Clark University Top Questions

Finding the right college: If you have some ideas of what you want to study, then try to pick schools that are good in those fields. If you have no idea, try to pick a school that is good for many things, which could be a big state school but does not have to be. Take a walk around campus and see how you feel. Staying overnight at the school might be very helpful as well; you can find whether you like the atmosphere there or not. Talk to students that go there and ask how they like their school's academics, professors, social life, etc. While at college, whatever you do, do not forget why you are there - to take classes. This is what you are paying for. Do not do too many extracurriculars or get too involved in your social life. You will not have enough time for classes. When you do well in your classes, you can get good recommedations from professors and you can get good internships. Also, take internships related to your field of interest! They will help get your foot in the door for jobs.

Students will always make the best of their situation. It is important to really find a school where you can see yourself for the next four years.

Finding a college that fits your needs goes beyond finding one that is an academic match; your future fellow students are what truly make the college a good fit. Of course, it is important to find a school that academically matches your needs and offers extra-curricular that stimulate and interest you. Also, the size of the classes and campus, caliber of the professors, and location of the campus are important. However, many colleges can meet the criteria one is looking for. What is really important, and how I chose my college, was the make-up of the student body. By this, I do not mean the statistics of race, percentages of males or females, or amount of international students. The feeling that you get from the students is what matters. Those are the people you will be with everyday. I visited many colleges that fit what I was looking for, yet, I did not feel comfortable as I walked amongst the students. For this reason, I think the best way to find a college where you will excel and make the most of your college experience, a college visit is imperative.

Parents and students who are looking to find the right college must visit as many colleges as possible. Visiting a school is the only way to get a true feel for the university. Students, especially those who have already been accepted to a school and need to make a decision about enrollment, should try to attend classes and even do an overnight stay at the schools they are seriously thinking about attending. To make the most of your college experience, try to get involved in your school from the beginning. Join clubs and keep the door to your room open, especially during orientation. This is the best way to make friends! Be sure to introduce yourself to a variety of people, during orientation and beyond. Be friendly and open to everyone, even those who seem to hold completely opposite views and opinions. You never know when the opportunity to see the world from a different standpoint may arise, and when it does, you should take full advantage of it. In general, keep aware of what is going on around campus to experience college to the fullest extent.

In order to find the right college, students have to take the time to visit potential schools.. This is one of the most important factors involved in selecting the right school. No matter how great a college looks on paper, it's good to see it in person. Colleges take the most beautiful pictures of the campus they can and put those on their websites instead of what the campus looks like on a day-to-day basis. I was extremely disappointed when my parents pulled up to my university for the first time and I had a good lookat it. I expected a closed campus with open lawns and sunshine illuminating the various trees. In actuality it was raining and it was tiny. I couldn't believe I had to spend the next four years here. If I had visited the university I probably would have changed my mind about attending. Visiting is one of the most important parts of selecting a college. After all, if a school offers top-notch education but is located in a swamp, it's doubtful students would want to go there.

Definately visit the school you are looking at and try to do an overnight if it is allowed for you situation. It really helped me find the school that was for me.

Always visit the campus before you apply. Also when applying to safety schools be sure you would be actually willing to attend them.

Make the most of your four years, they go by very fast!

Bring a car, explore the area around the school, ask the students what they think about the school not the tour guide.

Shop around, and remember that your mind can make a heaven of hell and a hell of heaven.