because of this, in my opinion, they are more friendly. Besides, classes are what you make them. Often, fellow students make fun of state schools because they're "easier" and that you'll never get into graduate school. This is not true. You can make any school give you an excellent education just by how much work you put into it.