Simmons College Top Questions

I would let my high-school self know that there isn't anything to stress or worry about when thinking about the transition to college because the school is a very accepting and friendly place. The people are warm and helpful and the faculty is very accomodating and has your best interests at heart. I would remind myself to be open-minded to meeting new people and experiencing new things. I would also tell myself to try to get involved in the school and the community and build a strong network of friends and people who are looking to get into the same field.

Try everything once you get to college!

Don't limit yourself to colleges in Boston, branch out more and don't rule out schools right away. When you get to school be very open and friendly so you meet a lot of different people and make friends. Still be yourself though so you don't make friends for the wrong reasons.

If I were to go back in time, I would definitly prepare myself more; learn how to manage my time, my studying skills, what are my favorite subjects. I wish I really focused in high school and learned more and received better grades so that maybe I would have been accepted into an Ivy League school.

Devout a lot of time to studying, this should be your first priority and work should be second. Make friends and enjoy life at school. Enjoy it although it may bre frustrating at times you can make it through and the most important part is graduating with the best possible gpa you can get. It does not have to be very high it just has to be the best that you can achieve. Never give less than your 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}. Good luck

I would've definately put a lot more effort into my work. School work always came easy to me whether it was writing a five page paper or doing math calculations, but I never put a lot of effort into it, because I knew I could do a good job with whatever I worte. So sometimes I just took the work load lightly. Also I would've done more than just sports because my life as a college student doesn't involve being on a sports team, due to an injury. So it was harder for me to look into clubs and extra curricular activites. But once I pushed myself into getting involved on campus, it made socializing a lot more fun and interesting

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give myself the following advice. First, I would tell myself that college is not only for learning and you must find time to find yourself as a person as well. Next, I would mention that this is the frist time I will be completely responsible for my actions and if I struggle, do not be afraid to seek help. Also, I would tell myself, that no matter how boring or how unintrested I am in a subject that I am taking, to still put forth my best effort. The time I spend in college does not need to be wasted by taking classes 2 to 3 times. Finally, I would tell myself to stay focused. It is easy to get off track and if I do gett off track I will become a twenty-five year old college drop out, who is struggling to keep a job in a rough economic time.

I would tell myself not to attend Elmira College and that Simmons is the right choice for me. I would also say to get a better job!

The only advice I would give them is to have an open mind and be ready to experience some of the best years of your life.

I looked at a lot of colleges during my junior and senior years of high school and as soon as I stepped onto the Simmons College campus I knew that was where I wanted to go. After talking to students, faculty and administration, I couldn't picture myself anywhere else. I think this mostly had to do with the fact that everyone I met there really reminded me of myself, so why wouldn't I feel comfortable there? The most important advice I can give about making the most out of the college experience is to use this opportunity to come out of your shell and introduce yourself to everyone you see, even if at first glance they don't seem like the kind of person you would get along with. You simply never know and by holding yourself back during this time, you are only putting a damper on what is supposed to be a very exciting time in your life.

Must choose colleges based on financial age, diversity as well as a school that is well rounded interms of social life, extracurriculars as well as academic excellence and name recognition.

Make sure you choose a school that you want, not a school that your parents want you to go to. College is a very big change from highschool so it is important to not lose focus. Try and balance your social life with your academic life. The work you do in college is work that will put you one step closer to a career. The most important thing is to follow your gut instinct and find a school that you feel defines you.

Listen to what you want out of this experience/journey. If you want something that your parents may not want, go with what your gut tells you and strive for it.

In order to find the right college, it is important to look at many different schools. It is impossible to know what you are looking for if you do not know what is out there. Look at schools in the city and in the country, big schools and small schools, close to home and far away. When you narrow it down, visit each school you are applying to more than once to get a feel for the community. When you get to college try things you have never done before and never thought you would do. Make friends with people from different backgrounds and you will learn a lot from them. Most importantly, take classes that interest you and enjoy them.

