York College Pennsylvania Top Questions

I would tell the student to pick a school that feels comfortable to them. When they go to visit the school try and picture if they could see themselves walking those halls and sitting in those classrooms. I would advise the parents to support clubs or sports that the student is thinking about joining because it is a really great way to meet people, get involved, and prepare for their future.

Go to the college and talk to the students. They are the best source of information. They will be honest and not biased like admissions reps.

I would say that you need to select a college that allows the student to try out various activities and courses sot hat they can decide what is the best options for their future.

Look for the total package and trust your parents' opinion.

When you are looking for a college, the most important thing is to keep an open mind. Allow colleges to spam you with their information! It doesn't hurt to take a look at what each school has to offer. Make sure to visit your top 3-5 choices and sit in on classes if you have the opportunity. Just because a campus looks pretty on the outside does not mean that the classes are just as nice! Don't be afraid to ask current students what they like about the school and what they feel could use improvement. Flat out asking someone who has already gone through the motions is going to get you the most honest answers available, and therefore, the most beneficial. Once you've made your decision to enroll in a school, make the most of it by soaking up all that the school has to offer. Get involved in different organizations like greek life, clubs related to your major, intramural sports, etc. There is always something to do if you want to do something! College is about networking and making contacts that you'll keep for the rest of your life. Let yourself have fun!

The most important piece of advice that I have to offer parents and students who wish to find the right college is this: Make sure that the campus's environment is compatible with the student's interests. For instance, if a student isn't quite sure about which area of study to pursue, and one finds that his/her sense of curiousity is overwhelming, wanting to learn about many types of people and many subjects, then perhaps you should be looking for larger universities, especially ones that specialize in liberal arts and/or the humanities. Chances are that this type of school will have teachers who are experts in many disciplines which will caters to students' different (and perhaps uncertain) areas of interests. If a student feels certain about what field to study, then he/she may feel more comfortable in a private school where the professors are more focused in their particular discipline. This does not mean that these professors are more close-minded than those who teach in universities; rather, they are simply used to working with smaller groups of students, meaning that the students' interests do not differ as much as those in the university classrooms.

If i had to offer up some sort of advice, I would tell student and parents to pick a college based on education and not popularity. I know that sometimes big, state colleges are alluring, but smaller schools have plenty to offer. It is important for students to know what kind of learner they are and what settings will allow them to succeed. Personally, I value smaller classrooms and one-on-one time with professors. I know that I have a hard time concentrating in crowds and this allows me to focus and do well in my studies. I would also tell them that picking a smaller school does not mean you will miss out on typical college activities. Small schools still have many ways for you to get involved and stay busy both on campus and off.

Tours are a great resource, use them

The most important thing about finding and choosing the right college is self-analyzation. In order to find the right place for yourself, you need to know what kind of environment you enjoy living in and you need to know how comfortable you are with EVERY aspect of going to college. When you finally get there, it's really important to keep your relationship with your family strong, because you will feel lost at times. Sometimes you will feel like a broken puzzle piece, like you don't fit anywhere. This too will pass with the ongoing love and support from those who know you best. After you've come out of your shell, you can start growing into the beautiful person you will become. It all starts at college.

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I would advise both parents and students to schedule many college visits, starting in the junior year of high school. Make sure to visit schools that are large, small, close, or far away to get the full effect of the various types of schools available. After choosing a school that feels "right" to both the parents and the student, it is important to get involved immediately. I would encourage the student to meet all of the people on their floor, and make efforts to get to know everyone possible. The first few months are so important to meeting friends that could last a lifetime. It is important to keep your mind open to anything that could open new doors to you, such as different clubs or organizations. Parents should be very encouraging and should still try to show an interest in their child's education. Overall, college can be a great experience if you make it one!

Study hard!

Look at as many schools as you can and apply everywhere. Keep your options open.

Let your heart decide.

One of the most important things to remember when choosing a college is that it is the student's choice, ultimately, where he/she goes to college. He/she will be spending the next four years there, so he/she needs to feel comfortable where they are. If a small college suits you better, than that is what you should search for. Just because a school seems to be a lot of fun because of the famous sport team or huge campus, it may not be the right environment when it comes to academics. However, this is something that students learn on their own and figure out- hopefully before admittance to college. College can be the best four years of your life, if YOU make it that way.

My advice to parents and/or students would be to do the work and take the time to investigate all of your options. If finances are a issue, consider attending a community college close to home and then transfering. Visit potential colleges during the school year so you can see how the students interact with vistors and/or other students. Once you have chosen the school you like, get involved with school activities outside your studies. Get involved in volunteering with the community which the school should advocate. Go out of your way to make new friends. Do not lock yourself in your room and emerse in studies. Not that studies are not important but your health is also very important and you need to balance the two.

You really have to take into consideration what kind of school you want to go to, be it small or large it will make all the difference.

