The New School Top Questions

Be sure that there is an emphasis on the proper pedagogy that fits your child the best. The "banking method", as discussed by Paulo Friere, works for some, while engaged and interactive learning works well for others. For example, when I was attending public schools as a child, I often got in trouble for speaking out during class. The New School puts a huge emphasis on class discussions and student participation as part of the learning experience and I flourished there while I struggled in more "traditional" schools. But, if your child is timid, silent, and just wants knowledge deposited to them they would most likely struggle in an environment like Lang College. Make sure you find a good fit and make sure to get an idea of how classes are conducted to put your child in the best environment to succeed.

Follow your heart.

Know what you want to study and what you want to get out of college. Participate in extra-curricular activities and try hard in academics.

My advice to all prospective college students is to not only look into the academic aspect of the schools you choose. It would be a good idea to visit the school on your own before you decide and try to talk to the students there. Ask them what they like and what they don't like about the school. Inquire not only about classes but about campus life and activities. Take note of the students you meet. What are they like? Are they stand-off-ish or friendly and helpful? I would even go as far as to take a peak into a classroom in session or two. Be very thorough in your investigation and then make an assessment of all the schools you visited. Once you have done all those things, then you can go through their course catalog and make your final decision. You will be grateful you took the time to do all that research when you start your classes.

My advice would be to try to consider a path for the future and then proceed to the proper place that serves that particular practice/career choice. If you are a person, like many, who has absolutely no idea what it is that they want to to, my advice would be to use the this time in your life to explore other places and experience the world. Chances are that after attending a university, you wont have the opportunity to live in a different country or live in a different part of the country for a short amount of time. Larger Universities, while providing immense variety in course and educational experiences, can also put a student in a position of feeling lost and utterly disconnected from everyone. Smaller, more intimate environments may serve to be a much more benefitial educational experience for some. My advice in choosing a college/university would be to visit differnt types of campuses, either locally or worlwide to try to find the best fit before commiting to any individual place. Once you are accepted and are attending a university, it becomes much harder to change your mind.

Take time to really learn about the ins and outs of a school. It's not just about the big name, or the famous professors, or the great sports team. The real key to how much you'll enjoy school is what the academic environment is like, the students' politics and lifestyles, and whether there are opportunities for you to pursue and become engaged by issues that are really important to you. I found a place that allowed me to follow my passion as closely, deeply, and thoroughly as I wanted, and that made all the difference in how much fun I had and how much I learned while I was there. Most of all, recognize that this is a time in your life you'll only get to experience once, so if you aren't happy and you've already tried to make changes for the better, go ahead and try something else! ENJOY IT!

The best advice I can give is, know what you want and spend a passionate amount of time on your application. Finding the right college depends on you, so learn as much as you can about the colleges and applications.

Get involved and learn from all your experiences.

I think you should know what you're looking for in terms of size, and you should definitely sit in on some classes. While touring schools, seeing what classes would be like was one of the most important things. Also, don't hesitate to learn more about the programs, and definitely talk to students on campus (not just your tour guide) to see what the school is like from their perspective. I would try and talk to some professors, or a bunch of students about their professors. Ask them what their best class to date was and why. I think the environment helps the students and parents decide, because it will make you ask yourself: is this what I want to see almost every day for the next four years? I knew my answer right away, but I know that it is not so easy for others. Tour your colleges with an open mind, and don't hesitate to get first-hand words from students other than the tour guide (they wouldn't hire someone who hates the school) because it really matters in the end.

As an art student, the most important thing to consider when choosing a college is how you feel when you are there. It may seem rather immature or irresponsible, but using your insinctive feelings is truly the best way to tell if the school is right for you. You need to sense the attitude of the people there and feel as though you can learn from them. You need to look at the student work on display. Does it challenge you? Does it give you ideas? Does it make you want to create? You need to love the smell of the classrooms- the oil paint, the printing ink, the charcoal. Tap into the vibe of the campus and if it inspires you and welcomes you, then that is where you belong.