Loyola University Maryland Top Questions

I would advise students to really take a look at the people on campus when they visit. Although it seems superficial, appearances are often what they seem on the college campus. If you do not think you would feel comfotable among the people you see on campus, I would advise that you keep looking until you find one that seems right. Also, sometimes a campus just "feels" right. Don't doubt this feeling, sometimes you just know that this is the place you're meant to be. I think it is important to ask students questions that seem important to you like social life, classes, and financial aid. Both students and parents should consider all financial aid options including scholarships and loans before deciding on a college. If you can avoid debt after college or at least minimize it, this is a key factor. Most of all, I recommend that students choose a place that could feel like home because the reality is, their choice is going to be their home for the next four years and they should feel comfotable in their new home.

If you really enjoyed your high school experience, try to find a school that reminds you of your high school classmates in a geographical area that reminds you of home. Be sure to visit both small and big campuses as well as urban and non urban so you get a good grasp at what both look like. Make sure the college has classes you're interested in!

Visit the school and find a school that makes you most comfortable.

When you are picking a school there is more to oit that just the basic facts. Scholarship money, Social Scene, Academics, Food, Housing and all the rest are only a part of the picture. I would recomend that every student visit the campus and spend a few days shadowing students to both in and out of classes to find out if this is how they want to spend the next four years of their lives. Your gut instinct will tell you a lot. Get away from your tour guide, or at least get them off the script and find out what really goes on, what are the students talking about, what do they do on weekends, how many are really involved in the student government or volunteering. These things will always give you a better guage than anything on paper, and you'll thank yourself for taking the time and making the effort, because picking a school that fits you, really can make all the difference in whether you succeed and how much fun getting that success will be.

My college experience is unique because I transferred after my sophomore year. My first school was a big state school (read: party school). The school I transferred to was a small liberal arts college with a well-respected reputation, especially locally. When looking for a school, the advice that I would give to a prospective student would be: -pick a school where you think you'll have fun! You're away from your parents, and trust me, you won't be studying 24-7. -pick a school where your degree will mean something. Remember, you actually have to get a job or go to grad school after this. Lastly, I would encourage students who aren't happy at their current school to give it a year. After that, if you're still not happy, TRANSFER! College is supposed to be the best 4 years (or more!) of your life, so make sure you live it up. And take pictures!

this college works for many goals

first impressions are huge during a college search. try to visit all the colleges you apply to and see if you like the campus while at the school. Also if you goto a smaller school, there is a greater chance that there will be smaller classes, meaning the teachers care if you miss a class or aren't prepared. Always be prepared for class and make sure you do all the reading before class it makes class 1000xs easier

Be true to yourself if you're the student, and trust your child if you're the parent. Tour as many schools as possible and apply to a variety of places. After you've been accepted, tour places again. You'll know which one feels right. First semester make a genuine effort to just relax and have fun. College is about discovering who you are, not about trying to impress other people. Focus on what YOU are getting out of this awesome experience; good friends and experiences will follow. Call your parents at least once a week. Try something new, but stay connected to something you loved during high school. Most importantly, you're learning all the time--from the classroom to the laundry room. Pay attention. Get out of your comfort zone. Discover, ultimately, who you want to be because nowhere else is it more possible than in college.

Be sure to find a school that is fun and can help you with financial aid.

I would tell students that looking at the social aspects of a school is just as important as looking at academics. The social aspect is something that is hard to look-up on a website, or in the Princeton Review, but it is the one factor that I think determines a student's happiness at school, and whether or not he/she will transfer. I would tell students that it's not the biggest decision of your life, and yes college is fun, but it dosen't have to be the best four years of your life, no one needs that much pressure. I don't know if there's one "right" college, sometimes you have to find good options and go with them, I've found it's better to strive for success not perfection. In order to make the most of the college experience, I would recomend studying abroad for a semester or a full year, because that's when I learned the most. And I would recomend not holding anything back and seeking out what you want to do and be a part of immediately when you step on campus freshman year.