It is important to take into account aspects like the quality of the individual major you/your student is entering, the cost of the education, graduate school possibilities, desires to study abroad, living accomidations, distance from home and class size. Many students that I know have gone into a lot of debt to go to a particular school only to graduate and realize that their degree was only a stepping stone to graduate school. This debt is now really holding the students back. It is nice to have a good college experience, but it is also important that college is a springboard into your future rather than a financial burden. I chose to go to school in my town because I am going to graduate school. It has helped me a lot and I don't feel that I lost out on "the college experience" at all. Also, get involved in organizations that interest you as a freshman because after that you will be too busy to make time for it. My honors program has been invaluable to my college experience.

My best advice would simply be for the student's to find a college that can fulfill their needs. I know this may seem like a broad statement, but it is very important for students to go to schools that have a strong program for the major they want to be in. Also, after coming here, I have realized that it is very important for parents and students to think about how much change will be needed to adapt to the new college. For example, it took a lot of getting used to coming from a farm town to a college very close to a city. My advice to students would be to get involved while they're at school. Finding new activites to do will help release a lot of the stress that is caused by schoolwork, and of course you'll be able to meet all types of new people that may be able to give you a lot of new insight on places and things that may be new to you. Finding a school where you will feel comfortable at and will be able to engage in fun activities at is the best advice I can give.

Allow your child to make their own decision! Encourage he/she to look out of state. There is nothing like going away to school and feeling the warmth and love of your family and friends when you arrive home the first few times. It is an experience much like studying abroad...you will never be able to get it back! It is an undescribable experience that I would never in a million years trade. I have made great friends at YCP that will forever be a part of my life. Some of my best memories are from college and I cannot imagine my life without these memories and the friends I have made. My roomates will be in my wedding along with my best friends from home. Give your child the opportunity to attend college "away" or out of state! He/she will never be able to thank you enough! :)

Figure out your interests and look for a college that will let you studying what you are interested in. If you like being around people and having places to always go, look at a bigger college in the city. also look into the extracurricular activities offered at the school. I know everyone says to get involved, but it is true. Be involved, it not only enables you to make lifelong friends, but allows for possible networking. By playing sport or being involved in clubs, you meet people who may not be in your major, also allowing for people to turn to when you need help in other classes.

I would encourage students to think about every aspect of college (size, major, clubs, parties, friends, classes, etc.) and determine in their head exactly what they want for the next four years. They should make sure that they know what they want before they even begin their college search. It's hard knowing what you want in a school before you get there, but they should talk to college students that they know. Once they do that, that's when they should start narrowing down college choices and choose the one that matches most to what they have in their head. Once they are in college, they really should make the most of it. It sounds so cliche but it's true--college flies by, and if you decide two years into it that you want to start participating in all that college has to offer, you'll realize that you only have two years of this great experience left.

It almost doesn't matter. If you make the most of your college expereince, then you may find inner peace.

Find a college that meets your needs. Do not just go to a school because it is where your friends are going or because it is where your parents went to school. Go to a school that has the major you want, the enviorment you want and what you are looking for in a school. When you find that right school take advantage of all the oppurtunities that are available to you and always go and talk to professors during thier office hours. Talking to professors builds realationships that will not only help you in your class but will be important for recommendations later or for career advice.

Visit as many schools as possible; even schools that do not offer your intended major because many times students change majors. Explore a varity of schools; small and large, in rural and urban areas. Finding the school you feel most comfortable at will greatly influence the time you spend there.

Do not worry so much about it.

To follow their hearts and find a school that fits their needs perfectly.

I suggest they not limit themselves in any particular way. If you go into the world and decide it's not for you, you can always return, closer to home. If you never try anything new, you'll never know if you can. You can have your hometown roots and experiences, but you should grow some wings so you can go as far and do as much as you can. Don't just pick a college because friends are going, they have the best sports teams or are the highest level academics. These are your most formulative and informative years to come, to really step into the world. Support each other and know when to let go. From 'Hamlet', Polonius (the biggest worry-wart father ever) tells us; "Give all censure but few thy voice, reserve thy judgements and above all else, to thine own self be true."

My advice is do not let anyone influence your decision on what school you want to pick. You are the one that is going to the school you choose, you have to love the school or college wont be the experience that each person deserves to have. I made the wrong choice my freshmen year and went to a school I did not love and was pushed to go by my parents. When I finally relized that this is my life and it has to be my decision I got out of there as soon as possible. College is not only preparing you for your future job wise it is also a place were you establish long term friends, memories to last a life time, you may even meet your future husband or wife. Most importantly it is your last 4 years before you enter the real world so you have to have fun and live free, just make sure you pass your classes!

Be sure to find out the freshman retention rates of the school that you are looking at, YCP's 2007 retention rate was only 77{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} and dropped significantly from that number for 2008. Additionally, look into the amount of commuters at the school as well as the school's alcohol and drug policies.

The best 4 years of your life, don't let they fly by!

One of the biggest factors when choosing a college is size. If their are too many students, some people will drown in the overwhelming numbers surrounding them. If a school is too small, some people may find that their just too large for such a little community. Every school is differant, which is good, because no two people are the same. There are so many options when it comes to choosing a place for higher education- but the biggest factor of all? The education part!! I'm going to college because I want to better myself; I want to become something, and make a differance in the world. I need a college that's going to fit me like a glove, and aid me in my educational endeavors. Most students need to find their academic nitch, so that they can strive in whatever school they choose.