St. Mary’s University Top Questions

don't just look at the price look for quality not quantity

Don't look for a career that pays the most money but instead for a career that will give the most happiness! Money comes and goes but being happiness with everyday life is so important!!! Look for a college that will expose you to differen ideas and situtions of life and our amazing world.

To make the most of a college experience, I would say that students need to remain true to who they are. There are pressures in college, no matter where you go, that reach everybody. So staying true to yourself, but also adapting to the "college lifestyle" is very important. Being open is a big part of this. Though some people, like myself, are more quiet and shy than others, being open to the people you meet and the new things you are learning is a very important part of adapting to college and making the transition from home easier. Another important thing to remember in college is to do as much as you can handle. I know that students and parents might think this sounds strange, but being involved will help with the previous topic, help the student grow as an individual, and looks good on a resume. That never hurts! I'm not saying that extracurriculars should take over a student's life, I'm just saying that being involved helps students make friends, expand personally, get involved on campus, help the community, and help set the stage for their careers and the rest of their lives.

Finding the right college can be a stressful decision for students. A student should conduct research on a variety of colleges they are thinking of attending and pick the college he or she likes. Visiting the campus and classes should give the student a taste of what that particular college has to offer. Finding the right college can be a stressful decision for students. A student should conduct research on a variety of colleges they are thinking of attending and pick the college he or she likes. Visiting the campus and classes should give the student a taste of what that particular college has to offer. ?What college am I going to be happy at?? This question should be posed to the student deciding which college to attend. The college that the student is most happy at is the one surely to grant the student that perfect college experience. Making friends, being part of organizations on campus, and talking to your professors on a daily basis will make a student's college experience a memorable one. Finally, what the student learns in college is detemined by how much the student is willing to put forth the effort in college life.

I would advise parents and students to look not only at the academics of a school, but also at the community. I think that the community is often overlooked, but it is one of the most important parts of life on any campus. While academics are obviously important, there are so many colleges that you can find a campus in an area you like that also fits your needs academically. If you are not comfortable with the feel of the campus, that will infringe deeply on your schoolwork. If being around family is important to you, it will be hard to be comfortable far from home, and that will impact both social and academic aspects of your life. In the same vein, it's important to choose a school that is a comfortable size for you. Just because a school is better known does not make it the best fit. Understanding what makes you comfortable and what makes you excel will make a world of difference in your college experience.

Do campus tours to get a feel for the university!

Talk to the school staff and faculty, get a feel for how oriented they are on helping students. Secondly, be sure to visit the schools your are considering. Walk the school during a school day and on a weekend, especially if you plan on living on campus and staying during weekends. Check what types of organizations they have and how easy it is to join them. Check how successfully they are on placing students for internships and jobs after graduation. Last of all, talk to students that are already attending the school to see how they like it. But make sure you talk to the students that are just there on campus, not those that are escorting the visitors around and things like that, you want to get the truth of how it is like there.

My advice to parents and/or students on choosing a college is to start small with a two year community college that has a two plus two program. It can save you quite a bit of money. You can follow a degree plan that has credits that can be transferred to a four year university. Keep in mind that private universities may not accept all credits. Two year community college gives you a chance to see what you want to pursue and complete your core classes. When choosing a university, take a tour of the campus first. This gives you an opportunity to see if it is the type of atmosphere you want and if you would feel comfortable there. Make sure to check what the college specializes in and what type of degree plans they offer. It will be easier to choose a school that best suits your needs. Finally, there are scholarships, grants and student loans available and should be taken advantage of. Start your search as early as your senior year of high school. If you keep these few things in mind, finding a college suited for you will make for a smooth transition.

Just see what college fits you the best. Dont judge it on what everyone else says, but where you feel most at home and welcomed.

Really research your type of school and the inhabitants that are there. You really need to find a school that is as well-rounded as you a place where you can find your niche, a good set of friends and always some good caffiene for the long nights. Diversity is always a good option, but make sure that you are adaptable to the campus, professors should always be willing to help you out but a good social life, with not too much partying is really a good balance. Find out who in your department is really open to telling you about their students, the sororities and fraternities. (These groups make a big difference in the social aspect of college) Overall, visiting your campus and using their public facilities like the gym and cafeteria can really give you insight to if a school is fitting for you!