Howard University Top Questions

Visit the college because that could really help you in your decision. If you can, go on a tour and sit in on some classes because, especially if you will be staying on campus, you want to be comfortable with the surroundings you will be in because that is where you will be spending the next ten months of your colligate career. You want to enjoy where you are staying and know that the college that you attend is a home away from home.

In order to find the right college, the student must find out what type of environment he or she would like to immerse themselves into. Whether it be a university contains a tremendous amount of students with different political views, or an institution in which the arts are prevalent amongst the student body. For myself Howard University in Washington D.C. was the best choice. The rich history of the city is what first attracted to travel outside of my home state to further my education. The divergent cultures that emerged themselves from the predominant ethnicity within the university is what made me grow to love my school, and the knowledge presented from this type of environment. To make the most of the experience it is wise to enroll in a school that exposes a person to something that goes against the norm of the city from which one is indigenous. It is then that the exposure to different cultural backgrounds and diverse ways of life assist in cultivating the person that one is destined to be.

Trust your child. As usual, push them to where they are going to be successful. But, also, listen to them. Let them visit places and find the right fit for them. Many schools look great on paper, but aren't the perfect fit for every person. Allow your son or daughter the room to decide what they want to do. But guide them toward schools that line up with their interests, their intended course of study. Also, be mindful of the location of the college, and its size. These have to be agreeable with your students in order for them to be successful. Ultimately, you need to be there to support them in this decision making process.

I would advise them to start early! If at all possible meet some students who currently attend the school of intrest or have within the past five years. Talk with them and listen to their raves and rants. It is also a great idea to visit the campus and factor in costs and save up just in case financial aid and scholarships don't cover the bill. Also look at what jobs alumni of the school have and find out if the school helped out at all. Once a school is chosen and the semester starts, apply yourself from the beginning. Don't slack off and make it to every party, it will only hurt you in the long run. I have told myself to treat my classes and my school work like the biggest event on campus. Make sure you're there and leave a great impression. If everyone put as much effort into their grades as they do in preparing for a ball or party a 4.0 would come almost naturally.

Make sure you visit the college you plan to attend before making your final decision. Once you have chosen your college and enrolled, GET INVOLVED, MAKE LOTS OF FRIENDS, DON'T STRESS TOO MUCH!!

Do your research.

My advice would be to visit all of your choice schools before sending in the application because you may find out that you don't really like the campus. That saves alot of money. Also get involved in whatever activities you like to do and choose the major that is best for you and that you can see yourself doing for the rest of your life.

Visit the college during the school year so that you get a chance to see it in full swing.

First pick many institutions that you might be interested in. Then narrow down that list with things that you prefer (city/urban, big/small, athletics, research, finanical aid). After you made this list, visit the campus and check what you liked and disliked. This will help form a smaller list. Then apply to your schools.

Dear Parents: I know that you are considering sending your students off to college and are consulting some of the best and brightest resources out there; in your opinion. However, please consider strongly the words that I now pen. I left suburban California for a prestigious school on the east coast. I could have gone to school in one of CA's many state universities but I wanted to go to the best school possible. What I didn't know (neither did my parents) was that as soon as I set foot on campus, I'd begin piling on a mountain of debt. I assumed that everyone took out student loans and that the loans were as easy to pay back as they were to get. I was wrong. I am in the hole. School is necessary but it is also expensive. IF you DON'T have the means, consider an alternative. Your son or daughter's transition into adulthood will be less burdensome. If they are adamant about going off to a school you can't afford, assure your kid has the grades and dicipline to find an alternative to outrageous loans. They WILL thank you in four years.