Boston College Top Questions

Make friends that share your values and passions. Always keep your door open, even when you have a paper due. Those friendship are priceless, even if college is expensive. And seriously, consider a gap year before college. Once you are in debt and have to get a job, you never have that chance again. And take classes that make you want to get up in the morning. If you don't LOVE what you do you will never feel complete at college...or in life.

Students: My biggest piece of advice would be to follow your heart. Visit the campus before deciding. Spend a day on campus and see if it is the right school for you. Once there, don?t be afraid to put yourself out there. Don?t worry about making best friends on the first day. Most of the time the friends you make the first days or weeks of school are not the people you will hang out with for the rest of your time at school; be patient. Finally, call home and let your parents know how you are. They want to hear from you. Parents: College is one of the most important steps of growing up. Remember to keep your children in mind when they are choosing their school. Although the school might not be what you would have chosen, what might be right for you might not be right for them. Try to give them space, but remind them that you are there for them. Send them a care package. It always feels great to get a letter in the mail to let someone now you are thinking about them.

I encourage students to go visit their interested colleges first before deciding which to attend. It is very important that the student enjoy the environment first in order to start his/her new life away from his/her parents. Secondly, even if it costs a lot to attend a certain college, it is worth the investment. Find scholarships and apply for financial aid to assist you with tuition. It is also very important to do research on colleges before applying.

Explore all of your options - don't limit yourself to places where you are sure you'll fit in! There are so many amazing places and people to be discovered, and if you visit enough schools you are sure to fall in love with one of them. Attend tours and orientations if possible, and ask the colleges for student contacts. You can write to them and ask as many questions about the school as you want - most students will be happy to help you. While at school, get involved! Try something new, whether it's the martial arts club or the school newspaper. You can also get involved in activities you already know and love. Extracurriculars are a great way to make friends. Create a relationship with your dorm RA - they can help you with any problems you may experience, and they are there to help you. Give everything a chance and be open to new experiences and you can't go wrong!

*Stay true to the person you are, while finding the environment that will foster the person you might be.* Before you start considering which schools you might go to, begin by creating two different but equally important lists. The first list should include 'things that you hope to get out of college.' This list should include things like what major you will have and whether you want to pursue specific athletic or professional goals. These are functional and academic considerations. Then you should make a list focused on your personality. This list should consist of 'things that make you happy.' When forming your second list, consider what size community you thrive in; whether you like sporting games, volunteering, singing, or political debate; what geographic region you'd like to live in; and whether you value diversity amongst your fellow students. Both lists are crucial. You cannot focus on what you want out of a school and ignore what you bring to it. College is about learning academically, but it is also about personal growth and discovery. This means not only concentrating on the education and environment at a perspective school, but also considering how a school will help you grow.

I would tell parents and students to not just judge colleges on the facts and statistics but on their atmospheres and the connection you feel with a school. No matter where you choose to go, college is what you make it. Get involved, get to know as many different people as you can, work hard and play hard and make sure you've left a mark on your school when you leave so that you will always be a part of it just like it will always be a part of you. College is as much about life experience and growing up as it is about academics and getting a job so make sure you take the time to enjoy it and really experience it, it goes by fast!

Make sure to select an insitution that allows the student to feel at home and accepted. A setting that permits such rapid integration into the university community will better facilitate the transition to the increased mental rigor of college class and permit students to pursue their interests unecumbered by social issues.

You have to visit a school on your own before you can really get a sense of what going there would be like. Get a plane ticket and book a hotel and go on your own. You get the freedom to make your own choice and build an independent assessment without the unhelpful pressure and commentary from friends and family. It's your education, and your life - so you better get used to responsibility before you're entirely on your own!

Everyone starts their college search process believing they will find the right school and have the great college experience that they?ve heard so much about. I was just like this, but found out quickly this is not true for everyone, and I had made a huge mistake in my choice of schools. I spent my first 3 semesters at Wake Forest University, trying to fit in but knowing deep down this is not where I belonged. After coming to terms with the fact that I would have to start all over through transferring, I became much more in tune to what aspects of a college would suit my needs and interests. I chose to transfer to Boston College, which I now consider the happiest place on earth. My advice is to make sure you like who as well as what you see on college visits. A campus may be gorgeous, but if all of the students are wearing the same J. Crew shirts and you have never set foot in that store, it is likely not the right place for you. Talking to professors is just as important. Search for passion, socially and academically, in all aspects of campus.

Almost any college can be academically challenging if you make the most of their resources. Most colleges can be fun, too, although commuter schools can make it hard to make friends sometimes. I'd say the most important factor is deciding what is right for you as far as urban/suburban/rural is concerned. To make the most of your college experience, just GET INVOLVED! Try out for as many activities as you can; you can always quit or go back later if you've signed up for too much or it's not something you're interested in. If you don't sing or dance, go to performances. If you don't play sports, still go to games. It's a way for different types of people to share a common experience, and it really gets you into the school spirit.