University of Notre Dame Top Questions

Advice that I would give to parents and students about finding the right college is to be patient. Take your time and really focus on determining what is right for both the parents and students in all aspects - academically, socially, spiritually, financially and physically. Listen to each other and take each others opinions to heart and mind. To the students, remember that your parents care just as much as you do about where you go and want the absolute best for you, no matter where you go. To the parents, remember that these students are embarking on a new area of their lives - this is definitely a matter that all of you need to decide and agree upon together. Advice that I'd give as far as making the most of the college experience is to be open. Students - take advantage of opportunities; don't be afraid to try something new, and don't give up after one downfall. Also, keep in touch with everyone at home, they love to hear from you. Parents - be supportive and understanding. Remember that your children are growing up and dealing with situations on their own. To both - be respectful, and loving, always.

Always have a backup plan and understand that every college has its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Understand that you will more than likely change your intended major at least once, and plan accordingly. Always leave yourself an alternative option and do not lock yourself into something you aren't happy with unless you are absolutely positive that you know what you will want to do.

My first advice would be to pray about it. Choosing a college is an issue of discernment, and if one listens to God and goes where he truly believes the Lord is calling him to go, he will surely find satisfaction and peace--God will not guide someone to the wrong place! He knows what He's doing, and He has a great plan prepared for each of us! Practically speaking, I also highly recommend college visits, especially overnight visits; these are invaluable opportunites for immersion into campus culture, meeting students, and preparing for college life in general. Personally, I visited almost a dozen schools, which was illumiating: after comparing so many schools, I knew Notre Dame was the "right fit." Also, don't let the price deter you from attending an outstanding university--the money is out there, if you're willing to look! Go for it!

Keep your options open, apply to a lot of different colleges. Open yourself up.

The most important part in choosing the correct school comes by taking notice of the little things that the school has to offer that may be helpful to you in the future. These little things include things such as computer access in case something happens to your personal computer, professor accessibility for help outside of class, tutoring access and if it costs money, distance that you'll have to travel everyday to make it to class, and also how comfortable you feel on and around campus. Keep in mind that you probably won't be the exact same person you are right now in a few years and it is definitely necessary to have access to a lot of help, facilities, and resources that you may not need now. Make sure that wherever you are you will be able to get help in any situation that you may need it for. This place is going to be your home, so make sure you love it!

Any college that you choose can be the right college for you as long as you go in with a positive attitude. It is important to look forward to attending your school and to be excited about learning in the environment that your school provides. When you begin attending your new school, get involved in as many ways as you can while still having time to complete your schoolwork. Schoolwork comes first but it is also important to balance this with a healthy social life. Take advantage of the opportunities that your school provides because you probably will never have these opportunities again. Be sure to start out the school year with a healthy eat, sleep, and exercise routine because you will be more likely to continue to follow it througout the year. If you choose to go out and drink, be responsible and make sure to stay with someone you trust at all times. Most importantly, have fun. These are the best years of your life and they will go by fast.

Some seniors give advice to incoming students.

bleh

First, start early. I made the mistake of putting off the college search and process while I was an upperclassmen in high school, and because of that I always felt behind and pressured to rush my decisions. Also, know what you're looking for, but be open to schools that don't exactly fit your preferences. I knew I wanted a Catholic school with a good engineering program, but I wanted to stay close to home, but I ended up pushing myself and going far away from home because I felt that I fit at Notre Dame. Last, visit all the schools on your list, and decide where you belong based on your gut feeling. Don't worry about money too much during the decision - if you want to go to a certain place, you can find a way to finance it. Once you get to school, get involved, meet people. I've always had a tough time actively meeting people, so I tend to take longer to find where I belong than most people, but if I am more ambitious, I know I will find exactly where I fit in.

Visit, work with the financial aid office, embrace every minute of it....it goes fast.

Try to make the best informed decision, and definitely visit the college and talk to students before making a choice. You will learn about yourself and others regardless of where you go, and a lot of it is what you make of it. Try to go places that will open doors for you, and choose a place that will challenge you in more ways than one. Parents, don't be scared of having your child go away for college. It is a huge learning experience in and outside of the classroom.

