Wellesley College Top Questions

I would say to trust your instincts. Figure out if you want to be in a city or a suburb because that decision changes the entire dynamic of the college and its experience. In addition, the size would be another key component I think both should take into consideration. Try to pinpoint what means most to you in your life and match that to the college's aims and reputations.

Go with your gut instinct when it comes to choosing the school that is right for you; don't attend based on reputation, or anything intangible like that. Strongly consider the surrounding area, campus living environment, and things of this nature, which may seem to be minor at the time when you're looking more closely at academics. You will be surprised how these "little things" will actually impact your experience. Ask students who are NOT tour guides/affiliated with admissions about their opinions of the school; if you have the ability to, visit during times that are not official open-campuses/prospective student dates. Pick up and read STUDENT campus publications! They lend such an insight into the environment of the school. Finally, don't consider a major program as the determining factor in your decision to attend a university that you are otherwise luke-warm about--chances are you will change, and you want to be in a position where you can feel comfortable doing so!

What is important, first and above all else, is to be happy. Find a college at which you can imagine yourself happy and fulfilled, and when you get there, find something to be passionate about. Whether it is a class, a subject, a club, a sport, or whatever else, find something that you enjoy and that matters to you. Also, find friends. They don't have to have the same major as you or be in class with you; you just have to enjoy their company. You shouldn't feel guilty about relaxing in your dorm room, but remember to get out when you can! There are so many fun and amazing enrichment opportunities, and you will never be in an environment like that after college. Go to that cultural show, or concert, or football game, or student film screening. Go with friends, and you'll have fun. (And maybe you'll learn something - that's the point of college, right?)

do what ever makes your child happy

Research, research, research.. and spend the night there and audit a couple of classes.

It is important that you go to a college where you can be happy. Take everything about the schools into account including size, location, setting, class size, ratio of professors to students, quality of teaching, etc. If you are a student who cannot learn in a classroom with hundreds of people, you will not thrive in a school where the intro lectures are large. If you need to have access to off campus activities, don't go to a small school in a rural setting. Your happiness usually affects your performance in academics, so find a place you can be happy. Once there, stick around. It can be hard to be in a new place, but if you leave campus every weekend, you'll miss out on the fun times when people hang out. Pay attention to academics, but also get involved in other activities on campus. Meet lots of people and have friends in all sorts of different settings. The people you meet in college will eventually be your colleagues. Also, get to know your professors. Usually they care about their students, and the better they know you, the better their letters of recommendation will be.

Visit! More than once! Take your parents with you and LISTEN to what they think. They know you better then you think and having a second opinion is definitely necessary.

Try everything and anything! Once you pick your school, make the most of it. Go and take classes you're interested in, meet random people, go out and see the city--college is supposed to expand your understanding about the world, if you don't actively engage in it, you'll walk away with regrets.

Before I came to college, I was one of those high school students that dreamed of going to an Ivy League University. I looked at the name values of colleges/universities and thought they were very important. However, after coming to college I have realized that those factors should not play such a big role when it comes to choosing your college education. My best advice to those looking into choosing the 'right' college would be to look at what the school has to offer you. For example, does the environment suit you? Do they offer courses that draw your interest that you might want to take or major in? What departments are strong in the college or university? All of these information would be far more useful to you and your parents than the simple name value of a school or how well known the school is. Don't be afraid to look at schools that not many people know about, and be honest with yourself when it comes to choosing your school. Afterall, you will be spending the next four years or so at the college you choose. I wish you all the best of luck!

Don't worry.