Azusa Pacific University Top Questions

I would tell them to consider that the funnest school may mean the most academic struggle. Also, that it may be harder to get involved in a bigger campus.

Go somewhere where you find happiness. You can receive an education anywhere if you choose to do that, so just find a place that fits you and goes well with your personality, values and beliefs. Do not get pressured into going to a college because someone else wants you there or a friend is going there. Take the lead. This is your life so take control. This is a BIG DEAL. Keep focused, but have fun. Make the most of every day and when the going gets tough --- remember to look ahead to you future. Things might be hard now, but it will be so worth it in the end.

Visiting the colleges that you apply to is extremely important! If you are able, attempt to stay overnight in a dorm or apartment (OUTSIDE of Preview Week---it's a little tainted). Dads, find ways to VERBALLY praise your children. Moms, continue to encourge and speak into existence your child's success. Future friends, give everything you do ("good" OR "bad") your ALL. If you're not going to give it your all, don't do it at all. This part of your life is too short to do anything less. Lastly, stay optimistic---but that's a basic life lesson. Even a survey like this has reminded me and renewed my appreciation and pride in my university. And remember, we find ourselves in Christ, not the other way around. Find Him to find yourself, and enjoyable live free from what most of the world will forever struggle against. Good luck in your search, choice, and acceptance...

Find a school that fits you and your personality! The people need to be like minded and similar to who you are and what you believe. College is a life-changing time and your peers help define who you are. Find a college with great people who attend it and who actually like where they go. Peers rub off and being involved and interacting with them can be good or bad. So find a school that fits your personality and character. Even if it may not seem who you are right now, maybe find a school with people at it that are like who you want to be. The studen body must welcoming and friendly so find one that does a great job and is happy that you are going to attend there.

Plan finances accordingly. Money will be needed to cover what financial aid does not. Keep in mind that books, supplies, parking fees, etc., do add up over time. College is a great experience regardless, but even more so when planning is completed.

My advice to parents would be to make sure that whereever your son/daughter decides to go, that they will be supported through their journey. You want them to choose a college that will help them beyond their degree because the one thing I have noticed over and over again is that once someone finishes, they STOP. Once we earn our degree we are given a skeleton key, but no one points us in the right direction to which door will continue our journey. So we freeze and have a degree, but it becomes meaningless. My advice to students would be to make sure that you have two back up plans because as we voyage on a 2-4 year road, we may find out that it is not what we wanted to do. We and I have changed my mind with what direction I am traveling in up to the very last minute. Choices do not get easier, they just seem to confuse us more. Look into every opportunity given to you before saying no to any of them. Knowledge is POWER and it is better to try something new than to regret.

Finding the right college for your student can be a long and tedious project, but in the long run it is important to make a good decision. Even if the student decides not to remain at the original choice of college or university, the experiences he/she has at that school(s) will affect them for the rest of their lives. The college experience is one of the most important times in a person's life, whether they attend school or not--it is a time when teenagers are becoming adults and trying to find their place in the world, so the right environment for the student is necessary. It may sound simple, but the best thing to do when choosing a school is deciding what are the most important aspects to the student, and then making a pros and cons list of all the schools being considered. The only way a solid decision can be made is if both student and parents visit all of the schools. After that, it is up to the student to make the most of their college experience by choosing school/community activities that interest them and not stretching themself too much.

Dear parents and/or students searching for a college, When looking for colleges, there are a few things I would like you to keep in mind that have made my experience more enjoyable. Look for a college that is in your price range, where the social aspect encourages academic achievement and a strong community, and has good programs to help your health and well-being. If a school is too expensive it will be too stressful to make the grades. The people you interact with are going to make or break your experience so pick a college that seems to have the most friendly, intelligent people as apposed to the most beautiful facilities. Make sure you are going to be able to get the exercise, fresh air, good food, and counseling that you need in order to make your experience the happiest and most stress free. I really enjoy college and I think you will too if you find the college that best suits you. Visiting the college can help you decide. It is also great to find out what colleges specialize in your passion such as theater or music.

Dont apply to a college because its in an area you think you will like; apply to a college because it has the best programs for the major you are choosing and because you think you could fit in easy on campus and wont have to struggle to make new friends or to get perfect grades. And dont get caught up in the whole party/drinking scene because its overrated and doesn't help you get to your goal in life.

It is really important to know what you are looking for in a school before you go and check it out. It is easy to go to a big beautiful school and get sucked with out knowing anything about it. It is important to know your ability to learn in a classroom. Can you sit in a lecture of 500 people and still learn or do you need more attention in the classroom? Do you want to go to a research school which will have many foreign teachers who are difficult to learn from? Are you looking for a church or a spiritual place near by and have people told you they actually like that church? How many rules do you want on you? You can go to a school that is as strict as no boys allowed in your dorm room except for fridays from 9-12 or a dorm where guys can stay all night and sneak in and use your bathroom too? And whereever you are be aware of the challenges you will face with both sex, drugs, and alcohol and know your limitations and have a plan how to keep to what you want to do!