Baylor University Top Questions

Pick a college you can make your home. I walked onto one campus during my colllege search and immediately thought, "I would die if I had to live here for four years." I left early and never looked back. While money doesn't grow on trees, choosing a college based on its cost can send you to a college you hate. Be willing to spend the extra money for a valuable education and once-in-a-lifetime experience. Grants, scholarships, and loans work together to make college affordable. Fill out the FAFSA even if you think you don't qualify for aid. Don't let fear keep you from what you really want. I was scared and nervous about studying in Europe by myself for a semester, but I saw amazing art, conversed in imperfect Italian, stood on top the Eiffel Tower, and touched the Berlin Wall. Try out the food on campus- you'll be eating it for the next four (or five) years. Don't stress yourself out- if you really can't make your school home, you can transfer. If you hate your major, change it. Study something you love, something that inspires you. Challenge yourself.

Students: Keep in my mind what you are really seeking in your college experience before you accept to a school. If your top priority is enjoying the "college life" don't choose a school that is focused entirely on academics, and vice versa, if you want to get in and get out with a degree, don't choose a party school, put yourself in a college setting that will allow you to focus on your studies without unneccesary distractions like a party next door every night. Parents: Don't worry too much about your children. They will get an education regardless where they go, but this is there time to live out there dreams and discover who they really are. So take the backseat for a while, don't worry, you will still be the first people we call if anything major happends. They didn't get this far without you, and they know it. Admitting it is another thing though.

The first thing is: Be flexable! As I've traveled around Texas a bit to visit friends at other colleges, I've found out that college is college. Anywhere you go, there will be people that bother you and there will be opportunities for great friendships. There will be classes where you are dissapointed with the professors and there will be classes you absolutly love. When you're looking for a school, try and stay positive. When you get negative, it's easy to be cynical and perspective has a whole lot to do with wether you enjoy your time or not. Keep an eye open for those schools that really show appriciation for the prospective students and help along the way most graciously. These are the schools that are going to care for you in the long run, and it's nice when the school shows concern for the individual! It will encourage you to go further and ease the stress load along the way. When you get to school for the first time that freshman year, have a goal of what you want to do, what you want to be involved in and do it.

I think it is very wise to visit the campus and talk with the students, professors, and staff to see what they have to say about the university. It would also be to one's advantage to sit in a class and get a feel for what an actual day would look like. As far as making the most of one's college experience, I think a person gets out of college what he/she puts into it. One learns as much as he wants to and experiences life to the degree he desires. It helps to make friends with people who think similarly and to make friends with people that think radically different to gain advice and to broaden one's perspective. Lastly, when entering college, it helps to seek to think outside the box. Try to relate to a person you've related with before, or try a different flavor of ice cream when you head to cafeteria. I mean how many times are they going to serve 'superman with a hint of pistachio' without at least three people getting sick? It's worth it simply for the experience.

Speak to someone at the campus that best reflects who you are as a person to gauge whether or not someone like yourself will be comfortable on campus. Once you are on campus do not hestitate to engage in extracirricular activities and trying new experiences that you may not have been exposed to before.

As a senior a at a prestigious four year university, I would advise both students and parents to begin the search for the perfect school as early as sophomore year in high school if necessary. It is never too early to begin to think about the future. I also suggest speaking to students who currently attend the schools the student is considering. Important things to find out about are, profesor helpfulness, class size, student parties, student diversity, and financial aid. Once attending a school, students should make sure to study every day for at least three hours to stay on top of school work, join at least one organazation so you feel like you're part of something you're passionate about, and most importantly go out with friends and blow off some steam at least once a week.

I would strongly advise parents to give their son or daughter the freedom to choose whichever college they want to attend. Also, encourage the potential student to visit their top prospective colleges/universities. Always, always, always discipline your son or daughter to work on scholarships. I would advise doing at least one a month during the first 3 years of high school. Then by the time the student reachses senior year, he or she should be doing as many scholarships as possible. Even if the school that your child wants to attend is expensive, try not to discourage them from going. Instead, show them the number of scholarships they are going to have to do to pay for their school! Remember, even though you are helping your son or daughter to pay for school the student's life is being mapped out for the next 4 years or so. Be aware of the emphasis you are placing on what college they attend, because it may not benefit them in the future. Parents, you are investing in your student's life and are an important factor in he or she attending college. Thank you so much for your support financially and emotionally!

Finding the right college is kind of like dating and finding someone you want to be with you. It takes a little research and a few "dates", or visits to each campus to get a feel for them. But when you find the one you're supposed to go to, you just know. When I visited Baylor the summer before my senior year, I just knew that was where I was supposed to be. Just keep your options open and investigate any schools that spark interest.

The most important thing is choosing a college that feels right for the student. There has to be a balance between the academic and social life, and the total package has to be a good fit. Visiting campuses and trying to contact current first-year students is a good way to find out if that school will suit. After matriculation, grades are most important. However, no one can study full-time and benefit from it. Join a club that suits your background or your interests, get involved in volunteering, hang out in the student center, go to the fitness center, make friends and go out as a group once a week, or find something else fun to do. If you feel it could be right for you, rush a Greek organization and if it fits, try to get a bid and survive the rigors of pledging. Take classes that will help you in the future, and some that will challenge you, but every so often take a fun class as well--like Tennis or Concert Band.

When it comes to finding the right college for you, it's all about research! You really should get as much information on your top prospective schools as you can, narrow your choices, then visit as many of those as possible. Visiting Baylor made me fall in love with the campus and the people which is why I'm happy to go there today.