University of Notre Dame Top Questions

You have to go where it feels right. Even if it costs more, you should go to a school where you can see yourself being happy.

College is a melting pot of new ideas and interesting people. The exposure to a wide range of opinions, viewpoints, and people from many distinct backgrounds is the reason one attends college. Unfortunately this period of enlightenment only lasts around 4 years, and so it is paramount that one chooses the school that gives them the best opportunity to broaden their horizons. Be it through inspirational professors and thoughtful coursework, participation in a unique combination of campus activities, or a social life that allows for students to step out of their comfort zone, students need to make the most of their limited time. Pick the school that gives you the best chance to immerse yourself in things you never pictured yourself doing or thinking. Typically the big public schools offer the best range of opportunities, but many private schools offer similar variety and diversity while still providing that comfortable small-school environment. Regardless of one's choice, nearly any college will change a person in ways they never imagined. If you become a sponge of ideas, question everything, and associate with as many diverse groups and unique activities as you can, your experience will be worth every penny.

Attend the college you feel most excited about.

Do as much research as you can, so you know exactly what you are getting into before accepting an offer from a school. When you are looking at schools, know what you want. These are some of the best years of your life, and you'll be spending (ideally) four years of your life at this school, so you want to make sure that you actually like it. Once you are at school, DO THE WORK AND GO TO CLASS. As fun as college can be--and trust me, if you make the effort, college years can be the best years you'll ever have--you are there first and foremost for an education.

Not only research into each particular college or university that you apply to, but also speak with people that attend or have attended that university before. Obtain multiple views of the school in order to have a holistic, less biased perspective of what the school is like. Most importantly, visit the college or university before you attend there to see if it is the right academic and social environment for you.

When selecting a college, it is important to consider your passions. Each college has a varying array of opportunities in athletics, clubs, and studies. First, students should think about the academic degree they wish to pursue, and what school would best facilitate their passion for that subject. Students should also think about the extra-curricular activities offered and how they want to get involved. The single most important thing I have learned at college is that balance is the key to success. Studying is obviously important, but finding a good trade off between your studies and other activities will guarantee a more well-rounded college graduate and an overall better experience. College can be incredibly self-fulfilling if you go out and make the most of it, so go to that political rally, go to the football game against the rival school, and try out for the musical. Those are the experiences that will stay with you forever. Ten years after graduation you will not remember the grade you got on your Organic Chemistry test, but you will remember the win over USC, your staring role in Les Miserables, and all of the friends you have made along the way.

I would tell both parents and students to actually make a trip to the campuses to which you plan on applying, and if the school offers it, stay overnight with a current student. In my application and decison-making process, the campus visits were infinitely more helpful than anything that was available on the school website. The visit enables you to gain a unique insight into the culture and feel of the school and its students. Walk around campus and try to decide if it is a place where you believe that you can fit in, enjoy yourself and succeed. If so, congratulations! You have found the right college for you and you will succeed and have a great four years in college.

College is a time in a student's life where they learn who they are and they figure out what they want to do with their life. So when picking a school, a family should choose a school that offers a safe, yet exciting learning environment. The school should provide equipment and facilities that will assist the students in their studies and in their research. Don't just go to a school because of the location or reputation. Go to a school that is known for being a safe and wonderful school that will provide many job opportunities once finished attending there. Kids get too caught up in how the parties are at schools and whatnot and that is a terrible reason to go to a university. Parents, make sure it is an environment that will teach your child life values that one can remember forever. It is a gut feeling in the end if you can't decide between two or three great schools. And one more thing, don't be afraid to move far away from where home was, it forces you to rely on youself a lot more and grow up a lot faster.

The question of what college to attend is one that weighs heavily upon the prospective student and parents. The choice is one that will affect the rest of your life. All I can say is be true to yourself. In selecting a college, everyone involved in the process needs to be realistic, especially the student. A college can change and shape you in many ways, but the experience that will be had is shaped mostly by the student. Look for a college that is compatible with you, one that offers the programs you are looking for, the social opportunities and sports and tradition. Just know that when you get to college, it is going to be your responsibility to take advantage of what the university offers. The most important thing is not necessarily will the college fit you; although, it is important that it offers what you are looking for. I would say that the most important thing to consider is will you fit the college: will you try to take advantage of what is offered, will you make the effort to acces the university? Choose a college that you think will give you the most opportunities to do so.

Try to strike a balance between friends, family and school work. It's an important time for you to grow in so many ways: spiritualy, academically, physically and socially. Don't stress too much about any one of these.