University of Vermont Top Questions

For me, a college visit and information online was not enough to make a decision. I would highly suggest taking a day to spend in the city area of the colleges you are deciding from, to get the feel of the people, and the city life you will be around. Get a good look at eateries you would be interested, and just a general type that the city is- big, small, artsy, metro, anything. Chances are this will weight heavily upon your decision, as it did mine, since this is where your child will be living for the next 2-4 years. As a student to make the most out of college, the best way is to sign up for everything that seems interesting, keep an open mind, and just weed out whatever doesnt fit later. Dont be afraid to try and new language or a new instrument- keep your opinions yours, and chances are you will meet the best of friends. Try also to be a part of at least some of your school activities to see what everyone else on your campus is doing! And lastly, take long walks at night through campus, it is well worth it.

The college experience has changed over the years. Focus has shifted from a practical based model to the theoretical. This has allowed for other lesser known schools to compete with the better known institutions because they more or less operate from the same textbooks. A college education does not qualify you to do anything; it is to teach you to think critically and apply it to your everyday life. As a student, you should take advantage of all the ammentities you have available through your school (i.e. why tutition is so high). I wish I utilized the resources in the library to enhance my class work. Schools purchase subscriptions to databases and publications that a normal individual would not have access to. Schools also offer extracurricular programs that help you with your writing skills, public speaking, etc. Skills that do not necessarily translate over on a resume, but will in a interview. Too often we worry about the classroom when we should be focusing on the overall college experience. Try new things, meet new people, and apply yourself. In the end, no one will ask you what your GPA was or really care if you didn't attend Harvard.

When you step onto the right college campus, you will know. Choose the best academic options first, and then start your quest for a school that you can imagine yourself becoming a part of. The transition, even to your dream school, can be tough. Getting involved with clubs and organizations can make that transition easier.

Stay in tune with your heart and your mind while college-searching. How do you feel while on a college tour? What kind of emotions run through your head as you explore a campus? Are the other students friendly? Does the scenery make you smile or cringe? Think about what you might want to get out of your college experience; what kind of goals might you consider going after? Ask your tour guide about the possibilities open to you at a particular school. Discover what makes you tick. Think about it while searching for a college, and once you step on campus for your first semester, do some research about the different classes and activities available to you. Join a sports team or a club. Go see campus-sponsored films and speakers. You'd be surprised how much you can take away from a short, 2 hour meeting or event. The more you involve yourself, the more things start to work themselves out in your head. That said, the more experiences you create for yourself at a university will only help you discover your own interests and goals, and give you the tools to mold your future.

When I was applying to colleges, I knew I was going to be a theatre major. What I thought I wanted was a very competitive conservatory, where I would do nothing but theatre training. But the more I thought about it the more I realized that what I really needed was a more well rounded education. I would encourage anyone appling to colleges to look for schools that can give them an oppertunity to explore. Often times students go to a college without having picked a major. At at school like UVM you have hundreds of majors to choose from and you can try as many as you want. College is as much about finding yourself as it is about education and I would encourage all prospective college students to find a school that will let them find themselves. The key to making the most of your college experience is seizing any opportunities collleges can offer. This means going to hockey games even if you don't understand hockey, or writing for the newspaper even if you flunked English in high school. When you step outside of your comfort zone you are on the path to finding the real you.

Visit as many schools as you can, and if you don't know exactly what you're looking for, pay attention to the overall feeling you get. It's important to keep an open mind both as you go through the application process and once you start attending your chosen college. You'll be exposed to many different ideas and experiences than you were in high school; be open to the fact that as a result, your perspectives on certain aspects of life may change. What you're looking for in a college experience and what you expect to gain from it may also change once you get there. In terms of the academics: relate what you learn in class to the real world as much as possible. Previous generations have unfortunately left us with a pretty big mess to clean up, so please don't get a degree just for the sake of having one; think about how you can use it as a tool to somehow better the world. Take advantage of the priveleges that come with being a student and learn as much as you can!

Make sure you visit the college/University on a day when classes are in session, ask about career services, sit in on classes, eat the food, visit dorms, inquire about greek life, visit the town, ask random students to chat about their experiences, likes/dislikes, (i.e. not one of the tour guides). GET INVOLVED

Be open and choose on your gut instinct. Students don't listen to your parents and choose what you want.

Unless you are certain you want to go to a small school, go to at least a lovely, middle-sized school because you will be thankful for the opportunity to meet new people all the time while staying in a small community. Also, pick somewhere that you know you will love the activities and weather.

Finding the right college is about finding the right fit for the student, not the school that the parents think is best. It's like finding the right pair of shoes. Even if other people think they look great on you, if the shoes don't fit, then you shouldn't buy them or you'll be miserable with sore feet. Even if other people in the student's life think a college is perfect for them, only the student knows truly which school feels like home. Attending a school because others think it looks great will make a person just as miserable as walking around with sore feet. When you walk onto a campus, it should feel like home. Can you see yourself there in 4 years? That's a big chunk of our young lives. Envision the future--where do you see your happiness? THAT is the school you should attend, nowhere else.