Kalamazoo College Top Questions

I would tell students to choose the school that feels right to you. I think there is a right fit for everyone and once you find that perfect school you should choose it regardless of cost. Many students need to take out loans and go into debt during college so dont let that deter you from choosing the school that is right for you. I decided to go to my second choice school because the financial aid I received from that school was better but now I am transferring to my first choice college because I realized that I would be much happier there. When choosing just go with your gut and try to not let other factors influence your decision too much.

Many people think of attending college as primarily an academic persuit, but for most students college is also a stepping stone between living at home with our parents and trying to fend for ourselves in the real world. Choosing the right college is about finding the place that best suits growth, both academically and as a person. The most important thing about finding a college is knowing what the most important aspects of that "stepping stone" are to you, and finding a place that will foster and/or provide those aspects. If it is simply academics that you are looking for, there are many ranking systems that will tell you the best schools to attend. Otherwise, it is important to figure out if things such as studying abroad, internships, personal relationships with professors, large classrooms, social life, fraternities, etc., are the things that will make your four (or more) years at college the best they can possibly be. Then research the places that can provide those aspects for you. While academics are very important, it is essential to realize that there are many other significant aspects beyond the classroom which can make the most of your college experience.

One thing I have discovered/learned over time is just how much in life is unpredictable. Many of the opportunities that arose during my college career were things that I never would have/could have planned for. So, apply to many schools for many reasons, and don't take it too hard if you "end up" at someplace unexpected. They aren't lying when they say college is what YOU make it. If you have a daring, positive, open attitude about whatever school you attend then you'll be able to take full advantage of the opportunities that present themselves. If you blame the school administration, your parents or your roommate for issues you have, then you might be missing something--the power you have to shape your own experiences and the memories of those events.

It would be extremely beneficial to have some idea of what you wish to pursue when choosing where you wish to attend for the next four years of your life. More importantly, if you are unsure what exactly you wish to do upon graduation it would be advantageous to at least know if you would like to attend graduate school. While graduate schools do take into consideration the respect and difficulty of your undergraduate school, most rely heavily on a student's actual grade point average. In retrospect, attending a larger, less-competitive university where I may have achieved a higher grade point average could have personally opened up more possibilities for law school options. That being said, you still want to make sure that whichever college or university you choose will adequately prepare you for either graduate school or your career path. Finally, find a place where you feel comfortable and think you can make friends. It is important to have good friends because this is a big step in your life and it is necessary to have good friends to help you get through any obstacles, social or academic, you may encounter. Good luck!

I think an overnight visit is mandatory. Many times the true nature of a college is impossible to discern from a short campus tour. I remember thinking a small liberal arts college in Iowa was great for me, but then I spent the night and by morning I knew I'd be miserable there. At the college where I did eventually end up attending, I remember being excited every time I met a new person. They were all people I imagined being around in college: all studying different things, all eager to show off their school to me. The facilities are one thing, but the enthusiasm (or lack thereof) that students have for their school, is something that an overnight stay will quickly reveal, and something I'd have been lost without.

Remember colleges are business, which means that they are constantly trying to sell themselves to you by boasting and inflating their academic wealth. You'll never know what college is the right fit for you until you go and experience it first-hand.

I would say that parents and students need to make sure to explore all of their options, and to not limit their search to one type of school. For instance, even if youre adament about the fact that you want to attend a big school, make sure to look into and research small schools as well. Also, one of the best ways to get a good feel for a school is to talk to current students. Lastly, remember that just because a school is considered a "good school" does not necessarily mean that it has a good academic program for what you want to do specifically, nor does it mean that it will be a good fit for you.

Do your research and have a good time.

Make sure the student goes on an overnight visit without the parent. Keep in mind though that the students who host prospective students are hand-picked by the college, and bound by rules and regulation about what activities and behavior are acceptable around the prospective student. So really, you wont ever get a completely accurate sense of the school until you show up for orientation week. It's not so bad really, if you go to a big school, there will be a ton of different personality types and views and organizations to join...you will definitely find people you enjoy hanging out with. If you choose a smaller school, just keep in mind that it is much easier to comform to general student body frame of mind, as small private colleges attract a "certain crowd" which varies depending on the school.

Do not aim only for academic success in your search. Find a place where you can manage your workload with a social life. Attending a school simply because you want the recognition for having gone to a top-tier college could leave you spending every waking minute over your books. Swallow your pride and go someplace where you have the leisure of learning for the sake of learning, not learning for the sake of an exam. Wherever you happen to land, be sure to hit the ground running and get involved in an activity outside the classroom as soon as you can. The sooner you jump on to something, the sooner you'll be making friends. Start with something that's a campus-sponsored group to build up your base, but be sure to move into the off-campus sphere as well. It's easy to get trapped inside a college bubble and find yourself competely disconnected from the rest of the world, especially if you attend a school with a rigorous workload. Don't fall into the belief that you don't have time for anything beyond academics. If you don't have time, make time.