Boston College Top Questions

Although today, we, as Americans, face an economically trying time it is important to still put your son or daughter?s needs first. College may only be a four year fraction of their lives; however, depending on the college or university the memories will last a lifetime and the degree will bring opportunity for a lifetime. Every college will have sporting events, parties and other social activities as well as academic adventures, but where the schools differ are how easy they make the students adjustment from living at home going to high school classes 7am till 3pm compared to living away from their loved ones and having a sporadic schedule of events. The university that makes the adjustment period easiest for a student will have the student academically focused sooner and give them the ability to gain friendships faster. Once the adjustment period ends, in order to make the most out of college, the student needs to let his guard down and be open to new things such as joining interesting clubs. Finally and most importantly keeping your dorm room door open for visitors because you never know when the friend of a lifetime may pop in.

I would definitely advise visiting the college and doing as much research as you can to find out if you would be a good fit for the school. Also, visit many schools to get an idea of what you do or don't like so you can narrow down the selection. I would talk to students or faculty at the school to get a better sense of what the school is like and if it is something you are looking for. Make sure it has the resources you want or need and that you can definitely see yourself attending the school and enjoying it. To make the most out of the college experience, try and learn as much as you can and get to know people on a different level. Everyone has something to offer and there is so much to learn-embrace it!

To discover the most about each college that the student has been accepted to. Do not jump to conclusions because of money or academic rankings.

My advice would be to thoroughly research the schools you are applying to. Make a list of the things that are most important to you in choosing a school and narrow your search down that way.I suggest when visiting a campus, take time to walk around alone or with your family after a guided tour and try to get a feel for the vibe or energy of the school. Talk to students, ask for directions, you will get a feel for the campus by how helpful students are around campus. Once you're accepting into schools, make a list of pros and cons to help you decide. Make the campus' energy a category in the 'pro/con' list. To make the most of the college experience, get involved and work hard. Appreciate how much the college experience is broadening your horizons and teaching you to be a unique and independent individual. College is also about finding your best lifelong friends, learning to roll with the punches and finding out what excites you, what you are passionate about. College can only be done once, so make the most of everyday.

Seek out professors while you're applying and once you get to school. They can help you understand what a university is like, and they'll help you get connected to academic and social networks once you get there.

As a student athlete, my best advice to future students and parents looking at colleges is to always make sure to choose a school for the right reasons. While athletics may certainly factor into a decision, at the end of the day, the most important thing is that the student chooses a school they can see themselves attending with or without their sport of choice. Coaches may leave, injuries may occur, and passion for the sport may fade. If any of these were to happen and you subsequently took athletics out of the picture, would you have any regret about making the choice you did? As far as making the best of your experience, always remember the saying, "the grass is always greener on the other side." Many friends will come home telling you how great their first year was, and its important to keep things in perspective. Its easy for stories become "larger than life," and its rare to hear about all the negative aspects happening at another University. Take one visit to a friend's school, and I'm sure you'll find things there that make you appreciate where you chose to attend.

Visit colleges where yopu want to live. Reach high and do a lot of research. Don't go crazy with applaications. Apply to a reasonable number, a couple reach a couple mid, and a couple safeties.

Having transferred from one university to another in the state, I believe I understand what contributes to running a superior university from a student's perspective. I advise those parents and students seeking a university compatible with their academic and social interests to first decide concretely on what those interests are. I transferred colleges primarily because my own interests changed in the past four years - there is a good chance they will for others. You need to feel comfortable and welcome at college! As a graduating senior, I have also come to appreciate the importance of a strong career services department to the college experience. Although I attend a fairly prestigious college, there is more to finding an entry-level job than the name of your school. I would further recommend that students attend a college or university with a broad spectrum of academic departments. Having changed from seeking a liberal arts degree to graduating with a business degree, I appreciate the diversity of study at my school.

Finding the right college involves time, research, and commitment. It may take all of senior year and may even continue into that freshman year after you thought you had already found the right college. My advice to parent's and prospective students is to make sure the student has been exposed, or actually visted and experienced the different college milieu's. Be patient. College campuses vary in all shapes and sizes and there are many factors to consider from transportation, work availabilty, to the size of the classroom. All of these aspects interrelate and there needs to be an appropriate balance to fully enjoy college as a whole. Finances are of the absolute necessity and students and parents should make sure that the student can afford all four years and make sure they choose a school where this is a possibility. Finances can significantly affect how much of the college life from the learning to the social living that the student is able to participate in. Extracurriculars outside of the classroom, such as a job, club, sport teams, are of the utmost important in making friends. Also, remember, drinking buddies are not real buddies. Form friendships first.

The brand name of the college does not nearly matter enough as the people and the environment of the college. Even if you work so hard to get into the school of your dreams, if you don't have any chemistry or friends at that college, you're paying for four years of mediocrity. Of course everyone wants to go to an famous college but keep in mind: Each student body is different, and these are the people you will be surrounded by for the rest of your college career. Choose wisely. College is more than just academics, so your choice should be based on more than just numbers and grades.