Illinois Wesleyan University Top Questions

Now as a senior, I can hardly remember how I ended up at the college I did. There were so many options and so many opportunities. However, I'd say basics of the college search include: a) size of the school b) attitude of faculty and students c) financial aid/ price tag. All of these, maybe with the exception of finances, can only be discovered after visiting the school. I recommend staying overnight to get a better feel the students. Do they have to study while you're there? Do they seem stressed out? Do they bring you to parties? What are their professors like? And while your experience can be dependent on your host, ask around and find out what the norm is. Visit the cafeteria. Drive around the area and get familiar with the off-campus feel. You may be surprised what you like and don't like. It's really up to you to find out which college fits you best, and putting in the effort is worth it, because, after all, its atleast 4 years of your life!

Visit colleges you're thinking of applying to! I had convinced myself that this is not where I wanted to go, but my parents made me visit anyway, and after I spent the day here, I just FELT that it fit. If you don't 'feel it', it probably isn't the place for you, regardless of how great it's reputation is.

I strongly suggest that students and parents visit many colleges together during the student's Junior year in high school. Take many notes and pictures! Put them together in a scrapbook with a paragraph about your initial reactions. At the beginning of Senior year, pull them back out, and pick the five top schools you want to re-visit. Don't visit them all in one weekend (that's sensory overload). Again, write down what you liked, your tour guide's name, and why that school would be a good/bad fit for you. That way, when you get home you have a list of specific things (and pictures) to help you choose your school. Further, you can include in your admissions essay specific references to the campus and people with which you spoke. Colleges love detailed admissions essays! When you're accepted, get to know your roommate as much as possible as soon as possible, so it's less awkward the first week. Finally, arrange a time to call parents every week or every couple of days. Additionally, plan your visits home. Don't just go whenever you feel like it. Both help ease student homesickness and parent heartache.

Search for a school that will challenge you, help you succeed, and make you happy. These are three simple things, but I lacked all of them and did not enjoy my college experience. Don't be afraid to search for the best possible school for you. Figure out what you can afford and what makes you tick. Colleges are very similar, but can be so different. Location, greek life, population, academic rigor- all of these are features that can make or break your college experience. Once you figure out where to go, jump into college head first. Study. Get involved. Meet people- fellow students and faculty. These people can help to mold and shape you into intelligent, thoughtful members of society. And last of all, if you get to college and things aren't working out, don't be afraid to transfer. You will find the school for you.

It is important to prioritize what is important to the student. Are they interested in going to a school with a high population, in the city or suburbs, joining extra-curricular activities. This is important because if the student does not feel safe or comfortable in the setting of the school they will not do as well academically. Secondly, if the student has a declared major it is important to identify what schools may be known for that discipline or have an edge over another school as far as having better preparation for that profession after the student graduates.

If you are very conservative and do not look for any type of a social life attend a private institution. The atmosphere is very open and does not pressure one into partying. If you are looking for a good time and receiving easy grades atend any large school. Academic goals of a large school are to pass everyone whereas a small school must retain a strong academic standing to compete for enrollment. The amount of money that one would pay to attend a small private school will not prepare you any better than a large institution. Teachers also do not know you at an individual level at a large school thus they cannot have a bias against you for any reason.

College is both an academic and social experience. Make sure that you are picking a college that caters to both. Look at both academic tendencies, such as class size and majors, and social aspects such as school size and fraternity/sorority involvement. Also, financial aid reseach is very important. Make sure you are getting the biggest bang for your buck.

The best advice I can give is start looking early! Do not wait until the last minute. Visit as many schools as possible so you can have something to compare and contrast. Students: go with your gut feeling! It may seem hard when you have family and friends who went to one school, but you are leaning towards another. Keep in mind that ultimately, you are the one who is going to have to attend the school, not your parents! Which leads me to Parents listening to their kids. While you may not want them to go far away or you may feel like your child is making a HUGE mistake, let them make it. Who knows where that mistake might take them. Students, don't be afraid to try things and get involved! While academics should be a priority, do not let it consume you. You have the rest of your life to be an adult. Live it up while you can! College is where you build life long friendships and create memories.

When looking for the right college I would make a list of all the different aspects of a college (size, location, areas of studies, religious affiliations, type of school, cost, etc.) and then decide what your preferences are for each and which are most important to you (co-ed or same-sex!) and begin a school search from there. I would also utilize a third-party source, like the website careercruising.com, where you can look at a profile of nearly every school in the country and get basic facts and figures. Campus visits are extremely helpful for getting a feel for a school. Coming to visit during a regular school day is the most beneficial time for doing this. Getting involved with as many activities as possible your first year will help maximize your college experience. It is really important to join organizations and activities that might not be something you are already really interested in. College is a great time to explore new interests, endeavors, and yourself. It's also one of the only times when you will have free or nearly free access to sporting events, movies, concerts, plays, musicals, and other amazing shows, so take advantage!

Visit the school before you apply; it gives you a better chance of admittance and gives you a better idea of how the school is first-hand rather than reading about it.