As a second year college student, I advise parents and students to start the college search early, and ask the difficult financial questions. Highschool years pass by very quickly and finding the right college is an important step that cannot be rushed. Upon entering Junior year in highschool, it is beneficial to already have chosen the top five schools that you will apply to. Furthermore, it is crucial to ask the difficult questions pertaining to financial aid. Many students, like myself, are not aware that the financial aid package offered to you by the school is able to change, even if your finances do not. It is important to know, before enrolling, how much your financial aid will change after the first year.

It's important to research your options and look around. Even if you don't think you would be interested in certain schools it is important to see for yourself what a variety of schools feel like. You should visit schools you are interested in to get a better sense of the environment. Also talking to current students is a great way to really find out what a school is like to attend. An overnight visit could also be helpful in making your decision.

Go to a school with smaller classes, the professors will care more about you. Everything is more personal at smaller schools, which helps your grades a great deal.

First, I would tell the parents to listen to their kids. My parents always pushed me towards the medical field because they want me to come out with a high paying job. I've never been a science person and they just don't understand that. After my first year of school and now my second year, I have decided to follow my passions. I want to major in Art Therapy. Though my parents are confused, they are slowly starting to support my decison. I am also transfering to a school with my major. This is a big step that I believe is in the right direction. My advice to everyone is to follow your interests and passions. It doesn't matter how much money you make, it matters whether or not you'll be happy. Imagine what you'll be doing once you're out of school. Will you be happy with you job and life? I watch my dad come home everyday from a relatively high paying job. But the questions is: Is he truly happy? I'm not sure, but I think if he had to do it all over again, he'd choose something else.

I would recommend visiting the school while school is in session in order to see what the students are like on a daily basis. I would also recommend speaking to a faculty member in the department you are interested in. They will give you great insight in the program. Also, try to speak to a random student in your intended field (or not) who is not part of the undergraduate admissions who can give you a true answer and get the real storry, and not just one they are supposed to say.

I think that in order to pick the best college or university for a student, the best way to go about is to take a tour of the school, stay overnight at the school, and sit in at least one class session, more if possible because this is the only way to really see what the school is like without people hired to pump pro- their school-propaganda in your face. Staying overnight in the dorm allows one to see what the dorms are like for a full 24 hours rather than a quick glance at a really nice room. The classroom visit allows the student to see an uncensored, unstaged classroom interaction. Had I done this, I may have looked to a school that pushed its students a bit more harder than my current schooling situation.

Students and parents should find a college or university that is academically, socially, politically, economically appropriate for the student. It is important to find a school that offers what you are interested in whether it?s rock climbing, Greek life, study abroad, student government, on-campus employment, internship opportunities, et cetera. Finding the right school means figuring out where you can see yourself studying and socializing whether it?s at a university bigger than some small towns or at a school that is smaller than some high schools. Whether you see yourself in a big city, in the suburbs, or in a more spread out, rural setting, you should pick a school where you can realistically envision yourself growing and thriving as a person. For example, if Harvard University is your ?dream school,? but you cannot stand cold weather and public transportation then it may not be the happiest and best choice for you. There are numerous colleges and universities to attend which means there are numerous opportunities and options to choose from when determining the school that is right for you.

To narrow down your choices for colleges, first consider the location. You'll be living there for the next few years, so make sure that you won't hate the place. Collegeboard.com is very helpful in narrowing down schools based on student body size, population density, etc. Princetonreview.com is a site that can help you decide what schools are appropriate reach schools and safety schools based on your GPA and other factors. Using these two sites you should be able to make a list of 5-6 schools that might be a good fit for you. Then try talking with current students, alumnae, and your guidance counselor about experiences and thoughts on the schools. Most importantly, visit the schools you are considering! I never would have chosen the school I'm in now if I didn't visit it first. When you've chosen your school, it's extremely important to establish a rapport with your professors. Professors will want to help those student who show interest in working hard and learning, and will remember your efforts when grading. Participate in extracurriculars, but don't let them affect your schoolwork. Don't overload or overstress yourself!

Go with your instincts when you see a school that appeals to you. But always visit more than once. Also, keep an open mind and look at a school even if you aren't sure about it. Keeping a journal about the pros and cons with each school helps when finding the right school. As far as the college experience, know that a balance between work and play really makes for the best experience possible!

