American University Top Questions

No matter where you end up getting accepted you need to visit the school and get a feel for the environment. You will feel right when you spend time on the campus you are meant to attend. In the end it is your responsibility to make the best out of your college experience. You will have a fabulous experience on any campus when you get involved and become a part of something you are passionate about.

I was certainly excited come my junior year in high school to begin the college search process. My school had provided me with tons of resources on "finding the best school" and I had read additional literature, as well as talked to my older college friends. Yet, what I've come to realize is finding the right college is not a question that can necessarily be answered through a book, statistical ranking or even a campus tour. For me, the perfect school just fit right. Upon visiting the school, I felt a strong sense of community. It was a place in which I felt comfortable, and could imagine myself becoming apart of. I was accepted to more prestigious schools and offered better financial aid packages at other universities -- but this particular school felt better than the rest. Granted, there are many practical factors that may affect your decision (financial, location or otherwise), but to the extent which is possible, I would ask you to choose what feels best for YOU -- don't overemphasize college rankings or suggestions from others. Remember, the college decision is ultimatly yours to make. Do what feels right. Good luck!

Some students visit a campus and experience that revelation, that moment of, "this college is for me." Most of us are not so lucky, and the uncertainty is often present well into the first semester of school. I would contend that finding the right college is less important than taking advantage of the right opportunities at whichever college the student chooses. There was never a time during the college selection process that I knew American University was perfect for me. It wasn't that simple, and it rarely is. Entering college with a positive attitude is perhaps the most important step that an incoming freshman can take. I can guarantee that if a student enters college believing that he will hate it, then hate it he will. A positive attitude and a forward looking outlook are all important, as they enable students to see opportunities before them and take advantage of them before they slip away. Worrying is the wrong tactic. The focus should be on enjoying whichever school you select, not choosing a school you think you'll enjoy. Dragging feet will ensure stumbles, but a head held high and facing forward will enable you to visualize your goals.

The advice that I would give to students about making the most of a college experience is to live on campus. There are many opportunities after the first year to try and move off campus and get an apartment, or sometimes you don't even have to live on campus, but you miss such a huge social and academic opportunity by not living in the dorms. Surviving dorm life is almost like a rite of passage for college students. The friends that you make during that time (even though they may not be your roommate) will be your friends for life. Look for colleges and universities that have set up structures such as learning communities for freshman where you live in dorms with the people that you are in classes with. These are usually based on your major, that way you already have a shared interest. Sometimes they are also based on sports or clubs as well.

Go with your gut feeling!

You shouldn't choose a college jsut because it's well-known or because all your friends are going there. College is about more than getting your diploma. It's about meeting new people and gaining personal and professional experiences. Even if you're the only one of your friends going to the school, if it has the best progams for what you want to do, that's where you should go. You also have to keep in mind whether or not the course work is going to be manageable. If it's going to be too much, your GPA will suffer and it probably won't be worth the trouble. Go somewhere that feels right to you, even if you don't visit it first. You'll know in your gut if a school is right or wrong for you. Follow that instinct.

Pay attention to the location of the school. It is not only important for the campus itself to have a good atmosphere, but also for the area to be suited to your interests. Four years is a long time to be in one place, and you will not want to spend all of that time on campus. Cities are great places to go to school, because there are always cultural events going on, many of them free, and many of them not involving alcohol. It is nice going to school in a city because there is public transportation, which is much cheaper than keeping a car on campus and having to pay for gas. Many students (including me) have bikes and take them everywhere. When it comes to looking for internships and jobs, being in a city makes the possibilities endless! Even just small jobs like babysitting are often high paying, and it is easy to find internships that relate to your major and interests. My advice is that even if you think you woulldn't be comfortable in a city, don't rule it out-you may find it's the best choice!

meet with professors while going on college tours...it'll give you a real perspective on what classes will actually be like

College is one of the most sudden and demanding changes to occur in a young person's life. Choosing the right school is essential for a student in order for them to feel safe, secure, and welcome in their new enviornment. The most important thing to do is visit schools. No matter how nice a school looks on paper, and no matter how badly you may want to go to a school, visiting the campus is the only real way to know if a school is right for you. Your parents may have gone to Harvard and you may have wanted to go there your entire life, but if you visit and it just doesnt feel right, then it isnt the school for you. There is a feeling in the gut that comes with finding the right school. One simply knows that they will fit in, that they can deal with living somewhere for the main portion of their next four years. My advice to you is not to choose a school by its statistics, but to choose a school based on how it makes you feel.

thnk of school size, location, and your major.