Gordon College Top Questions

Don't rule out location or cost if you know going there will make you or your son/daughter happy. If they are not happy then they probably wont excel and the $40.000 or < was a waste. Study what will make you happy too, because most degrees don't mean anything without a MA anyways.

i would advise parents to let there child visit whatever schools intrigue them and have the field of study they are thinking about. also pray very hard about where you want to go. and the most important advice i can give is to have your child spend the weekend at the school, you get a taste of the community and campus life hat a one day tour does not give you.

I would say they should definitley visit and spend a night at each one of the colleges they are interested in. Don't be afraid to ask questions, attend a class, or talk with coaches, students and professors. To make the most of your college experience you really need to get involved in the school, play a sport, join a club or extraccurricular activity. GO to classes, this is a big one, it will help you to do better in school, meet people and get to know your professors. On this note, talk with your professors after class, ask questions and participate in class.

When you're looking for the right college, you just can't settle for less than what's right for YOU. Do your research, find out about the majors the school offers, the quality of dorm-life, and the social activities available. Not interested in a party school? Cross it off your list! Looking for a school close to the city? Make it a point to visit one! It's so important that you visit the schools you're interested in, and have a list of things you're looking for in a school. Take advantage of te chance to stay overnight at a school. It will give you a feel of how the school runs, what the food is like, and how you fit in with other students and professors. Try to stay on a day when they're not hosting hundreds of other prospective students, though, so you can get a good idea of what a "regular" day at school is like! Most of all, have fun when you visit! Think about your decision, talk it over, and take your time deciding. This is your future we're talking about here!

The pre-college months are pretty much like a tornado: sudden, mind-blowing and potentially destructive. In order to find the right school you need to know what you're looking for, otherwise once you get there you might self-destruct. Many people look at college as a chance to get away. My advice is to not pick something so drastically different from where you are from that you get lost in the social and culteral aspect of the school, completely ignoring your education in the long run. Find a school you can familiarize with in at least one way. While you can't ignore your education, there is something you absolutely have to do at college or you will lose your mind (it's part of the "college experience"). You have to do something CRAZY. Go out instead of studying the night before an exam, or go skinny-dipping in the winter. Just try it once! Never has a student looked back ten years later and said, oh I wish I had taken more notes in college. No. They see the times they spent having some crazy fun as the best years of their lives.

Commit to your studies, but set a time frame, so you can experience life outside of what you are used to, or outside of your immediate family. Stay connected with relatives and friends. Do not overextend yourself. Keep all your quarters for laundry!

As a prospective student, research a few colleges that you're really interested in on-line. Consider not only the academic aspects, but also those of location, student life, and the types of students that you'll be interacting with on a day-to-day basis. College is not just about academics, you're looking for a whole package here, especially since this will probably be the first time you'll be entering the adult world: living away from home, with new friends in a new place. The potential for growth (academically, spiritually, emotionally) is immense if you choose the right place for you. Then visit the colleges that seem the most attractive to you. See if they're all the claim to be. Pay attention to how welcoming they are with students, and talk with the professors, and especially current students. If possible, stay with a current student overnight or during a weekend to try and get a fuller picture of the "college experience." Parents, ask lots of questions, and remember the whole picture as you help your students. Ultimately, college is more than a time of academic growth, though that should always be the primary"focus.

The best advice I can give to parents and students about finding the right college and making the most out of the college experience is to make every decision with great thought and, when applicable, prayer. Never make a decision based on only the parents' or student's thoughts, rather seek advice from guidance counselors, trusted teachers, spiritual advisors, etc. I found during my college search that prayer and other's advice helped me greatly in choosing my college. I also strongly advise researching and touring schools before making any decisions. Most college and universities offer overnight previews where prospective student are able to get a guinuine feel for the school. Also, when touring, ask students what they think of the college or university; students are usually more honest about the social and academic sides of the schools than paid tour guides. While in college, I found that I was able to make the most out of my experience by balancing my social and academic life . Additionally, I strongly advise taking full advantage of everything one's school has to offer:;clubs, bands, cummunity service projects, and the like can really help new students find their niche in college.

I would suggest to parents and their students that they should look for the college that has the best combination of programs and extra-curricular activities that interest the student. Academic rigor should be a consideration, but there is a lot more to college than merely academic learning. Students need to be comfortable in the groups and activities that are presented to them, and be able to readily connect with other students on campus. It is especially helpful for new students to take a personal tour of the campus given by a current student who knows the campus - to receive an inside opinion rather than simply the push from the admissions staff. Walking around a campus also gives the student a taste of what other students are like, as well as the general sense and feeling of the campus - there is something different in visiting a campus yourself rather than simply reading about it.