Stanford University Top Questions

The most important thing to look for is probably the student opinion of the school. If the current students don't seem to like the school, that's a good indication that it isn't an ideal environment. Besides student opinion, I would suggest looking into the extracurricular options. College is about more than just academics, and if you don't have a good social network (often facilitated by joining a student group or a team) you are less likely to be completely happy. That being said, I honestly believe that a student can be happy at almost any institution. There are so many different types of people at every college, and you just need to seek out the people who share your interests. In terms of making the most of the college experience, I think you should try lots of activities until you find one or two that you can love and participate in for the rest of your college career. And remember, college isn't all about the classes. College requires finding a balance between schoolwork and social activities. Sometimes you really just need to ignore the homework and blow off some steam with your friends.

Start early! Explore and develop your interests early on, and by the time junior year rolls around, you will be ready to start looking at colleges that are strong in your respective passions. While visiting each prospective college, develop a relationship with someone on that campus who can give you the insight into the chosen school. This advice has the potential of becoming invaluable when it comes down to making the final decision of where to go to college. By the time the spring of your senior year comes, try to go to as many Admitted Students Weekends as possible, and then make your final decision. Making the most out of the college experience is different for each person. While one person might be contributing to campus life by joining a drama club, another person would be contributing just as much by joining with the American Cancer Society (as an example). Follow your interests and explore them in depth within the context of graduating on time and finding a job in the future.

When it comes to choosing the right college, a first place ranking on the Forbes list is far less important than finding a college that best suits your interests and goals. College rankings change every year, and thus, it would be unwise to make a decision that will impact the rest of your life from information that is unreliable. A college ranked for the stellar research of its faculty may come at the price of poor lectures that do not engage your interest. An extremely high academic reputation may cultivate obsessive competitiveness among students, pressuring them not to actually learn, but to just obtain high marks in class, leading to plagiarism, depression, suicide, and a host of other negative effects. On the other hand, having a variety of academic resources including study space, tutoring and counseling services are greatly conducive to a rich learning experience. Some other important factors to consider are the college?s alumni relations and career counseling services. Apart from providing internship opportunities, these are good resources for planning your life after graduation, making your college experience more complete. Lastly, but equally important are the options your college provides for financing your education. Do not overlook this.

In order to find the right college you must go and visit it. No brochure can tell you more about the environment and everyday life of a college as can a visit and stay there. Making the most of the college experience will require you to be honest with yourself about what you want to get out of being there. Don't listen to what other people like to do for fun, you must decide for yourself what makes you happy and what you want to get out of the experience. For everyone it's different and just requires that you do what's best for you and your happiness. You have to find out who you really are in order to know what makes you happy and going to college to the environment that best suites you makes that happen. College will give you your first taste of freedom and that freedom will allow you to find who you really are or who you want to become.

Don't make your decision based on big names or money alone. Make sure you feel comfortable there, or know that you'll soon feel comfortable there, even if you don't at first. Class size matters more than the quality of the professor if it's a good enough college. And try your best to stay on a sane sleep schedule, especially if you're sickly; it's the best way to stay healthy.

One of my favorite memories is sitting on a stool eating fresh seafood with my dad, talking about his days at Stanford University. We had spent the day touring the school and visiting his old hangouts. From that day on, I knew I wanted to go to Stanford. I was lucky that I knew which college I wanted to attend, and fortunately I was accepted. So I can?t give much advice about how to choose the right college, other than follow your heart. However, I have plenty to say about making the most of the college experience. Remember that college is about discovering who you are. My freshman year was filled with bad decisions and I failed my first class. I was devastated and for a while I was disappointed and regretted my mistakes. Through that experience, I learned more about myself and am working to become the person I want to be. College can be hard, even when you are at your dream school, so I encourage students to experiment, rely on and listen to those who love you, and remember that mistakes show us how we can improve and that no one can achieve greatness without them.

Visit the college and get to know as many people from that college. Picture yourself living there and being friends with those people that you met.

Go to the college where you feel happy, accepted and appreciated. Once you are at the college of your choice, take advantage of every possible resource there is on campus. Do any and all activities you're interested in, seek out tutoring services, talk to career advisors, eat out with faculty, form study groups with people in your classes, get to know your library, take a class you'd never think of taking, play a sport you've never played, see school plays, listen to musicals, go to at least one football game, explore the town the college is in, and never settle. Also, beware of the freshman fifteen- go work out!

Going to college is like getting an invitation to the party. This doesn't mean that college, itself, is one big party, although, for those so inclined, there could be plenty of plastic cups and walks-of-shame. Rather, it means that A.) the party is what you make of it, and B.) different parties offer different opportunities. In my case, it was important to me that, at Stanford, I could benefit from a high quality of life and a slew of research grants for undergraduates. If I had gone to another school, I still would have been challenged, inspired, and empowered, because A.) college is what I make of it. But at Stanford, the Anthropology department awarded me a grant to travel to Guatemala as a freshman, because that's the kind of music playing at the Stanford party. The party isn't easy to get into, and it certainly isn't easy to get through--especially when finals roll around--but it's the kind of celebration you never want to miss; full of color, excitement, and a little bit of fear, but with an expansive view of the world, sprawling before you like a red carpet.

