University of Dayton Top Questions

Students and parents should both visit the schools they wish to attend. Participating in an overnight stay or weekend visit to the campus is very important to see how people accepy strangers. Academics are of course important, but as a student, you will be attending this school for four to five years, and you should make sure you will enjoy every moment of your college career. You only go to college once as a young student, and you should be able to not only get a good education, but have fun and be opened to new experiences as well.

Do all you can to encourage the student to apply for scholarships because if the student has enough money they will be able to attend which ever school they prefer. Also, try to visit the campus, if possible allow the student to stay over night by themsevles to get a feel for the atmosphere.

I would advise someone who is looking for a college to make the decision they feel is right for them, where they feel they would have a "home away from home" and make the decision for themselves not for anyone else. Do not let finances stop you from making the decision you feel is right. While it may be difficult to take out many loans and pay them back, the experience will be worth it. Once you are at your desired school do not be afraid to try something new and reach out to others to make new friends. Taking a risk is part of the challenge and part of the fun. Never stop believing that you can succeed and do not be afraid to ask for help. A college experience is a once in a lifetime opportunity that you will never forget so don't wait until it's too late--make the most of it while you can.

Go to a school you want, regardless of what others say and remember to make the best out of it!

College needs to be a life learning experience. It is not just about academics, activities, etc. It is the combine experience of it all. You should go where you feel like you can exceed in all areas.

Be open! Let everything sink in; don't just transfer after the first few months of uncomfortability. Do a lot of research and talk to people that go there

I would tell parents and students to go with their initial feeling when visiting the campus. Research the academics, social aspects and talk to the current students. Take it all in, and if your instinct is to drop everything and stay on the campus, then that is the school for you.

My advice is to look for a college that maked you feel comfortable and welcomed while also challenging your mentally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally. College is a great opportunity to discover yourself through challenging yourself academically and socially. There is much growth during college and choosing a college/university that supports all your needs, goals, and motivations is the first step in that journey. Make great friends, study hard, and enjoy being around a demographic that is eager to learn, lead, and serve.

make sure that you can live with your deceision for the next four years

To parents let your kids be kids i have found that parents that dont trust their kids tend to go crazy at school and to students GET INVOLVED in everything you can. That is where you make life long friends and also have a great time in the process.

Consider taking a year off between high school graduation and college enrollment to plan for the future. Applying to college is so hectic that there often is not time to really consider what you want to study and which school is best for you. Giving yourself some time to make these decisions will make the transition from high school to college less stressful and will allow you to make a better choice.

Look at schools that are completely different from each other, so that you get a good feel of what you like and don't like. That way you are less likely to end up transfering, or getting yourself into a situation where you are constantly angry with where you are.

I believe it to be extremely important to set overarching goals before the college selection process. Determine, in general, where you would like to be at and what major you think you might be interested in. After this, I would sit down and start doing targeted searches to identify schools that meet your criteria. Use a program like excel to catalogue your results and to make tables to show when applications are due. Be sure to get everything in before early action deadlines so that you have plenty of time to decide where you would like to go after being accepted. Once you have been accepted and are on your way to your dream school, do not shy away from everything your school has to offer. Take advantage of the clubs and activities that your school has for you to make friends and realize that the other students entering college with you are in exactly the same situation. Take pride in your school and realize that you are part of a small percentage of students privileged enough to be able to go to college.

I would suggest going to the college you most feel at home and fit in. You know when you step on the campus thats best for you because you'll just get that feeling. anywhere you pick will be a good choice

I would tell them to narrow down their choices to the top three universities and shadow a student at each one of them. It's true that the campus tours give you a plethora of information, but many of them can be too idealistic and visiting a student would give the most accurate impression of what the campus is really like. After the choice is made, when the student is there, he or she should know to get involved in as many activities as they can. Through process of elimination, the student would be able to find his or her ideal college experience.

