University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Top Questions

Everyone will tell you to be yourself when you go off to college, but the advice they should be giving is to find a college that will allow you to grow and change. If collge has fullfilled its role in your life, when you leave you should be a better person adacemically, socially, professionally, and personally. Whether it is east coast, west coast, small, big, beaches, or ski slopes, the college that is right for you is the one where when you are campus you are relaxed, because when you are walking to class at 8 in the morning you need to be able to take a deep breath and be glad that you are there becoming a better person day by day. While the individual school will play an imporant role in whether you can learn and grow, the other half will be up to you. Don't let experiences pass you by. Take adavnactage of all your college has to offer. This extends beyond classes and clubs and includes everything from sports to parties. Study hard but take time to enjoy all the college had to offer. Learn from experience as much as from textbooks.

Parents: if YOU are searching for YOUR child the RIGHT college, you are already faulting tremendously. Because college is time for your child to test the wings of independence. And to venture from the nest. Yes you should ASSIST your child in finding the "right" school and encourage research of and visits to these schools, but nonetheless, your child decides. Each of you moveover WILL individually assess your child's needs, because no one quite like you, parents, understands their child as you do. Still your child leaves. And you will not be there. But do not fret. To ensure that your child makes the most of college, adopt the Taoist philosophy and do nothing. Do nothing until you MUST do something. Then act. Trust in yourself that you have been an adequate parent in providing, teaching, and navigating your child to success. Your child WILL face extreme challenges--yet, in your absence at those trying times, we somehow always act in the way we know best: the way our parents would. So be confident. Be present. Be bold, and cultivate independence in your child, because, out there, in the real world, we're going to need lots of it.

Finding the right college and making the most out of the college experience requires a great deal of self-discovery. Clear everyone else out of your mind; what's important to you when you think about college? Don't let your parents pride for their alma mater or your friends excitement over a college influence you into choosing a university you don't really want to go to. This is the first step in making the most out of the college experience as well, because if you're happy where you are, then you're more likely to enjoy yourself.

Most kids entering college have some idea of what they want to pursue. Many switch majors. Many chose a career unrelated to their college degree. Many take more than four years to graduate. The best advice I can give to incoming students, is to have an open mind. It's well worth your time to explore all of your options for college. Also, if you have a wide variety of interests, a school with many fields of study could be beneficial.

For me the most important thing is size. You can make a big school small, but you cannot make a small school big. Make sure that there is a club or orginization that the student can get involved with. It really helps to have a close group of friends, and clubs and orginizations really help to foster those friendships. Really think about what the student wants in their colligiate experience. School spirit may also be a very big part of that expereince. Think about the little things and everything should work out perfectly.

Do lots of research and visit as many schools as you can.

In order to find the right college, you must have an idea of what you want to do with your career. If you are unsure, then I would recommend going to a large college that offers a lot of different majors and specialities. To make the most of the college experience, you have to understand that you're going to college for an education first. Althought you must not let college get in the way of your education, it is very important to go out and experience the world for yourself.

Talk to other students to find out what the school is like and what some of the general interests of the student body are, so that you can make sure you pick a school where you're going to have a good time and meet people who are into the same things as you. Once you're there, make sure you balance out your academics and social life and keep your priorities straight. If you need help, contact an Academic or Peet Advisor who can help you devise a good plan for success.

Directed towards "you" future student I would advise you to seriously make the divide between what you want, what their parents want for you, and what their counselors THINK you want. Look inward and think about whether you learn better in smaller environments with one on one teacher time, or whether you are motivated enough to be a number in a giant University. If you do learn better with one on one teacher time, you might seriously want to consider a small liberal arts school, or a small program within a large University. Also, apply to schools that you may not think you can afford. Small liberal arts schools can give out large scholarships for talent, academics or sports involvement. Music schools within large Universities also give out scholarships, so don't limit yourself or sell yourself short. If you do end up going to a school that doesn't feel right, give it time. If, after giving it time, it still doesn't feel right, think about transfering. It may be a messy process, but it can be worth it to end up in a program that is perfect for you.

Visit the college campus, ask relatives and friends who are attending the school. Check out the programs the school offers. Enjoying the living environment is very important, too.