Northwestern University Top Questions

Push them to explore new opportunities. try to get them to visit other states with different settings and different weather. they will learn so much if they can go to a school where the students are from all ver the country. make sure they can handle it academically. encourage activities outside of academics.

Picking a college is without question a extremely demanding and stressful process. There are so many different factors to take into consideration that it can seem like an impossible decision. There are, however, a few things that you can do to help make this process manageable. First, determine what geographic location best suits you - this will allow you to narrow your choices from thousands to a few hundred. Second, go through your list of schools and put them into 'yes' and 'no' piles. You can further distill this by considering academic disciplines offered, athletics, reputation, cost/financial aid, proximity to metropolitan areas, etc. until a list of critical criteria is compiled. Now it's time to do your homework on the 50 or so schools you've chosen. You'll be able to eliminate a few more and begin to form favorites - visit these, ask questions, and try to get a sense of the overall atmospheres. Apply, wait for the responses, and pick your favorite - this is very challenging but important. Once you're at college, keep an open mind, learn as much as possible, make some great friends, and most importantly, have fun! You'll remember this experience forever!

Stressing out is a very normal response to the overwhelming amount of research, visiting, and decisions one has to make for choosing the "right" college. I won't say, "Don't stress out" because I sure did. However, keep in mind a different perspective. I would tell you, "Four years is a long time, but it is also not a very long time. " Yes, four years in college is a very important time in a student's life and can help shape the way the student handles and views the world around him/her. However, it is only four years! To put it simply, college is just an experience. It does not have "ultimate" say in what happens to the rest of my life. I shape my life. I determine how I experience college. I determine how I will live the rest of my life. So choosing the right college is not the answer to all your problems. There is no "perfect" college. There is only how you handle the college experience. My best piece of advice? If you find yourself in your dorm room with nothing to do, you're doing something awfully wrong.

College is like ice cream. There are all different flavors and you may like one better than the other. But, in the end, it is just ice cream. . . satisfying and delicious!

Go to college with a plan. It's ok to change your mind once you're there, but definitely have a plan. Four years goes by quicker than you expect, so take advantage of everything you can while you're at school. Remember, a university is where minds come together to collaborate; once you're out in the real world it's very difficult to find all of those resources in one place. Take advantage of student discounts and offers, too. Don't forget to have a little fun every once in a while. After all, you're in college!

College rankings do matter, but aren't always the best way to choose a school. You really have to know what kind of college you are looking for, such as a small school, a research-based school, etc. Moreover, making the most out of college is really up to you--assuming you're at a decent school. I hated my school my freshman year, but that's because i didn't participate in any activities, not did I try adjust into the new environment. However, now as a sophmore, I'm participating in more activities, making more firends, helping in research, and school life is just awesome. Really, make college life fun! Good luck!

Visit it and picture yourself there. Weigh the financials against what the school can offer. It's usually to pick a school that's better overall than a school that's good at one particular thing-- you might change your major and college isn't all about academics-- it's time for the students to grow mature in multiple ways.

The most important thing when looking at colleges and universities is to determine what aspect of the college experience is most important to you, and then choose based on that. I thought the most important thing about a school for me was its social environment, and because of that I almost ended up going to the wrong school. But when I finally visited the schools that accepted me, I realized that the most important thing for me was actually to have the best opportunities available for my chosen major. I ended up going to the best school in the country for my major, even though I almost didn?t even apply because of reports I read on students? social lives there. As it turns out, my social life is excellent because I am surrounded by people who are passionate about the same thing I am. I have no regrets about going to my chosen university. I love my major and I love my friends.

Don't get hung up on rankings and brand name degrees. What's most important is that you find a place that fits you. Your college experience is what you make it. Truly.

Parents and students: In order to get the best/truest college experience, I would recommend visiting the colleges first to get a feel for what the campus and people are like. A visit really reveals a lot about the place. If it feels right, and you'll know, then it is the right place for you. Parents: let the kids be the final say in where they would want to spend the next 4 years of their life. I know it's hard to let go, but you'll get over it. Students: do pick somewhere that you really want to be because you will meet new people and maybe make friends that will last you your whole life. Some of the best times you'll ever have will happen in college. Believe it when I say that the best four years of your life will occur while in college. Good luck!