Visit as many campuses as possible. You'll know the right one the minute you arrive.

visit the college and for prospective students, spend a night with a current student- you get a better view of the college than just what you see on the tour

The most impotant thing to remember is that no decision is final. While you should strive to choose the perfect school, don't let all of the presure and anxiety weight heavily on you. The whole college search in itself is stressful, but remember, if you are not truly happy at the school you choose --you can always do something about it. Don't let the cost of the school influence you either. Your college experience is one that you will cherish for the rest of your life, so choose a school because you love it. Choose it because it is a great fit for you! The details will work themselves out. Making the most of your college experience is very important. Get involved in anything and everything....even if you are not sure how you will like it. This is a time to find yourself, build a foundation for the rest of your life, and make tons of friends and memories! Don't let anything back -- try new things, go out on a limb, take a risk. The four years of your college life will have a huge impact on your entire adulthood. Live it with no regrets!

I would agree that finding the right school includes one that has a strong reputation for the program of your intereset, and small enough to have the right relationships with your professors in order for success in each course.

Visit the college, and follow your dreams. Talk to current students and teachers. Make sure that you feel at home.

I would say the most important thing aside from keeping your high school grades up is applying early to the colleges you really want to go to and applying for all the scholarships possible. Also start visiting colleges early and even if you don't visit everywhere else, at least visit your first choice. I was set on going to Bowling Green University because one of my friends really liked it there and i almost enrolled without even visiting. I was accepted and got a decent scholarship and as a last minute thing I decided to visit...then i realized how much I actually disliked the school. So if I could change one thing about how I approached going to college it would be to start the process early and not leave everything to the last minute. Aside from that I would say good luck on finding the right school for you and enjoy.

Finding the right college is like finding the right person to marry. Once you find what feels right, you know this is where you belong. After going on countless amounts of college tours, you may tend to become confused and overwhelmed. The best idea is to make a pro and con list to every school you visit and focus on the pro's. Are you more of a city person or do you like being laid back in the country? In the end what matters the most is that YOU are happy and to be happy means to choose where you feel comfortable..Once you begin your college experience, remember to always be yourself and never let anyone try to change who you are. Go to class, study, go out with your friends, work out, and DON'T order pizza every night! If you do all of these things, you will be living a well- balanced and happy life and your college experience will be worthwhile.

Visit as many colleges as possible. Talk to some of the students whom are in your field of study at that school. Make sure to visit the dorms and the cafeterias. After picking your college, get involved in a group to find out about everything the college has to offer, especially if that group is in your field of study.

Look into the student organizations, see what clubs and groups you would be interested in being a part of before visiting. Learn about the instructors, and as much as you can about the courses needed as a part of your degree. If those courses are what you want from college, and if that is what you want to do, then by all means attend that college. However, if you are unsure of your major, don't hesitate to attend a community college. This is a good way to get through general education courses, as well as give you some experience with a degree program that may or may not interest you.

Go and visit.

have several options visit the campuses talk to students who go there

To pick the right college, visit schools of all sizes and of varying distances from your hometown. See what introductory courses are offered. At my school, all incoming freshman had to take an intro to the University. It helped with undecided students to find what they are interested in and what kind of degree matched with it. Partying is part of college so pick a college where the amount of partying suits you. There can be too little partying or too much. It just depends on your personality.

Choose your school based off of where you think you will feel at home. If you are not comfortable in your surroundings than it does not matter how prestigious the institution is because you will not be happy for the years you spend there. These are supposed to be the best four years of your life, so try to not worry too much about finances because that can get worked out, or how highly rated the school is, just make sure it is the best school for you and what you want to study.

To find the right college, start your search by finding schools that meets your academic needs. Take the time to visit campuses, go on tours, and ask questions to current students. I knew that the University of Dayton was the right choice for me during a campus visit when I noticed that people took the time to stop and talk to each other on the way to class. It showed the great sense of community we have here, which was something I was really looking for. You have to know what you want seek it out. The right school is out there for everyone, do not give up your search until you find it! To make the most of your college experience, you need to stay open-minded at all times. Try to get to know the people on your floor and in your classes,. When you hear about an event, club, or activity, try it out! The people that seem to enjoy their college years the most are the people that aren't afraid to break out of their comfort zone to try new things. Follow this advice and you will be sure to have a great college experience.

