Washington University in St Louis Top Questions

Relax. Things will work out. Don't go into college with expectations or pre-determined notions, just take life in stride and adapt to the new environment. Don't be afraid to introduce yourself and hang out with people you meet. You're going to meet a lot of people who are very different with very different mindsets, and you need to be open to everything. Don't get involved in any sort of relationship, and be willing to try just about anything (within reason) once. Explore various academic and social opportunities, don't be afraid to step out and do something wild, and always feel free to express yourself. Build strong bonds with those you like most and be yourself without stepping on too many toes. Think for yourself and consider the bigger picture, don't just believe what those around you believe. You have a voice, an opinion and a brain, don't be afraid to use or express any of them.

The only aspect of my hectic college search that I can recall was how much of a whirlwind all of the campus touring was. After visiting several college campuses, they all blurred together, but the one thing that distinguished each university was the unique culture of each university?s student body. Through this observation, I realized that the key to finding the right college is to find a place where you feel at home and part of a community. Because, when it all comes down to it, your happiness is much more important than prestige or whether your school?s team is ranked number one in football. Moreover, once you begin the college journey, the best way to savor the experience is to immerse yourself in both the academic and social aspects of your university community. Always remember that college is just as much about the recreation as it is the classes! Finding a way to balance work and play is the key to opening the doorway of unforgettable college memories. And once you create your personal key to success, the academic and extracurricular activities that interest you will fill your days with rewarding and unforgettable college memories.

My advice is to choose the college that is most cost-efficient for you. Undergraduate education is not as important as higher level education.

The most important thing to look for in a college is the type of student body you are interested in spending four years with. Your peers are who you will spend 90{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of you time with and whom you will learn the most from. They will introduce you to new things and shape you life and interests in many ways, so the student environment is crucial. I also think place is very important. I choose an environment very different from my rural Montana upbringing, and because of that I have been exposed to many things and learned a lot, but I also have very little in common with my college and all it has to offer, so I have to leave many of my favorite pastimes for nine months of the year. This balance of discovering what a different atmosphere has to offer and learning to cope in it is important to balance with staying true to your interests and personality. Of course academics are important, but there are fabulous professors out there at every college and when it comes down to it, the laws of thermodynamics don't change much between Boston and Montana.

The best advice I can give to students about finding the right college is so simple, but perhaps the most difficult to follow: listen to your heart over your head. Ignore the statistics, rankings, and rumors; find the school that you can't bear to leave after the tour is over. Find the school where you see your reflection in the students around you. Consider opinions from your friends and family, but in the end, make sure that the decision is wholly yours. Don't be afraid to make the "unpopular" choice. It will be your most intellegent, liberating choice yet. I promise. Make the most of the college experience by understanding that this is the one time in your life where you can try new things without judgement. There is no other time to build relationships with such a diverse group of people. Therefore, surround yourself with the best support system you can find, and, together, traverse each day looking for gems of knoweldge, new friends, and alternative ideas. Keep your outlook positive, and the universe will smile back at you.

Truly this is two questions. To the parents I would remind that it is their child that will be attending the university and that , in the end ,its their lives they will be spending there. Thus, while your comments and expertise will always be appreciated, never doupt your child's gut feeling about the school. To the student I would remind that there is more to a school than the "name-brand-label" that may be found on the diploma. Looking for the right school for you requires thinking about areas of study, finding professors whose research or publications are exciting to you, and most importantly to your well being: finding a campus with a social atmosphere that will allow you to thrive. Considerations of diversity, the community and availability of your favorite extra-curricular should never be discredited in the favor of academics. There are plenty of amazing schools out there, the trick is to find the right school for you.

