College of William and Mary Top Questions

To find the right college, first figure out what you are looking for: city/rural/suburban, size of school, part of the country, type of school (technical/liberal arts etc), public vs. private. Narrow the list down to which you have a chance at, GPA/SAT wise. Read the books about the character of the schools. Then VISIT. Each school has a different flavor. Then, don't apply to too many (certainly not over 6), because your applications will become diffused & the school's admissions committees will sense that. Write an out-of-the-park essay. Don't get help with the essay - again, the admission people will see through that. Once you have your acceptances and you look at the options, you'll know - but if you don't, then revisit the schools. Once you've found out who your roommate will be, contact him/her, and get to know him/her - get together if you can. When you move in & begin orientation, ENGAGE. Take advantage of orientation week. Once you've begun classes, ask questions if you need to - visit the professors if you need clarifications. And enjoy the socializing! You're in college!

Choose a college that doesn't sound like it will agree with all the notions you've held to be true in your life. Challenge yourself. Keep in mind that in the end you are paying your tuition in order to be educated. People who say things like, "you're paying for an experience, not just school" are usually talking about drunkeness and promiscuity, and should be avoided. Remember that if something is different, it's not always wrong. But it's not always right, either. Don't go for the unlimited meal plan your freshman year. When choosing a school, avoid tour and introduction programs. Break off and mingle with the students instead of being spoon-fed a fistful of brochures. Don't buy all your textbooks at once. Plan ahead for Registration. Don't be afraid of early classes. Treat your education like an eight-hour-a-day job; you'll get more done in those eight hours and have more free time. Just because everyone says something is right doesn't mean it really is. Don't be afraid to go against the flow, to stand up in front of the crowd, and to sing the loudest.

Don't just look at the names of the college but what the college offers.

Finding a college is really finding a home for four years, and finding a place to find yourself. Don't just look at the academics or the party scene--look at the people, the community. If at all possible, visit. Immerse yourself in the school and ask around. Find a place that you will be proud to call home, somewhere whose colors you'll be proud to wear (hey--free t-shirts!). Step out of your comfort zone--study abroad, meet new people, make friends with professors, try new things, take a few classes just because they look interesting, join some clubs--but don't do anything that would get you arrested. And most importantly... be yourself. Take some time and reflect on what you want, what you're trying to achieve--and then go out and do it. College is a wonderful time to experiment with these things because there are so many resources (and so many safety nets). Don't worry too much about what people think, and don't worry too much about the future. Make the most of what you have.

First, understand that the college admission system is complicated. You might get into one school and not another for reasons you don?t understand. There will be celebrations and disappointments. With that said, apply to many schools. Remember that life will change in unexpected ways so don?t pick a school based on a single academic program, but rather rely on your instincts and first impressions. I picked my school because the students were friendly and proud to be there. They wore clothing with the school name and competed to participate in programs like freshman orientation. These are the reasons that I chose the school, and the reasons I am still here. Also, don?t get in over your head financially. Go to a college that will pay you to be there. My last word of advice is that once you get to college participate as much as you can. Talk to your hallmates, join clubs, start clubs, play intramural sports, talk to your professors, and meet new people. Don?t sit in your dorm room all day You could do that taking online courses from your parents basement! Good luck with the application process and your future at college!

Talk to students... don't just listen to the Admissions Deans or tour guides. It is just as important to find why people don't like the school as it is to find out why they do. See if their responses resonate with you. See where you feel comfortable walking around and ask yourself if you could see fitting in at the school. Lastly, make sure that the school has the programs you are interested in or atleast the flexibility to create a major. For example, I know I really like traveling and thought I might want to do some type of international marketing or international development when I graduated so I always made sure to find out about study abroad, international service trips/internships, or other international opportunities for students.

After you've narrowed down schools concerning academics and financial aid go to the school of your choice and walk around without your parents...Ask the students their for directions, and get lost on campus. If you feel at home while doing so it's probably the right choice.

Mostly every high school counselor will advise college bound students to select a reach, medium, and safety school. My advice would be to ignore the competitiveness of a school and apply to a school not because you think it is easy to get into, but because it is where you see yourself being truly fulfilled. The right school will vary from person to person. And getting into the Ivy League isn?t everything. Going to a place that allows you to develop into a confident and successful person should be your main priority, and you can do this best if you go somewhere with good academic programs for the subjects you are interested in. It is better to follow your passion than to wind up in a school that puts limits on your passion.

1. Don't get too caught up in the reputation or popularity of a school when choosing the college for you. Ultimately choosing the right school comes down to what you expect to get out of your college experience. Academics, of course, come first in the consideration of which school to attend, but there are so many universities with exceptional academics and ultimately you get out of your education only that which you put in it. In other words, work hard and it will pay off. 2. Know what extracurricular activities the school offers and be sure that they offer organizations that align with your interests. Are any of the organizations student run? Are there opportunities to study abroad? Diversity amongst clubs, programs, and organizations at a school also provides insight into the diversity of the student poulation. 3. Lastly, when visiting colleges you are interested in (which you should definitely do), don't limit yourself to the tour.Take the tour, but also take the time to wander around campus sans the tour guide. Ask students who are walking around how they like the school. Look on kiosks to get an idea of the activities that the campus offers.