Check the programs within the major within the colleges you're applying to. Make sure the courses offered coincide with your idea of what the program/major is made up of. Sometimes International Relations in a college, upon further inspection of the courses, is clearly American Politics. Look into it.

Finding the right college can be a long and difficult process. What's most important is to prioritize. To consider what are the most valuable components of your education and to decide what you are willing to sacrifice. Do you want smaller classes or a large campus with many resources? An urban campus or a quiet rural one? To get a real feel for the campus, a visit is essential. Try to meet current students and professors and ask them about their experiences. Pick up the school newspaper and check out the activities. Finally, if your first choice ends up not being an option don't lose hope because ultimately so much of the college experience is what you make of it. If you sit around waiting for things to fall in your lap you may be very unsatisfied. But if you seek out opportunities you're likely to be very rewarded.

The most important things to focus on when chosing a college are environment and academia. Trees and sky versus concrete and cement can go a long way towards how comfortable a student feels. The squirrels in my quad give me a good, happy laugh every morning when I'm going to class. Additionally, city verus country should be considered. City schools offer both the advantages (clubs, resturants, theaters) and the disadvantages (increased crime, strangers, traffic) that country schools sometimes lack. But, country schools have different advantages and disadvantages too that should be weighed. Happiness in the environment and feeling safe leads to increased will to learn. Academics are the reason a person attends college in the first place, so it should be heavily weighed when considering a college. Do the teachers have PhD's? Are the classes taught by those teachers or teachers assistants? Are the classes well structured and are the teachers as eager to teach as the students are to learn? All of these questions and more should be considered when choosing a college. Think over these questions and descisions and come to the conclusion that will lead to the best learning and nurturing place available.

I would tell parents and/or students to not pick a school based on how much it does or does not cost; there is always a way to make it work! Also, for students, its OK if you are unsure of what you want to study, just go after what you find most interesting. Almost everyone changes their mind at somepoint, and some people never figure it out, and thats ok!! Also, always ask questions, people want to help you! And lastly, enjoy yourself! While it is important to prioratize your time, go to class, study, and get your work done, I believe it is equally important to enjoy yourself. This is the one time of your life where your main responsibility is school which provides you with a lot more freedom than most times in your life. Go out, explore new things, go to shows, lectures, and other events and places your schools city and town and dont be afraid to meet new people!

Know who you are and aim for an environment like that.

Pick the one that sits with your gut; I knew immediately when I was on my campus I wanted to be there.

- Spend time at the college you're considering to make sure you like the environment and everything the school is about. - Choose a college you can afford.

The best advice I could ever give a student is to never limit themselves. In college you have endless opportunities to explore and learn and by censoring your learning you would be cutting yourself short. Step into forbidden territory, and challenge yourself. Explore deeper into your comfort zones. Reach out to new concepts with an open mind. To get the most out of your college experience you have let your mind flow without limits and follow the paths that intrigue you. To be able to find the right college, you must find a college with a cornucopia of opportunity. Classes, professors, jobs and friends will be constantly influencing your thoughts about your career, and you want a school that allows you flexibility, and offers you the chance to follow your passions. Whether you are already passionate about a subject or may develop a passion at college it is important to always do what you love and love what you do.

To me, the single most important thing about finding the right college would be to consider how comfortable one would feel there. What would be the point of attending the most respected college or university, if when you get there you feel akward and out of place? I believe that there are many ways to make the most of the college experience : 1) living on campus for at least one whole year to really get a feel for the school and to make friends, 2) Actively participating in events or activities of interest, and 3) Not to get too caught up in school work, make time for yourself and time for your friends to just relax and have fun while you are still young.

I would say to students: Go with the school that you really love, no matter what your friends say about it. That's where you'll be happiest. Don't stress about roomates or being the "perfect college student". Everything will fall into place on its own. That said, don't be lax about keeping track of everything you have to do. Having a calendar to keep track of all your assignments and engagements is a lifesaver, if you use it. Overall, have fun, and don't be afraid to get involved!

Tour a lot of different schools. It is the only way to really learn what you like and don't like from a school. Pamphlets and brouchers only show the good qualities about a school, and don't always show what the school is actually like. Touring lets you learn what the students, faculty, student life , buildings, etc. are like.

