Northwestern University Top Questions

In order to find the school that is right for you, you need to figure out what you want and what schools can offer that.

Choose a place you are comfortable living in first and foremost. Four years is a long time to be in a place you can't stand and makes you miserable. Once you find a place look at the achademics and take a few classes. When you get to college find a good circle of friends and don't party too much. Get involved with a few groups you really love, for it helps break up the repetition of life and provides life experience with the traditional college experience.

I would suggest that parents and students spend time on the campus. Get to know a few students. Ask the questions you are really concerned about and ask someone who is NOT paid to tell you how great the campus is. But overall, the most important piece of advice I could give is choose something that fits with your lifestyle, not the lifestyle you think you should have. College is an opportunity to express yourself, not an opportunity to recreate Animal House or any other "college"movie. Pursue your interests. Discover what is really important to you on your own schedule.

There is a college that is right for you. Starting off the process of finding the right one by knowing that. Choose a school based on those things that you really think will make all the difference about your experience - for me, I needed a place near a city, that was big, that allowed me to study what I wanted to study, that let me take initiative and find my own path. The truth about college is that everyone will start out with expectations, and within the first week you'll find them already changing. And after four years, you'll be able to map out where you started to where you've ended up and see how much your expectations have grown. College is an adventure, and you will have one no matter where you end up - remember this when the process of finding the right place gets difficult. Follow the facts... and your instinct; and wherever that leads you is sure to provide you not only the education, but also the experience to make you ready to face the world.

The admission process is very time-consuming and competitive; while trying to "please" all of these schools, keep in mind that not only should you have what they're looking for, but the school should have (nearly) everything that you're looking for, too. When touring a school, ask yourself, "Could I see myself being a student here?" Evaluate the students you meet - would you want to be friends with them? When you sit in on a class, determine if this is a good learning environment for you. Ask an admission counselor straight-forward, important questions like, "How will this school prepare me for a job in ___ industry?" Inquire about internship opportunities and pre-professional organizations. The best thing you can do is take a weekend to do an overnight visit at the schools that top your list. Go to class with a student host in the morning, hang out with students on campus in the afternoon -- just get to know what it's like to go to school there. Once you make it through the admission process and enroll in (hopefully) your first-choice school, work hard, but take a step back and thoroughly enjoy the experience.

I believe the right way to choose a college is look for a place where your interests could grow. Students, don't do whatever your parents want you to do - do what YOU want to do. That is the true way to success because you will enjoy your career in the future, and that is what will bring you success. In college, I suggest that you do not only take courses that follow along with your major or minor. Go and look at what is out there. Your goal in college is to get as much knowledge as you can about the world we live in so go and learn!!!

Do your research. Start Early. See schools if possibile. More applications the better off you are. It's ok to be undecided. Gre and Act/Sat do not mean everything!

Think about everyday things. Does the school offer the courses you like? Is it big or small? Will you be stranded on campus without a car or can you get around through other means? Are the people at the campus enough like the people you grew up with in order for you to get comfortable with them? Is the cafeteria food good? Remember, you're going to be eating it daily most likely, so it is an important consideration. Do you like to socialize in a place where alcohol is allowed? Where will most of your classes be held? Is it far from your living quarters? Are any of your friends attending that school? Do the professors have many homework assignments or just a test or two? Can you afford it and do you want to pay that much? If you are sick, can you see a doctor you trust? What challenges will the college you choose present to you and will these challenges help you grow as a person?

Find a balance between academics, extracurriculars, and partying.

I think finding the right school is about finding a place where you can live, study, and enjoy yourself. It is crucial that you are in an environment in which you feel comfortable and can have the balance between your social life and your academic life. When you first arrive at school, you may want to join every student group but it is easy to become overly involved and not be alotting enough time for your studies. College classes involve much more flexible schedules but require more time devoted to them outside of the classroom. It takes a little bit of time, but you will rapidly learn how much time certain classes require. Just be sure to make your college choice based on what you want and the school that best fits your personality and don't let factors like ranking and what your family expects dictate your selection.