Be sure to visit many colleges, and don't simply take the guided tours. Walk around on your own to get a feel for the place, interact with students there, and try to meet with a professor in your intended area of study. When you reach the place that is right for you, you will know simply by the community there, the available facilities, and just a general sense of belonging. Don't be afraid to travel far from home, and be sure to do a live-in on campus with a current student. Many colleges offer these, and it is a great way to get a feel for not only the classroom environment, but the life and oppurtunities outside of class.

Visit as many colleges as possible and take chances. You might find a gold mine.

This answer is for parents and students who are open to all kinds of 4 year college settings. 1. Do your homework and pick out schools that fit your needs geographically and financially; offer a range of field of study possibilities; and that you will likely get into. 2. Submit applications (not early admissions, which requires a commitment). 3. Visit a small, med, large and super-sized campus; if you tend to favor one, visit another to confirm your comfort. GO BACK THROUGH THIS PROCESS IF NECESSARY. 4. Spend a day or two at your first and second choice set up through admissions office; talk to several students about the issues you need to resolve - campus life, class size, availability of needed courses, etc. 5. Evaluate financial offers, assuming you applied for scholarships, grants and other financial aid. Unsubsidized student loans should be given a low priority. 6. Commit, and give it all you've got!

Make sure you like the people and the atmosphere of the college.

GO on visits and tours and make sure that the college lines up with what goals you have in mind.

I would advise parents/ students who are deciding what college to attend that it is not about prestige or image of the school. It is about how the student feels when on campus. The University of Dayton is no Ivy-League school. However, it provides me with a sense of comfort and stability which allows me to perform academically. I feel that this sense of comfort is essential in obtaining academic and social excellence. I would also say that in order to make the most of the college experience you have to be willing to get out of your personal bubble both socially and academically. Always be meeting new people by joining clubs, being talkative in classes, knowing people on your floor, and mainly by being a socialable person who is easy to talk to. Also take your classes seriously. During the week be serious about school work, but on the weekends go out and relax and do things to enjoy yourself with your friends.

When students are looking for a college, they should make sure the college has their major, has the class size they are looking for, and enjoy the community that the college. Visiting a school is always a good idea to see the environment. If possible, the prospective student should try to attend a class and even stay overnight with a current student. When you find a school to attend, do not be afraid to get involved on campus. College is a place to try new things. Go to different clubs and activities on campus and find one that you like to do. Remember that when you arrive on campus, everyone else that you are living with is new too. Find an activity to get to know your hall mates. Finding the best fit college all depends on what feels right for not only the student, but for the parent. For parents, they should see that the college has safety measures in place just in case of emergencies and walk around campus to see what the environment is like. Not only should they like the environment, but they should be able to envision their child attending that college.

Look at all different types of colleges (ie- private, public, big, small) and pick the one that best fits your needs. College is what you make of it. Get involved and meet new people beginning right away. If you are frustrated about something, there are plenty of people to help so don't hesitate to talk to someone. Go to sporting events. Don't be someone you aren't.

I think that the best thing is to make a college visit and see how you feel on campus. Talk to students who have gone to that school for awhile and ask about their experiences etc. Also do your research and decide if the cost of the school is really worth the debt you might encur.

Choose one that fits your personality and that has the major that you want.

Obviously find the right school is paramount to a successful college carreer. A good college should be able to offer the major your interested in now but also many other quality programs in case your mind changes. The "right" school should be able to offer great counseling and advising to its students. Schools that focus on community and service only enrich the experience one has at a college. At the end of the day a the right school usually has a good feel or vibe to it that is unexplainable and only perceiveable to the student. The cost of college is always a big concern. It should garner minimal weight in the decision making processes. Picking a school becuase it was the cheaper one usually ends up with a unhappy student and a transfer.