After my own experience,I think that it really doesn't matter where you are in order to give the maximum of yourself.However,the college has a great role,it can push you to go further or stops you were you are.Furthermore,I believe that studies are not the only purpose of life,therefore fun should be included in the education under form of sports,community work,theatre and other activities.Another important fact is the cost,universities should be aware that they can't ask for huge amounts of money,otherwise a family won't be able to afford education for all their children.From a personnal view,I think that the university is responsible for creating dorms and facilities for foreign students in order to encourage them to study in their university.Hence,the best university is the one that offers the best facilities from many sides and that makes its students to feel really at home.Thank you

When trying to decide if a college is a good fit for you, it's easy to have a checklist a mile long of the traits you want in a school. However, what matters most is the real "feel" of the school. It's vitally important to visit the school, attend a couple of classes, and talk to students - immerse yourself as fully as possible into that atmosphere and see if it feels right. If you feel like you could fit in there, you'll be much happier than if you attend a school that technically fits your definition of a "good college" but just doesn't feel right for you. Once you're there, be yourself! Remember that every incoming freshman is at least as nervous as you are, and that you're all in exactly the same boat. Don't be so anxious that you forget to make friends. Find your niche and embrace it.

Time Management! You'll hear it a thousand times but really., manage it well.

College is four years when you can really figure out what it is you love doing. You should not go to college if you are simply looking for a husband or a wife. You should not go to college and expect other people to make it a great experience. You should go to college, excited about the rest of your life. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn inside and outside the classroom especially outside. Visit colleges and make yourself marketable to them. You want the best of everything, financial aid package, advisers, location, etc. So do you research and get out there. Do NOT expect colleges to come to you, it has to be a mutual understanding that you plan on making the college a better place while they foster an environment that caters to your academic and personal interest. Good luck, this is one of the few times in your life when it is ALL about you!

I would tell parents to help their child make a list of schools that may meet their needs. Visit as many as possible together and then have a separate weekend visit for the student to meet and interact with the students, visit classes and talk with professors. Have a list that includes academically safe schools and stretch schools as well as suburban and rural schools. Include small universities and colleges as well as larger institutes. Most high school students really are unsure about what they want in a school and need to explore many before making their decision. Parents should be supportive of their childs decision. Once the student is at his/her school, it is their responsibility to branch out and make friends, decide how to get involved in the school and to be able to juggle rigorous academics with outside activities, keeping the goal of doing well and successfully graduating always a part of college life.

Focus on the feeling of the community and campus. If the student body is friendly and open-minded, it is almost assured that your college experience will be enjoyable. If you have to drop down a few steps on the US News and World Report list for a better environment, do it. Do not lose sight of the fact that this is 4 years of your young life. This is a time when life long friendships and memories are made. But just as importantly, friends are integral to your success at college. Friends can help you with homework or give you support when you need it most. A campus that has a more welcoming feeling will make it easier to go out and make friends with those around you. So don't just look at the numbers of each school. Go visit and immerse yourself in the student body to get a real feeling of it. That is how you'll find the right school.

The advice I would give is definitely go and visit the schools, narrow them down and make sure you choose the one you will be most comfortable at. There is always something to do on campus where you will fit in you just can't be scared to try something new and meet new people. Don't always believe the tour guides, it's best to do an over night visit with a student to get the real feel of the campus. If you're accepted to a school always ask them for more financial aid regardless of how much they give you originally, sometimes they can spare a little extra financial aid. College is a time when you can take any classes you want to so don't be afraid to take some classes that interest you but don't fit into your major. Don't always take the easy classes sometimes the challenging classes are more rewarding regardless of the grade you recieve.

The most important component of the college search process is honesty. Be honest with yourself, and with your parents, about what you want to find in a school. It is a really cool choice, when you think about it, getting to choose the environment which will mold and shape you for the next four years of your life. This decision is not just about where you want to go, but about who you are and who you would like to become. I crunched numbers and compared statistics, but when it came down to it, I made my decision based on a feeling in my gut. I went where it felt right. Spend time contemplating what you need, not only logistically, but the way you need a place to feel so that you will come to call it "home." If you are honest with yourself and with your parents, have faith that the right place will find you. In a year, it will not matter so much where you are, but the things you will have learned and the friends you will have made will make all the difference.

