University of Chicago Top Questions

stick with whatever you choose if you can

I would tell students and parents to make sure that the school they choose is really the school that is right for the student. I chose a school that required a large financial investment, but I feel that it has already paid off with the caliber of education and the alumni connections I have received. In order to make the most of the college experience, students should seek out every possible opportunity on campus and connect with as many people as possible because the college experience can only be enriched by learning as much as possible and meeting as many interesting people as possible. Students should also visit the college campus and spend time talking to the current students, over taking a campus tour, to get to know whether or not the college is the right fit for them.

The best advice that I can give to parents and students, regarding the college experience, is to keep everything in perspective, and realize that attending college is more than just a GPA, a football team, or a weekend party. The years spent in college are meant to prepare you for life after college, which includes not only what you learn in class, but also how to regulate your own life, manage your own time, work in a competitive and stressful environment, and even how socialize and relate with your peers; in sum, it is named the college experience for a reason, because it is truly the overall experience and not any individual aspect of the college that is the most important. As such, when picking a school, consider whether or not the school will provide you with the opportunity to grow, not only mentally, but also as an individual who will eventually be responsible for functioning in the ?real world.? If you are able to keep this scary and inevitable fact in mind, both when you are choosing a school and while you are attending school, then you should be able to truly get the most of the college experience.

The most important thing when looking for a college is finding a college that fits you. In other words find a college that is offering you what you are looking for as far a programs for your major as well as activities and hobbies that you are interested in. Some people only live half the college experience. Some people do the work but don't enjoy the fun that college has to offer as well as some people have too much fun while they are struggling to pass classes. I feel like the ultimate college experience will definitely include time management. With time management, you are able to juggle fun and learning and being able to do it stress free. One of the "do nots" in looking for a college is definitely going to a college because your friend does because what may be a good college for your friend may be a terrible college for you. College holds the ticket to your future, you just have to make sure you hop on the right train.

Dont look out cost. Just apply!

Do not be afraid to attend a difficult school. Even if your GPA is not perfect, it is worth it for many reasons. It is ok to make mistakes as you adjust to college life, as long as you keep your priorities straight. There were times when I felt I had hit rock bottom because I was not doing well in my classes, but the pressure of dealing with the possibility of failure taught me important life lessons. Besides learning to cope with challenges, you appreciate how much you must love a subject before you commit to it and how much independent work is necessary to achieve your goals. Approaching professors and TAs, doing experiments on your own, and reading material beyond what is required for class is at least as important as doing your required classwork. As a college student, I have stayed up all night studying, wept over my grades, begged professors for extentions, and even temporarily dropped out of school, but all these experiences were necessary for me to figure out what I want out of life. Now, I know exactly what I want to do, and successfully on my way to a satisfying life.

Trust your instincts when looking for a college. The marketing materials an institution sends you are usually an accurate dipiction of its general environment and will help you begin your search by identifiying values of the community. Find your dream school and focus your resources on it; for example, visit overnight before you apply and complete an on-campus or alumni interview. Conversations with the students or faculty you meet while visiting will not only help you be sure that college is a good fit for you, but will also be useful to cite in making your case that you are a serious applicant and will be an asset to the school. Don't be afraid to apply to a school that you think might be a reach for you. Consider schools that accept early applications as long as admission is not binding. Once you arrive on campus, sample a variety of activities before becoming heavily involved in any one thing. You don't have to participate in the same activities that defined you in high school! Most importantly, don't let school get in the way of your education! Get involved off campus and attend lectures outside of class.

First and foremost, do not worry so much; it's an important decision, but if you don't choose the perfect college on your first try, just breath, it is not the end of the world. For me and my parents it was particularly difficult since neither of them had attended college and knew nothing about schooling in the states. The system is different in Poland, which is where my parents are from. There was a lot of stress, but it was unnecessary. Really what one needs to focus on is what you are interested in and where you'd like to spend at least 4 years of your life. If you've never been away from home for an extended period of time, like me, you may be tempted to stay close to your hometown, but I advise you to be at least an hour away and live on campus. I believe living on campus is essential to developing a sense of independence and really utilizing your school and its resources. Lastly, if you cannot visit every school you are applying to don't worry, but please do make plans to visit your top choices!

I would tell parents and/or students to simply consider these four things: their financial ability to pay for it, the location and surroundings of the college. the atmosphere, and the curriculum.

Think of who you want to be on your campus. I decided to be the artsy, athletic person on an intellectual campus rather than the dorky person on an artsy, athletic campus, and I'm happy I did. Also, think of things you might want to do, and make sure the campus has a range of resources for your interests. Don't just go with the school that has the best program in what you're pretty sure you want to study, as it is very likely that will change.