United States Naval Academy Top Questions

Allow the student to decide for themselves what they want. Parents should be supportive of decisions the student makes; yet, they should still guide them and assit when the student has tough questions as to where to attend. The student should not be pressured into attending a specific college or studying a specific major only to please their parents. It is ultimately the student trying to learn a set of skills in order to progress in their education and career.

Go with your instincts. If you had to choose in five minutes what would you do?

Parents need to guide their children without forcing them, encourage their children without pressuring them, and understand that their child will ultimately make this decision on his/her own. Instill good morals and virtues early to eleviate the worries of their child beginning a new chapter in life. Know their child will make mistakes, but let him/her know that they can perservere through anything if they have the right mindset. Be there for their children when needed, and little to no more. If he/she needs to talk, they will call; needs some cash, they will ask; needs advice, they will find you. Don't completely change his/her room, car, or possessions immediately after they leave. When he/she comes home, they need to know that it is still their home, even though, to them, it won't feel like it. Most of all, love your child and support him/her in whatever they choose, because at this point it is their life, not yours.

Visit the college that you want to attend because where you will be living will definately affect your years there. Every where is different, pick a school that fits your personality and pick it because it is where you want to be! You will do well if you hard charge and keep your head up!

Visit colleges, see the atmosphere, see how it fits you as a person, then, and only then, decide whether it is right for you. Keep special focus on the programs that it offers that you might be interested in and always make sure that you are going to college for the right reasons: to learn and go through life changing experiences.

This is the second college I have attended. Sometimes, I wonder if I made the right decision, if I even made the decision myself. Do not let your future be steered by the people around you. Listen not only to your heart, but also your hopes and expectations. Believe in the infinite possibilities, but understand the length of the roads you may need to take to get there. When you do get to college, try new things. Put yourself out there, meet people. Remember that, while you are there to cement your future, you are also there because you want to enjoy the present. Do not throw opportunities away, and make friends you want to keep. Be true to yourself always and never forget where you came from.

Visit the school.

Go to the various schools while the student body is there and classes are going on. Be nosy and get a real feel for the place.

Go to the college you intend to apply to. Talk to the students. More importantly, ask yourself what you want the college to do for you - where do you want to be when you graduate, and how is this school going to help you achieve that goal?

The best advice I can offer to students is to pick the school where you feel you will excel the most. Don't pick it based on what you parents say or whether they're alumni or even whether you're friends will be attending the same one come fall semester. To be honest, whether or not you graduate depends solely on your accomplishments not those of your parents or your friends-just yours. Also, find the one that best fits your needs whether it may include financial assistance, specific career major routes such as pre-med or pre-law, and or even a specific sports team you'd like to play for. To parents, all I can ask of them is to be supportive of their young ones and support them in whatever they choose for "where there is a will there is a way."

Most students change their minds several times about what they want to get from their time in college. Pick a program that matches the one thing that won't change: your personality. Once you're comfortable in your environment, you will begin to thrive. You will make better decisions about your education and career, and you will put yourself in the best possible position for success.

Making the most of the college experience is easy. Make friends and do as many things as you can on your parents money. It's the last time in your life that you have very little responsbility and your parents will cover the tab. As far as finding the right college is concerned, figure out who you like to be around (athletes, hippies, stoners) and walk around the campus/look at pictures of the students. If you can see yourself in the pictures or walking amongst the student body than its the place for you. Everyone will be able to find their own click once on campus.

Understanding the growth process associated with the undergraduate expierience is the essential aspect that parents must stress to the students. THe Student in turn, must be honest with themselves when evaluating their expectations for their college expierience. Together, the parent and the student have to understand that they will never see eye to eye on the issues they find most important to themselves. The parents, however, must appreciate that this is the first step in the student's maturation to adulthood.

I think the most important piece of advice that I can offer is to talk to students who attend or have attended your school of interest, as well as visiting the school campus for yourself. Try to get as many perspectives as possible and make an informed decision not on impulse but merit and compounding a pros and cons list.

If you know what you want to do in life, go to a school that will teach you. If you aren't sure, go to a school where you can get good grades so you can transfer once you figure it out. There is more than 1 way to get into a school you like. Some roads are a little longer than others.

Visit there at least once. Know the type of people you will be living and working with. Make sure that you're committed to what you want out of the school.

A person should not go tot college to simply go to college; a student should want to attend a university because he or she wants to better his or herself through education. Witht that in mind, the first factor to look at in my opinion is location. Your college of choice will be your home for the at least the next four years, so it is important to go somewhere you would want to live. Issues such as price are secondary because regardless of where in the country you are looking to go to school, there are expensive, cheaper, more historical, more modern, etc. types of schools. Once you have found what area of the country to go to school, and schools that meet your budget, it is time for a road trip to visit those schools. The key is to find the pulse of the campus: go to the academic buildings, look at a dormitory room, eat in a dining hall, talk to students, or watch a sporting event. All these things would be a part of your life at that school. so try them (so to speak) and see how they fit.

