Saint Mary’s College of California Top Questions

The entire college "shopping" process can be very stressful and alot of times choosing to attend a junior college seems easier. When faced with the thought that college is the main force that molds and shapes you into the person you will be in the future, High School seniors become intimidated and often times imagine that finding this "dream school" is simply impossible. How can one school not only fit your personality now but also fit the qualifications for the person you want to become in the future. Honestly, this question is easier to answer then expected. Pick whatever school feels right to you. Make as many college visits as possible and once you find the school you are supposed to be at for the next four years it's going to hit you like a ton of bricks. Somehow, the qualifiactions you had such as: teacher to student ratio, location, weather, tuition, on-campus dorming, tutoring services, intramural sports, job availability, possible scholarships (which are all important aspects to consider) all come together to form the school you feel most comfortable at. Oftentimes the best decisions in life that make you the happiest are the ones that felt right.

Look for a college that has an equal amount of school spirit, many various types of majors/minors, chose a campus close to cities and towns. take a lot of trips to all different types of schools so you have a lot of choices to chose from, the more the better! don't limit yourself to one area! keep an open mind! remember, everyone is looking for the "right" college!

To the future college student: Make the most of your time in college. You need to find a healthy school/life balance. Make sure you go to sports games and get involved with clubs and after class activities. Live on campus, even if it's expensive...it's something you must experience. Don't eat too much food or drink too much alcohol, the freshman 15 is a real thing! Don't quit when you get frustrated or think you can't achieve your goal, because when you do graduate it will be so much more rewarding. To the future college student's parent: Let your child make their own decisions. As much as you want to guide and lead them down the path that you may think is best, they can do it just as well possibly following a different path. Help them move on their first day, make sure you take a picture so you can always look back and remember the day when your child became an adult. At graduation celebrate BIG!! You may not know it but your child will appreciate it more than the world. Love and support your child throughout their entire college experience.

The best Colleges/Universities aren't necessarily the right school for you. Find one that fits you. Be sure to visit the campus before deciding to go. Study something that you love and that interest you. What you major in isn't necesarily going to be, what you work in, what your going to do with the rest of your life. If you are unsure of what to study take a variety of classes to see where your interest lie, while your doing this you most likely will fullful other requirements, and by your Jr. year you'll find something you like and that you will be able to succeed in. Also be sure to balance your social and academic life. You will meet great and interesting people. Have fun with them, and enjoy their company. Do well in your classes. Each semeaster/quater get a GPA of a 3.0 or higher (3.0 is the mininmum GPA for many grad schools.) This keeps your options open. Also try to get involved in one extra curriculums. Don't over do it with one too many. Remember you want to balance yourself. Enjoy yourself, you make your college experince.

I think every college -bound student needs to make a list of expectations and requirements for college. I think it is necessary to weigh the importance of certain key elements of college life such as whether or not you want a small or large campus, location in a city or small town, the option to go home on the weekends or to be far away from home, the availability of jobs on and off campus, and rules regarding cars, drinking, and dorm like. Many of these elements are forgotten in the application process when students are dealing with deadlines, essays, and test scores, but are critical to life on campus once you arrive. I advise all parents and students to make lists of facts and figures for each school they are considering and compare often and thoroughly during the application process and especially once the student has been accepted to schools. Even if it is time consuming, it will be worth it in the end because once you are attending your college, it is a long and difficult process to change schools.

Unless it comes to experimentation, don't be afraid to say "yes" when someone invites you to something or to meet new people. Its ok if you don't like it once you try it, but at least you tried it.

Advice I would give to students about finding the right college is that they should visit the college first. Take a day to tour and walk around the school. When I was applying to colleges, a teacher recommended that I go and look at them first before I completely make up my mind about where I wanted to go. Visiting makes all the difference. When I walked on my first choice college, the atmosphere did not feel right. I could not imagine myself being a student at that school. Yet when I walked around Saint Mary?s, I knew the school was right for me. I sat down in one of the classes I would have to take for my major and got to meet some of the staff. It made me realize what I wanted. When you start your first year, take advantage of every event and programs the school offers. Get involved with dorm life, orientations, dances, etc. It?s a great way to meet people and make friends. Also, go to the financial aid offices or student career planning, to get to know the staff, in case you need their help later on in your academic career.

Make sure you research the schools before making this lifetime decision.

Visit the college before hand. A college is not right for everyone, so a student should go to the college to make sure it has the right feel and they can see themselves living there for the next four years. If there is an overnight option available, don't pass it up! That's an opportunity to see what college life is like for a day. Students should ask their orientaion leaders or ambassadors about the available resources on campus- this allows students to feel more comfortable when they know what is available to them personally. That way, once they know what resources they can tap into, the students will join clubs or activities of interest, and make their college experience SO much more enjoyable! Remember, the harder you work at something, the more you value it, so if you put time and effort into your college experience, the more rewarding it will be once you acheive your diploma and graduate!

Always choose a college based on the academic and social experiences you would like to have. Do not let money limit your choice, look at the financial oppotunities like scholarships and grants, because the savings can be very helpful.