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viola
Student
New Orleans, Louisiana
1
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what is the best time to go and choose a college?
college tips
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5 answers
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
323
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
This is an excellent question, Viola, and you have received excellent advice. I would like to add/clarify:
- We started visiting colleges for my children during the summer before junior year. By spreading out visits, it was easier to keep the colleges/universities straight versus seeing them all at once.
- If you have a favorite, as Bruce did, see if you could participate in a summer program there. It gives you more experience on the campus and potentially a leg up in admissions.
- Participating in on-campus are not only informative, but also a great way of demonstrating interest in the school. Often, you need to register ahead and slots during common vacation times go early.
Good luck!
- We started visiting colleges for my children during the summer before junior year. By spreading out visits, it was easier to keep the colleges/universities straight versus seeing them all at once.
- If you have a favorite, as Bruce did, see if you could participate in a summer program there. It gives you more experience on the campus and potentially a leg up in admissions.
- Participating in on-campus are not only informative, but also a great way of demonstrating interest in the school. Often, you need to register ahead and slots during common vacation times go early.
Good luck!
Bruce B. Nyerges
Structural Engineer
6
Answers
Newnan, Georgia
Updated
Bruce B.’s Answer
My journey to selecting a college was a bit unique. I was captivated by the Buckeyes of Ohio State as I watched them play football on TV. I was so drawn to the school that I couldn't envision myself anywhere else. As fate would have it, I ended up attending Ohio State and even participated in sports, particularly wrestling. I earned an engineering degree that I utilize today, and I also volunteer as a high school wrestling coach. It all fell into place beautifully for me.
I encourage you to visit the campuses that interest you. Attend their sporting events to get a sense of the college spirit. I can still vividly recall the electric atmosphere at a football game at an Ivy League college where my older brother studied.
While online research is beneficial, nothing compares to experiencing these places in person. I suggest you take road trips to various colleges throughout your high school years. If sports isn't your cup of tea, consider attending concerts or performing arts events on campus. Many colleges host events specifically for high school students, such as academic STEM camps and National Youth Science Camps.
In my case, I attended wrestling camps at several colleges during my middle and high school years. This gave me the opportunity to meet the college coaching staff and team members, stay in the dorms, eat in the cafeterias, and train in their state-of-the-art facilities. It was an invaluable glimpse into college life.
I wish you all the best in your search. Remember, this is an exciting journey, so enjoy every step of the way!
I encourage you to visit the campuses that interest you. Attend their sporting events to get a sense of the college spirit. I can still vividly recall the electric atmosphere at a football game at an Ivy League college where my older brother studied.
While online research is beneficial, nothing compares to experiencing these places in person. I suggest you take road trips to various colleges throughout your high school years. If sports isn't your cup of tea, consider attending concerts or performing arts events on campus. Many colleges host events specifically for high school students, such as academic STEM camps and National Youth Science Camps.
In my case, I attended wrestling camps at several colleges during my middle and high school years. This gave me the opportunity to meet the college coaching staff and team members, stay in the dorms, eat in the cafeterias, and train in their state-of-the-art facilities. It was an invaluable glimpse into college life.
I wish you all the best in your search. Remember, this is an exciting journey, so enjoy every step of the way!
Carrie McClure
Gradaute Advisor
2
Answers
Las Vegas, Nevada
Updated
Carrie’s Answer
Great question! I always suggest that students looking to pursue higher education start in their second semester of junior year of high school (this is when I started looking)!
I would start by researching potential colleges that have the degree you are looking to pursue. Please note, that it is absolutely okay to not know what you want to do with the rest of your life at this time! Lots of people are still deciding what they want to do even after they graduate from college/university!
After researching, I find that if possible, try to set up a tour of the college where you can speak more directly with students and staff about their experiences at the school. This can include meeting with a staff member for a program you are interested in pursuing, talking directly with a student who may want to give you their own tour of the school and show you what classrooms look like, having lunch in one of the dining halls, and sitting in on a class or two to get a feel for what life at that school may look like!
Once you get a feel for the schools you like and don't, then you can start applying for them. I would always suggest having a few backup schools. For example, my alma mater was my number one choice, but I also looked at four potential schools that I would also be okay attending if I could not get into my top choice.
Everyone is on their own educational journey, try not to compare yourself to what peers are doing! There is no right path, just the path that it "right" for you!
I would start by researching potential colleges that have the degree you are looking to pursue. Please note, that it is absolutely okay to not know what you want to do with the rest of your life at this time! Lots of people are still deciding what they want to do even after they graduate from college/university!
After researching, I find that if possible, try to set up a tour of the college where you can speak more directly with students and staff about their experiences at the school. This can include meeting with a staff member for a program you are interested in pursuing, talking directly with a student who may want to give you their own tour of the school and show you what classrooms look like, having lunch in one of the dining halls, and sitting in on a class or two to get a feel for what life at that school may look like!
Once you get a feel for the schools you like and don't, then you can start applying for them. I would always suggest having a few backup schools. For example, my alma mater was my number one choice, but I also looked at four potential schools that I would also be okay attending if I could not get into my top choice.
Everyone is on their own educational journey, try not to compare yourself to what peers are doing! There is no right path, just the path that it "right" for you!
Karissa Helton
Teacher
200
Answers
Miami, Florida
Updated
Karissa’s Answer
Second semester of your junior year of high school. You will need a few backup choices.
Anika S
Software Engineer Intern
100
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Anika’s Answer
Hi Viola,
I was also asking myself similar questions when I applied to colleges a few years back. I think any time during high school is a good time to get acquainted with different colleges and think about which ones might suit your interests best. Go on college tours when you can! They offer lots of information and give you a good feel of where you may be spending your 4 years of college. Have conversations with friends, family, and advisors about colleges they’ve went to and their experiences and interests and compare these to the interests you currently have and the experiences you wish to have. Looking online is always a great place to start, but I feel as if going in person to the colleges themselves and talking to people you know or currently attending students at those colleges give you a more candid and genuine view of the school.
I was also asking myself similar questions when I applied to colleges a few years back. I think any time during high school is a good time to get acquainted with different colleges and think about which ones might suit your interests best. Go on college tours when you can! They offer lots of information and give you a good feel of where you may be spending your 4 years of college. Have conversations with friends, family, and advisors about colleges they’ve went to and their experiences and interests and compare these to the interests you currently have and the experiences you wish to have. Looking online is always a great place to start, but I feel as if going in person to the colleges themselves and talking to people you know or currently attending students at those colleges give you a more candid and genuine view of the school.