Washington and Lee University Top Questions

Pick the school that you feel you belong a the most. Don't just settle for the school that you can afford, pick a school with small class sizes and professors that want to teach and aren't just there to do research. Remmeber, the school that you choose is a place your not only paying $200,000 to attend and get a degree from, its the place you will be living for the next 4 years of your life.

Above all other advice, I would tell parents and students to look at a wide variety of colleges before making a decision. While you may think you have your mind set on the first college you see or where your big brother went, there are so many options out there that the perfect school for YOU is somewhere. One thing I would do differently about my college search is that I would stay on over nights at my top choices, in order to interact with some students at the college and have a small taste of the college experience at that particular school. As for making the best of the college experience, have as much fun as possible, BUT always put your academics first. A low GPA your first fall semester will haunt you as you try to average it up throughout your senior year. If you manage your time, there is plenty of it to balnce your life between work and play. You are at college for an education number one, then everything else will fall into place.

To find the right college, find the schools that offer the programs you are interested in and the enviorment that you most enjoy and then visit them; simply find where you best fit in. As I was told when searching for the right college for myself, "Look for somewhere that has the subjects you would like to study, and then see if you can feel comfortable there. As long as you can be comfortable, everything will work itself out in time." This is the absolute truth, I found a school where I felt at home, and although I switched majors, I would not trade that feeling I had when I first stepped upon campus for anything in the world. My university is my sanctuary, and to find yours, you must simply attend the college that makes you feel at home when you first view its campus.

The most important thing you need to know about a college is whether it's a good fit for YOU! (Not your friend who plans on going there too, your legacy parents, nor people who simply believe it imperative to your future to go there). DO Ask student to tell you the good the bad and the ugly Talk to as many different students as you can (students with similar backgrounds are a plus) If you visit, go out! Make sure you can find people, social opportunitys and outlets that match your personality style. Sit in on a couple of classes. While students can tell you about teaching styles, beloved and despised teachers, nothing is a better gague than your own experience. Ask teachers and alumni what their department has to offer your future! Ask yourself, at the end of your experience, "am i satisfied with what would be a typical day in the life for me here"? In school, DO NOT Slack off (there's plenty of time for play). Forget to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. Forget college days are privileged times. Forget there are plenty of lessons you'll outside the classroom!

Don't make your decision on a whim. Take your time and fully consider which college will make YOU happy - not your parents, not your friends.

The current buzzword in college admissions is "fit". The student is immersed in the campus culture for four years and it is important for the student to be not just be comfortable but to be happy in the university ways of life. The best way to evaluate fit is to visit the school and talk to students beyond those who volunteer for the admissions office. I would also recommend doing an overnight visit so that the prospective student can evaluate the dormitory atmosphere. When the student is weighing college acceptances, I would recommend looking beyond the rankings of the schools as a major determining factor. Just because a student was accepted to an Ivy does not mean said Ivy would be the best school for the student. The student may desire a liberal arts college with guaranteed small classes taught by tenured professors as opposed to graduate TAs. Another student may need a school where many high school classmates are in attendance such as an instate public. To make the most of the college experience, the student must get involved with extracurriculars. A student who meshes into the environment will feel as if he/she has a myriad of opportunities.

There is no "perfect" college. Go with your gut while picking a college. If you know that you prefer a huge college community as opposed to a small tight knit community, then you are probably right, so don't let the "benefits of a small classroom" interfere or vice versa. Once at your college, things may (and probably won't) go as you dreamed, but find your niche of friends and activities and enjoy the fastest 4 years of your life. STUDY HARD, but don't forget to PLAY HARD.