In order to find the right college, it's important to figure out your priorities in a school, whether it is academics, interesting location, sports, or night life, as those really differentiate between schools and help students to be satisfied with their choice. In addition, it's really important to visit a campus and see if you can fit in at the school. While this may seem really basic, one of the most important benefits of visiting a campus is noticing the vibe of the school. For instance, my school is open-minded, academic, and involved. Many of the students are very passionate about their campus activities and schoolwork and it shows through the enthusiasm that they bring to the campus, which is something that won me over to my college. Finally, in order to make the most of the college experience, realize that college is a time for you to discover who you are, not just a stepping stone to a career. Even if you're certain of your career path, take a few diverse classes and explore your interests. You might be surprised at just what you discover.

Find a place that fits you. I chose a school that fits my interests both socially and academically and I am very happy where I am.

There is not one college that will be perfect. Anyone can find friends anywhere who have similar interests and goals even if they are very different in other ways. Do not worry about the "right" school because it does not exist. Just find a place that you feel good about and do not worry about what your life will be like there. Go in with a positive attitude to make the most of it and you will.

When you visit a university, look around you. Asses how happy the students there are. Speak with enrolled students and ask about their academic and social lives, ask how they balance the two. Ask how much pressure they feel on average, how often they sleep. Can you handle the lifestyle they lead? Survey to see what the norm is. Most importantly, trust your instincts and your experience. Just because a brochure is telling you that one school may be better than another doesn?t mean the students there are any happier. Getting a university degree is very important, and it is important to feel like one fits and is accepted into the culture of the university they choose. You will be spending a lot of time, and expending a lot of energy at this school. You will come out of the experience a changed person. Look at the enrolled students, do you want to be like them? Do they inspire you? Going to the university means you are going to school to learn how to learn. Be motivated to seek out a challenging, interesting experience. Do not be afraid of change. Learn how to be your own inspiration. Trust yourself.

Research. Experience. Gut. These are the three most important things in choosing a college that you will love. Use online resources or mailings that come from colleges to try to narrow down the schools you think would best fit your needs. Are you an athlete? Scientist? Political Activist? Check for varsity sports, research opportunites, and the political climate of the school. You can't do everything from home though. Once you have selected your few top choices, get out there and check out the schools. Talk to financial aid advisors, look through the campus housing, and of course taste the food. Once you are at the school, try to imagine yourself as a student. Then trust yourself. If you just don't think you could deal with co-ed dormatories or a small school, then keep looking. There is a match for everyone, and finding the right school will determine the next four years of your life. Don't worry though, it's really not as stressfull as it seems. Once you get to college you will forget the worries you put into the application because you are so interested in your classes and the new people you have met.

Students in order to find the right college you should first examine yourself and decide whether you want to learn in order to have a career or if you want to learn to learn. Next visit your colleges of choice , staying in a dorm overnight if possible, and determine the atmosphere on campus. Finally apply for all scholarships that you might qualify for in order to receive the best possible financial aid. When acceptance letters come in give a little more weight to your personal preference than the cost of the institution.

When looking at colleges a student needs to consider five aspects of the college and university. Does the school fit your academic needs? Does the school fit your athletic needs? Does it fit your financial situation? Your social scene? And does it fit your environmental needs meaning do you like the surrounding city, neighborhoods, etc? For each individual those five components will be ordered differently seeing that people have different priorities when it comes to selecting the right school. One person might put their financial situation over their social needs. Other might look for a school that is very compatable with their academic requirements. Once you find a school that fits those five areas to your liking, you can be very confident that you have found a good match.

Make sure you look for a college that is the right fit for you- you should feel excited and proud to be attending the school that you get into. Once you start college, waste no time exploring your interests. Take classes that sound interesting, talk to professors in your field, and join clubs that sound like fun.

It's important to go with your gut feeling. Visit the school and stay with students to get a feel for whether or not you would fit in there. Don't worry too much about the price of the education, as most universities are willing to find a way to keep you there and the friendships and learning that can take place are much more valuable. Find a place that honors who YOU are and get involved in everything that interests you, as that is the best way to feel like you belong.

