University of Delaware Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

Caitlin

Look for the one that fits you, not one you can fit into. There's many good schools out there, don't limit yourself geographically just so you don't have to do your own laundry. College is a unique chance to define and redefine yourself. It's a time for friendships, learning, adventures, and mishaps. Most importantly, your college experience is and will forever be a time of your life; live it well.

Michael

I would encourage students to first determine what it is they want to get out of their college experience. Next, with the end result in mind, choose colleges that offer a variety of social things you are interested in and a small variety of academic majors that you may be interested in. Eliminate colleges that do not fufill both your social and academic wishes for college. Don't be intimidated by the larger schools or the more difficult ones, since the school can really be as small as you want.

Kerry

As a high school student, I was constantly bombarded with mail from colleges all over the country. My advisors instructed me to attend college fairs. My parents insisted that I buy book after book filled with, supposedly, the best colleges. But when application deadlines arrived, not a single one of these factors influenced my decision. Sure, the books helped me when I was looking up information like tuition and available majors at certain colleges. But the most important factor in my search for the right college was the location of the school I would attend. Compared to choice of majors or housing availability or variety of meal plans, I feel that location is equally important. Consider that climate, availability of internships and job offers locally, transportation costs, and appearance are all dependent on location. For example, a college in rural upstate New York has a much colder climate and a limited availability of internships. However, if you enjoy the snow and already have an idea of where you would like to work after college, this may be the best place for you. Whatever the case, location must play an important role in your search for the right college.

Seth

do ok

lauren

the child should stay over at the school if possible. dont be overly concerned about what others will think about your school if your happy there don't let other make you feel like it's not acedemically good enough. to have a great college experience be open minded because you will be faced with many new and exciting situations. be yourself and it's a once in a lifetime opportunity so LIVE IT UP!

Lindsay

The one piece of advice I would give to students is to listen to their parents wisdom and advice when it comes to choosing a college. I did not listen to my mother, and my first semester of college was spent at a conservatory that I detested. The saying, "Mom's always right" couldn't have been more valid. My mother knew I wasn't going to like it, but I failed to listen to her and did what I wanted, because obviously I thought i knew more than she did. In the process of transferring, I , unlike the first time, consulted and relied on my mother for help choosing a school. We both picked University of Delaware, and it ended up being the best decision for my educational career. Your parents know you better than you think. Listen to them.

Alexandra

The most important thing when choosing a school is the feeling one gets when they visit the school. Take a look around and ask yourself if you could see yourself actually sitting in the seats in the class rooms and walking around on the campus. Take a look around at the people and ask yourself if you could be friends with them. Those are the things that are the most important while in school, not the prestige a school might have. While in school it is important to focus on what is important to you. Remember that getting an A on a paper isn't worth losing yourself over. Take time to relax and enjoy yourself during this wonderful time of your life.

Kayla

TO the Parents: Tell your kids that Drinking and partying all night isn't going to land them a job and sacrificing going out with your friends will definately benefit you in the long run. TO the Students: It goes alot faster than you can ever imagine. You get out of it as much as you put in. Don't pay thousands of dollars just to drink every night, when you can do that for free. Actually LEARN, this is the stuff your'e going to need to use for your job and rest of your life. Love and cherish every moment of it, even the long nights you spend in the library. Don't pick a school just because it sounds "COOL" to leave home and pay $60,000 a year for a school that may not even be that academically prestigious. Most likely your state school has the best price and the best academics. Make friends with your professors, get to know them. They will help you out when you need it and believe ME your going to need them somewhere along the line. Try your Best and LOVE every second!!!

Jason

Parents and students should take the time to carefully pick out schools based on size, weather, distance, and interests. It is very important to visit these schools and even have an interview or overnight stay if the school allows it. Getting a feel for how the school functions before you get there can be very helpful in picking the right school. Once there, many students tend to focus on a particular career path the whole time they are in university. They only take particular classes and learn very specific things. However, that does not mean that this is wrong. Choosing the right major is extremely important, but one must not forget that "general education" classes are essential for one's education and future. No matter how good your high school teachers were, they only had time to give you very superficial introductions. Being learned in the fields of science, history, literature, and even the arts are essential to becoming an educated member of our society. I would also advise students who has the opportunity, to study abroad. Through shared experiences, I have concluded that it is one of the most helpful and exciting things one can do while in university.

