SUNY at Purchase College Top Questions

Finding the perfect college is sometimes seen as a long and grueling experience but it doesn?t have to be! Visiting the school during the school year is my best advice; that way you get to see how the students interact with one another in their natural settings and whether or not you would feel comfortable. Another important piece of advice would be to not let money interfere with finding the right college because there are always scholarships and loans you can take out. Once you find the right college, make sure you get involved! Joining different clubs and/or sports teams are the best ways to meet new people and keep you healthy and active in your school community. Most schools have many activities that are free for students and joining a few clubs will get you more involved with these events and have an inside scoop on what?s going on around campus. Aside from groups on campus also try to get involved and volunteer somewhere near your school to learn more about the community around you. College can sometimes be a bubble, so make sure you explore the space around you too!

College tours through admissions are often highly choreographed and don't give you a sense of what life will be like at the school. I would advise prospective students to directly contact the departments and organizations at the school that they'd be interested in joining. Having run a campus club, we would be more than happy to host high school students at events. The lists of campus clubs and organizations are often outdated, so it's best to try to contact them rather than assume that they're still active. Professors who are willing to take the time to talk to high school students about their work and future interests are the ones most likely to be accessible when you're a student. While professor pedigree is important, you should also look at how active they are in research and in lecturing. Sometimes prominent professors don't teach classes; sometimes good teachers aren't engaged in their own work. And no matter how convinced you are that you'll major in physics, you will probably change your major. Choose a school based on how strong its Humanities, Social Science, etc programs are, rather than individual departments.

The one most crucial thing anyone can do to make the most out of their college experience is to be honest to themselves and to others about what it is they want. If you are not completely honest about what you want out of your college you can easily fall into an unwanted situation. When looking at colleges do your best to get different viewpoints. When visiting a campus tours can be useful, but go up and try to talk to a few students you see around campus and see what they think. Those invovled in orientation groups and tour leaders are a distinct group of students, try and see what others think too. Finding people who are disatisfied with the school is one of the best ways to learn about it. Commonly a school will give off an impression that is the opposite of what its really like in order to combat those fears, and sometimes not. Talking to as many different groups of people who know about the school is the best way to learn about it. Email proffessors in departments you're interested in, try and contact alumni. But above all be honest to yourself. Good luck!

Students should start looking for a school early. The student should consider where they want to go to school, what majors they are looking into, extracurriculars, the social atmosphere they are looking for and their financial situation. During college it is important to work hard and focus on your coursework as well as taking advantage of everything college has to offer and having fun. It's important to network with other students and professors and to take advantage of professional opportunities as soon as possible. Check in with career councelors and advisors to make sure you are on the right path. Enjoy yourself, take in new experiences and live out loud.

Go with your gut instinct, pick a place where you feel like you will really fit in but will also allow you room to grow. Also look at things like the student government and see what kind of impact the students make on their campus, it will tell you alot about the community you are going to be a part of.

I would tell people to follow their hearts and to choose a school based on their needs and wants opposed to parents, family or friends. It is one of the most important decisions you will make, and you want to be sure the choice is right for you.

I would advise parents and students who are considering attending a college or university to visit the school first. This will give the attendee a chance to see if they feel comfortable in the campus atmosphere. Also there is nothing wrong with changing ones major or transfering schools. If your first choice does not work do not be ashamed to fix the problem. Being mentaly, physically, emotionally happy is the most important.

Graduating High School I was accepted into Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, but came home to NY after the first semester, convinced that neither flying nor Florida was for me. Taking classes un-matriculated at the local SUNY, I was able to raise my GPA and was accepted to SUNY Purchase for my sophomore year. Located twenty-five minutes outside of White Plains, access to work was not an issue nor is home, one hour away. This past summer, I attended a Study Abroad in China program for five weeks, learning Chinese and Calligraphy. Flight school would be a minimum of four times more expensive a year, disabling me from seeing the world as a student and restricting my adaptability professionally. I am now helping develop an on campus charity inspired service, offering on campus bicycle taxi service and am trying to introduce a number of other services for small donations to raise money for as many charities as the students volunteering want. After graduation I plan on investing in bicycle taxi's as fundraising devices for educational charity. College is where dreams meet needs, you don't always need to attend a famous school to achieve your dreams.

Sometimes you can't really tell it's the right school until you've been there a while. Don't base everything on appearances.

In the application process, consider first the impact your education will have on your desired field, if you want to be a C.E.O. perhaps art college is not the best place for you even if you do like the student center. If you are unsure of what direction you want to go with your career, choose a college that has a breadth of strong schools within. Interview. If you truly love a school from the moment you set foot on its campus, interview. Let them know that you want to attend their college, and are not just a nother number to be included in a tally of students who were accepted but did not attend. When you do (finally) make it to a college, get involeved in campus activities at the beginning, student government and clubs are a great way to meet people who share your interests but may not live in your housing area or share your course schedule. Get an internship as soon as you can! By the end of your sophomore year you should have a least one month of working experience in your chosen field.

