Loyola University Maryland Top Questions

Find the right place, and make use of everything given to you by your college experience (friends, opportunity, FUN, connections, professional experience, memories)

do not choose a school based solely on it's reputation, I chose a top 50 school instead of a top 10 school and truly believe that I am happier here than i would be anywhere else.

Just go with it... Visit the school and determin whether or not you love it. That is all.

Choosing a college is a difficult decision. After all, if you're choosing a college far from home, you are essentially choosing a new home. It's especially important if you are choosing a college that no one you know attends - but it means that you can reinvent yourself. If you were shy in high school, for example, then in college you can break out of your shell, and no one would guess that you were once so shy. But a lot of it depends on what your college experience was like. You have to make sure that you feel as though you could see yourself walking through the campus, attending classes, and socializing. College is a new culture and a new life. Talk to as many people as possible and learn the CONS of the college as well as the pros, which will always be presented first. Ask questions, talk to students. And make sure you visit the campus when it is in session - it's the only way to see the campus in its true light.

The most important things for students to consider when choosing the right college are what they want to gain from their college experience, what kinds of activities they want to be involved in, and what kind of people they want to be around. Identifying these elements and then finding them in a college is essential to a great college experience. It's important for the student to find a place where he/she will feel comfortable yet challenged and not to choose a college for the wrong reasons (e.g., solely financial reasons or what a parent wants). College is a time when a young adult grows and becomes the person he/she will be for the rest of his/her life, and therefore, choosing a place that will foster and nurture this growth should be done with careful consideration. Once students find their perfect match, they can make the most of their time at college by taking advantage of the enriching cultural and academic environment that college offers. They should actively pursue the opportunities available and embrace the college life by learning from their academic community, becoming involved in programs that interest them, and contributing their talents and ideas.

Visit the college before making any decisions. Make sure to visit during the school year when there are students around campus. See if you feel comfortable there. Do you feel at home? Do you see yourself hanging out with the people around you? But be honest with yourself. Are these the people you wish you hung out with, or really would see yourself hanging out with? Would you be comfortable or always feel the pressure to act a certain way? The main thing is to be honest with yourself about who you are. There are many great schools around, but not all of them are right for everyone. Make sure that you think about these questions before you go on your visit and examine them while there. Don't try to reinvent yourself becuase you'll never feel at home at that school. Just be who you are and be honest with yourself about it.

When looking for a college find one thing that means the absolute most to you. If it is whether you major is offered simply focuse on those schools that have it. If it is size don't attempt to make yourself fit into a small school if a big school is what you wanted or vice versa. I desired to go abroad and went to a school that was well known for the options it provided and the ease of which you can plan your academics around this. I was able to go abroad and it has made attending Loyola completly worth it. The other things that do not mean as much to you can easily be adjusted to and looked over if you are able to get the one thing that is ideal for your college experience. Transfers from college tend to happen because someone tried to fit themselves into somewhere that wouldn't fit. In addition, money is a concern for attending college but as someone who has a ton of student loans I can attest that the amount of which you go into debt is worth getting the education and your number one thing from college.

I believe that finding the right college for you is not about the standings of their acceptance rate, or where they fit into the yearly edition of America's Best Colleges. Fidning the right college for you is not knowing who you are and thinking you fit that colleg's "mold." Because believe it or not as a senior you don't know who you or where you should be. All you know is how you feel at that moment. That is why I believe a vital step to finding the right college is visiting many and just asking yourself how you feel walking acros the campus. I knew Loyola College was for me not because what my guidance counselor told me about it, but how I felt a I walke across the academic quad for the first time. And that feeling is assured ech day as I walk across taht same quad.

My advice would be to do all of the research that you can. Visit the school, talk to the professors, and make sure you talk to some upperclass students. Talking to students who have gone through their freshmen year and experienced the same issues when trying to find the right college really aids the process. Finding out everything you can about a school can really help in deciding if it is right for you and relieve loads of stress when your freshmen year starts. Above all, make a list of things your looking for in a college and make sure the college that you chose has the most from that list. There are many choices and there is no reason that you cannot find the college of your dreams. You just need to look.

PIck a college and town that wil make you happy. The surrounding town and other collgeges will be important becuase you will have to interact with it eventually. Visiting is very important because you sometimes just get a feel for the college which is more important than ever. If you happen to be financially secure then these are the major things to think about, but for then most part the cost is a big factor unfortunately. Find schools that give nice financial aid packages or a state school. No matter where you end up it is up to you to find you niche and make it your own. You can find the best out of anything!