The most important part of the college search process is for the student to do their own research about the many schools available. Don't be too selective at first; it's important to took into a wide variety of schools. Secondly, make sure you visit the schools you are thinking of applying to. Ask yourself if you can picture yourself on campus, if you would be able to live in the dorms (air-conditioned?), if the climate is suited to your lifestyle, etc. These questions may seem petty, but they can have a huge impact on your college experience. As for making the most of your college experience, get involved! However, don't feel the need to start right away. Focus on meeting people and working hard in classes at the beginning of freshman year. Once you have a strong base, go out and try something new. Join an club sport team, a religious group, or volunteer somewhere. Also, make sure you take advantage of the area surrounding the college. Don't get stuck in "the bubble," go out and explore! Take advantage of any opporunity that comes your way and have as many new experiences as you can.

While going through the college process I was faced with a lot of pressure to go to a college with a name people would recognize. Try to remember that the name does not matter. What does matter is finding a school that is right for you, and once you get there no one will care if it is Yale or Evergreen College. There is also a lot of pressure to go to the best college you can get into. However, it is good to keep in mind that your GPA and work ethic in high school is a sign of how you will fare in college. If you do not think you can handle one of the Ivy League schools, then do not apply there. Labels and names really do not matter! Try to get a feel for the student body and academics on campus before going there. The university community can make or break your college experience, so look for a school where you think you could find your niche.

You go to college because you want to learn. You do this in order to become a better person, a more informed citizen, a more productive member of society. This sounds obvious and yet many prospective students and parents seem to have lost sight of it. How beautiful the campus, how renowned the faculty, how prestigious the name , how it ranks up to other schools according to a magazine spread, in all reality, have very little to do with education. All these do is bump the price-tag up considerably. And a higher price-tag does not mean a better education, no matter what U.S. News & World Report tells you. What should you really look for? Excellent teachers. They are the only necessity. Ask to sit in on a few classes. Look for teachers you trust and admire, people you would feel comfortable handing your open mind to and saying, "Here-- shape this." You'll find some of the finest colleges are relatively unknown (and relatively affordable as well). They are the new generation of educational pioneers setting out to regain the founding principles which our most prestigious schools have lost sight of: wisdom through knowledge, knowledge through Truth.

I think the most important thing is to find someplace where you can really feel at home.

take your time in picking a school. and make sure you visit!

Prioretise the attributes you are looking for--different colleges are best for different people. If you know what you want to study, of course go somewhere that has a strong program in that field. If you are less certain, make sure to choose somewhere that is more well rounded. Remember that you will change tremendously as a student--the changes may be personal, academic, and social. Choose a college that will allow you to mature, grow, and explore the things that interest you inside and outside of the classroom. And above all, relax. Yes, choosing a college is important--it is well worth the effort to take time to research the places you are considering and evaluate them based on your interests-- but most people would be happy with many different colleges.

In order to find the right college, you should have an idea of what you want your college experience to be like. Do you want to be in a city or a collegetown? Do you want to have challenging classes or do you want to be able to get away with not doing too much work? Do you want to be able to take lots of different kinds of classes or are you okay with sticking to a core-ciriculumn? Do you want to spend weekends at the football games? Will you feel comfortable going to class in your pajamas? These are some basic things you should consider, but its also really important to remember that more than likely you will be happy whereever you end up, and you will find your niche. Make the most of your time at school by remembering why you're there: to learn, grow, and have fun. Try and do some of the reading before class. Go in and listen to that controversial lecturer on campus. Have drunken philosophical debates in the hallway of your freshman dorm at 2am. Perhaps most importantly, be yourself and know yourself- afterall its all about you.

Visit your prospective school if possible. Go to a class that you find interesting, and see if people are engaged in the topic. If they can't be bothered to pay attention and learn when they have the chance to pick their own classes, you might not want to be at this school. Also, look around. Are people crying over exam papers, or smiling and laughing in between classes. Look for a place where random students seem cheerful, because the school can't make them act like this (but they can force the tour guides!). Just remember the grades aren't everything. Do well, but also take advantage of all the activities. You might not regret getting an A instead of an A+, but you might regret not making friends or taking the time to enjoy your life. College isn't a break from life, it's part of the experience! Enjoy it!

Let your child go wherever he/she wants!

