University of Richmond Top Questions

In your freshman year of college, it may seem that you have a ton of time until graduation. However, those years will turn into a few days quicker than you think . You'll realize how fast time passed and you'll start to reflect on what you've done, who you've become, where you're headed and everything in between. To find the right college ans make the BEST of your time there, you have to keep/make long-term goals (for post-college) and use them as a guideline for how you act. Keep in mind the goals and aspirations you have for the rest of your life and realize they might change, but after college you still have a lot of living to do: Set that foundation strong. Hone in on skills you'd like to improve. Try clubs and sports you find interesting. Talk to people you ordinarily wouldn't. College is the perfect opportunity to simultaneously do a multitude of diverse activities, learn a lot about yourself and others, get a good education and set the foundation for life without the responsibilities of everyday "real world" living. Find the school that allows you that opportunity,

Visit UR first and then try and compare all of the other schools you visit to the same standard that UR has established; I doubt you'll be able to find another school that not only meets all of your desires concerning beauty and academics, but also of a great campus community and intermurral sports leagues anywhere else. I know I didn't!

Everyone is going to tell you that you have plenty of time to figure out what you want to do, that there is no need to rush and that you will have time to find a field or a college that is the best for you. What people don't tell you is that if you have an idea of what you want and pursue it, then everything will be easier. Even if you are unsure of what school you want, or what career you want to pursue, you should narrow down your interests as soon as possible. Having many options is great, but keeping all of these options alive is not an easy task. Rather than spreading your focus over many subjects it proves much more fruitfull to tackle a fewer number of interests with the same fervor.

A student planning to attend college should ponder two questions: how will the school/programs help me reach my ultimate goal, AND open the most doors possible. Nearly every college student changes their major at least once and an undergraduate major does not dictate the rest of one's life as the average American changes careers several times over the course of their working life. It's foolish to go to school as a freshman and have a very clear cut game plan because college is a time of exploration and education. One should also consider what they enjoy studying as there is no sense being an accounting major if you hate numbers, and then analyze school rankings by major. Look at the top schools in your field, determine what is realistic within your GPA/SAT means, and then use other criteria such as size and location to make a decision. One final piece of advice NEVER allow finances to decide where to apply to. Receiving financial aid is much like buying a used car. Aid money is ENTIRELY negotiable, and personally I go to the second most expensive school in the country, and it's cheaper than state school.

The decision is one that is at the same time momentous and trivial. It is momentous because often it is the first time that a young adult gets the chance to stretch his or her legs in the adult world; it is trivial because it is never the end of the world if the student doesn't end up at his or her first choice school. The important part is to allow the student to make a well informed decision.

As long as you find a place that you are comfortable, one can do well at a school.

make sure about size you want, visit the campus, get involved and dont be shy or afraid to ask questions

Choosing the right college is a wholly personal experience. Individual, mysterious, and complex. You can never know from a single visit or an application packet what the years to follow will entail. The best thing to do is let your intention guide you. Be aware of your goals, your dreams, your strengths and weaknesses, and your drive. All of these are necessary components to college life--both academically and socially. You are dedicating yourself and your life to one institution for two or four years; it is better to know now where or how you intend it to lead you. Do some serious soul searching and then pick your way through the mindfield that is growing up. Choosing a university will only be the first step on the journey to the next phase of your life. If you enter into that phase with an open mind, open heart, and with a little insight into yourself, you will not be lead astray.

It's never too early to begin looking for the right school. Go to as many info sessions and college tours that you can afford to go too. You'll get that feeling when you step on the right campus that this is the school for you, and I can tell you that once you arrive as a student that it will all work out for the best. Too often prospective students misjudge that gut feeling or regret decisions they make in the application process. Finding the right college is more of a natural feeling and process rather than a quanitatively based decison. So yes, do your research on the right schools for you, but then get on that campus and enjoy the process instead of stressing over it.

Visit the colleges you are interested in when they are in session. Plan an overnight visit so you can get a feel for the real life there, not what the student tour guide tells you.