Do some investigating on the professors at the university who teach in your field. Google them and see what they've done/written. Talk to alumni. When visiting a prospective university, be sure to grab a copy of the student newspaper! Sometimes, they aren't placed in the admissions buliding for a reason. Visit a class or a head of a department you are interested in. Campus tours are constructed to show you only the best parts of campus. Don't let that be your only impression. Try to get a feel for both the good and the bad. Sit down and observe students. Listen to their conversations, see what they're talking about. Do they revolve around the lesson they just had, or drinking stories from the previous weekend? Walk off campus, see what's around. Are there coffee shops and places to eat? I'd reccommend stopping a student and asking them about the university. They'll be more honest than your tour guide! If the student isn't willing to talk, that might say something about the campus community. Try to be as informed as possible. This decision will affect your entire life.

go to the college that fits you best. no matter what the price is the experience is amazing

I would give the advice to students that your first week on campus, ask people for their names more than once if you don't remember. This was the best advice I recieved because during your orientation weekend on campus, you meet so many people it's almost impossible to remember anyone's name. Asking for someone's name again isn't an insult and they probably didn't remember your name eithier.

The best advice I can give to students or parents in search of the right college is to find the best supporting college community. Education is important, but as a junior journalism and political science major at the University of Dayton, I've learned that personal growth is the greatest part of college. The friends I've made, the different cultures and religious groups I've encountered, and the professors who have encouraged me to chase my dreams have triggered a growth in me that I cannot expalin. The friendly and honest, caring community at UD has truly helped me find my place in the world and grow into the adult I am today. I came to UD as a small-town girl, but I'll leave UD with a degree and resume of government and media internships--all because I had the support I needed to reach for my dreams. Thus, I have found that encouragement and faith are the vital necessities for a maximized college experience. And in finding a university with a strong foundation of community support, students become not only educated, but the truly inspiring and good people or world needs today.

For students and parents currently looking for "the right" place for thier kid to go to college I'd have to say to remember how important the social environment of the university and its surrounding area are for the student. Don't just look at the college when on tour, look at the surrounding area. Also ask students on campus for thier most honest answers regarding what goes on at that university. Don't be shocked if alcohol comes up, it comes up on most universitys. It's easier to judge an academic atmosphere at a university because many colleges will tell you it right up front. Also, make sure you go in with clear plan on how to pay for the university's on your list of choices. As someone who's just gone through 3 years at college and had my parents tell me that they can't afford me being here anymore, I wished they would have told me they couldn't afford the university I went to before I came here and got attached to my surroundings. You do not want to be thinking about money instead of course materials.

You need to visit the schools you believe you will be admitted to. When you arrive look at every aspect from cost to the social life to the way the current students seem to interact. When you find the college you are meant to attend you will feel a sense of belonging. Too many perspective students focus on the wrong things like what high school friends are doing. College is a time to learn and to grow as an individual. It is at the collegiate level that you will learn how to become a self sustaining member of society. Make sure you pick somewhere that you feel you should be and that you are comfortable and not out of your element.

Find a school that fits you

When looking at colleges I always evaluated how happy the students were based off of the university shirts they were wearing or how many had smiles on their faces. Believe it or not, but this tactic worked very well for me. It helped me to weed out the schools that I felt I would be miserable at or become dissatisfied with. When it comes down to it it is all about your gut feeling and trusting your heart. Your heart always knows the right answer and no matter what it will lead you to a satisfying decision. Once you enter college, just keep in mind that although you are there for four years, they will be the fastest four years of your life. Make the most of it, laugh when you want, play when you want, do what you've always wanted to do because the next time you realized it's almost over, you're working a 5-9 job and reminiscing about your days of college.

Be sure that you like the community of the school. Look into the professors, the class sizes, the available resources, but also social aspects, like intramural sports and even campus ministry. You may not want to be involved your first year, but the more people you can socialize with personally, the better your university experience will be.

When you tour a school imagine if you could see yourself living at the school. Then just follow your gut!