Finding the right college or university means finding a place where the student feels comfortable, but will be challenged. A good way to gauge their comfort level is to compare the college to the student's high school, keeping in mind how much they enjoyed their high school atmosphere. If they want something completely different, then exploring many locations and school sizes would be good. If high school was very enjoyable and comfortable, then looking at colleges that offer similar qualities is often helpful. Of course, keeping in mind the student's aspirations, interests and hobbies is also important, but when you're looking for a "type" of school after having narrowed down your list to the ones that offer good programs for the student's possible major, this is a good way to do it.

Selecting the right college is one of the most important decisions in a young adult's life. The process can be both exciting and nerve-wrecking. The first piece of advice I would offer to you and your family as a prospective student in selecting a college is to clearly define your expectations and goals. No one college is perfect, so you schould prioritize what is most important. The college experience is a 4-year committment and a life long investment. Make sure your investment will repay you well. Secondly, you should consider the reputation, cost, location and size of the schools. Would your needs be better served at a small private college or a large public university? There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Have an overnight stay to get a better sense of what life will be like as a student there. What you value from education is extremely important. To make the most of your college experience, do not be afraid to explore new situations, interact with and befriend diverse people, and grow at your own pace. College is a time to learn about yourself as a person, so take the time to do so.

College is one of the rare times in life when you are given the chance to explore, try out new directions, and focus wholly on finding out what interests you. There are many pressures on students to choose a particular type of college - a big-name school, the school where friends are going, a parent's former school - but ultimately, you will only get the most of college if you are comfortable with the atmosphere of your chosen school. If it is financially feasible, visiting your top choices and talking to students and professors will be essential to finding the right place. Getting to know a college is like getting to know a person - you can't get the full story just from articles and pictures. You may not know what to look for yet, so try considering these questions: how big is the campus, and where do you see yourself spending most of your time? Do the students travel in groups, or are most of them solitary? Can professors be found across the campus talking with students? What do the students say they like most and least about their school? Most importantly: never forget to listen to your insticts.

Finding the right college enlists two different approaches. First, the emotional approach: Does it feel right? You have to be open to your gut instinct about a place. Even if it looks great on paper, your next four years may be miserable if you don't really listen to your own personal response to the campus and the students. So I must stress how important it is to visit, if possible, your selected schools before you make your final decision, even the schools you?re not very set on. Sometimes you'll be surprised at which schools you find you connect with. Second, the mental approach: Do thorough research on your possible schools to the fullest detail, from the percentage of students that graduate to what the students think of the food on campus. Once you have chosen your school, in order to make the most of your college experience you must be open to new things and people and to change. Try to remember who you are and don't lose sight of your academic responsibilities, but be willing to find out new things about yourself outside of 'academics'. Your college experience is what you make of it.

I would say that it is ok to set boundaries as to where your kids can go, but I think it is important that they choose where they will feel comfortable and be able to do thier best.

go look at the schools you/your child are applying to, and see where you fit in and where you think you will be happy and do well

First and foremost, parents should advise their kids to go where they think they'll be happy. Students should also try to go to school where they think they want to live after graduation. Now that I am applying for jobs, I find most recruiters are from the Midwest, where Wash U is, and I wish there were more recruiters from the NE.

Flexibility is the key to finding the right college - what you think you want to do when in high school often is not what you want to do later. Attend a school that gives you options. Know what you believe and have goals to attain this ? use the diversity of college to challenge your own preconceptions and have the open mind that will not get offended, but learn from these challenges. Get all the free Tshirts you can. Don't strive to live for what your parents want you to live for; make sure that what you study is something that you enjoy and find worth doing. Too many live for the image others put on them. Talk with your professors when you're interested. Professors know more than you think, and are generally engaging conversationalists. Take advantage of the unique experiences of college: you will have many tests and assignments, but if you have the chance to see something truly phenomenal, don't miss it. Ask yourself what you will regret not doing 20 years down the road. Go to class. Keep in touch with family and friends. Lastly, explore and find out what?s unique about your experience.

Make sure its some place where you can really find and learn things about yourself BY YOURSELF.

