American University Top Questions

Finding a college isn't something that happens in a day. Nor is creating that "perfect college life" something that happens immediately. Take your time- relax. Realize that you shouldn't stress about the process, but embrace it. Give yourself a chance to explore colleges- not entirely disect them. Get the overall feeling of the institution. Don't worry about the school by the numbers alone. When you find a school, give yourself the opportunity to adjust. Give all these new experiences a chance before you decide to change them. Just settle back and enjoy the ride.

Go where you feel most comfortable! If you don't get into your first choice, it wasn't meant to be. Go with the flow, transfer if you need to...this is about YOU and your happiness and success!

Parents, don't try and dominate your child's college experience. Let them look into the schools that interest them, the academic paths that interest them, and the lifestyles that interest them. They will always be your son or daughter, but they aren't your little boy or girl anymore. It is time for them to go out on their own, though they still need you more than they realize. Students, respect your parents. Just because you are out of the house doesn't mean you are high and mighty. You aren't invincible either. Drugs and alcohol are mostly a waste of time anyway, keep clean and keep on top of your life. Just be yourself, but don't confuse that with who you wish you were.

Compare the college process to carving a wooden object (it can be anything you desire). Prepare your tools: Get ready to carve your niche in the world! Clich?, I know, but think of your unadulterated potential. Try an online college personality matcher like the one on collegeboard.com. Once you have found the perfect school, go there. You'll find a way to pay off your loans in the future (don?t forget about scholarship opportunities). Use those artistic juices and get to work: Variety truly is vital. Diversify your classes. You may have a major in mind, but nothing is set in stone (we're carving wood, remember). Get involved in an activity that you've never done -- or even heard of. As always, keep an open mind. You?re in dorm life now and will be bombarded with a slew of different personalities. Proudly display your masterpiece: You've worked diligently; you've earned bragging rights. It may be the end of your first semester or already spring break, but don?t forget to reward yourself. Whether it be a weekend vacation or simply an escape to your favorite spot on campus to enjoy a new novel, indulge!

Pick which ones would challenge you academically, and then visit them, get the tours, see the campus. Make sure the environment is right for you or your child. Visiting American University made the difference between my choices.

Students should take into account the mandatory classes needed for one's major or subject. How many gen eds they need to take, the size of the school, activities at the school, and what the buildings at the school look like. Parents should take into account the cost, the distance from home, and the amount of AP credits the student has. To make the most of a college experience, a student should join a club or sport, and participate a lot in it. Dont join every club, but just enough to make a good amount of great friends.

No book, website, or tour can paint a school with complete accuracy. If you want to really understand what being a student at that college/university means, you have to make an effort to involve yourself: schedule meetings with professors about academic and career opprotunities, talk to students about their experiences, meet with a guidance councelor, and spend a night if you can. DON'T BE SHY TO ASK QUESTIONS! It might feel awkward to talk to a random student on campus, but chances are that they'll be happy to give you advise and give you details about the school that administrators won't. When judging a school, experience everything you can about it first hand and tap all the resources at your disposal. The more you know about your school, the more educated your decision will be.

There are many factors to consider when thinking about college. The first is whether or not it's academic prorgams fit your needs. American University has one of the best International Affairs schools in the world, so I knew that it was a natural fit for my South Asian studies interests. Secondly, location is also an important factor, since you will be spending four years at the school. It's important for me to see beautiful architecture on my way to class, landscaped campus meeting spots, and the knowledge that fun activites are near by, both on and off campus. Student body is important as well. It's important for me to be surrounded by a diverse group of people whose interactions will teach me things both inside, and outside the classroom. And lastly, you must visit the school to check out it's "vibe". As unscientific as that may sound, does the campus "feel" right? Do you feel safe and comfortable walking to class? Do you feel that your personality, intelligence and talents will be developed, recognized and nurtured at the school? All of these factors helped me in discovering my perfect fit, American University.

The best advice I could give someone when it comes to choosing a college is to let the college pick you. I visited 7 - 10 schools in my search for "the one," and only one campus made me feel that tingly feeling of belonging and purpose. Even sitting in the usually boring introduction session with my parents I was thrilled to be at American University and to hear all of the opportunities possible for me. Students and their parents should look for what best suits their beliefs and goals for the future, and they should also find a place that the student attending can personally be comfortable and happy. At such an age of discovery and learning, teenagers and adolescents must find a place where they can find themselves before they can find their future.

Make sure that you get a good feeling about a school you're looking at, not necessarily just the numbers.