George Washington University Top Questions

There is no one perfect college for anyone, so don't get into that mindset. You can adapt and succeed anywhere if you just let yourself. Don't take this time for granted - it's only four years so find time to both learn and enjoy!

visit as many schools as possible, go with your instinct

I give the advice of patience and having a open mind.By having an open mind you wont over look some colleges that may seem not to fit your dream but if you give it a chance they are the perfect place for you.Parents should help kids go through this rough experiance of applying to college by cheering them on and helping them out.

Definitely go visit all your prospective college choices. Envision yourself living there for four years. Get involved-- the more involved you are with on-campus activities and off-campus activities alike the more connections you will make and the happier you will be. Don't take yourself so seriously-- have fun! Make memories. Take pictures. Work hard!

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Find definitive answers to these questions: Do you want to live in a city or in a rural setting? This will determine where you want to go to school. Do you like knowing your entire class or just knowing a few people and having a lot of acquaintances: big or a small school? What do you want to study? This will determine the schools you apply to, find schools with strong programs. It is imperative to go into collegiate study with goals in mind, and then work towards those goals. Participate in clubs that interest you. Do well in classes. In retrospect, I let my social life consume my collegiate experience. I left with a great idea of what I want to do with my life, but without the tools (GPA, extracurricular network) to build something immediately. I recommend schools in cities, and schools with strong athletic programs. There is so much more to do in cities. And schools with strong athletic programs always provide great school spirit and something fun to do when you have free time.

Take standardized tests multiple times so you can actually get into the college of your choice. Visit as many colleges as you can, even if you have no interest in some. The more you see, the more informed you are when you look at the schools you're actually interested in. Don't make money an issue - there are way too many scholarships and grants out there - if you want that college - you can afford it. Once you're there, dive in. Find something worth doing - worth it to you. That might be student government - but it might be making new friends and partaking in illegal substances. You get to make mistakes in college - but the wisdom and social skills you pick up doing so far outweigh the costs. Go to the gym, but after the first two weeks when everyone else has already quit. Run outside during those two weeks. Don't worry about your GPA. No one cares after your first job. That being said - get an internship. Take a class in something just because it interests you. Steve Jobs took calligraphy - look what happened. Go to professors' office hours for any reason. Trust me.

No matter where you choose to go, you will find yourself doubting the decision you made. Once you get over that, you realize why you chose this school. Whether it be the facilities, surroundings or programs, there is something amazing for you to take advantage of. Don't limit yourself to certain groups of people- this is a common mistake. Join groups that interest you and do things that will have a positive effect on your life, regardless of who is doing them and whether or not they are people you normally hang out with. The most important thing is to choose a school where you will be able to successfully attain a degree. After all, you are there to study and learn! Sometimes you get caught up in the social things. If you join a fraternity or sorority, keep in mind that there are educational benefits to these organizations and it's not all about the parties! Get involved in philanthropy and other events that make you feel like a contributing member of the college community and you will feel great about yourself. You'll find that no matter what school you chose, you can be happy and successful!

I do not need a scholarship because I have finished school.

The right school is not only what matches your "priority list", but also "feels" right.