St Bonaventure University Top Questions

Look dor what best suites you. Dont just go where your friends are going.

Concentrate on finances. Hopefully you have a true financial plan for your college career because it is expensive. Especially if you decide to go to a private school or a big univerisity. You want to look at schools that you are interested in but when making your final decision, finances must be a huge factor. Many students dont realize the just how much their lives can be affected by student loans. They are not the worst thing in the world but if they can be avoided you will be much better off. Once your choices have been drastically narrowed pick the one that you really feel you will love. Once you decide it is a great hastle to transfer and is not something I reccommend. Parents must be a big support system for their kids when they are going through this change in their lives. They need them even though they probably will not admit it then. Without you to push them and direct them to make the right decision they might have to learn things the hard way. You are their true guidance. If you are financially stable help them. They will thank you when they strike it rich.

I would say to make sure you like the size of your college. Size can make a huge difference. At bigger schools, students are just numbers and rarely get to know their professors. In a smaller school, students can comfortably talk to their professors and get help, and professors can better tell if a student is really trying. Also, consider the amount of major programs your school offers. If you don't know what you want to do, it is important to go to a school with many options in case you decide to change your major. Overall, see how a campus makes you feel. If you go for a visit and the school is right for you, you will know. If you are extremely skeptical about anything, the school probably is not the right one for you.

Parents, I would encourage your college bound student to apply to a wide variety of colleges, both private and pubic. I realize during this time of financial instability the price tag on private colleges may be high but your child may qualify for scholarships and/ or financial aid which will reduce the price tag. Once your child has received there acceptances I encourage you and your college bound student to visit each of the colleges. Talk with your child about what you liked or didn't like about a college, listen to what your child has to say about each of the colleges. Your child may think that they want to go far far away from home but if you in your heart that these hundreds of miles away from home is not right for this child speak up. Compromise, Help your child make the right choice for them and let them know that if it was the wrong choice they could always come home.

Go with your heart. Do research about your choices. Visit schools. Talk to directors and admission counselors!

Choose a college where you will be able to learn best. Look at class sizes and major choices before anything else. Virtually anywhere you go you will make friends and have an eventful social life (although St. Bonaventure has an exceptionaly strong social connection). Wherever you will be sucessful is key in your college career because school comes first. From indirect and direct experience, choose a school that is not too far away, because you will become home sick, but one that is just far enough from home that you won't be distracted by your family and high school friends.

Students: Dont be discouraged by a roommate. Its easy to get along the first week because you're both new, searching for friends and discovering where you belong. It's OK if you're not best friends, from my experience roommates do not become the 'best' of friends, just a friend. Second, take full advantage of the library and any opportunities (clubs/activities) that you wouldn't have tried in highschool. Finally, College is not purely academics, you need to have fun and enjoy the experience! Parents: Your child needs to have this wonderful experience. Sending them away (or at least living on campus) will probably be the best thing you can do for them. Its better to make any mistakes now than later so don't be upset if he/she makes mistakes or gets in a little trouble; everything will work itself out. Finally, be there for them if they need you, take the time listen to their week or any issue they have!

Just look at each college and make the best choice possible.