To parents, let your child make the decision about which college to choose - this is a decision he/she will have to live with. At the same time, you can help him/her make the right decision by guiding him/her to look at academics, extracurricular activities, student life, etc.

I would tell students to see all the prospective campuses, and judge which feels right. When it happens, when you find the right one, you will simply smile and your eyes will beam. That is the place you need to go.

Make sure you find out as much information as possible before deciding. Do not pick the school that sounds the best but the school you actually feel is the best fit for you.

not a student anymore so can't use scholarship...

Every college has its own personality and its own "type." Some schools are looking for that straight-A wonderkid, but others are much more impressed by someone who is able to change their behavior and work habits and turn a rocky start into a success story. Some put a lot of emphasis on SAT scores; some don't. Different schools might value different types of people and different extracurricular activities. Have pride in who you are and what you do, and decide that you want to go to a school that values who you are. If a school doesn't value you, that probably means there aren't too many people like you at that school --- as a result, you might not be too happy there. Essentially, be yourself. Allow college admissions to be a process of self-discovery, not a stressful trial. Get the best grades you can, do what you love, and be proud of what you do. Find out who you are, and represent that as best as you can on your application. That is what will get you into the right school for you -- not turning yourself into who you think colleges want you to be.

Let your son/daughter choose the best fit. They may not always know, but they will always have a better idea about where they would do best to learn than you. Support them in all they do, but remember it's their turn to learn and college is not always about the academics.

Think about the kind of environment in which you want to develop or want your child to develop. Don't think just about the opportunities that a school provides (though those are also important), think about the values that a school holds and fosters. Your values are much less likely to change than your career plans, especially since few 18-year-olds know for sure where they want to be when they leave college anyway. Also, a school's values will often attract other students, your soon-to-be best friends and alumni network, and your friends have just as much impact on your growth in college as your advisors and professors. If you value open-mindedness, go to a school that actively fosters diversity and open discussion. If you value stability, go to a school that actively prepares its students for job searches and careers. That way, no matter how many times you change your major or your future plans, you'll be in a place that will help you grow both academically and as a person.

While I think it's a myth that there is one perfect college for you/your child, there are colleges that will be a better fit. Trust your intuition by visiting the campus, wander, explore. Make sure to talk to the students (not just the ones admissions sends to talk to you). Go to some student events/happenings on campus. Visit a dorm. And sit in on a class--both a typical freshmen class (these often tend to big lectures) and an upper division class as well since your college experience will be comprised of both. And like most freshmen--if you're not sure what you want to major in or think you might change your major at some point, pick a school that has a lot of strong departments so you're not pigeon-holed into doing something. Your college experience is not just the academics though--but the connections you forge with peers and faculty. Does the school have lots of extracurricular activities? (This is where I learned the most and found my closest friends). And when you get to college, try some new activities, not just what you did in high school. GOOD LUCK!

My advice to parents and to students would be not to be concerned with the price of college, but to instead pay attention to what the school will provide academically and extracurricularly (in the long run). Although money is a concern during the college process, it can't make up for the amazing opportunities that an institute of higher learning (private or not) may provide, and the education that will benefit not only the student, but the people he or she will affect as an educated citizen in the future. A good school that truly cares about the student will try its best to present you with the best financial aid package. For the student, the best part of college is meeting other students and faculty members, engaging in research, and discovering new hobbies and talents. These experiences help the student to grow as a person, and are much more valuable than any amount of money could provide. As a student at Stanford currently on financial aid, I would say that it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made--I am currently working with faculty and will be majoring in Engineering.

Deciding on what college to attend is a serious and important decision. The best advice I can give is to make sure you have enough time to really consider each of your choices. Visit the schools, talk with people who go there to find out what they thing, essentially gather as much information as you can before you commit to anything. Also, I think it is best to approach the situation with an open mind in order to avoid comparing schools too much initially. In the end, you will be comparing your choices, but while you are at each school, just take the experience for what it is and enjoy your time there. I ultimately made my decision based on where I felt most comfortable and I am one hundred percent sure that I made the right decision. If nothing else, go with your gut and you'll more than likely not end up disappointed.

Look for somewhere you are confortable with the people and the surroundings.

Although Stanford was not my first choice, it was the best thing that happened to me. Be open about exploring college options and don't focus too much on prestige and rankings. To find the right place for you, look at the other kinds of students who attend that college and see if those are the types of people you want to spend the best 4 years of your life with. Be sure to consider geographic location and transportation methods in addition to the weather in that area (you would be surprised how important this becomes). And last of all, college will only be what you make of it -- bring the right attitude and the great experiences will find you!

I would tell students to simply be yourself, and do not be afraid of change. Find your passion and develop your own talents and skills rather than just following the crowd. Always stand up for your beliefs and morals, and you will find that people will be drawn to you. These words of encouragement may initally sound simple or chiche, but if you are unique and confident, the world will open up to you. College is a time of self-discovery, and it is truly possible to become the person of your dreams.

In order to pick the right college, young students must not only visit the colleges they're considering, but also spend enough time there. Many colleges have admittance weekends, where accepted students may stay for the weekend before committing to the college. DO THIS! Not only will it give you the feel for the school and whether the fit is right, but also, if you do choose to attend that school, you will already be prepared with what preparations might be necesarry. GO CARD!

visit and talk to students