Loyola University Maryland Top Questions

When selecting the right college, it is important to know what conditions that you work best in. The size of the classooms, the setting of the campus, and the conditions of housing are all very important aspects to consider. My first year at Loyola, I was happy to be in smaller classrooms because I was able to have more personal contact with the professors. My relationship with certain professors and their impact on my learning experience is what I cherish the most about my undergraduate college education. The biggest reason I was successful at Loyola was because I was actively involved in campus activities and jobs. Before I got involved on campus I felt out of place. That feeling made it harder to succeed in academics and social acitivites. It also leads to feelings of being homesick, depressed, and feeling inadequate. Once I started getting more involved in student life, campus ministry, and volunteer activities, I had more friends and more outlets for stress. I felt like I belonged on campus and began thriving socially, academically and spiritually. Upon graduation, I was hundred times more confident in myself and my abilities than when I first began my journey at Loyola.

Find a school that appeals to the strengths that you have. For example, if you have an extremly social background then find a school that has a greater focus on social life. If you are more career focused then find a school that is good for your major, even if the social life is lacking. Basically find what suits your needs and go for it. Research is important before you choose the school that you go to. College is the best four years of your life and most people only get to do it once so make the best of it, no matter what you are looking for.

My advice to a student would be not to get caught up in the competition. Any school is what you make of it regardless of its name, status, or its alumni. Any student at Harvard will get as much out of the school as they put in, so when it comes down to it, it's all about how much you are willing to challenge yourself for the next four years. For parents, my suggestion would be to allow your child to spread their wings and make their own decision, because if they feel forced in any way, they are likely to feel like they had very little say over such a huge part of their future. No child will be happy if they are forced into something, especially I child that considers themself an adult. As far as making the most of the college experience, my advice would be to get involved in EVERYTHING that interests you. College is a time to branch out and explore and foster differnet aspects of your personality that you may not have been comfortable showing in high school. Take the opportunity and run with it. You have nothing to lose.

Go visit the campus several times. Talk to students who already attend that school. Research about the surrounding area and the school itself on the internet. Talk to professors or someone in the department that the student is looking to major in. Consider what type of school the student wants - small/large, city/countryside, etc.

Make sure you know you can afford the school you decide to go to.

College is about finding yourself. Education is important but so it the environment you live in. The location, size and quality of the campus are important factors when looking at colleges. It is important to try as many things as you can when entering college. Through classes, friends and service it is easy to watch yourself mature and grow into a strong person. Don't take college lightly, you will learn more about yourself and those around you than you could ever imagine.

make sure you really search around before applying and talk to people who are currently students there to see if you can relate.

In selecting a college that is right for you, it is important to visit the college for tours, to talk to students who are already there who you may know, and to arrange an overnight visit if possible. Doing these things will help you get a small feel for how a school is. If you do all three of those things and feel as if you could envision yourself attending as a student, then you're probably making the right choice. Be sure as well to consider the size and environment of the college; urban vs. rural, big v. small, etc. and consider which set of criteria suits you best. The one thing you should NOT do is rush into picking a college without touring it or talking to anyone that goes there, or dismiss a college because it's a "safety school." Sometimes, so-called "safety-schools" are more of a fit for people than larger, tougher universities. Above all, research the schools to which you are applying, and talk to several people who go to each. This way, you can make an informed decision about where to attend.

Think about the things you really enjoy doing before you pick what location you would like to be in when it comes to school. If you love the outdoors, be sure to pick a school where that type of program is available. Give yourself plenty of options to choose from so that if you don't have a top choice, you still have plenty of schools to choose from when it comes time to make a decision.

I recommend visiting every college that the student applies to, and making sure they have the activities the student wishes to participate in. Make sure the dorms are satisfactory, and that there is good transportation. Go for the school that provides the most financial aid. Get involved in on-campus activities, and start interacting with the career center as soon as possible.