In finding and choosing the right college, students need to step back and consider the overall package for each school they are considering. It may be tempting to automatically choose the "highest ranked" school that accepts you, but that doesn't necessarily make it the right school for you. Consider all of the factors and apply them. Try to make trips to various types of campuses if you're not sure what you want; don't be afraid to ask questions when you're there. Parents need to make sure that they are helpful, but not pushy. Don't try to force your child to apply to a school she doesn't want to apply to. The student needs to be the person to make the final decisions about schools. Once there, students need to make sure that they understand the academic environment of their new school. It is also important to try new things that you've always wanted to. Many schools have a wide variety of offerings- don't be afraid to try something new! You'll meet new (and most likely interesting) people and maybe even make lots of new friends all over campus in different niches.

A campus visit is very important, especially an overnight stay. Visit at the worst time of the year (ex. visit in the winter in snowy climates) If you like the campus at its worst, you will LOVE it at its best! Always ask about credit transfers from AP classes and SAT II scores, as well as how many courses the school requires you to take and whether they will conflict with your intended major. Ask about social circles, how students usually make friends. Ask current students about any problems they have had and what they consider the worst thing about the school, and then think about how important that is to you personally. To make the most of your experiences, consider courses or activities outside your major that might interest you. For instance, a liberal arts student might enjoy the business club, or a science student might enjoy a drawing class. Time management is key, but it is better to be involved in activities you enjoy than to devote all your time to scoolwork. The happier and more engaged you are, the better you will do!

I think it makes a great difference when choosing a school if you do so based on paper as ooposed to with a visit having been made. That's how I fell in love with Notre Dame. I was originally not going to apply there but I visited the campus and I fell in love with it, the people, and the school. I knew it was for me from the feeling I got just being there and I applied early decision as soon as I got home. I would have seriously regretted attending any other school and I knocked off 4 schools I had been planning to apply to after visiting their campuses and classrooms and unfortunately being disappointed by what I saw and learned while at these schools. Notre Dame was the best choice for me and I would never have even applied if I hadn't had the privilege of experiencing te school before commiting elsewhere.

It's extremely important to discover what you (the student) want. The student should be in contact with an advisor at their high school to determine what kind of college or university is best, but the student should not allow the advisor to select certain schools for them. Remember, you'll be at this place for the next four years of your life. You want to make sure that you know you can do well, know you can fit in, and know you'll be able to make a difference there. Most students get a certain feeling about a particular school. If you get that feeling about any school you visit, try your hardest to get in there. Find out and do everything that is necessary to get accepted to that college. If you love a college at first sight, then it is probably the one for you. Overall, it's just important to choose for yourself, not for your family. Find a university you love, go there, and become loved by the university and everyone there.

To find the right college, you should pay a visit to your top few choices. If one is a really good fit, you may be able to feel the aura of it simply by being on campus for a day. Of course on a tour you should pay attention to the buildings and facilities to some extent, but more importantly, notice the students you see . . . do they act like you hoped? do they seem happy? This will tell you if it is a good fit. To make the most of your college experience, you just have to be yourself. Through high school you have found out who you are, who your friends are, and what you like to do. When you enter college, keep this in mind; stick to your roots, but also don't be afraid to try new things. Join a club that sounds weird, watch a movie with your new dorm mates, take a class just for kicks. I think you'll be surprised how much more you will learn about yourself, and how much fun you will have. If it doesn't work out, you can always fall back on those things you know about yourself.

I would say that they should talk to their teachers in high school and the college counselors if available. Be open to new places and always apply to a variety of schools. Have an open mind when you get to college. Try new things and things which you might not think you would like. You never know what you might find. Make sure to always talk with your professors and always show up for class.

Finding the right college has nothing to do with how highly a particular school is ranked. More importantly, a college must reflect the student's values and interests, making that school an appropriate fit for that student. Too often, all of the focus in selecting a college is placed on academics, rather than the overall experience that school will provide. Once a student does choose a school that they feel will suit them, they should jump in with both feet. College is the time to try new things, get involved, learn about yourself and the world beyond yourself.

Think about what kind of atmosphere you want. Do you want a big school with nationally-televised sporting events? Do you want a small school where all of the professors know you and invite you over for dinner? Do you want to live in a big city or somewhere more rural? As for making the most of the college experience, just enjoy it while you can! It goes by so fast. Push yourself to try new things, make new friends, have new experiences. Learning is important, but you can learn a lot of life lessons in college as well. Join a club for something you've never done before, meet diverse people, have fun, put yourself out there. Just remember to spend some time studying as well!

