Villanova University Top Questions

Go with your gut

I would tell anyone looking at school to go out and walk around the campus themselves to see if they really feel a connection on campus. Websites and books can only tell you the facts; the feel and pulse of a college campus can only truly be experience by getting out a living it.

Make sure you take time and carefully look at any school you're interested in.

Make sure that you scout out all possibilities, and make sure you're not afraid to go through change in college - it'll probably be for the better.

let the kid make the decision

First of all, make sure you visit the school's that you have in mind. you really shouldn't make a decision unless you've been there. apply to as many schools as possible also, because you might be surprised at some of the financial aid packages that some school's give you and its better to have a lot of options than to limit yourself. also, talk to students and faculty while you're visiting the school and ask them a lot of questions. sometimes the information you get from a casual conversation with a stranger is the most valuable. as far as making the most out of the college experience, get involved. most schools have tons of clubs and extracurricular activities available. find what you like to do and get involved. you'll end up making life long friends and being way happier. don't be embarassed to try new things either-don't hold back!

When students are applying to schools and visiting them to find the one that is right for them they should definitely take into account the area in which the school is located and the student body of the college or university. These two things will have a very large impact on your life at school and even if you don't think that they will, they'll definitely affect your perfomance in the classroom. You're not going to thrive in a place or with people if you don't feel like you totally belong there. Once you're in school of course you have to take it seriously, but you also have to have as much fun as you can. Don't forget that you're young and that you'll never have an experience like this again in your life. Yes, study for the psychology test that you have tomorrow, but when you just can't study anymore go down the hall and watch season two of LOST with your friends for the rest of the night. Enjoy college, learn everything that you can, and always keep yourself open to new people and experiences.

Look at as many schools as possible. Think about everything you would potentially want to do with your life and go to a school with all those tastes in mind so you have a choice.

Make sure you visit the schools and try to talk to students that that dont work in admissions. While they are helpful with statistics, they are also taught what not so say, so try and get the real answers to all of your questions. Focus on things that are important to you, sports, service, size, and pay less attention to the name of the school because it is not as important as you initially think.

To the parents, allow your child to explore schools outside the 'typical' schools you hear of. To the students, explore what schools might be right for you, and then visit them. Find a school that is right for you and feels right. It could be your home for the next 4+ years.