University of Puget Sound Top Questions

Apply to at least three schools (one or more first choices and at least two safety's), and plan a campus tour and overnight visit at every college you get accepted to. The overnight visit will give you a much more thorough idea of what the school is really like than just touring the school on your own. You may think a school looks good on paper and has a pretty campus, but you never really know what it will be like until you spend some time there with enrolled students. An overnight visit could suprise you - you could realize you don't actually like your first choice school, or you could fall in love with a school that wasn't originally your first choice. Just keep an open mind and try to experience as much as you can when you visit your prospective universities. Also be sure to ask a lot of questions about what it's like to attend the school when you visit., even if it's just what the food is like, or what there is to do on weekends. The little things are what you'll grow to love about the school you choose.

Visit different colleges, see which types you fit best into. Figure out how you learn best; small classes, big classes? Are you motivated, if not a large campus may not be the best fit. It's easy to get lost in everything. Also, start thinking about majors, small colleges may not offer everything you want.

Look for a college that you can call home for the next several years. Embrace the community and the surroundings that the college has to offer and don't be afraid to explore! College is about growth and the right campus environment can positively impact who you will become in the future. Once at college, take advantage of the opportunites provided for you. Talk to professors and older students about what activities or events you could participate in. Quality friendships come naturally when you surround yourself with activities that correlate with your interests. When I was a freshman I was placed in an all-girls dorm with girls I seemingly didn't have anything in common with. I thought my social life depended on those people until I started becoming more active in the academic departments. That spring semester I made great friends which I am still friends with now, plus we have shared interests including similar favorite hangouts in the city surrounding my college. Remember to have fun and work hard, and to make the most of the opportunities presented to you!

I would say go with your gut instinct. I really like another school better than UPS but it was in Seattle, and I was woried that I would spend all my time hanging out in the city, so I turned it down. I look back and think, there is so much time in college to do everything, I wish I had gone there because I think it was a way better fit for me. Also, if you're unhappy at your school, there is no shame in transferring. You're 18, it's ok so say, I made a mistake, I need to move on. I performed amazingly academically and have a better job than anyone I know who graduated with me, but I also disliked college more than anyone else. I would gladly go back and make a change after my freshman year, even if it meant I was somewhere else, doing something else now.

Shop around and visit as many schools as you possibly can. It it amazing how helpful it can be to visit even schools that you aren;t interested in because you come to learn what you really want and don't want by seeing it first hand. Also, think about and ask the questions you have so you know better what to expect when you choose a school.

Find one that you feel at home at... If you don't youll end up hating it, quickly!

In my experience, finding the right college is all about first impression. If a college has a solid academic background and has the fields that you are interested in, then the feel of the campus is the most important thing. When you walk onto a campus, it should be love at first sight. A perspective student should feel comfortable in the environment and around the students at the college. Instinct can be the most important thing when finding the right college. Once you have arrived at the college of your choice, break out of your shell. In order to have a positive experience it is important to meet new people who will expand your social and emotional horizons, as well as push you towards a dynamic and challenging academic future. The most critical thing about finding the right school, and having a postive college experience, is to be come an individual, and discover what makes you who you are. Finding a school that can facilitate self discovery and academically challenge you, or your student, as an individual will be the right place for you.

Don't pick a school because of the price, or the prestige. And whatever you do, do not pick a school because your boy/girlfriend is going there. Most pre-university relationships end within the first semester, so find a better reason. The college experience is one of personal growth and confidence, so find a school that really fits exactly what you are looking for: class size, professor ratio, campus ambience, location, majors, and travel opportunities. Don't be afraid to take a chance, to go somewhere new and different, you might discover something about yourself. College is a chance to take risks in your life, to travel, to take weird classes, to make friends and stay up all night talking for no reason at all. Spend at least one year living in the dorms, you will meet a lot of people, make a lot of friends, and experience living without your parents and their rules. Join a lot of clubs/groups/teams, they will give you something to do besides homework and also let you meet more people who share similar interests. The best advice I can give is take risks, be smart and do your homework.

Apply to schools close to and far from home and make visits. They can be kind of awkward, but visits are good to get a feel for whether you'll fit into the community. Choosing a school also indirectly means you'll likely be choosing your best friends and a spouse. So have fun! Pressure's on!

If at all possible, the first step is to visit the campus in person. Do the students seem happy and engaged? Can you picture yourself calling this place home for the next few years? For me, atmosphere turned out to be a surprisingly important part of my overall sense of belonging at my school. Stepping out each day onto my beautiful campus gives me that extra bit of inspiration and a positive outlook (things that can suffer on those workload-heavy weeks!). Once you're there, find a balance: stay on top of your classes, but leave time to enjoy college life. Find friends who like to do the same things you do - if Frat parties sound about as fun as a root canal, go explore clubs (or start your own!) for rock climbing, or salsa dancing, or sitting by the fireplace and reading good books. College doesn't have to be "Animal House" or an extension of high school - use it to find out as much about yourself as you can. Discovering what you want to contribute to the world starts with discovering what inspires you.