University of Notre Dame Top Questions

Do what feels right to you, and don't let others or other circumstances influence you. The next four years of your life are yours, and only you should decide what is best for you. Yes, getting a good education is very important, but you also need to grow as a person. Choosing the right school for you is not just about the academics or the reputation but also about comfortable you feel in going there and how it can help you develop your identity.

Make sure the school is the best fit for what you are looking for. Don't be one dimensional with your search and base everything solely on one aspect of a place. Take a look at everything and consider all of it before making your choice. Your college of choice will be your alma mater forever. In my opinion, if you choose wisely, you will never regret ANYTHING.

I would say that the student should assess what he or she wants out of a college experience and start from there. Ask questions when visiting which are important to you. Decide how much weather and work load will affect their general overall happiness and the facilities are more important that most people give them credit for. Find something the student is passionate in. Give everything that seems interesting a chance, try it out, college is the time to branch out and find passions and interests. Overall, just enjoy life, and know that you can make a place your own, or transfer.

For parents and students I would strongly advise a visit and sit-in of the courses the student would be interested in. If possible two different visits is best, on in the fall during the football season and again in the spring when the campus is quieter for a good feel of the different seasons, both natural and personal.

I would suggest trying to find a college that fits the students own personal academic ability and has a good program for what the student might be interested in. For many, it is also important to keep in mind the distance the school is from home, but this need not be something that would get in the way of an otherwise perfect fit in a school. It is always important to weigh the level of academics a school offers, the various sports and organizations available at the school for the student to get involved in, the overall size of the school, whether it is public or private, and whether or not the school has any sort of religious affiliation. Of course, the cost of education is one of the most important factors in finding the right college. But the cost of a school should not completely discourage a student. Many expensive schools have means of offering aid to students in need, and the value of the education at such a school may really be worth the extra investment. Overall, find a school at the student would feel comfortable, be able to get involved and succeed.

Be sure that you have visited the school for an extended or overnight visit so that you have a good idea about what life is really like at that university or college. If you don't think you will be happy living in a particular sort of campus environment, then don't choose to go to that university. Chances are you will be miserable for four years. Also, be sure to check for out of classroom opportunities like internship placements, study abroad programs, and grant opportunities. These are the facets of a university that will actually prepare you for the real world after you graduate.

I think that the most important aspect to consider when choosing the right college is also the most basic: yourself. Many students seem to think that just because a family member loved a school, they will too. But if this school is in the heart of the city and the prospective student loves the peace and beauty of nature, chances are that the school is a poor fit. A higher-ranked school does not guarantee greater happiness for the students that attend. It is so important to be aware of your own (the student's, not the parents!) likes and dislikes when selecting a college. The same idea holds true for the college experience. If a student has always loved art , it's likely that he or she will not be happy majoring in Accounting and joining Math Club. It can be fun to "re-invent" yourself at college, but remember to stay true to what makes YOU happy. I learned this from personal experience. I always loved books and literature , but I pursued a "sensible" Business major. Thankfully my parents supported me when I realized that I'd be much happier in my new major: English.

Choose the college that fits YOU.

Visiting the college is crucial, but it can also be deceiving because certain college experiences vary widely from season to season. If you are seriously considering more than one school, consider visiting each more than once. Also, spending a day or a weekend with a student is a good way to really get the feel of the school.

Find a place where you can and will do as much as you can