Brown University Top Questions

Two of the main points I looked at when choosing a college were location and academics. Personally, I wanted a huge change. I wanted to challenge myself and push my independence to the next level. In order to do this, I chose to attend college on the opposite side of the country at Brown University in Providence. For me, this was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Being away from my family and friends and everything familiar was difficult at first, but it challenged me to explore different parts of my individuality and fostered a stronger sense of independence. College is supposed to help you find your path in life and acquire tools to succeed in that life. Going away for college and attending a rigorous academic university was a great way to acquire those skills for success and foster them in a safe, intriguing environment. When choosing a school, I think you just really have to consider what suits you best and what's most important to you. For me, I just had a feeling of belonging when I first visited Brown. I knew I could make it my home, and I have.

I strongly suggest to visit the school before hand and maybe spend a night there with a student. It is good to go to the classes and meet some of the students. Experiencing college life for just one night can be really helpful in deciding what kind of school you want to attend.

I would say that finding the right college is a very daunting task and it takes time and not to choose too quickly. I would say to apply to at least 10 colleges/universities, the more options the better. As for making the most of one's college experience, one has to maximize the resources that are available and take chances socially and academically.

Try and think about things you will want in two or three years, not just what you want to do right now. After two years, you might look on some things you thought of as important and laugh at how trivial they are, and some things you never thought of are incredibly important now.

While I do really think that being happy at the college you choose is to some extent a state of mind (ie have a positive attitude and actively seek out the campus resources that will fill in the holes when you find something lacking), there are a few things that parents and students can be aware of before making such an important decision. Forget about prestige! The days of blindly applying to a school based on status, without even visiting or speaking to current students, are over; a college education today is much more about being comfortable with yourself as a person and giving yourself the knowledge and tools to get a head start on life. Visit the prospective school you love, ask current students who love the school what other similar schools they had applied to in order to round out your pool (and increase your chances at finding the right fit for you!), and make sure that this school can give you the size, support and activities that you are used to. In the end, college should challenge and shape you, but you already have 18 years of habits and passions - make sure this school complements those needs.

It does not matter if you get into your first choice school, what is important is that you make those most of your experience there. Each college and university is there for you, the student, so make sure you take full advantage of your professors, advisors and fellow students. The other students are there for the same reasons as you are, to learn, by using eachother as a resource for academic and other purposes you will grow and enjoy college that much more. Make the most of every situation and you are sure to be rewarded.

Students and parents should make their best effort to visit as many campus' they can in order to get a feel for the college or university. Student's happiness and satisfaction have alot to do with their innate feelings about the look and feel of a campus.

When looking for the right college for yourself, or for you son/daughter, it can most definitely be overwhelming. When first approaching this process firstly figure out what you want out of your college. Do you want a small, medium or big campus? Would you rather be in urban, rural or suburban surroundings? Questions like these can help to eliminate a lot of places. Then consider what kind of social scene you would prefer. How important is diversity to you? Just figure out what you want and allign colleges with these desires. Once in college, try to take full advantage of all the college is offering. Join clubs, sports and even take a look at the sorority/fraternity life. College is not just about the education. This college is going to be your home (if you go away to college). There are educational values and there are life lessons to be had. With this in mind, get out there and actually experience college. Have fun and work hard. Learn to balance, and enjoy it while you have it.

Parents and studens should know that nothing can ever replicate the true college experience. Guided tours and information sessions are geared towards recruiting new applicants first and foremost. The priority of these events is not always giving prospective students a real "feel" for their insitution. Furthermore, often parents and potential students get caught up in the figures; but numbers, percents, and ratios do not accurately represent a school. What is important is the human aspect of a college or university. The way to get a true feel for any college is to talk to current students. They are the ones who are really experiencing all that a school has to offer and they are your potential fellow peers and friends. It will be easy to tell in a short conversation how happy students are with their school. College students are friendly and talkative and they have no motive to be anything but honest! If you see students lounging around in groups in the dining halls or on the quad just go right up and ask them some questions!

Definitely visit, ask current students, and relax.