New York University Top Questions

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

Ashley

If you feel certain about your career path, I would say apply to schools based on the quality of the program. If you're unsure, apply based on more personal preferences. If you're very independent and want a more fast paced lifestyle, apply to a city school. If you want the more traditional experience, apply to a suburban or rural school with a campus. When you first get to school, remember that you might not like it right away. If you If you feel like you're having a hard time fitting in, seek out clubs and extracirriculars. Most colleges have such a large number of groups covering just about any interest, and it's a great way to meet a lot of people you have something in common with. Definitely work an internship for at least a semester. Interning will teach you so much that you'll never learn in class, plus it will make the adjustment to the real world a lot less scary when the time comes. Be sure to put a lot of thought into what you want out of the experience, it will be worth it when you're at the right school.

Pamela

Students should always go with their gut when choosing their college. If you find a place where you step onto the campus and think, "Wow, I really feel like I could belong here," then it's a good shot that it's the place for you. College is about doing what you love and learning to make a life out of it. Be prepared for financial-setbacks, though. Plan very far in advance because sometimes, the universities can be sneaky and all of a sudden, you find yourself without enough money and you have to scramble. However, in the end, you have to decide if your education at this time in this place is worth all the craziness. If your heart says, "Yes. I'll forever be glad I went to school here," then I think, no matter what, it's worth the fight.

Young

Experience. What is an experience? An experience may deliever some knowledge to an individual, or it may cause a traumatic event. An experience is an experiment. Thus, what you go into college with, is basically your preparations for your experiment -either you're prepared well, or you're not. For parents, they help with the preparations for their childs' experiment -either they raised them well, or they didn't. Therefore, it's what you as the student makes of it. Never blame it on the circumstances or what preparations you may have been given. Instead, adjust the ingredients and preparations you have been given. Create your own hypothesis and make your experiment successful. Visit the campuses that you might be a part of, and once you have made your decision, read up on the school. Find out what makes the school and what makes the students. Adjusting yourself doesn't mean changing who you are, it means to adapt to certain situations so that you make make the best of it. Maybe there is no "right college" but "right mindset" when you go into a college. Experience college for what it is -make yourself needed and deliver what you have.

Bryant

Think about what you really like, students. What do you want out of the college experience? Are you looking for career prospects? Is your school specializing in whatever you plan to major in? Or are you there just to have a good time? Parents: protect your wallets.

Faquira

Visit the campus first. Make sure the school is in your price range or is giving you satisfactory aid. Make sure you're ready to work.

Katrina

I would tell high school students to really try and experience as many things as they can in high school so that they have an idea about what they would like to study in college. Going to school to pursue something you are interested in or passionate about makes the whole process of going to college more simple and enjoyable. If possible I would also give the advice to go to a school away from home because it forces you to take full responsibility of your life and choices and it also encourages unique experiences independent from your family identity.

Julia

To find the right college, I recommend visiting the campus, and always talk with the current students there. Ask not only what classes are like and how the professors are, but also what social oppurtunities are avaible. To make the most of college, study hard with your friends, but also have fun!

Allison

It's never too early to start thinking about college. Study for the SATs early. Start your applications and scholarship applications as early as the summer before senior year -- that way, you won't have to sacrifict your grades senior year for the time you spend on college apps.

Dayna

College is where you really learn who you are. When you are in high school and you visit colleges, you can't really know what is going to make you the happiest but trust me, you'll get a good feeling about some places. When I visited NYU, I knew that I wanted to be in New York City...however, I wish I had known that I also wanted more community and a better social life. But I wouldn't trade this experience for the world because I've made my own experience perfect. I joined club, made friends, studied abroad, worked hard, and although I am at a school with little on-campus community, I am happy! I made it work. That's all you have to remember--you are in control of your own destinity. So pick the school that makes you feel right but then do what makes you happy once you get there.

Joe

Please don't make money a big issue when your kids are searching around for colleges. College is so important in a person's life and colleges really do try to make it possible for all sorts of students. Let your kids search for the right majors, the right size, and all of those other aspects. Let them visit. Let them apply. Believe me, by paying more now, your child will be more happy and they will most likely be able to pay back those loans. Don't shut any doors yet. Let your kids shoot for the stars while they can.

