Brown University Top Questions

The most important thing in finding the right college is feeling comfortable with your selection. Self-improvement and development into academic and emotional maturity, in many ways, is difficult process to begin if you are not comfortable in your initial environment. It is important to like the people you meet, the classes offered, and the overall "feel" of the location when visiting a college. From there, it is all about keeping yourself on track. The most of your college experience will come to you once you let loose and try the (non-toxic) things that you were afraid to do before, or never had the chance to experience. It will be worth it, even if it takes a couple tries. Depending on what your life goals are, as long as you stick with your morals, whatever they may be, and stay strong, college will be a great experience, perhaps the best of your life. It will have its ups and downs, but with the right attitude everything will ultimately level out to a happy place.

Wherever you go, don't conform to what others expect of you. Get to know yourself, your abilities and passions and pursue those instead.

The advice I would give parents and students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience would be to find the place where you can pursue your passions. More often than not, people tend to associate the pursuit of passion with a financially impractical field of study. Now I am not imputing a lack of passion to the financially related fields of study. But to address this belief that pervades most college campuses these days, it is true to a certain extent. However, this belief is based on equating financial fulfillment with real happiness in life. And it is perpetuated by the fear of not fulfilling one's financial goals. Nonetheless, this false notion completely undermines the apotheosis of a college experience, which is to find yourself. Most will agree that college is a life changing experience. And in order to make it a fulfilling experience one must pursue one's passions. This pursuit will allow one to engage in productive introspection, allowing the exploration of individuality. Ironically, it is this individuality that encourages technological and economic innovation. Nonetheless, these priceless lessons are what make a college experience a right college experience.

Make sure that you are as close to home or as far away as you need to be. Pay close attention to the size of the school, as well as its location (city, rural, etc.) Throw you self as far from your comfort zone as you can.

Tom Robins once said, "We waste time looking for the perfect lover, instead of creating the perfect love." Finding love can be similar to that of finding the right college . Before we think about comparing lists of colleges, SAT statistics, and Princeton Review or U.S. News Rankings, we should ask ourselves; what is it we hope to get from college? Are we hoping to get a broad education to allow us to explore the world? Are we looking for a place where the "lights in our head will turn on" and we find something we are truly passionate about? Or are we trying to get a pre-professional degree? For many, the answer lies in one of these, but we truly have to find the answer in all of these questions. The college you choose will be your Alma Mater, nurturing mother, and it should be an environment where you can truly grow and find yourself. It is this process, this education, which will carry you to success. The name on a college carries one only so far, but if one takes advantage of every opportunity at a college that truly fits them, they will surely find their way.

Don't rule out any school and make sure that you go and visit the campus, even spend a night if you can.

Be flexible, be open-minded, absorb as much information as possible. Be willing to visit a campus multiple times in order to have confidence in your final decisions.

In order to find the right college, much research needs to be done. First, decide what traits you consider mandatory in a college. Then, find schools that fulfill those requirements. After that, visit the schools that are being considered. Take the campus tour, but try to talk to current students and faculty to get a better idea of what the college is really like. Once you have been accepted to and decide to go to a college, make sure you get the most out of your education. One of the most important things to remember is to try new things- a class you never considered taking or a club that seems different. Those can be some of the most rewarding experiences of your college career. On a more academic note, make sure you get to know your professors, especially during freshman year when students typically take large introduction classes. It always helps when a professor has a face to put with a name when grading time comes around. Also, if you need extra help or an extension on a paper, the professor will be more likely to grant that if you have taken the time to develop a relationship.

follow your instincts and don't act simply for what looks good on paper. don't be afraid to take risks and be yourself, put who you really are on the line