Don't always look at tuition cost for picking schools, becuase in many cases they'll give you enough financial aid.

I would recommend that the student look for an environment that can really work as a catalyst to what they are studying. For instance, in the case of Purchase, if you are studying art attend a school that has an artistic environment. Usually, schools tend to focus on specific subject areas that the majority of the student body are involved in. Therefore, if so-and-so school is known for their athletics it's most likely that the school environment would be athlete geared/business will have a business feel, etc. By looking at the "main major" at the campus or biggest draw it will say a lot about what type of students attend it . Good Luck!

Don't question your passion. Do what other people tell you your good at and enjoy.

When entering my college experience, I had no idea what to expect, and that turned out to be the most advantagious standpoint I could have gone in with. My advice to upcoming students and parents is to visit many schools and try to find the place you feel most comfortable. However, don't expect more than what you put in to come out of the years you spend at your perspective school, because the college experience is truely what you put into it. No matter where you end up, get out and participate, be it in extra-curricular activities (plays, sports, or clubs) or student government, or what ever you're into; just make sure you are active. College is more than classes and grades, it is the networking, the people you meet, the things you learn outside of the classroom that really help you grow into the college graduate you will be.

Don't be afraid to change your mind. College is a learning experience, and it's okay to switch majors, or even schools. Enjoy yourself.

After having visited over a dozen schools around the Northeast and applying (and getting accepted) to over a half-dozen around the country, I learned the hard way that if you don't know what you want to do for a career, you should at least be in an environment that can shape you positively as an ADULT. In a bizarre way, Purchase offered that to me. There are few if any 'elite' students here - everyone is trying to get by, but doesn't necessarily want a desk job. The place is burning with creativity but not everyone has a plan. It's a great place to learn a lot outside the classroom and make your own life beyond college. If you want a college that will guarantee a job at the end of your four years, look for one - but if you want to grow as a person and take a more individualistic path, find a school that has good resources and community over academic competition and rigid cirriculae.

Make sure you pick your college based on the right reasons. Do not allow your parents, teachers or peers to influence your decision. This will ensure the best fit for you. Make sure you visit potential college campuses while school is in session so you get a feel for the atmosphere and student life. Otherwise, you'll have no idea what to expect when starting school there!

It is a long, confusing, and complicated process that needs a lot of time and consideration to make the right decision. It's a lot of pressure to ask that most students know who they are and what they want to be at the onset of our young adulthood and the best thing society and acadamia can do for its youth is to provide rich, plentiful and diverse learning environments forthose who may otherwise be sheltered (due to economic restrictions and/or geographic misfortune) and depraved of such experiences. It is important both student and parent understand the ins and outs of the heavy financial burdens they are imposing upon themselves and they should be able to feel confident that the amount they are investing into their post secondary education (time, money, relations sacrifices, etc) will pay itself off in the form of prosperous relationships and networks they form with their piers and faculty at their chosen school.

The best advice I could give would to be to look around and explore all your options. Visit a campus and wander around, talk to students on line in the cafeterias. They will be more than willing to talk about their school weather they love it or hate it. And do not feel limited to one school; if you are not comfortable in one place feel free to change. Go where your heart takes you.

I feel it is very important to visit the college of your interest. Make sure you ask every question you have to both the current students and faculty. Students, with the help of their parents should decided on the following factors before making any decisions: how big you want the school, how far you want the school, the programs and majors offered for your interest, and anything else that you strongly believe, whether it is your religious views or eco-friendly environments, find out if the school of your interest offers them. Also, make sure when you are visiting the school, you go during the day, preferably on a warm, nice day.

Finding the right college at eighteen is a hard thing to do. Going to college at eighteen and trying to find yourself is even harder. My advice is try to find yourself before you make your decision. When it comes down to it, college isn't about the parties and the crazy friends you find, these are highlights, but they aren't what is important. You have to have a value for education if you're going to go to college; a need to learn. Be passionate, creative, and find an interest in everything you come upon. Question everything. Have an open mind and use your voice while at school. I feel like I chose the best college for me, because I knew who I was at eighteen and being here I?ve found myself even more. I feel like my college supports who I am and what I value, and also supports whatever differences I might have to someone else. Education is such a beautiful thing if you're willing to work at it. Most importantly, don't be afraid of the future, embrace it!

Talk to the other students at any prospective college, not tour guides or R.A.s. Pay attention to how much freedom students are given both academically and residentialy. If the college you or your child end up attending is know for its prevalent drinking and drug use do not get overly involved it will hurt both your GPA and your social life. And remember, college is not real life, do not take anything you experience there too seriously except for your studies.

Give yourself time to decide on a major, try everything. Once you find out what fits, go for it full throttle. Get close with your professors--they know a great deal and want to share with you what they know, and they will help you procede into professional life. Read everything.

