Eckerd College Top Questions

Definitely visit the schools you're interested in, sleepover for a weekend if you can. Look on websites like the princeton review to learn details that you wouldn't learn from the school itself. Students' involvement with drugs and alcohol are a huge part of what makes a particular school a good fit, because someone who parties all the time would be very unhappy on a campus where most students do not drink, and vice versa. Also, small schools with little or no greek life tend to be better places to make a wide range of friends and to have friendly students than large schools that revolve around sororities and fraternities. Picking a college is a huge decision, and although you could get lucky (I am happier than ever in a school that I applied to without looking into it much), it's important to find out all you can from visits and any underground information source (ie: alumni and websites).

That one-on-one interaction with the professors can be far more valuable than the reputation of the school. Also, that everything in life builds... meaning after you get over the initial barrier of that first job or that first recognition of success, more opportunities become available and it becomes easier to get them. So find somewhere you can will rise above your peers and be noticed -- it will mean a lot. Secondly, the specific knowledge gained from a degree isn't as important as the skills. You'll forget the specifics but the ways of thinking, the perception of capability, and skills are most important. For example, someone with a degree in math will be better off than a degree in economics because of the skills gained in quantiative thinking and rigorous proof. You can always go find a book to pick up the specific knowledge such as the principles of supply and demand or how to solve a math problem but training the mind takes a lot more time and energy so you might as use your hours in the classroom for that. Never say you can't do something or something is too hard.

Let your sopn/daughter decide so they will have a strong chance of being succesful and finding what theie career pth will be. Visit a lot of schools, eventally there will be the on that they click with and love.

ask lots of questions. be sure you know the truth.

just follow your heart, if you get to the college and realize its not for you, leave. its your life, and you have to make the best of it. college is all about new exciting experiences, so get yourself to say yes to things you may have said no to before. its all about broadening your horizons.

The trouble about searching for the right school is the pressure that the student has to face when looking for the right college. It is easy to feel bombarded by ideas from counselors, fellow peers, and parents. In reality, the answer to finding the right college is to do what is in your best interest and to not be afraid. Look at schools that are different and dare to go out of your comfort zone. Don't get sucked into the school that all of your friends go to or the school your parents want. There is no doubt in my mind that there is a school for everyone. Students, look at your options! You can literally go anywhere you want in the world and do anything you want. Once you realize that the options are limitless, the perfect school will be easy to find. Parents, you should be more than supportive to your child when he or she is searching for the right college. If it is not the college you imagined your child to be at, realize that it is their decision and respect it. They will be happier and will make the most of their college experience.

The best advice I have for students looking at college is to visit the campuses of the schools that sound interesting and take a tour. Actually seeing the campus and the students on it can make all the difference. If possible arrange to stay overnight at the school, attend a class, or at least have lunch with a student. Pick the school that feels right to you. If you don't get the feeling you will fit in with the students on campus you probably should not go there. Even though you take classes in college, the four years spent there are about more than what you learn in the classroom and if you don't like the people around you it will be a long, lonely four years. Be open-minded when looking at schools. It might be that you think you know the kind of school you want and are missing the perfect school for you. Lastly, relax. Everything will work out in the end and you can always transfer if it doesn't.

Visit the school and get honest answers from the students, not just the ones giving you the tour. They are there to tell you what ever you want to hear and not always the good, the bad and the ugly. Most students are pretty nice and helpful and it is a good idea to go up and ask any random student some basic questions.

Visit the colleges that are of interest to you. It is important to like not only the campus but the city/town in which you will be living for four years.

Visit the school.