DePaul University Top Questions

Balance what the curriculum, the commuting, cost of attendance and living, and major will impact professional career and social life.

The best advise is to start early and take time to visit campuses. When you arrive on campus you sort of have to step out of your comfort zone and reach out to form new friendships. Stay in contact with parents and family for support and take advantage of what the college has to offer, both academically and socially. Don't box yourself in, remain flexible but still remember the reason you are there. I think kids get caught up in "becoming a couple" and that can be overwhelming an keep you from enjoying the college experience as a learning tool.

When parents and/or students are selecting a college, parents should guide their child, but the final decision should be the student's. Visit and tour the campus, speaking to current students as well as the student guides. Try to visit a small, a medium, and a large university, assessing the atmosphere of each. Be aware that some colleges are commuter campuses, and if you are from out of town, the weekends could be lonely. It is extremely important to get information on financial help and scholarships available through the individual college/university. Do your research on issues that are important to you. Some schools offer better programs for athletes, theater, or specific majors than others. The more information you can gather on the types of colleges/universities available and the specific ones you might be interested in, the more prepared you will be to make an informed decision as to the best match of a school that will suit your needs.

Don't lie to the college guidance counselor and be as brutally honest as possible. When it comes to college you have to understand yourself and your parents.

Make sure their child visits each campus more than once. You can't see or learn enough with only one experience. Over night stays are the best if that is available. It's important that as a student you fill comfortable inside the classroom, the study areas, or hang outs with friends. The whole college experience is to inspire you so make sure that you pick what you think is best! If you change your mind after a year and think the school doesn't suit you like you had hoped, it's perfectly fine to go to another. In fact, many people switch schools and still continue their education while being able to be happy.

Finding the right school for you can be very difficult. When trying to decide try to consider all aspects of what would make you happy. Think of location, class sizes, the colleges strengths and connections in the field that you want, and unfortunately affordability. Make all efforts to get as much aid as you can when you find the school that you believe you can be comfortable with. Once you get there it is all about the experiences you have. Study hard and be open to new ideas of how you view the world. Get to know those around you since they can help you embrace your new home and build friendships of people who care about the same things you do. Your environment can be an extended classroom as well. Never feel limited, but seize every opportunity you get. Stay focused and committed and you will begin to shape the life you have worked your whole life to acheive and will most likely influence others along the way.

Honestly, after the obstacles i have faced both finacial, accademically and economically, i will advice parents/students to start off at a community college (if finance is and issue) gather your decision on a major, transfer to a University that you can either afford without struggles and overload on loans, or a school that can offer enough schlorships. In the meanwhile, protect your credit. YES credit. Without an excellent or fair credit line/score, it is going to be very difficult to qualify for student loans, or any loan at that. For students, it is fair to protect your credit early to give assistance to your family in tuition for goals they sacrifice for your future. At the age of college, learn self discipline in every way. Concentrate, apply for all options, stay focused and save for both loan repayment or neccessities needed while in school....which will be excessive for that brighter future WE ALL want to attain. GOOD LUCK....BE SMART....RESEARCH everything. Make yourself proud plus your supporters. BE

While going to a student's dream school sounds great, if the school is unwilling to offer financial awards, go to somewhere that will. School is school, a student will be able to meet friends, and recieve a top education for far less stress in the upcomming future as soon as those loans start to pile up. Allow the student to have a stress free school year, unburdened by financial issues. Also, school is school, and the first two years are rather general, so think about what the student wants to really do before diving into such a financial commitment.

Attend tours and talk to as many students as possible about what campus life is about. You cant find out everything about a school from its web site. You need to meet the people who are actually experiencing what takes place on campus.

Be your self, have fun!