Bentley University Top Questions

Tyler McChristian

The advice I would give to parents and/or students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is to visit the campus during the fall or spring semesters to get a feel for the campus environment. If possible students should try to participate in an overnight trip so students can sit in on classes and get a feel for the social environment as well. To make the most of the college experience students should participate in as many functions as possible that appear interesting because many friends can be made and organizations are a great way to discover more about oneself, along with providing a difference from others when applying for jobs. For parents to make the most out of the college experience they should allow their children to make their own decisions about the college since they will be spending the next several years there, but when the deciding process begins they should try to remain neutral so students can discover the most appropriate school for them. During the college experience parents should try to let students live on their own and not be so "worried" about their children.

I think its important to focus on two things. First, make sure your child is following the major he/she really wants and find schools that will best suite this major. Second, make sure you will be happy at your school. Look at the enviroment. Do you like big schools or small school or whether you want to be near a major city or not.

In order to find the right college do a full examination of yourself. Even if you are unsure of who you are completely, figure out your key interests and run with that. Many schools specialize in certain fields that could lead you on the path to an awesome future. Also always visit colleges your are interested in more than once. anything on the first day may have been a fluke (never jump to conclusions based on one visit) and even you could have been in a certain mood that may have impacted your feelings. In addition, never settle for less, never think you aren't a strong enough candidate because you may surprise yourself and get into your dream school. Lasty, never forget that college is a very important four years but it isn't the only four years of your life. Think beyond the scope of college and think about how this school may impact your future beyond. Think about alumni networks, employment rates, industries the school promotes. All of these thigs matter in the long run.

Look at a variety of schools so that you get an idea of the differences between schools, and you can get more of an idea of what you're looking for. Pay attention to the way the students look, to see if they look like people you would be friends with. Also always make sure to network and keep in touch with people you meet at the schools, it could help your chances of getting in.

Learn as much as you can about how you learn and what you like before you go to college. Think about if you like to learn in a lecture style or interactive environment. During your first year make sure to take classes that will challenge you and expose you to the different major and minor programs offered at your school. Once you are at college make sure to fight for what you deserve, often colleges forget that you, the student, are the one paying 50k+ to attend the school, don't be afraid to remind them.

The advice I could give other students or parents about looking for a college is actually visiting the college for a tour. Within minutes of beginning a tour, I was able to tell which schools were a fit for me and which ones I wouldn't want to go to. Deciding which schools to apply to is the easy part, but actually picking one to go to is more difficult. My most important piece of advice would be to go to your first choice school. Never settle for something that you think is second best. I think that cost should not be a factor in deciding where to go to school. College may be the most important four years of a person's life, and I truely believe that it is important that they spend those years at the school they want to go to the most. Even if it means paying extra money or traveling a little further, it is important to follow your heart and do what will make you the most happy. By going to their first choice school, I feel that a student will be happier and more successful academically, socially, and professionally.

Figure out what student body size best suits you. Then look at the location and style of the campus, there is a big difference between city and rural schools. Find out what school best fits you. Some are more business oriented and others are more liberal arts. See what fits you the best. Look over everything that a school has to offer, from classes to housing to career services. In the end go with your gut and choose the school you truly like. Don't force yourself to like a school because you will only end up being unhappy with it in the end. Relax and just try to get as much information about the schools as possible so you can make a truly informed decision. Once you are at the school, get involved with as many activities as possible. They are a great way to meet people and gain experiences. If you don't like an activity, you can always stop doing it, but you don't want to regret letting college pass you by without joining any clubs. Also take advantage of services that your school offers, they are there to help you and can be very beneficial.

When looking for the right college, take into account location and fields of study. You need to be comfortable with your school. Visualize yourself there and visit. Often times, you will know the moment you step onto campus whether this is the place for you. Don't settle - look around becuase you will find the right place. The best piece of advice I can give about making the most of your college experience is to get involved with anything that interests you and get involved early. Start your freshmen year. Do something even if your friend or roommate isn't becuase that is where you will meet new and interesting people that share your passions. Getting involved will help you grow as a person and build your character. You want to be able to look back on your experience at college and know that you didn't waste it sitting in your dorm room playing video games. Just put yourself out there and make the most of it because you will not have this oppurtunity again.

While a college education is not required for success and happiness, it certainly makes these two elusive aspirations significantly more attainable. The selection of where you one will receive his or her higher level education is of profound consequences. The people who they meet, the classes they take, and the culture they absorbed will shape their identity for the rest of their natural lives. The cost of college makes this once in lifetime opportunity. Making the most of college comes secondary to the selection of the school itself. One must simply keep an open eye, ear and mind throughout the entire process to realize the full potential of their chosen university. If they have the mental aptitude and social ability they will achieve expectations set in the school selection process. The school selection process is comprised from a marinade of steps. Students should enter a university with a desire to obtain a job skill. One that will benefit the economy and leave the potential graduate with a financially and emotionally self sustaining life. Other important factors include choosing a ethnically, politically, culturally, socially and financially diverse place of study because without these the student will simply not evolve intellectually.