Anderson University-Anderson, SC Top Questions

Instead of asking the tour guide and asking the admissions office workers, go there and visit with some students and talk to them about what they think about the school, preferably upper classmen.

Pray about it

"Go with your gut" when deciding on which college is right for you. Once you're there, get involved, but don't forget that you're there to get an education.

I would advise any student to make sure that the school has a good job placement record. This is a vital concern of mine but was not a consideration when choosing this school. Also you want to make sure that your university is accredieted if you are an education major, if not your degree will not be valid in all 50 states and you could have wasted your time and money. Make sure that you like the atmosphere of your university as you will be spending a lot of time there and if you are not happy you are less likely to do well in classes, which is the whole point of going to college. You want to have fun in college for it is a memorable experience but you have to work hard as well, otherwise you just wasted your time and money.

When advising a parent or students about finding the right college the first thing I would say is that it is important to background check the college, and see how much financial aid they are willing to give to you. Choose the college which bets fits you needs, and motivates you to interact with other cultures, or ethnicities. In order to have the best college experience you need to be open minded to different things that may come your way, but it is also important to make good decisions by dicerning from a good and a bad influence. Having friends that influence your life in a postive way can take you very far.

In my own experience from searching and choosing the right school, I have found that it is easiest to follow the plan God has for you. I constantly prayed and asked God to show me where He wanted me to start my college journey. When I had heard of Anderson, the wheels in my mind started turning, and I took the first step of faith and sent in my application. A few months later, I got my acceptance letter. My parents wanted to plan a visit, since none of us had ever seen or visited the Anderson campus before. I set up a visit date, and as soon as I set foot on campus, I knew that this was where God wanted me. I had only applied to one other school, and had gotten accepted. Since I had confirmation from God about Anderson, I didn't think twice about the other school. After that, everything fell into place. Two years later, I am still at Anderson and loving every moment of it! I have made the best of friends, have truly grown into a Woman of God, and for the first time in my life, enjoyed learning!

My advice would be to find a school that you are able to feel most comfortable in. I recommend going to college when you are ready to make a commitment to your future, and when you get there, maintain focus by setting goals for yourself and your grades. School is a real commitment, just like having a dog. You have to tend to it every day, and be responsible about it. Never feel bad about trying something new, not every school is going to work for the same person especially this day and age. Just like the old saying, " If the shoe fits, wear it". Same goes for schools, if you don't like one, then try something else to help you do well in school. Remember, school may seem like a pain at the time, but honestly it is probably one of the single most important decisions to go , and then to stick with it and complete. It is absolutely worth every penny and hour.

Don't make a hasty decision. Deciding where to attend college doesn't just affect the next two or four years of your life, it impacts all of it. Even though you can transfer schools, if you can find the right school the first time, it'll be better for you. A lot of colleges and universities will put their best face forward when you come to visit, but what they're telling you about the school isn't always what the students attending it think. Talk to students that attend the school to find out what it's really like. Make sure you do your research.

Talk to students not involved with the given tour. Make note of the resources advailable and the amount of students accessing them. Note the hours of facilities of cafeteria, library, and other student meeting spots. Check out the security on campus and the fitness of said guards. Check whether there are emergency phone boxes around campus and how students enter buildings- keys, enter numbers into pad, scan card. Overall do the students beside catalogue and tours seem happy. Are they in groups or are many by themselves? If possible stay until night and inspect for yourself whether you would feel safe on the campus- however small it may be. Is it well- lighted or only at the front of the campus. Most of college experience: try and find your group as quick as possible or prepare to be left alone. Are all the groups catering to the same thing? If so is the school good enough otherwise to stay? Feeling unattached end of freshman year- most likely feel unattached senior year.

The adive I would give is to research the school inside in out. Make sure the college has every quality that you like, if the school is too small or too big. If you are religious and the school is a party school twenty-four/ seven that might not be the school for you. You should be proud of the school you attend no matter what other say. The school should have your major and don't attend the a school because of its big name but of the quality of the education the school is willing to give you.