If you have a general idea of what you want to do after graduation it makes life in college much easier. Sit down and think that through before making decisions on what college to attend because in a sense you are taking the first step to locking yourself into that profession. If you pick the right school based on what you see inyour future you will be with other students with similar interests which makes your classes and social life much easier and allows for a better chance of success. You also get to meet people in your future field (peers or professors) who might be in your field down the road after graduating. Enjoy college wherever you are otherwise the four years of it will make you not ever want to go back to school later on. With the increasing number of students attending grad schools this could be one of the things that hold you back from getting a promotion at work.

If you are like me, you may never be able to find that "definite, this is it, I just know it" answer. You have to look at where you are and where you want to be. Don't be afraid to take a chance. There are no regrets in life. I chose the military academy path. There are many times when I've looked back and asked myself, "Was that the right choice?" I can never get a straight answer out of myself, but I do know one thing: I'm proud of what I've done, and I feel like I've accomplished something in my life. Any student or parent should know that picking a college isn't about which is the best one, but which is the best one for you, and that might even mean taking a chance at something unknown. That's what college is about. It's about discovering yourself and finding out what drives you in life. It teaches you how to stick to something tough and how to come out on top. College is a life lesson--in and out of the classroom.

The most important thing in choosing a college is where you want to be in your future. I have always known that I wanted to serve my country and that becoming a military officer was right for me. Choosing the Naval Academy was a huge step in my life but I have never looked back and regreted my decision. You always have to make the best of college, especially at a school like the academy. You must always remember your goals and desires and why you are there. Always keeping these things in mind will make school and life much more enjoyable. Whenever things become stressful here, I step back and remember I am doing all this so that I can become a great leader one day and be responsible for people's lives. My main objective is to learn as much as I can now so I can perform later for my sailors or marines. Choosing the right college is very important and I would recomend thinking very hard about your future goals, not so much what kind of social life you are going to have there.

Think about the end result when you graduate from college.

Prospective students need to be allowed the opportunity to experience whatever college on their own, away from the guided tour and (most likely) over bearing parents. In terms of decisions, choosing a college does not need to be the life defining choice that it is made out to be, people transfer all the time, rearrange their life goals based on new experiences and, more simply, realize they've either made a great choice, or a mistake. When I chose my college, walking around campus just felt right. The combined attitude of the students, professors, coaches and staff all helped to shape my two day recruiting visit that turned into a a four year career.

My best advice would be to understand that a good education is important, but having a positive learning environment is just as crucial. Being successful takes hard work, it is a hard world out there and although many people like to party while in college, that turns out to be of minimal help in finding success. Please, do your research, you can get what you up into it from any school.

Make sure that you know what you want in life and make sure that when it comes to choosing the right college that it offers everythig that you need to succeed.

Have long term goals in mind. College is short compared to the life you have to lead after it. Make a decision on college based on what will make you the happiest and most successful.

Follow what seems right, and if college doesn't work out enlist in the military and serve your damn country.

Make decisions about what aspects of a college are important to you, and then put together your "short list" of compatible schools with the help of counsellors and parents. Make sure to choose include both your "dream" school and a "safe" backup or two so your options are kept open. Visit these schools early, and when possible consider participating in a summer event at one of your favorite schools so you have a chance to really immerse yourself in a bit of its culture before you make the big choice. Once you have accepted a college offer, whole-heartedly join the community and make an conserted effort to to do your best while maintaining a balanced lifestyle including service through campus organizations and academics -- many great friendships will surely follow if you work hard and keep an open mind and heart.

On making the most of your college experience, I would have to say you get out of college what you put into it. For example, I go to the United States Naval Academy, in Annapolis, Maryland , and it is quite tough. However, if you stick with it, you CAN succeed. You simply need to find the resources, teachers, and friends avaliable and use them. I am a scholar-athlete and All-American winner, and I've been able to balance it all. Time management and balance is key for a healthy, happy college experience, wherever you choose to go. Good luck!!!

Don't ever just settle for a college, make sure you're excited about where you want to go!

You want to attend a good school that will propell you into a sparkling future, but you also want to have fun. It's your time to enjoy freedoms and experience life on your own.

Applicant weekends, where an interested high school student may shadow a student around for a day of classes and even part of the weekend, is very helpful in guaging whether the school of interest is a good fit. As far as making the most of a college experience, get involved. Schools, especially the Naval Academy, offer so many unique, once in a lifetime opportunities and usually at little to no cost.

