Washington College Top Questions

An important part in finding a college that fits is thinking about what kind of person you are first. What schools would put you in the best position as far as your career is concerned? Look into your major and see if any schools have more advanced programs and internship oppurtunities than others. Would you do well in a large school, or is a more personal setting needed. Also think about the extra-cirricular activites offered by the school to insure that while not in class the student will have something to do to engage in social networks. Once in college, join ever group that interest you! Trust me you might be busy but you wont regret the friends and experiences. Lastly, if the school doesnt work out, dont be afraid to transfer. Speaking from experience, if the school doesnt fit you will know. Make sure its a place that you will want to stay, learn, and grow.

Be patient and don't stress yourself out. Make checklist and organize everything you need to do. Have fun and look around!

As for parents, know your involvement in your son or daughter's college selection process should be solely supportive. This is not your decision to make; it is his or hers. Forcing your child to matriculate in a school where he or she feels unimpressed or unwelcome will only ruin their college experience and prevent them from making their dreams a reality. Help, guide, and advise them, but do not restrict them. Students, choose somewhere you can see yourself for four years. Don't pick a college because it's hip or cool. Pick somewhere that will change you.

Visit the college and learn about it on your own. Don't just listen to what the school gives you.

In choosing a college you?re looking for a ?home with learning opportunities?. I think making a selection is a lot like purchasing a home. You need to consider all of the components that will impact your life while you?re there. Most of all it has to be well suited to you as an individual. You wouldn?t choose a home in the city, if you love rolling hills. Remember the environment must be conducive to you?re learning style. Large classes appeal to some; others are intimidated by size and learn more effectively with one on one attention. The college should also offer courses or degrees that match your interest. Since it?s difficult to know just what you want to do with your life at 18, it?s an added benefit that the school offers other programs or degrees that your interest may gravitate toward. There is greater value if the staff takes an interest in helping you discover your strengths and how to play to them. Remember that college in itself is a learning experience, in addition to the classroom. It?s very important to access the whole picture.

The advice I would give parents and students would be to look around. Weigh your options and find the school that best fits your learning style. My dad always told me when I was searching for colleged to apply to that it wasn't about the name but what you yourself got out of it. I believe that this is REALLY good advice because my experience at Washington College has really been great. I'm learning a lot and have made some really good friends, including some that are from different countries. However I really want to stress how important it is to look around. There are a lot of schools out there with strenghs and weaknesses, it's just a matter of doing research to see which one fits your qualifications. The best advice I could give would be to make a list of what you want out of the college and look around for the best school that meets your qualifications.

Though I love Washington College, I played very little role in actually selecting it. I was extremely sluggish in completing my applications, so sluggish that my poor mother eventually put post-its everywhere my input was needed and did the rest of the application herself. This was clearly not the ideal way to go about applying to college, but I got very lucky. If I could go back, I would have been more active in the application and search process. As far as making the most of the college experience, enjoy every second of college. Become the person you want to be and don't let anyone tell you who or what you should be. Enjoy a fresh beginning. Enjoy the unique experiences whatever school you attend gives you and never take it for granted. It has been the time of my life and I'm so sad to leave next December. You make the experience. Don't rely on the school or other people to fulfill your needs at college, make it yours.

Look around at many schools and ask people what they think about each school. No matter where you go, it is what you make out of it that counts.

If you are a parent trying to make the best decision for you child's college choice, you really have to let him or her take the reigns for the final stages. Once I narrowed my list down to the six schools I was going to apply too, we revisited each one and I took a tour with just the student guide. My parents got out of the picture and it let me ask the real student to student questions lots of high school kids dont always want to open up about around their parents. I see the reverse now as a Junior in college and a tour guide for lots of prospective families. If you want your kid to open up and really ask the questions they need to feel completely cofident about the schools they are applying too, parents need to step out of the picture for a bit and make it a totally student driven decision.

Make sure it's in a place you like and has activities on and around the campus. If your student doesn't have a car, look into school-provided transportation. Teacher-student ratios are important as well, because I have found that you learn more when in a closer environment with a professor. Individual attention is key.