Carl

It is very important to get a feel for the school in terms of how it functions, what the students, classes, and teachers are like. You should definitely visit the school while classes are in session. If possible sit in on a class or attend a special summer session for prospecting high school students. The school you pick should not make you bored, and if you like meeting people of different cultures look for that at the school. I would highly reccoment picking a major, and not starting undeclared because at my school, you will be living with and have several classes with other freshment in your same major and this is a great opportunity to get a good start in school. I also highly reccommend living in a dorm on campus (with someone you don't know) for at least the first year so you can really get connected with students and hear about all the great event and activities that are always going on. It is really important to get the full experience of college to participate in sports or clubs or join greek life.

Brian

Choose a college that you think you will feel comfortable--acedemically and socially. I would feel bad for anyone who tried very hard to get into a cut throat school, just to spend most of thier time there struggling to keep up with thier peers. And also the 40,000 - 50,000 a year schools don't seem worth the money. You will get a good education at any major university private or public .The school you choose should be a combination of how much you like it with its value.

David

Don't just pick a school based on a scholarship because college is stressful enough without having to think about maintaining a certain g.p.a. Be realistic about what major you choose, especially for people going into a math or science field. I would say half of my friends who went into their freshman year majoring in math or science changed majors after a year. This could also cause major problems with your credits transferring over to your new major. Picking the right size school is also a major factor that influence's a student's success in a school. I go to a big college and with big colleges there is an inevitable chance that you will be in large classes, which leaves most of the learning on you. I personally do fine in large classes but some people need more individual attention or need smaller classes to actually go to class because many students skip large classes regularly. Last but not least, remember that your academics come first. Don't pick a school in a location/area (such as a large city or big party school) if it's going to distract you from your studies.

Alexandra

Students go to college with the main priority of getting a great education. Of course you need to get good grades and succeed in college to get the job you want but, there is more to college than education. The college experience and the years you spend there are suppossed to be the best of your life. You cannot just focus on school all of the time, although that is what is most important. The ideal college has a balance of both. It needs to have large libraries, plenty of study lounges, and intelligent professors but, it needs to have some life to it. It needs to be in an area where the student can get rid of the stresses of that day's tests and become a young fun loving adventurer. I have learned the hard way that if you focus only and solely on education and working you will fail no how smart or driven you are. You need a college that allows you to stop and smell the roses for a minute. College is a time for you to learn but it is also valuable time of your youth you will never get back.

Christopher

You probably won't know if a college is right for until you are actually there as a freshman. Although you can get a good idea about what the college is like through tours and advisors, you won't be able to fully understand the atmosphere and campus life until you experience it for yourself. Do your best to find a college that makes you most comfortable during your visit. If you look around and see students that look like yourself or your friends, you're probably in the right place. Also, make sure you understand what the college is good at teaching. Don't expect to get a good liberal arts education at an engineering college just because it has a recognizable name.

Rachael

When you're looking for a college, take time to see how you fit in with the campus, people, and opportunities. Do you feel welcome? A college that puts noticeable effort into making you feel welcome may be a college to seriously consider when it comes down to deciding. The college I attend was not my first choice, it was the school with the best offer. However, after speding one year there I am very happy. No matter where you choose to go, make sure you're open to try something new. An activity you don't usually participate in may end up being fun. You may meet your best friends where you least expect to. Take advantage of every opportunity by trying it at least once because you may never know what you'll regret. That's what college is...a new opportunity. So take every opportunity you're given and run with it.

Katie

My advice to parents/students would be to visit (attend a class) during the college's academic calender. You need to feel like you belong and will be comfortable living/studying in this environment for four years or more. When you have made your decision, visit the college of your choice several times and attend all orientations. I have met the best friends in my two years in college and we will probably be life long friends.