The best thing to do to make the most of your college experience is to pick a school that works best for you. Don't choose a school because of its reputation, or it's sports teams, or how much money they will give you. All of these are important factors, but in the end, you have to find a place that suits your needs, where you can be happy, and succeed. In the end, it doesn't matter how great your school is or how much they are paying you. If you are not happy there, none of it matters. Once you have found the school that woks for you, get involved. Find an activity that you enjoy and join a club or a sport. Clubs give you an automatic group of people who are interested in the same things as you, and it is easier to make friends. ALso, make sure you get your work done, but don't forget to have fun. Take a lot of pictures and enjoy every minute, because it only lasts 4 short years.

Make sure the school fits you.

Parents: Get kids done essays and whatnot early, but give them time to develop those things themselves so they mean something to them. For college visits, back off Students: Visit as much as possible, and try to stay as long and as involved as possible

Just do it

Make sure the environment is right for you. Yuou have to know that you will get along with people on campus and that you will be able to socially adapt. It is important to develop your social skills while in college to better prepare yourself for the real world. Also, make sure your general major is at the university. Many people go to college thinking they want to major in one thing and end up switching, if you are unsure of your major look for a college with a diverse set of options. Also, try to find a college with strong spirit and a motivation to "do." You will be motivated by the people around you; therefore, choose an environment conducive to the person that you want to be. And finally, choos ea college that will challenge you. Always try to grow and learn more in every situation.

Make sure you want to be a military officer before coming here. Also, be ready to work and take in as much info as you possibly can. The Naval Academy is not for everyone, but your opportunities beyond this school are infinite. You will never have problems finding a job with a degree from here. And last but not least, the US taxpayer pays for it. In fact, you get paid to come here.

You get what you put into the system. If the system, your college of choice, will not be able to meet your abilities then go somewhere else. Do not go somewhere for the sake of having an easy four years of college. Go to college and work those four years in order to have a lifetime of rewards. There is something miserable at every college, find what is best miserable for you.

Base the college choice on what you want to do in life.

Parents should not place any pressure on their children as they search for a college to apply to. Parents should also be supportive and help their children research and apply to different schools. Children should be open minded as they are searching for a school and should keep their strengths, weaknesses, and interests in mind. I believe one will recieve as much as they place into their college experience. Thus, students should strive for excellence in all areas of life (socially, academically, athletically, religously) in their college careers.

Visit as many colleges as possible - reading pamphlets and web sites is not enough! If possible, schedule an overnight visit at your top choices, and talk to students in your prospective major. As far as the actual college experience, take risks and get involved, and try new activities- the worst that can happen is that you don't like something, and best case scenario you find something you're passionate about and make friends who share the sentiment.

don't fuck up

Choose a college that has what you want and you feel will be the best place for you to fit in.

If you aren't happy change schools. Have fun and take part in whatever social, extracurricular and/or sport activities you want to but always keep in mind why you are at the institution- to learn...and set yourself up for a job afterwards. Never let anyone tell you that you can't do something- never limit yourself. Set goals and achieve them. Do not rule out service to your country, whether it be in the military or otherwise. Often college students lose a sense of direction and purpose because colleges do not promote those things (they would rather that you wander lost and spend more money that you do not have to waste your time with them) but service to something greater than self will help you regain that.

Before making the decision to attend a certain college make sure you talk with someone who has already attended that college. The next four years of your life will be affected by your decision. Try to figure out what you want to study or at least what kind of job you want to go into before choosing your school. Decide what is more important to you; academic success or social activity. Balance your work time and you play time and don't get too caught up in either one. Social development in my opinion is just as important as academic development when leading other people. You must learn how to deal with others.

I don't need this scholarship. I just did the survey to help prospective students decide if the US Naval Academy was right for them.

Go see as many schools as you can and talk to as many people as you can. You can never have enough information about a school.

Start early. Start asking questions at age 10, even 8. Life long learning and achievement begins with curiousity and knowing what you would want to be--whatever and however many they are.

Choose a school that focuses on what you are most interested in doing after college, but also one that allows for other options if you change your mind. If you do not know what you want to do after college, choose one with a move balanced curriculum that exposes you to your different choices.

There is a mad rush to get everything done the "right" way. Hurry with the application process and get everything turned in on time, but take the time to visit different kinds of colleges prior to submitting applications: large, small, greek-life driven, etc...; however, remember that all the research in the world is just research - you're personal integration and experience with the college will come with time. Don't get to wound-up about the process because it's going to work out and if you chose the right place, you'll have a good time. The right place is the student's decision and ease in deliberation is a factor of how much time was spent in research. I chose on a whim, at the last moment, for a whole slew of reasons, but that doesn't mean that my decision was rushed or uninformed. Maybe you'll get this gut feeling and remember that when you do, run with it.