I would say look for a well-rounded college. There are many attributes to a good college and some attributes better fit certain people. When I was looking at colleges I first looked at academics and whether or not the school offered good career placements and career fairs. Also, investigate whether the school offers other academic events that will broaden your scope of the world like forums, debates, and lectures. Second, i looked at the student life. I think this is very important. I looked at a school who offered more of a small community atmosphere with many extracurricular activities but not activities cornered around fraternities or sororities. I wanted a community who would push me spiritually, academically, physically & mentally, and this is what I mean when I say "well-rounded" university. Third, concerning cost, my parents always told me to never look at the tuition if it was a school i wanted to attend. There is a lot of money out there that is at our fingertips to use for scholarships, and we must do our research to find them. Also, my parents always told me that school loans are okay. They are a great investment.

When you're finding your college, make sure that you can actually picture yourself living there and making friends there; definately go there for yourself. You (the student) have to want to go there; you can't go there because your parents really want you to. A lot of my friends transfered because their parent made them go to a college. When you're at college, try to experience everything and have fun. Make your own decisions as to whether you like the activities. Try and do things that you've never done before. You don't have to do everything that all the other students like if you don't enjoy it. Find something that you love and hang on to it, and of course make friends that will support you no matter what. Keep in contact with a few people from your high school (not everyone will keep in touch, and the ones that do will be few but true friends). Just be yourself.

Just like people, colleges are each unique and have something something special to offer. At the same time, there is no perfect college for a student. No matter where you go, your college experience will be entirely what you make it. Because of this, the key is not to find a school that offers the most opportunities, but to find a school that offers the kind of opportunities that you would be interested in getting involved in while there. One of the best approaches to looking for the right school is to purchase a book with testimonials from students about the different facets of campus life. They are the ones who attend the school, so who better to listen to? Another key piece of advice when applying to colleges: relax. Don't stress about the hundreds of schools you haven't read up on yet. Chances are if you have a solid list of colleges that sound promising, the others won't present anything you haven't already explored in your narrowing-down process. Applying to college is an exciting and scary time for everyone, and if you have an open mind, the right college will find you.

For those students that are trying to find the right college I think it is very important to find have campus vists and attended a class if possible. Different academic institutions have different ways of teaching and you have to make sure that you find the one that is appropriet for you. Also don't limit yourself, you don't have to go were ever your friends are going and staying close to home may be nice but you may be best fit to seceed else where.

Make sure you wnat to spend 4 years of academic life there! College is about getting a job- however- it is also about making friends and growing on your own. I would advise all students to vist their schools and talk to students attending, make sure you will be able to balance a well rounded soucial life with your academic focuses in mind. Parents, let your kids find the school for them and be open minded when your son or daughter tells you they want to goto your colleges rival university... whats right for you may not be for them!

As one of my high school teachers told me, "you can only do college once, so make a decision you won't regret." Don't make your decision for the wrong reasons. While it is wise to be practical and not overextend yourself in terms of cost, proximity to family, or academics, don't settle either. Think of the things that will last such as academic programs rather than activities you are only mildly interested in. Also, pick broad categories when selecting a type of school. Pick a region, a size range, different types of locations, and find one that balances between your preferences. Additionally, it is important to have at least one quality on which you will not compromise to help you narrow things down if you are unsure. As far as your time in college, get involved in classes, activities, clubs, and anything else that interests you. College is an opportunity to try things out and get a feel for what you like outside of the smaller environment you had in high school. The time goes by quickly, so don't tell yourself 'there's always next year" or you will miss out on some very neat opportunities.

When looking for a college, trust your gut instinct. Go to a place that makes you feel comfortable and inspired. Be open to the ideas and outlooks of others - students, professors, and staff members. Be patient with yourself, and take the time you need to explore what it is that is your passion - whether in the arts, academic work, or scientific research. Once you find that, pursue it with everything you can because college is one of the best places to do that. Don't miss out on the opportunity to discover what it is that you excel in, to question and form your opinions and ideas, and to form deep friendships with others. Most importantly, absorb everything you can during your college years. Have deep conversations with friends and professors, reflect on the things that are most important, and be open to the unexpected!

Parents, the best advice I can give is to let your child find his/her own path. Whether it is what college to go to, what major to pick, or what career path to follow- Take a chance and trust... This is the time you have the world at your feet. Whatever you do, don't let life pass you by. Take charge and do something great!

1. Pick schools that fit your interests of study and student life. Schools that have your desired majors. Schools that fit your personality and offer the kind of extracurricular activities you would enjoy. 2. Visit these schools and note both their positive and negative characteristics regarding many factors. These can include, class size, religious affiliation, contentment of students, academic credibility, academic ranking, alumni network, and characteristics of the campus. 3. After hearing what schools you got into. Choose the school that you feel will teach you the most about life in general and will mold you into the adult you would like to be. Don't choose a school solely based on its general academic ranking or specific rankin in your desired field of study. l You will most likely change your major and there are many other things to be learned other than academics. Don't go to school due to it being where your girl/boyfriend and majority of friends are going. Choose the school that will prepare you the best in all facets of life to become a the productive adult worker you want to be.