Lisle

Find a college that you are enthusiastic about. If you get that "warm and fuzzy" feeling when you're there, that's the right place for you! I didn't know where I wanted to go to college, but when I visited Delaware, I saw myself living and learning there. I knew it was where I was supposed to be. I wasn't 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} sure, I never really am about anything, but you just have to go with your gut feeling. Ignore what everyone says about what is a "good" school. It's all about what you make of what is given to you. You alone can make your college experience great.

Jessie

Student gives her advice to incoming freshmen on academics.

Kattie

Find some place that will give you a great education that's not overpriced. Good reviews of advisors and instructors are key, the teacher sometimes makes/breaks the class. Make sure you find a place that will be compatible with your comfort level, meaning size of it and surroundings. Most schools offer many opportunities for jobs, sports, and other activities to get involved in so pick some out that might interest you. Joining a group like that sometimes makes it easier to meet people. It's about education, flat out bottom line, but make sure that you have fun along the way because that is what you're going to miss when you graduate.

kerry

Try something new. Go to college away from where you grew up, somewhere you'd like to explore and learn more about. Pushing your comfort level helps bring out the real you. I went to college 3000 miles away from home and learned so much about myself by doing so.

Greg

Go with your gut instinct. If at first you think, "maybe this school just isn't for me," you're most likely right. Any uncertainty when trying to convince yourself that you found teh right school will just ultimately screw you over in the end. Don't feel like you HAVE to go somewhere, like it's the end of the world if you don't. Desires and needs are entirely different. While on campus, the most important thing you can do is get involved. Maybe you don't consider yourself a devout whatever, but the religious clubs will be your new best friend. Take up a new sport, maybe a fun art class or two. The school becomes a lot more warm once you leave your dorm and experiance a lot of what it has to offer you. In addition to that, professors want you to learn so go to their office hours even if you don't need anything at the moment. Maybe you'll learn something else, maybe you'll find something that you didn't realize you were weak in. To thine own self be true. Don't create yourself at collge; find it.

Taiilore

Think about all avenues of college. From finances, to your major, to distractions. Do you really want to share a bathroom with 15 people? Can you live with people you don't know? Once you have found the college that accomodates you, settle in. Learn where the buildings are, nothing worse than being late the first day, trust me. Then settle into your room. As much as your students will hate it give them big hugs and kisses before you leave, parents. Students embrace it, as your parents may have once been in your shoes, remember in most cases you can turn to them for answers. Attempt to befriend and get to know your roommate. Once courses begin, introduce to your professors if possible, it always makes a big impression. Pay attention to your classes, if they are not of interest to you consider changing majors, why pay thousands for something you could sleep through. Attempt to work if it will not over burden you. Become independent. Most of all enjoy college. For however long it last, school is your job, the best, most informative job you will ever have. Make every moment something memorable.

Ryan

Do well in High School so that you give yourself plenty of options when applying to colleges and deciding upon one. Visit plenty of schools and make sure that you can see yourself being happy going about your every day life on campus. Talk to students and do research online to find out if the academic and social environment on-campus fits your needs. You don't necessarily have to know exactly what you want to do going into to freshman year, but make sure the college you chose has a wide-selection of majors and programs that you might be interested in. When you talk to most people about how they decided on which college was right for them many will tell you that "it just felt right", look for that feeling and follow it.

Randi

I would really encourage taking visits to each campus you are thinking about applying to, it really makes a difference. If you can, even try to stay with friends, and stay overnight at the college so you can get the full experience. Researching majors, classes and professors are important but also the life style, the sports, and all the other clubs and activites are really important to learn about as well. This is where you meet most of your new friends for life. Everyone needs a place to fit in, so make sure the place you choose as a wide variety of clubs, sports, organizations and things you can try and experience to really figure out who you are and where you feel comfortable fitting in. College really is the best time of your life, and the college you pick can choose your path in that life you live, so take it seriously and do all you can to make the right decision.

Samantha

Afer determining what academics are offered, I think the most important criterion when choosing a college is the feeling of the atmosphere. It is important to feel comfortable at the college you choose. This is why it is so important to visit colleges before attending them. It is sometime even necessary to visit a college multiple times before being sure it is the best choice. Taking a college tour and hanging out on campus allows students to get the feel for the area and the people that attend the university. In order to be successful at college, students must be happy which means fitting in and getting involved with their peers whether it be to participate in a study group or a club. As the saying goes, it's not only where you are but who you're with that really matters.