Monique

Understand that as every child is unique, each school is unique. Therefore, applying to college should not become a war in pursuit of getting into particular schools but rather, an opportunity for self-discovery. Today getting into college in the U.S. is more difficult than ever. With acceptance rates dipping, number of applicants soaring and other scares, the college application process has become a nightmare for many. Most of the stress seems to come from the misunderstanding that applying is all about fitting in to get in to "The school". There is no use struggling to fit because you (and your parents) will spend the time fighting for something that ultimately isn't up to you when it could be spent finding out your strengths and weaknesses, realizing hidden dreams and aspirations and perhaps, even for family bonding. While in school, it will become important for you to understand yourself in order to make the best decisions. Many obstacles will come upon you throughout college but no matter what happens in the end, I'm sure you would agree that you would like to remember making the best decisions you could for yourself. Get ready to make yours now!

Amanda

The most important advice I could ever give to a parent preparing his or her child for college would be to give your student options. He or she should apply to a variety of places and should visit as many colleges as he or she can. The more options a student has the better. It is also wise to advise your child to apply for as many scholarships and grants as he or she can. With the high and rising cost of tuiton, it is so difficult to find banks who will give undergraduate students loans, and more and more people are not able to afford college. There is so much free money out there. Take advantage of it. If I could go back to my freshman year of high school, I would have started scholarship searching then. It is so important to have choices for college, but if you can not find the funds, you can not choose any college at all. A student should be able to choose from a variety of college options and should be continuing to apply for scholarships, even thoughout his or her college experience.

Tim

To the parents: As much as it may pain you to hear it, your kid is the one going to college, not you. So let them have a say in where they want to go and what they want to study. Although you'd love it if they said they aspired to be a doctor or laywer (or both simultaneously), it's not always the case. And forcing them to go down a path they have no interest will only lead to trouble and regret down the line. Of course, there are exceptions, but the important thing is to hear them out. To the students: No matter what field you're in, college is about making connections more than anything. Although your high school friends were great, those you meet in college you'll probably stay in contact with for the rest of your life. These are people you'll work with first-hand, people who may end up being your colleagues or business partners. So don't take those first couple years for granted and room alone or at home. Get to know the people in your dorm and in your classes. They're connections that will prove invaluable.

Christopher

Before answering this question, I need to disclose one thing: I applied to nine schools, and researched about a million. I was fortunate enough to be accepted into my top choice, but I had safety after safety after safety schools chosen. The best advice I can give is to go on the school Web sites, visit your favorites, and go on the student-directed tours. Ask any and every question that comes in your mind, and find every excuse to meet other members of the campus community. The people make the school. If you can?t stand them, your time will be wasted. Also, go on student review Web sites (including www.ratemyprofessors.com for instructor reviews), and see what they have to say. Weed out the overly positive as the overly negative, disgruntled entries, and listen to the median. I have found that to be the most accurate approach.

allison

I think if you have a dream and it fits your career path and what you want your future to be than you really can't put a price on the education. My father told me when I got my acceptance letter to NYU to not worry about the payment, that we'll figure something out but your going. And that was the best thing I could have heard because I know we didn't have the money and I know we still don't but like the saying goes where there's a will there's a way. Though NYU hasn't given us any financial aid yet and at the moment my college is being paid off in loans I know that in the end it is going to be worth it when I graduate with a degree from NYU. Don't let money keep you from getting your dream.

Phylicia

In June 2006 like many high school juniors, I faced the hardest decision of my life, choosing a college that will strengthen my desire and knowledge in becoming an educator. I wanted a university with a notable education department. The first advice I will give any prospective college student is to research different colleges that provide their major. After narrowing down a few universities that had my major, I had to decide whether I wanted to live on campus. Second advice is living on campus is not for everyone. If you cannot make life-changing decisions on your own, you should really think about whether living on campus is right for you. Besides the aforementioned options, write down a list of things about a college you want for yourself. Remember, ?Understanding that the right to choose your own path is a sacred privilege. Use it. Dwell in possibility.?- Oprah At the college of your choice, join organizations that are interesting to you. Try to find out what activities are going on during the weeks. This will help you meet awesome friends or study partners. Also, develop time management skills to balance studying and fun.

Janna

Think long and hard, before you even start looking, about what you want out of your four years of college. Knowing exactly what you are looking for can help shorten the search for your dream school. Where is your main focus? Academics, Sports, Campus life? Many schools have different strengths, so make sure the schools you end up choosing specialize in the direction you wish. Don't let things like tuition scare you off of an otherwise-perfect college right away--a lot of more expensive schools offer very generous financial aid, and scholarships are available just about everywhere to help you pay for school, so that big price tag may not be impossible to pay.