Yale University Top Questions

To find the right college you really should and need to visit different campuses, and go with your feelings about a college. When you're on campus you just know what is right for you, and what isn't. Do some research on where you want to go, and work hard to make that dream become a reality because anything is possible. Don't listen to what other people think because in the end the only one suffering from the mistake is you.

Stop freaking out about it. Once you chill out about the college situation, everything will come together. Colleges appreciate honest self-reflection, and they can smell bullshit from a mile away, so don't try and puff yourself up for anyone. Be yourself for no one else but yourself, be honest, and you will end up where you are the happiest!

Don't focus on the prestige of the school. Focus on finding a match between your personality and the school.

Shop around at a lot of colleges to figure out what you want in a school (big small, liberal arts or career focuses, whether they focus on international opportunities), and then figure out which schools best match what you're looking for.

never mind.

Ask yourself what you want out of your college experience. A prestigious name on your diploma? The chance to network? The opportunity to learn from great professors? Look for the qualities that are most important to you. Tour the school. Stay overnight and ask yourself whether you can see yourself there, soaking in every aspect of it. Sit in on classes, club meetings, and go to parties. In the end, a school can offer you as many opportunities as it wants--but if you're not happy to be there, you won't be taking advantage of it. Make sure you love your school.

The most important think to look for in a college is a feeling that everything fits just right. If a prospective student gets a strong sensation that he or she not only can but wants to attend a college, that place should be on a short list of top choices. The best way to figure this out is to visit the school, both for the regular visiting process and for an overnight/weekend stay with an actual student (if possible). Sitting in on classes, eating at the dining halls, and going out to parties are the only way to really get a sense of what the school is like.

I think finding the right people is the key to finding the right school. What's the student body like? It may not be obvious on a school tour, but the racial, sexual orientation, socioeconomic, religious, and political makeup of the school as well as the general social atmosphere can really affect a student's experience with college. Are students likely to conform, or are they very creative and individually unique? Are students complacent, or are they willing to challenge the status quo? Which is more important: grades or learning? Are cultural or political student groups inclusive or exclusive? While answers to these questions may vary according to segments of the student body, such factors can heavily influence how a student feels about the college experience. "Will I fit in?" is a valid concern, and students who find themselves unable to 'fit in' often struggle with enjoying college. Freshmen who struggle with finding others with whom they can relate will find their new-found independence lonely. Before enrolling in a school, prospective students should ask of themselves, "Can I see myself as one of these students?" and "Will I be happy as one of these students?"

There is more to deciding a college than it's prestige or affiliations. Students should decide which school is best for them with respect to not only academics, but comfort level as well. If a school has great academic standing, but the student is uncomfortable there, he or she will become unhappy and thus may not fair well not only academically, but emotionally as well. The types of students there are extremely important, as well as school size, and activities offered. Therefore, the student's personality should strongly be taken into consideration so that his or her interests may best be answered by attending a certain school. Once the student does find the school that is the right fit for him or her, he or she should be sure to not only participate in activities that best fit their interests, but also be sure to try new things. This is a very important time in their life when they may break out of his or her shell. They should be open-minded to try new things and put their all into their schoolwork and friendships. They will be building relationships and work that will affect them always.

I would say that the most important thing about picking your college is making sure it can offer you something you can use. I chose Yale knowing that I would have a brighter future, from not only the faculty, but also the students and the views they have to offer. However, that was not my only concern. I was also worried about making friends and if I would fit in. Make sure that the school you choose also has something to offer you socially, whether it be a favorite sport or club, or just any nonacademic activity. School and get very stressful and if you do not have some sort of outlet, it can be very difficult. The one other thing I would keep in mind when picking a college, is making sure the environment suites you. This includes the social environment, but also the physical weather. You will be living at school all year and if you do not like the weather, than you may have a hard time adjusting and/or feel homesick.