John

I think there are a few things to look for when finding a college. First to find a college that is strong in the area were you want to excel. Two, to find a college that you'll be able to get accepted two (lets be honest we all can't go to harvard). Next we need to find the college that suits your personal needs. Needs like size of school, closeness to home, affordability.

Allie

Think about what major you want to have and then look for schools that would best suit that. Also, really think about the size of the school. I like my school and it has about 20,000 people at it. A little smaller would be fine for me, but I definetly wouldn't want one any bigger. Location is always key too. You may think that you want to get as far away from your parents as humanly possible, but you miss them. I'm only 30 minutes away, so I can see my parents as little or as often as I want.

Allison

The best advice I could give is to make sure you visit the schools and ask questions about what interests you. I feel the most influential factor in choosing a school is the atmosphere and the way it makes you feel. Originally, I had not considered the University of Delaware, but when I got out of the car the first time I visited, I know this was the university for me. The campus is gorgeous and I have always felt at home here. To add to the comfortable fit, UD has a very prestigious Biology and Pre-Medical program, which are the areas I was interested in pursuing. The most important thing to do is make sure you are able to picture yourself or your child on that campus. If you don't feel comfortable there on a visit, chances are you won't feel comfortable there as a student either. If the student tour guides and any administrators you talk to aren't friendly or helpful when you are a prospective studetnt, it is unlikely they will change their tune when you become a student there. Make sure you feel at home and comfortable at any university you consider.

Lisa

Make sure to check out a lot of colleges completely. Looking at a lot of schools can help single out certain schools that you like.

Jen

Visit a lot of school campuses and a lot of their internet sites. Also the student should call the school for any information that they can not find out online. Also students shuld apply to a lot of schools to make sure that they have options when it comes to choosing the schools that chose them.

Steven

I'm not sure it's about the right college, it's more about finding the college that will offer one the best opportunities after graduation. College is only four years of one's life, but professionalism is the rest of one's life. Get focused and stay focused. Focus more on the degree than anything for it's the degree that spells success.

Megan

Talk to students at the college and see if you can spend a night or weekend there or even a day of classes with a student to see how the school runs and if you enjoy it there.

Stephen

Find the college that feels right to you. Don't base it off of where your friends are going, or where you live at home, or anything like that. When something feels right, whether it be the college you go to or who you love or what to do with your life, you'll know it right away. Trust your own judgment, make your own choices, and be your own person. Follow your gut. This may not always turn out the best, but at least you can say it was your own decision, and no one else's.

Katie

Live each day as if it were your last. Have fun, work hard, and it will all pay off in the end. Try not to make money a determining factor. Although it can be an issue, there are many solutions to financial problems. Do what makes you happiest.

James

The most vital part of the experience is you, so you need to determine what is most important to you and have the biggest impact on your experience. Visit a lot of schools, stay overnight in the dorms if you can. Make sure you take care of the practical stuff first, ie making sure it has the program you want and it is economically feasible, and then concentrate on finding a place that feels right to you.

Corey

I would say that the most important determinant in making the decision between colleges is feel. Choose a school that you feel fits your needs. If you like a lot of people, choose a city school. If you like your space, choose one out in the middle of nowhere. Also look at the demographic of students that are already attending the school. If you like diversity in the people that you know, choose a school that has diversity. Look at how the students interact on campus. Are they out in the middle of campus playing ultimate or other outdoor games or are they inside studying all the time? If you get hungry on campus, eat in the dining hall. It is not going to be Mom's home cooking, so make sure that the food is good enough and offers a variety of choices. Then go to the student union. Ask for a list of all the clubs the college offers and make sure you have a place to fit in. I cannot stress enough that the biggest issue is choosing a place where you fit in and one that feels right. Also, get involved on campus early.

Molly

Visit the school, and go with your heart! Meet people who attend the school, and stick it in there! One you find the school for you, stay on the weekends and make friends!