The most important thing when selecting a college is to sit down and make a list of what you want to get out of college, and then find a school that matches you. There are so many schools out there and they all specialize in different things. The perfect school for you does exist, you just have to look for it! Good luck!

I would advise parents to use their instincts and be as supportive as possible. Follow your dreams and aspirations and don't just chase money. Find a major that is going to make the student happy. Balance studying with socialization and keep your head up high.

Go where you think you're going to be able to focus academically. If that means moving away from your friends and the beach, then do just that. It's only four years, come back to for graduate work when you're ready to balance a social life and academics.

College is a period of time when an individual is expected to focus themselves on the education required to succeed in life. It is otherwise known as "the best years of your life." Therefore, the pressure pressed upon a student and his/her parents when choosing the right one can be heavy. The following questions need to be considers: "How far do you want to go?", "How big of a school do you want to attend?". and a recently very important one, "Do we have the money for you to attend this school?" I feel that it is absolutely necessary to make a list of the colleges or universities the student is interested in, research them, write down the pros and cons of each one, and DEFINITELY, most importantly, go visit the ones most compatible with the student's and parents' interests. When my parents dragged me to Simmons College 2 years ago, I told them there was no way I, Meaghan DeChristopher, was ever going to attend an all girls school. However, as soon as I saw Fenway Park, smelled the bustling atmosphere of Boston, and stepped foot on that campus, I knew it was the school for me.

Don't always go for "name brand" or "ivy league " schools, Simmons College has an awesome faculty, campus, and you won't regret it! :)

Half of the battle is finding the perfect location. You may want a prestigious school, but if it's in the middle of nowhere and you're not used to solitude, your unhappiness will outweigh your academia. Same goes for a school in a big city, when you're used to rolling hills. Your surroundings matter more than most people are willing to admit. The right college should also offer many majors and tracks you may be interested in. If you only see one or two you like, and you try them out and decide you don't enjoy them, you're out of choices by your second semester. Try and sit in on classes, if you can. Seeing the professors in action will give you the ultimate picture of how the college is run.

Honestly, the advice that I would give parents and students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is to eliminate any preconceived notions you have about college and to arrive on move-in day with a clear head and a clean slate, ready to be written on. Despite all the tours of you may have taken, all the advice from peers and other parents, and all the movies and TV shows you've seen about college life, you're not going to know exactly what your particular school is going to be like until you actually attend. Part of my problem was that as a freshman, I expected to make all these new friends, be incredibly popular and just generally be so happy with my life. Unfortunately, I didn't forsee that making friends at my school was difficult and I once again felt like I didn't fit in. I was miserable. Eventually though, after a failed transfer attempt, I began to love my school. Going off to college is a lot harder than some prospective students realize, but on the converse, it is a lot more fun than they may expect.

I would advise parents and/or students not to make their decision about finding the right college based on something such as whether or not the college is an all girl's school or not. I originally went to Boston University and I loved it but didn't do well in my classes becasue I was forced to take classes that didn't pertain to my major and I hated them. I didn't even apply to Simmons College becase I was skeptical about going to an all girls school. However, by the time I decided to transfer, I had a boyfriend and no longer cared about going to an all girl's school. It was then that I decided I wanted to transfer to Simmons. After having been at Simmons for a year now, I realized that I shouldn't have ruled it out in the first place becasue it is an excellent school that I can easily excell at. Academics is really the most important factor a school has to offer becasue if you end up at a school that's not right for you academically, it's near impossible to do well.

What helped me really narrow my search for a college was that I had decided on the major of physical therapy and I also decided on the location of Boston. This limited me to a handful of colleges in the Boston area. However I did still apply to some colleges in my home state just in case, as a back up. Once I was accepted into colleges I went back to visit them and really think about what I wanted and which school I would benfit most from. The turning point in my college decision was when I decided to spend a night at Simmons College with a current student. This student and her roommate greeted me with open arms. Showing me around the school and letting me attend their classes with them. I felt very comfortable there and safe. Everyone was friendly and eager to help. After that sleepover I decided that Simmons was the right college for me. I also think that when applying to schools and making a decision you really need to research them and list pros and cons.