College is an exciting adventure, yet it can be an extremely daunting process choosing a home for the next four years. Personally, I was extremely anxious about the entire process. Usually there is a list parents and students need to run through: expenses, size, location, academic and social opportunities. It may seem like choosing a college involves answering a series of questions and finding a result. These questions are important to answer, however I truly believe when making this monumental decision it involves trusting your gut. The right college will allow you to flourish academically and socially. A series of statistics about a school cannot tell you this- only your heart can. This is why visiting a school is a crucial part of making a decision. On campus, a student can envision themselves living and studying in a new environment. They get a taste of the student body and the scenery. If it feels like it's right when you visit, then it won't take long to feel like home. Once you have arrived at school remember to live everyday to it's fullest, and believe in yourself.

Know that college will require hard work and sacrifices. Once that is established, the student should reflect upon his interests and research the schools that offer opportunities to continue participation in them. It is important to consider a school?s distance from home, cost, size, location, and general atmosphere. That atmosphere is hard to describe, but if a student has the opportunity to visit a school, he may feel as though he would fit in well there and can picture himself attending. The student should also be aware of the majors offered, and, if he does not know what he wants to do, then maybe he should attend a school that gives him options. Taking one step at a time helps to diminish the stress of choosing a college. Wherever a student goes, he can make the most of his experience by actively participating in various groups or even by striking up conversation with classmates and professors. The more interested he is in learning about others, the more interested they will be in him. The good news is that no college decision is permanent. If, after time, the student just doesn?t feel right, there are still so many opportunities.

Can you see yourself living here for the next four years? While some schools have great academics and others have a great location or social atmosphere, it takes a special place to provide both. It is important to always keep in mind that where ever you end up will not just be your school, it will be your home, and it might have a wonderful academic reputation, but if you cannot be happy living there, it does not matter. Of course it is important to keep the caliber and reputation of the institution in mind, but that is only part of the picture. Make sure that you find a place that will be challenging enough mentally, but do not choose a school just on reputation. Visit, and when you do, picture yourself there not only as a student, but as a resident and a part of the community. If you feel at home, chances are that it is because of the whole package, academically and socially, and that is how you know you have found the place for you.

Find a college that suits the needs of the student. While a job and career are important, having the right friends, right connections, and set goals help to keep you focused even through the toughest of times. Grades and school get tough, but as long as you put forth the effort, professors are willing to help you out and will extend a hand to push you in the right direction.

find the school that fits the best, not necessarily the best school you get into

Look at every type of college, from big to small, city to rural, before making any decisions. Choosing the college that is right for you is about more than just finding the right fit academically; its about finding the right fit emotionally and socially too. Without the right school you won't have the best college experience possible, and that's not something you want to find yourself regreting in the future. You should try to visit the schools you are considering applying to, and when you do, pick up and read a student produced newspaper. This is one of the best ways to get to know a school that you won't find through the admissions office, and if you find that you simply "click" with some of the thoughts and ideas in the paper then you already know you will click with the people behind those thoughts that already chose that school. If I could offer one bit of advice to a high school senior it would be that its not about finding the best school in the country, its about finding the best school for YOU.

Visit the college, you will get a huge feel of how you would fit in. Also, don't worry about how much it costs, there's always money available to help out. Go to the school you love.

When trying to find the right college, my best advice is to go with your gut instinct. When I first walked on to Notre Dame's campus I knew it was a place where I could see myself. Then, after talking with students and professors, I knew it was also a place where I could be happy for four years and receive a good education. Keep an open mind when visiting colleges but trust your intuition. As for makng the most of college, realize from the beginning that it goes by before you know it. Don't be shy, learn how to look someone in the eye when you introduce yourself, and take every opportunity to meet people. Also, get involved in activities early and find out what makes you happy. Don't always put academics as a priority- sometimes an hour of less studying that can be spent with a friend in need is well worth it. If you're like most people, the friends you make in college wil become a huge part of your life- you won't know how you ever got along without them. Enjoy it!!!

Visit the school.

Visit the college with the family and ask many questions. If possible, go/stay with a student there and experience the real college first hand. Make sure the college is appropriate with you career choice or major, or offer diverse classes for the undecided.

