Any other words of wisdom you can offer prospective students as they begin the
college evaluation and application process would be greatly appreciated. Final thoughts?
Our panel of admissions officials offer some great suggestions for
high school students -- from enjoying high school to best finding
the college that's the perfect fit.
Here are the answers to this question from each member of our panel:
Eric Kaplan, Lehigh University
Trust yourself. Consider colleges and universities because you find
them interesting or appealing. Do not be overly swayed by what your
friends are doing.
Take a few risks. Look at a few places that you've never heard of or that
you do not think you'd necessarily be interested in. This is a great way to
learn about yourself.
Realize that the college admissions process is a human one. While numbers
play a role, we are more interested in you as a person. Therefore it is
important for you to make your best personal effort in completing applications.
Try not to set your heart on one institution. There are hundreds of fine
institutions and dozens are probably a good fit for you.
Terry E. Whittum, Stetson University
Relax... too many people try to make the college selection process
appear to be a life or death decision. It isn't. Your final two years of high
school should be among the best years of your life. Do the best you can
academically and do the work necessary to find the right school for you.
But if you make a mistake, don't worry, thousands of students transfer from
one university to another every year.
Joyce Lantz, Valparaiso University
There are thousands of colleges and universities from which to choose.
Find the one that is the best fit for you! When starting your search,
take some time to do some soul-searching. Make a list of what is
important to you in a college and, then, seek out your match. Good luck!
Eric W. Fulcomer, Ph.D., Bluffton University
Visit your top three campuses, ask lots of questions, spend the night
on campus, do your research, and choose carefully.
Dr. Brian Sajko, Eureka College
Look and think outside the box. Don't just think you must go to
the local school or college and, in turn, don't just rule out the local
school because it is so close to home. Look and listen to the
people -- not the facilities, etc .- -and, most of all, trust your gut
instinct. If it feels right and you get that tingle up and down your
spine -- that's the place for you!
