Seattle Pacific University Top Questions

The right college isn't just an education, it's an experience. Make a list of what you want in a college: price range, specific degree programs, location, etc. Narrow down a short list of potential campuses, then visit those campuses. Academic and financial concerns are important things to consider, but if you don't like a college, even if it otherwise seems perfect for your goals, it will be difficult to make the most of it. If it doesn't "feel right," then it probably isn't. Once you've found the right college, enjoy it! Make an effort to get involved in campus life, meet new people, and make your college experience worth every dollar of tuition. Join a club, volunteer your time, whatever interests you, but make the effort. The college will give you the education; it's up to you to make the experience what you want it to be.

When choosing a college it should be based on what will best prepare you for your future career. Money, Alumni Relatives, etc should not make or break your decision when choosing a college. Don't just go to a college so you can brag. Go to college to get an education. It doesn't matter if it is a community college or a private university, as long as you are happy. Once you are in that college of your dreams, be sure to get involved. A healthy balance between academics and social life is crucial in making the most out of this once in a lifetime opportunity! Help in the community, join crew, join school clubs just to get a taste at how diverse your school is! Staying cooped up in a dorm room or with your nose in a book won't get you anywhere except burned out. Live your college experience, and get all that you can out of it...it'll be gone sooner than you expect!

When I was choosing a college, I worked with my parents to find schools we both felt positive about, but my parents ultimately let the decision be mine. We prayed together about it because God is the source of wisdom and ultimately plans the course of each person?s life. Weighing the options to find what is best for you is one of the hardest parts of deciding. My brother always advises me to ?do what you want to do.? Explore different fields; figure out your passions; make goals. Prioritize which activities and relationships are most important to you, and have the discipline to refuse extras. Learn to be the person you hope to become instead of comparing yourself and trying to model yourself after others. While students will always be encouraged to ?get involved,? carefully guard your time. Balance, in activities and relationships, is vital to college success. There will be enough time to participate in the multitude of opportunities available. Make time for relationships, but realize you cannot be everything to everyone. The pressure during college is to avoid missing out on anything, but realize that you will experience exactly what you are supposed to.

VISIT THE SCHOOLS AND TALK TO THE CURRENT STUDENTS TO ATTEND THERE! BEST ADVICE!

The most important thing to focus on while selecting a college is making sure that you will be in a place that you enjoy. If you like nature, find a college that has a lot of emphasis on nature. If you like the city, find a college in an urban environment! If you are not enjoying your school, chances are you won't do well academically or socially. Although some of the more prestigious schools would look better on a resume, if that kind of school does not fit your personality, do not attend it. The experience of college can be so rich and filled with enjoyment. Find a school that fits your personality. Success will come to you much easier if you are comfortable with your environment.

As you searchfor a college you will probably be a little stressed. I would tell you not to be but I don't think it would do much good so instead I would say this to hopefully ease your mind: anxiety is normal. Almost everybody feels this way so don't go feeling like you are the only person who doesn't have their future completely figured out. As far as actually picking a college, visits are priceless. I can't tell you how many visits I went on thinking I was surely going to attend a school and then ended up walking away shaking my head. A visit gives you a quick look at the true atmosphere of the campus and goes far beyond any website or brochure. Once you have chosen a college and have settled in, engage! I heard a disturbing saying the other day, "Education seems to be in America the only commodity of which the customer tries to get as little he can for his money." Don't let this happen to you. Don't get bogged down in just your major, but instead explore all of the resources and avenues your university offers. Enjoy.

In order to find the best college for the student one needs to sit down and decide what he or she wants to get out of his or her college experiance. Do they want the party atmosphere, a quiet one that is known for their intense majors, or just something for them to get through in order to obtain a decent job. Or if one wants to do sports, music, theature one must pick the school that relates to his or her specific needs. The student also needs to choose if they want a school close or further from home. If he or she is okay with not seeing his or her family for a month or two at a time then they will have no problem being farther away, if the student is a home body then he or she should stay close but stay on campus. Staying on campus whether close or far from home THE BEST way to make freinds, get involved in groups, form study groups and feel less stressed about the college transition. One must stay on campus at least the first year of college.

College has been the most enriching season of my life. I know that the task of choosing "the right college" can be a daunting endeavor, but it is also exciting. The opportunity to apply to several institutions is a blessing, so don't view it as a burden, but rather embrace it with joy. I applied to eight different colleges and highly recommend this approach. Also, I cannot stress enough the importance of visiting each campus. When comparing and contrasting each school, you will be surprised to find how easy it is to condense your list. I found much security in the knowledge that I had many open doors. In the end, I chose the school which gave the most financial aid along with offering a quality education and a healthy social and spiritual atmosphere. I have learned that immersing yourself in an uplifting environment is equally as important as the academic rigor of a university. These two components work together to make your college experience something you are passionately excited about. I am eager for you to embark on this journey. Whatever you choose, remember to fully invest on an academic, social, and spiritual level, and enjoy the adventure.

My advice would be to pray. Ask God what school He has planned for you. Once you arrive at school, be glad you are there! Make the most of it. Don't think right off the bat about regrets or of other schools or stories of friends' experiences. This is your college experience. Nothing else will be quite like it. Do well in school, but don't shy away from being social. It's hard to find a balance but you will. Try new things and explore the area around your campus.

Don't stress. Choosing the "right college" is a big decision, but it is not the biggest decision you will ever make. Some of my most intense tears and sleepless nights were spent over my struggle to decide which college to attend. I feared so much that I would pick the wrong school and be miserable for the rest of my life. Looking back, I recognize that college is genuinely what YOU make of it. Often, you won't know what makes a college good until you get there, anyway! Therefore, while specifics are important, I really do not believe there is a "wrong" or "right" answer. Instead of stressing over factors such as location, size, and school mascot, do your best to commit yourself to a college which best exemplifies what you love. Think of college as a home; search for a "home" that will challenge you while enabling you to achieve your dreams. Once there, surround yourself with positive people. Be a friend. Get involved; it doesn't matter what, just try new things. Sooner or later, you will find something that clicks. When that happens, pour yourself into it and invest your heart, mind, and soul.