University of Mary Washington Top Questions

Trust your instincts, you know yourself the best and make good decisions.

I would advise my high school counterpart to never give up. What I mean by that is, when I was in high school, I barely applied for scholarships because I never thought that I would get them. I didn't have the confidence that I was good enough for anyone to award me any scholarships. At the senior awards night, the same people kept getting the scholarships because they were the only ones to apply for them. I could have have been one of those people had I continued applying for scholarships until I started recieving some. I would have also advised myself to start getting in the mindset of a college student. In high school, I would wait until the last minute to do a homework assignment, though ontime, and for some classes, I did not feel the need to study because I was good at that subject. I also never used a planner or agenda. All of these bad habits can lead to ones downfall in college. It is easy to forget the deadline of a paper or your work can build up quickly if you wait to the last minute to do your assignments.

Parents do not choose the school for your son/daughter. Students do not go to the college beuase your parent said so, also try to have an overnight visit at the school you are considering.

DON'T WORRY. Frankly, undecided is the best major choice available. Who truly knows at such a young age what he/she should be doing "for the rest of their life?" Schools that provide encouragement not to dive into a major prematurely are more common than we generally think. Take advantage of it! Research those schools. Research bargain schools. You know what they say now? Undergraduate degrees are to now as a high school dipoma was to 25 years ago! Apply to more state schools than not. Stay positive - everything happens for a reason! If a school doesn't want you, you shouldn't want the school!

When looking for a college, choose a school with a strong program in the major you want if you have an idea of a major interest. If a future major is unknown, look for a college that has a number of majors available and a good general education program. This will allow you to dabble in a number of majors without committing right away. Also, think about the relationship you would like to have with your teachers and what is important during a college experience. Do not pick a big name school simply because it is known; pick a school that will make you comfortable and that you will enjoy, even if it is smaller. Know the different activities that you would be interested in partaking in and find a school that offers those activities. When you get to school, sign up for as many clubs that interest you as possible. Starting cutting down when you figure out which activities you really enjoy and are willing to spend the time putting effort into since those will be the ones you enjoy most. Do not be afraid to try new activities and introduce yourself to everyone around.

Don't settle for your fifth choice.

I recommend students seeking the right college should first visit their in-state public universities to get a feel for what they desire in a school. Public universities can provide an excellent education, with a variety of campus types, while still being affordable to most people. After visiting several campuses and talking to students at each, you can develop a sense of whether you want a larger or smaller school, an urban environment or smaller town, and what type of general atmospere is best suited for you. With colleges narrowed down, it is simple to research which school has the best academics within your potential range and apply for it, making sure you apply to others as back-ups. The best advice I can give to future students is to never skip a class without a very good reason (after all, you are paying to be there) and to get a professor to know you really well every semester. Professors can find you internships, write recommendation letters, and help you get that first job after graduating, so make sure you impress at least a few of them. Work hard, but don't forget to have some fun too.

Finding the right college is about finding what you're looking for. Just because a school looks great on paper doesn't mean you (or your child) will be happy there. Visit schools before you make a decision. Sometimes you'll walk onto a campus and realize it's just not for you. Especially conside the size of the classes you want to attend. Bigger schools have more money to spend on facilities, but your professor probably won't know you. Smaller schools boast more individualized learning, but some resources might not be as available. Once you're there, college is what you make of it. You can choose to make it a great experience, and you can choose to be miserable. No one is going to come looking for you in your dorm room to be their friend, but if you get out there and get involved, you will find the people with whom you will be friends for life. The ultimate goal: be able to look back in 20 years and know that you spent your college years making yourself the best person you could be.

Don't be nervous about taking risks. Life is full of opportunities; take chances when you can!

My advise to parents and students searching for the right school would be to dig deep, look around the campus and make sure you visit the actual campus and talk to students and professors or advisors. A student should feel welcomed at the school even if they have not decided where they wish to go, they should also feel like they will be in a wonderful learning enviorment, and a safe, friendly enviorment. To get the most out of the college experience, you must become involoved. Volunteer off campus, join clubs, go to sponsored events, and attend student held lectures or events. Finding the right college for you is sometimes difficult but makes all the difference in the world.