Marian University-Indianapolis Top Questions

When looking for the right college, be open. I think too many people set their hearts and minds on one school. Then things don't work out and the child is left disappointed. It's important to find the school that matches you best. If you're a very pro-active, responsible student, then you probably will be better able to handle the large schools with the large classes. But if not, it's okay to consider small schools because they offer the same, if not better education.

My advice is that if you lived through today, you'll live through tomorrow. Do whats in your heart and what feels right for you without discrimination or judgement from anyone. Your life is in your hands. Take control and keep control of it.

Take your major into consideration when choosing a school. If you are unsure about a career or a major than a school with more options may be better for you so you hopefully won't have to go through the process of transferring once you're already in college.

I think it's important for parents and students to be aware of all the aspects of the colleges their looking at. It is also important for students to know how they learn best. I started off in a large college, and it didn't take long before I discovered that I had a difficult time learning in large lecture halls with a lot of students. Unfortunately that's how most of the courses were done. Since I've started at my current school, everything has changed for the better. The best advice I can give is to take your time and go with your gut. If you have any real doubts then maybe you should reconsider. Whatever you do, never rush into a decision.

It is always important to visit the campus and talk to a professor in the field that you would be interested in. Another thing that is important is just looking at the campus and thinking about whether you can see yourself going to this school and enjoying it. It is also important to see what the school concentrates more in, like Marian concentrates on liberal arts and does it very well, and think about whether that is what you want in a school. The last thing that is important is to talk to students that actually are going to the school and see what they think about it.

Make sure it has a variaty of options in case the major you decide on isn't what you want. Also, be sure that the field of study is a good program at the school.

Although selecting a school with high national recognition is important (especially if further schooling is desired), the most important factor to consider is school size and environment. Always choose a school where the student will feel comfortable. Professors need to be accessible and classes should provide a real opportunity to express one's views. If the school is too big, it's emphasis solely on graduate work, or its professors entirely interested in research as oppossed to teaching, the student will never feel comfortable at school. Undergraduate school should empower the student for success, not make him/her feel insignificant or inferior to graduate students. Also, a well-rounded education and exposure to culture, history, art, and literature (such as that provided by a Liberal Arts school), allows the student to explore new ideas and ways of thinking that might not arise in his/her field of study. While many students believe they wish to seek a technical or professional degree, a well-rounded education provides the student with the ability to see the world through a different set of lenses, allowing him/her to see beyond his/her career and eventually possess a more holistic view of the world.

Never decide college based on what the advertisements look like; use your gut and heart. Schools will try to school you sides of their institution they think you'll like to see. Close your eyes and think of your needs; imagine what a study-condusive area looks like, what type of greenspace pleases you, what kind of social life you'll thrive in. Search for these needs and confirm for yourself if a certain school will satiate those needs. Walk alone through campus. See how you are treated. Do you feel comfortable? Does it feel inviting? Can you imagine calling this place home? Never let anyone marginalize your hopes, dreams, and needs. Never settle for your education; this is the most crucial time of your social and educational development. Once you have found a place that meets your needs, engage and get as deeply entrenched in activities, clubs, and academics as you can. You'll never get this time back; live each moment for the fullest and always live with your heart open. make friends, laugh, pull pranks, study, eat well, hang out, appreciate caffeine. College is the place that will hone you into the person you want to be.

From my experiences, I would say that the number one thing to look for in a college is what kind of atmosphere does it have--is it like a small knit community where everyone knows everybody or is it massive to where you can walk past a hundred people and not know anyone. I know many students/friends of mine that have transfered from my school or transfered to my school because they either went to a college that was too big or our college was too small. It depends on the person and what type of fit is for them. Also, there is a big difference when it comes to class sizes and course selections when comparing big and small schools. Small schools are great because you will rarely take a class in a lecture hall and some classes can have 4 or even 1 student. At a large school the perk is that there is such a variety of courses to take, but you could have hundreds of students in your class. It takes some soul searching to figure out what type of atmosphere is best for you when it comes to academics and your social life.