United States Coast Guard Academy Top Questions

Even if you are not sure about looking at a particular school, you might as well just see what they have to offer. It could be better than whatever your first choice school has. Look at schools that are very similar to your first choice as well. Don't be afraid to move out of state or across the country. A lot of schools have summer programs or college visit days throughout the year, so it is always a good idea to check out if the school you like has a program like that. You may get to see the typical everyday life of a student that you wouldn't normally get to see on a tour or summer visit. Once you get to your particular college, join a sports team or a club to be as involved as possible! Even a dull or difficult school can be turned into one of the best experiences of your life if you have the closest friends you have ever had. You need interaction with people who are like you as well as people you are very different from because you will have to deal with it for the rest of your life.

The obvious advice that some people don't take is to actually visit the campus not only for a day tour but to take the opportunity to shadow a current student for 1-2 days during the school week. It's best to shadow someone who will be in the same major as your intended major and to play the same sports/ engage in the same extracurricular activities as you. I would also look at the class size, student body size, campus location, majors, abroad programs available at the school. Also, if that particular school does not have something offered that you wish it did, you can ask if they have mutual agreements with other colleges in the area to offer classes or programs to each other's students. For my school, tuition is free, so in regards to school loans and financial aid applications, I cannot give any advice with experience to back it up but do make sure that it is an education worth the price tag at the end of the day. Many colleges have better reputations than educational value in my opinion so make sure it is the right learning environment for you! Good luck!

There?s a lot of different advice I would give to a student about finding the right college. If you are driven and looking for a school to push you, a military academy is a good fit. If you are unsure about your college experience and want your studies to range over a large spectrum with a relaxed learning environment and time to chose an area of study- a military academy is not for you. You have to be ready for the structure that will soon consume your life. Going to a military academy is a sacrifice with benefits. You have a job immediately after college, which is hard to come by in the current economy. You can be 22 years old with college loans, a job, and on your way to purchasing your first house. You are ahead of the curve. The best overall advice I can give is for athletes. If you play a sport, do not choose a school that has the best program, unless you have the ability to be a professional athlete. Look for the athletic program that will help you get into the best school academically and set you up for success after college.

Listen to your heart...

Finding the right school is an important decision, but the right school isn't necessarily the most expensive or most prestigious school you can (or can't) afford. I would say that the most important components are: 1) the student will receive a quality education that will make him or her competitive in his or her field upon graduation, and 2) the student enjoys his or her time in college. I'm not saying that college should all fun and games or that you should enjoy it at all times, but on the whole the student should have a minimum quality of life such that they are not miserable for four long years. How to find such a college? I would suggest doing your homework online first (researching schools, financial aid, sports, clubs, etc) and then visiting a few of the top choices. A visit can be a powerful tool to shed light on a bad school that seemed perfect up until that point. Try to talk to people who have attended the school and see what they think of it: did they enjoy their time? are they proud they attended said school? do they feel knowledgeable in their field?

Don't go somewhere for drinking or your friends. Do it because you like what you are going to be doing there, what your major is. Nothing else will make you more misreable than getting stuck somewhere that you just want to leave.

go somewhere that makes you happy

Decide what you (seriously) want to to at college and what you want to get out of your experience there. Pick the college that fits what you want, not because of its name. Also, VISIT the school and talk to random students who are not a part of any organized tour/information program. The students are the ones who really understand the atmosphere of the campus.

Find a college that will suit you well. I don't think in the long run it really matters where you go, it's what you make of your experience.

Make sure your kid wants to go there for himself and not for his parents.