College of William and Mary Top Questions

College is so much more than a book education. It's about learning independence and how to work hard because you want to and not because your parents will ground you if you don't succeed. It's about realizing what your dreams are and how to achieve them. It's learning to develop a network to support you throughout the rest of your career and your life. But it's not only an experience that will change students. Parents also will embark on their own learning experience. Remembering how to live their lives without daily involvement of their children can be challenging, but it can also grant them freedom to once again pursue their own interests and dreams.

As a prospective college student, it seems everyone tells you the same phrase: "Pick a good one, college years are the best of your life!" When faced with the daunting number of institutions, programs, activities and everything else the college search entails, things can get very overwhelming, very quickly! However, I think the most important thing for any student or parent to know is no matter where you (or your son or daughter!) go, you'll be just fine. Today, students are facing more choices and more competition for colleges than ever before, and it seems like so many students get caught up in getting into that "perfect" school. Honestly, though, no matter where you go, you will find your niche. You will discover amazing people, fun and interesting activities, engaging and challenging classes, and new perspectives on just about everything. You just have to go out and find it! Get involved, try something new, and make the most of your college experience, no matter where it is. So yes, keep dreaming about that perfect school, but know that even if things don't work out "perfectly", you'll probably end up finding perfection where you didn't expect it.

Follow your heart. In the long run, nothing else matters.

Make sure you visit the colleges you are thinking of attending, and use that visit to gauge the atmosphere of the college. Is it welcoming? Do the students seem happy, friendly, and involved? You should ask a lot of questions to students and professors, and not just admissions officials (whose job it is to make the school look as good as possible). While visiting, ask yourself if you can see yourself spending the next four years of your life there. Keep in mind class size, academic requirements, facilities (academic buildings, dorms, dining halls, etc.), social/volunteer opportunities, and the area around campus. To make the most out of the college experience, my number one suggestion is to join a group that feels like a family. It can be a club sports team, a fraternity/sorority, an academic club, or any other group on campus. If you devote your time and energy to something you're interested in, you will get a lot in return. You will have people on campus to support you and be a sort of second family while you are at school, and you will have formed lifelong friendships.

Finding the right college is all about knowing what you want to get out of the experience. One of the major deciding factors for me was picking a college that was fairly small in size. It allows you to really make yourself part of the college and feel closely connected. There is a lot that can be said about the benefits of living in a close-knit community as well. By attending a smaller college, I have made several deep connections with the people here, as well as gotten to know so many new and exciting people thorugh mutual friends. Another important consideration is the academic experience. Although your time enjoyed in college has a lot more to do with things outside academics than it does with your classes, it is still very important. It is your common experience with those around you that make taking the classes an experience beyond learning. It is also the gateway to really discovering what you are passionate about in life and defining yourself as a person. While my examples show what was important to me, it also shows how and what should be considered when picking the college that's right for you.

I would encourage both parents and students to look at numerous attributes of the college. I would especially inform students because they will be the ones enrolled, to look at three main areas of college when deciding: 1) whether it coincides with your major because depending on the school it could be well-known and highly- ranked for specific degrees, a degree at one school may not be as worthy as it would at be another college; 2) financial aid because if there is a main concern for money and being able to fully pay for school as it is for most prospective students the amount of financial aid an institution provides will be a prominent decision maker; 3) the social life and community because one will have to spend approximately four years at the college so visit and maybe spend a day and night getting to know the people and learning about available activities.

Don't Panic! (from Hitchhiker's Guide) This is a big decision but guess what? You're an adult now! If you choose a college that you end up hating, it's OK. You can choose to leave and try somewhere else. And luckily, there are many many options. I ended up at William and Mary- my last choice. In fact, I wasn't even going to apply here. And then it was the only place I got in. I was mortified. I didn't even visit before moving in in the fall because I was too upset. But it turned out to be perfect for me. I am a William and Mary woman through and through. Other of my friends got in to their top choice schools and ended up transfering out after a semester. It just goes to show that you never know what's going to be right. You just have to hold your breath and hope for the best. And be proactive if things don't turn out exactly right at first. Have faith that you'll figure it out eventually. You're an adult, that's what adults do.

Relax! Don't stress yourself out too much with the process, if the school is right you will know.

Visit!! talk to a lot of people and check out the surrounding area. Choose a place where you feel comfortable. Getting as far away as possible is not really as big of a deal as it seemed at the time

I would tell students to find a school based off of mostly the people that go to school there and then to consider the academics. If this is done, then a student will be happier. I went to my school more because of its academic reputation without knowing at all what the people are like and realize that I may be happier somewhere else. The people at a school make the school what it is. If the people are intelligent and have things in common with oneself, then a student will be happier. Also, the professors complete the academic experience for a school and a school with great professors are definitely a plus. Once in college, finding the best balance of schoolwork, sleep, social relationships, and extracurricular activities is the best thing that one can do. If the balance is accomplished, then happiness is sure to follow.