University of Notre Dame Top Questions

When you're finding your college, make sure that you can actually picture yourself living there and making friends there; definately go there for yourself. You (the student) have to want to go there; you can't go there because your parents really want you to. A lot of my friends transfered because their parent made them go to a college. When you're at college, try to experience everything and have fun. Make your own decisions as to whether you like the activities. Try and do things that you've never done before. You don't have to do everything that all the other students like if you don't enjoy it. Find something that you love and hang on to it, and of course make friends that will support you no matter what. Keep in contact with a few people from your high school (not everyone will keep in touch, and the ones that do will be few but true friends). Just be yourself.

Just like people, colleges are each unique and have something something special to offer. At the same time, there is no perfect college for a student. No matter where you go, your college experience will be entirely what you make it. Because of this, the key is not to find a school that offers the most opportunities, but to find a school that offers the kind of opportunities that you would be interested in getting involved in while there. One of the best approaches to looking for the right school is to purchase a book with testimonials from students about the different facets of campus life. They are the ones who attend the school, so who better to listen to? Another key piece of advice when applying to colleges: relax. Don't stress about the hundreds of schools you haven't read up on yet. Chances are if you have a solid list of colleges that sound promising, the others won't present anything you haven't already explored in your narrowing-down process. Applying to college is an exciting and scary time for everyone, and if you have an open mind, the right college will find you.

For those students that are trying to find the right college I think it is very important to find have campus vists and attended a class if possible. Different academic institutions have different ways of teaching and you have to make sure that you find the one that is appropriet for you. Also don't limit yourself, you don't have to go were ever your friends are going and staying close to home may be nice but you may be best fit to seceed else where.

Make sure you wnat to spend 4 years of academic life there! College is about getting a job- however- it is also about making friends and growing on your own. I would advise all students to vist their schools and talk to students attending, make sure you will be able to balance a well rounded soucial life with your academic focuses in mind. Parents, let your kids find the school for them and be open minded when your son or daughter tells you they want to goto your colleges rival university... whats right for you may not be for them!

As one of my high school teachers told me, "you can only do college once, so make a decision you won't regret." Don't make your decision for the wrong reasons. While it is wise to be practical and not overextend yourself in terms of cost, proximity to family, or academics, don't settle either. Think of the things that will last such as academic programs rather than activities you are only mildly interested in. Also, pick broad categories when selecting a type of school. Pick a region, a size range, different types of locations, and find one that balances between your preferences. Additionally, it is important to have at least one quality on which you will not compromise to help you narrow things down if you are unsure. As far as your time in college, get involved in classes, activities, clubs, and anything else that interests you. College is an opportunity to try things out and get a feel for what you like outside of the smaller environment you had in high school. The time goes by quickly, so don't tell yourself 'there's always next year" or you will miss out on some very neat opportunities.

When looking for a college, trust your gut instinct. Go to a place that makes you feel comfortable and inspired. Be open to the ideas and outlooks of others - students, professors, and staff members. Be patient with yourself, and take the time you need to explore what it is that is your passion - whether in the arts, academic work, or scientific research. Once you find that, pursue it with everything you can because college is one of the best places to do that. Don't miss out on the opportunity to discover what it is that you excel in, to question and form your opinions and ideas, and to form deep friendships with others. Most importantly, absorb everything you can during your college years. Have deep conversations with friends and professors, reflect on the things that are most important, and be open to the unexpected!

Parents, the best advice I can give is to let your child find his/her own path. Whether it is what college to go to, what major to pick, or what career path to follow- Take a chance and trust... This is the time you have the world at your feet. Whatever you do, don't let life pass you by. Take charge and do something great!

1. Pick schools that fit your interests of study and student life. Schools that have your desired majors. Schools that fit your personality and offer the kind of extracurricular activities you would enjoy. 2. Visit these schools and note both their positive and negative characteristics regarding many factors. These can include, class size, religious affiliation, contentment of students, academic credibility, academic ranking, alumni network, and characteristics of the campus. 3. After hearing what schools you got into. Choose the school that you feel will teach you the most about life in general and will mold you into the adult you would like to be. Don't choose a school solely based on its general academic ranking or specific rankin in your desired field of study. l You will most likely change your major and there are many other things to be learned other than academics. Don't go to school due to it being where your girl/boyfriend and majority of friends are going. Choose the school that will prepare you the best in all facets of life to become a the productive adult worker you want to be.

College is an exciting adventure, yet it can be an extremely daunting process choosing a home for the next four years. Personally, I was extremely anxious about the entire process. Usually there is a list parents and students need to run through: expenses, size, location, academic and social opportunities. It may seem like choosing a college involves answering a series of questions and finding a result. These questions are important to answer, however I truly believe when making this monumental decision it involves trusting your gut. The right college will allow you to flourish academically and socially. A series of statistics about a school cannot tell you this- only your heart can. This is why visiting a school is a crucial part of making a decision. On campus, a student can envision themselves living and studying in a new environment. They get a taste of the student body and the scenery. If it feels like it's right when you visit, then it won't take long to feel like home. Once you have arrived at school remember to live everyday to it's fullest, and believe in yourself.

Know that college will require hard work and sacrifices. Once that is established, the student should reflect upon his interests and research the schools that offer opportunities to continue participation in them. It is important to consider a school?s distance from home, cost, size, location, and general atmosphere. That atmosphere is hard to describe, but if a student has the opportunity to visit a school, he may feel as though he would fit in well there and can picture himself attending. The student should also be aware of the majors offered, and, if he does not know what he wants to do, then maybe he should attend a school that gives him options. Taking one step at a time helps to diminish the stress of choosing a college. Wherever a student goes, he can make the most of his experience by actively participating in various groups or even by striking up conversation with classmates and professors. The more interested he is in learning about others, the more interested they will be in him. The good news is that no college decision is permanent. If, after time, the student just doesn?t feel right, there are still so many opportunities.