I would say to go and visit the schools or universities and apply to several . I applied to seven universities and was very surprised by the different levels of financial assistance offered by each school. I applied to six universities in my home state and one out of state. I am actually attending the most expensive university (out of state) from the seven that I applied to, however the least out of pocket for me and my family! It was hard at first being away from my family, but it's helped me grow up and also helped me to appreciate my family that much more. Time management is very important, especially if you are in sports too. So have some fun, but know when to get back to work! It goes by fast, before you know it you will be graduating. I can't believe I will be graduating in May 2009! You can't go wrong with getting your degree, it's something you will never regret!

When you are looking at colleges, consider first what aspects of life are most important to you and what you'll want to continue doing and what you'll want to explore in college. Make sure schools you consider have those things. Then be open-minded. Don't just look at the schools that are well-known; look at all of them that come your way and see how they might fit you. You only choose one, but you may as well learn about many. Then learn more about the ones that seem to fit you. Finally, and most importantly, go visit the school. Stay overnight and attend a class in a major you are considering. Without setting foot on the campus, you cannot know if you will want to call it home for the next four years. Hopefully, one will just feel right.

Do what feels right to you, and don't let others or other circumstances influence you. The next four years of your life are yours, and only you should decide what is best for you. Yes, getting a good education is very important, but you also need to grow as a person. Choosing the right school for you is not just about the academics or the reputation but also about comfortable you feel in going there and how it can help you develop your identity.

Make sure the school is the best fit for what you are looking for. Don't be one dimensional with your search and base everything solely on one aspect of a place. Take a look at everything and consider all of it before making your choice. Your college of choice will be your alma mater forever. In my opinion, if you choose wisely, you will never regret ANYTHING.

I would say that the student should assess what he or she wants out of a college experience and start from there. Ask questions when visiting which are important to you. Decide how much weather and work load will affect their general overall happiness and the facilities are more important that most people give them credit for. Find something the student is passionate in. Give everything that seems interesting a chance, try it out, college is the time to branch out and find passions and interests. Overall, just enjoy life, and know that you can make a place your own, or transfer.

For parents and students I would strongly advise a visit and sit-in of the courses the student would be interested in. If possible two different visits is best, on in the fall during the football season and again in the spring when the campus is quieter for a good feel of the different seasons, both natural and personal.

I would suggest trying to find a college that fits the students own personal academic ability and has a good program for what the student might be interested in. For many, it is also important to keep in mind the distance the school is from home, but this need not be something that would get in the way of an otherwise perfect fit in a school. It is always important to weigh the level of academics a school offers, the various sports and organizations available at the school for the student to get involved in, the overall size of the school, whether it is public or private, and whether or not the school has any sort of religious affiliation. Of course, the cost of education is one of the most important factors in finding the right college. But the cost of a school should not completely discourage a student. Many expensive schools have means of offering aid to students in need, and the value of the education at such a school may really be worth the extra investment. Overall, find a school at the student would feel comfortable, be able to get involved and succeed.

Be sure that you have visited the school for an extended or overnight visit so that you have a good idea about what life is really like at that university or college. If you don't think you will be happy living in a particular sort of campus environment, then don't choose to go to that university. Chances are you will be miserable for four years. Also, be sure to check for out of classroom opportunities like internship placements, study abroad programs, and grant opportunities. These are the facets of a university that will actually prepare you for the real world after you graduate.

I think that the most important aspect to consider when choosing the right college is also the most basic: yourself. Many students seem to think that just because a family member loved a school, they will too. But if this school is in the heart of the city and the prospective student loves the peace and beauty of nature, chances are that the school is a poor fit. A higher-ranked school does not guarantee greater happiness for the students that attend. It is so important to be aware of your own (the student's, not the parents!) likes and dislikes when selecting a college. The same idea holds true for the college experience. If a student has always loved art , it's likely that he or she will not be happy majoring in Accounting and joining Math Club. It can be fun to "re-invent" yourself at college, but remember to stay true to what makes YOU happy. I learned this from personal experience. I always loved books and literature , but I pursued a "sensible" Business major. Thankfully my parents supported me when I realized that I'd be much happier in my new major: English.

Choose the college that fits YOU.

Visiting the college is crucial, but it can also be deceiving because certain college experiences vary widely from season to season. If you are seriously considering more than one school, consider visiting each more than once. Also, spending a day or a weekend with a student is a good way to really get the feel of the school.

Find a place where you can and will do as much as you can