All through high school I was convinced that I wanted to attend Sarah Lawrence college. Never, though, did I actually visit the school, never did I stay at a weekend retreat with upperclassmen. And I believe this was one of the primary issues with my freshman year resulting in tears and transfers. As a commuter I never was able to spend enough time on campus and meet students. Those who I did try to meet shunned me because of my economic status. I really feel that it is important for a prospective student to spend time on the campus of their choice. Either through a summer program, or just a weekend visit; this opportunity allows students to get to know the environment on campus and the collective personalities of the students who attend there. Its a great way to get the feel of the community that theyll be moving into and the only way to know if youll fit into the school you long to go to. Prospectives are also given tours of the campus, allowing them to know the ins and outs of the area, and giving them time to bond with students over their favorite pastimes.

Visit schools, talk with professionals in the field you want to go into, talk to students who go to the school and talk with instructors before choosing a school. Additionally, look for small class sizes and an atmosphere that is caring and supportive.

Parents and students should remember one thing about choosing a college: environment is key. If you don't fit into your school's surroundings then you're probably not going to have a good time and your grades might even reflect that. If you're a city guy/gal then find a school in a city and vice versa if you prefer wide open spaces. Keep in mind that maintaining a healthy psychological level is essential in becoming successful and the environment in which you live is one of the most prominent factors influencing your mental well-being.

It has to feel right. There were two other schools that were really appealing to me, but the one I chose felt right to me. It definitely helps to visit the campus, find out what you can about its programs, features and professors, and especially TALK to former or currently enrolled students. Whether it's in person, on Facebook, or by phone, talk to people who know what the school is like, and find out what they are like. If you talk to someone who says the school is amazing, but you don't think you would get along with that person, then you should take it into consideration that the school may not have the same effect on you. Finally, remember that it isn't the end of the world if you pick the wrong school. A good portion of my friends are transfer students and are doing fine. Good luck!

Honestly, I only visited two colleges, one of which was with a friend who was thinking of attending that school. I only applied to one college which I got in, but I always will regret not visiting and doing more research on other schools. Deffidently keep your options open, visit as many schools as possible, ask about the curriculums and all the necessary information of course, but talk to the students while you're there. Ask for their honest opinion, what the teachers are like, the weekend life, dorms, how the offices help you, they'll tell you without trying to make the school sound better than it is, they're living it. For the student applying, don't be a hermit and deffidently don't judge a book by it's cover, get out and socialize and converse with the new life that you chose for yourself. Even if you're a commuter, like myself, don't separate yourself from campus life. There's a lot going on and the schools and students try to make that information available via internet or bulletins. Take advantage of what you are offered and make the most out of it.

I chose my college based on three things: it was affordable, somewhat close to home, and I got into the creative writing program that I really wanted to be in. But I never actually took the time to take a tour of the school to find out extra information on it, which I think is something parents and students should definately do when deciding their school. Ask students and teachers on campus what they think, sit in on a class, stay over for a night and see how you truly think and feel about the school because you are paying money to be there and it is the one time in your life that you will be at college, so of course, make the best out of it! When you're at school dont hold back from making friends, joining groups, and getting the most from your classes. If you keep a positive outlook and have a good support group of friends you will definately be fine. Its the friendships and the memories you make that make you want to go back to your school. Enjoy every minute and just be yourself! It's the best time of your life.

Make sure you visit the school! That is so important. I like Purchase a lot, but I wish I had visited more schools, just to be sure. Also, talk to people who already go and who are in the program you'd like to be in. Facebook.com is a great resource for finding other students at your prospective school. Current students will give you the inside scoop: they'll be honest about how to food is, what the teachers are like, the social life, dorms- they really have nothing to lose in telling you the truth. Finally, parents should be involved, but not too much so. There's nothing worse than feeling like you have to pick a school because your parent went there or because they like the campus or anything else. Support your children, but don't pressure them into any decisions.

College is about making your own home. In high school, our homes are given to us, but college is an opportunity to create one's own social circle, daily routines and relationship with their surroundings. When I read about my school's statistics, I didn't want to go there. The visit seemed like a waste of time. When I got a look at the campus, however, and felt the energy coming off of the students walking around, I knew that I could make a home here for myself. It's home because I made it home.

There are a lot of things to consider when choosing a college that best suits you. There is financial aid, distance willing to travel, and size of the school. When choosing a school based on academics so many students end up changing their major so it is impotant to remember that and choose accordingly. The hardest part of my college career was choosing a major, i changed so often because i wanted to do so many different things. Once there is a connection with a class that no other class offered you thats when you know that you found your major. Simply taking random classes and fulfilling general education requirements one is bound to come across a class that meets all your interests.

Pick the school you're most comfortable with, not only academically, but socially as well.

Dont take what you are learning for granted.