Guilford College Top Questions

To: Students There are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, although your parents will help you, it is ultimately YOUR choice to pick the best suited college. If your heart is set on one, then most likely you?ll be happiest there. It is human instinct to gravitate to an environment that one identifies to; however try not to go to the same college as your high school friends. College is a place to make new friends, doing so will add dimension to your personality and will make reuniting with old friends more exciting. Another thing, unless you plan on cooking, or eating Roman noodles for the next four years of college, do yourself a favor and make sure the food there is edible! Lastly, don?t be scared to contact current students of the college questions . They will give you answers, but don?t always take their statements as the truth, just take them into consideration. To: Parents Two things; its okay to let your child go to school in another state, they will want to visit during the holidays. Also, together with your son/daughter compile a list of questions for them to ask the interviewer.

Make sure the people are the kind of people you want to spend four years with. Don't base the decision just on how pretty the campus is. Work hard in classes and have fun, but don't let fun get in too much way of schoolwork.

The best advice I can offer from my experience is to look around at colleges first based on the degree you/your child wants to pursue and choose colleges that offer that degree. Some students, like myself, wish to pursue degrees that are very specific and not offered at a lot of colleges. Next is to consider how far from home you/your child wants to go to college. College costs vary widely depending on if you/your child attends an in-state (home state) or out-of-state college. Also consider the type of environment, both academically and socially, you/your student wants to be in. This means looking at average class sizes, difficulty of course work load, the resources available through the school, the social activity outside the class, the type of extracurricular activities available, and the diversity of students, among other things. Costs should be considered, but last, because financial aid is usually very available. Find these items in different colleges and link with ones that best fit you/your child, then go visit (a few of) the campuses you chose. A visit is invaluable in helping with the final decision.

Always visit the campus several times and ask random students about their college experience.

let your kid choose the type of college they want to go to and the field of study they want to do. They will do best if they find their own way through college.

Talk to a large variety of students when you visit the campus and take their opinions into stronger account than that of professors, etc.

A school that when you step foot on, you feel at home, and like you have made the right choice.

The collegiate experience is all about balance. When applying for schools, take your time. Visit campuses, read books, and talk to students. In the end, base your decesion on a mixture of what fits with your conception of the future and what feels like a great place to be. Once you decide on the right school, immerse yourself in the community. Take a wide range of courses, meet as many people as you can, and try things that you have never experienced before. Don't be afraid to take risks, but always have a backup plan. When in doubt, say yes (but never compromise your health or safety). Enjoy yourself. Respect yourself and the people around you. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, but learn from them. Remember that you're there to learn, but understand that learning also takes place outside of the classroom. Love the time you have, and be greatful for it, because college is at once the longest and the shortest four years of your life.

Go to the campus and meet the people. I never would have chosen the college I chose had I not gone to the campus and discovered how wonderful the community was there. There are things you can't learn by reading about a school - you have to see for yourself.

Just go visit; you'll know when it feels right.