This decision is all about you. You have to find a place that fits you. Don't go somewhere becuase you think it will get you further in life. If you are persuing what you want to be doing in a place that you love, you will be happy. Also, don't underestimate the importance of the community. You will be living there for quite some time and it needs to be a place where you are comfortable. You need to visit where you think you want to go; it really helps you figure out what will and won't work for you.

When looking into colleges the student will need a lot of help from friends and family, so parents, do your job. You have helped you student to well this far; do not let them face this challenge on their own. Help them find the right school. A school they will be comfortable in. Ask them questions regarding their academic goals, their need for social stimulation, and their regional preference. All of these will help determine the type of college that should be explored. Visit every college you apply to and do so early, if possible. No visit is a waste, even if the student decides not to apply there. Make sure, especially if your child does not have a good college counselor, that you know what to expect in the application process. Do some research early on so you can give your child a head start. Do not underestimate the benefits of planning ahead. Students, work with your parents and be open to receive any help offered. College is daunting and the application process can be greatly simplified with proper knowledge and helpful advice. In the end, don't stress. You ARE prepared. Let the chips fall where they may.

Finding the right college is a tough decision, but you have to go with how YOU feel about it, not what other students or teachers or even your parents are saying about the school. The college that you pick is the college that will be your home for four years so it's important that not only do you feel comfortable at the school, but also that you can picture yourself there in four years. You should first decide what size school you want to go to and take location into account (rural vs. urban, etc). Visiting schools and taking campus tours, reading campus newspapers, and asking the students how they feel about their school also helps you compare schools and decide on one that suits you best. After you have picked your school and hopefully gotten accepted into it, there are so many fun and academic opportunities offered during your college experience. My best advice would be to join groups you find interesting, attend plays and forums offered by the school, and maybe even go out for a sorority or fraternity. There are countless ways you can make the most of your experience, you just have to be outgoing!

My advice for parents and students would be to visit as many colleges adn universities as possible. There are a lot of schools that may look perfect on paper but remember that if you're reading pamphlets you're reading something these schools have paid a lot of money for, and they're designed to make you think it's the perfect school. What matters though is whether you're going to be happy for those four years. The best way to know that is to visit as many schools as possible and then sit down and think about what's important to you. If you're like me, the answer will become painfully obvious. I had visited a lot of schools and was thinking hard about what I was looking for and then on a whim my mom and I visited this school and I just knew it was the one for me. If you can make a decision like that, you'll be happy no matter where you are. You get out of an education exactly what you put into it. So find a place where you'll be happy to put everything into it.

It is extremely important for you to keep an open mind and to visit colleges before making a choice. It's very difficult to explain every aspect of a university on paper. Only by spending the night in a dorm with a current student can you really understand what it will be like to attend that school. When I visited my university, I stayed with a current student, I ate in the dining hall, and I even attended a class. Before visiting I had no idea that I would love it so much. Many schools have special weekends for students to visit at a low price or even for free. Even if you are not sure you would like to attend the college, if such an opportunity comes up, you should go ahead and visit. You might be surprised and find it's the perfect fit for you, and if it's not, at least you can be sure you're making the right choice when you cross it off your list.

Don't worry about finding the one perfect school for you: there is more than one school where you'll be delirously happy.

visit the school and talk to the people that attend it.

Selecting the best college for you is a process. This process will vary depending on what matters to you, so the first thing to do is define what that is. Ask some of the following questions: Do I care about the reputation of the school? Do I care about athletics? Do I care about financial aid and, if so, what kind of aid am I looking for? Does it need to be close to where I live? Is there a good program in the area of study I intend to major in? What kind of social life am I expecting? With answers to these, and possibly many more, questions in mind, set aside a vacation to visit as many schools as you care to see in person. This is critical, as many individuals make a final decision based on their "feel" for a particular school they went to see. Apply to as many schools you think you would be happy enrolling in. Assuming you do enroll, start off with a wide range of courses, as your major could easily change. In addition, get involved right away; your social life will expand rapidly with each group of interest that you join.

choose one that you will give you the opportunity to succeed at.