Northwestern University Top Questions

Anywhere you go you'll end up loving!

I would tell families that no matter what, it is important to let the child make the final decision about where they attend school. Of course, the student must be as informed as possible, and I know that my parents were very helpful in educating me about certain schools. By allowing the child to find a school that is just the right fit for them, and it being their own decision, is an important step towards independence and feeling like a member of society. That way the student will have a sense of ownership in their new place of learning and be able to make friends and complete their work confidently. It is a hard journey, but also knowing that they student made a (guided) decision for themself gives them pride in their school and the relationships they will cultivate there.

The quality of education is very important, but there are so many other factors that go into what makes a college right for you. There are the clubs and groups available, the weather, the size of college. Remember that even though a college is top ranked, that doesn't mean it's for you.

While some might suggest starting the college search early in a student?s high school years is the key to making the most of the college experience, I would have to say the secret lies in proper financial planning for this great expense. Although benefits obtained from holding a part-time job in college can be very useful in many aspects of a student?s life, like gaining responsibility and time management skills, and developing life-long friendships, it is another thing altogether for a student to carry so heavy a financial burden that the money earned through a part-time job is both essential and necessary for him/her to remain in school. I have experienced so many wonderful things during my time in college, but as a result of poor financial planning by myself and my parents, I am also weighed down by the stresses of a huge debt after graduation. College is a costly privilege, and I firmly believe that with proper research and planning, every student who has the desire, no matter the school they choose, their financial background, or career goals, should have a right to experience it.

Stay overnight at the college in a dormitory if it is possible.

The best advice I can give is to not limit your options from the get-go. Barring financial or physical hampers, students should really take the time to explore opportunities at schools all over the country. Different geographical regions have different academic climates in addition to the actual climate. Gravitate towards a location that excites you both academically and recreationally. The perfect school will allow you to balance your social life with your academic life in order to have a holistic college experience. College is about growing as a person as much as it is about growing scholastically. The right college for you will present itself as a place that challenges your preconcevied notions about yourself, about your peers and about the world around you. Weigh out what is important to you, from financial aid to the availability of religious services to the surrounding town and atmosphere. All these factors will combine to create your college experience. Once you have a short list, try to visit. Meet and talk to some students. Get a real primary account of university life, it may sound cliche but this is really an invaluable asset in deciding whether a school will work for you.

Make sure the student picks the college at which they feel the most comfortable, don't just pick based on prestige and other superficial factors.

To parents, trust your kids to choose what they want, they're gonna know what they want. To kids, don't forget to have fun, and don't forget to work. Pick a college with options for you, both academically and personally. There's plenty of opportunities at many college, and what's happening at other campuses of other colleges can be quite important to both academic success and social life.

Don't limit yourself. Financially, academically, distance-wise. Anything is possible. You'll never know unless you try! I would also STRONGLY recommend visiting the college/university before commiting. It could be a deal breaker. Try everything once. Don't feel like you HAVE to join all those clubs at the beginning of the year. Give yourself some time to get used to living in a different place, then find out what else you want to be involved in. If you join 10 clubs your first week, you are going to get overwhelemed and burn out. Get to know the people in your dorm/hall. They WILL be your first friends, and most likely the strongest friendships you make.

On a college tour, a guide told me that if you don't see construction on campus, be worried. Construction indicates growth, a future. While I fully believe that tour guide gave me great advice, he also gave me more: a metaphor for the college experience. To get the most out of the college experience, you must think of yourself as a building under construction -- at least one gaining an addition and/or being rennovated. As with all buildings, location, location, location is the most important part. Therefore, in choosing a school, you must be concious of how that school will change you. No matter how tall and proud your building stands, it will be changed by the people you learn with, learn from, live with, and play with. It will gain additions - new thoughts, new points of view which will stay with you forever. It wil be rennovated - trading in old habits, old frendships, old ideas for fresh, longer-lasting ones. Most importantly is that the foundation will be strengthened by the knowledge of who you really are. So choose the architect, the school, with the blueprint that will shape you into the person you want to become.