Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Glossary of American Academic Terms
Some American academic terms may differ from those used in your country. Don't let them confuse you; brush up on the meaning of some commonly used words with this glossary.
Academic Advisor—Most colleges assign students an advisor to help them with problems relating to specific classes, changing majors, or curriculum requirements.
Accreditation—The process by which colleges and universities are granted approval by an official review board, indicating that the institution has met certain requirements.
Alumnus, Alumni, Alumna, Alumnae—These Latin words refer to graduates of a college or university.
Associate Degree—Awarded after completing a program of study at a two-year college.
Bachelor's Degree—Awarded after four years of study at a college or university. Also referred to as an undergraduate degree.
Campus—A college or university's buildings and grounds.
College/University/School—These terms are often used interchangeably, as in "Where do you go to school?" or "Where do you go to college?" Differences among the terms do exist, however. Colleges primarily award bachelor's degrees and concentrate on providing a general, or liberal arts, education. Universities tend to be larger and award advanced degrees (master's and doctoral degrees) along with bachelor's degrees. In addition, portions of a university are also referred to as colleges, as in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Co-op—Also known as cooperative education, this opportunity partners education and industry to apply the theories taught in the classroom to the workforce. When taking part in a co-op, you will usually work during the semester or quarter in order to gain valuable on-the-job experience and typically to fulfill a requirement in your program of study.
Credit Hour—A unit of study at a college or university, usually represented by one hour of class per week per term. Most classes are worth three credit hours and meet for three hours per week.
Culture Shock—Confusion or anxiety caused by sudden exposure to a new culture.
Doctoral Degree—The most advanced degree, awarded after three to five years of additional study following completion of a master's degree.
Dormitory—Residence halls (called dorms, for short) that students live in on campus. Each room generally accommodates two students. Bathrooms can either be private or shared among a number of students. Students living in dorms eat their meals at a central location on campus or in on-campus restaurants. Some dormitories are single sex, which means all male or all female residents live in them.
Extracurricular—This term describes activities that take place outside the classroom, including athletic, social, and cultural events (sometimes referred to as cocurricular).
Faculty—The teaching staff of a college or university. The term does not refer to a department within the university, as it does in some countries.
Final Exam—The test at the end of the term. Most courses also have midterm exams in the middle of the semester or quarter.
Financial Aid—Money supplied by a source other than the family to help pay for education costs. Financial aid may be "need-based" or awarded based on the financial need you possess. It can also be "merit-based" or awarded for special talents or achievements you've made.
Fraternity—A social or honorary club of male students. Members often live in a fraternity house.
Freshman—The first year of undergraduate study.
Grade Point Average (GPA)—A student's average for the semester or quarter. Letter grades (A, B, C, D, and F) are converted to points (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1) and averaged to determine the GPA.
Hate Speech—A term for speech intended to degrade, intimidate, or incite violence or prejudicial action against someone based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. The term covers written as well as oral communication.
Homestay—A living arrangement in which an international student lives with an American family in the home. These opportunities immerse international students in the English language and allow them a unique perspective on the way of life in the United States.
I-20 Immigration Form—The certificate of eligibility for the F-1 student visa. You will need this form to obtain your visa and to enter the United States.
Internships—Practical work or training experience that allows students to apply what they have learned in class. Generally, you'll participate in an internship when you are not taking classes—perhaps during the summer.
Junior—The third year of undergraduate study.
Major—Chosen area of academic specialization.
Master's Degree—An advanced degree awarded by a university following completion of studies beyond a bachelor's degree.
Minor—A secondary area of academic specialization.
Police officers—Members of an organized police force who are sworn into that post to serve and protect all citizens. Police officers carry guns; security guards do not.
Professor—A teacher at a university or college.
Public/Private—Public schools receive public funding and are generally less expensive than private schools for in-state students, which do not receive public funding. Public schools are also referred to as state schools.
Semester/Quarter/Term—Most colleges and universities divide the school year into two semesters (fall and spring), while others have three slightly shorter quarters (fall, winter, and spring). "Term" is the general word for either a semester or a quarter, as in "fall term."
Senior—The fourth year of undergraduate study.
Social Security Number—A nine-digit identification number, assigned by the U.S. government, that citizens provide to employers for tax purposes.
Sophomore—The second year of undergraduate study.
Sorority—A social or honorary club of female students. Members often live together in a sorority house.
Study Abroad—A program in which students attend school in a country outside the United States and receive academic credit toward their major. Visit colleges' Web sites to determine whether they offer study abroad.
Syllabus—An outline of topics to be covered in a course for the duration of the semester or quarter.
Teaching Assistant—A graduate student who handles classroom instruction duties for the professor.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)—A standardized test required by most schools. The test measures a student's proficiency in the English language.
Transcript—Official record of a student's academic courses and grades received.
Tuition—The cost of attending classes at a college or university. Tuition does not include room and board or other living expenses.
Visa—Official designation on a passport that the holder is authorized to travel or live abroad.
Academic Advisor—Most colleges assign students an advisor to help them with problems relating to specific classes, changing majors, or curriculum requirements.
Accreditation—The process by which colleges and universities are granted approval by an official review board, indicating that the institution has met certain requirements.
Alumnus, Alumni, Alumna, Alumnae—These Latin words refer to graduates of a college or university.
Associate Degree—Awarded after completing a program of study at a two-year college.
Bachelor's Degree—Awarded after four years of study at a college or university. Also referred to as an undergraduate degree.
Campus—A college or university's buildings and grounds.
College/University/School—These terms are often used interchangeably, as in "Where do you go to school?" or "Where do you go to college?" Differences among the terms do exist, however. Colleges primarily award bachelor's degrees and concentrate on providing a general, or liberal arts, education. Universities tend to be larger and award advanced degrees (master's and doctoral degrees) along with bachelor's degrees. In addition, portions of a university are also referred to as colleges, as in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Co-op—Also known as cooperative education, this opportunity partners education and industry to apply the theories taught in the classroom to the workforce. When taking part in a co-op, you will usually work during the semester or quarter in order to gain valuable on-the-job experience and typically to fulfill a requirement in your program of study.
Credit Hour—A unit of study at a college or university, usually represented by one hour of class per week per term. Most classes are worth three credit hours and meet for three hours per week.
Culture Shock—Confusion or anxiety caused by sudden exposure to a new culture.
Doctoral Degree—The most advanced degree, awarded after three to five years of additional study following completion of a master's degree.
Dormitory—Residence halls (called dorms, for short) that students live in on campus. Each room generally accommodates two students. Bathrooms can either be private or shared among a number of students. Students living in dorms eat their meals at a central location on campus or in on-campus restaurants. Some dormitories are single sex, which means all male or all female residents live in them.
Extracurricular—This term describes activities that take place outside the classroom, including athletic, social, and cultural events (sometimes referred to as cocurricular).
Faculty—The teaching staff of a college or university. The term does not refer to a department within the university, as it does in some countries.
Final Exam—The test at the end of the term. Most courses also have midterm exams in the middle of the semester or quarter.
Financial Aid—Money supplied by a source other than the family to help pay for education costs. Financial aid may be "need-based" or awarded based on the financial need you possess. It can also be "merit-based" or awarded for special talents or achievements you've made.
Fraternity—A social or honorary club of male students. Members often live in a fraternity house.
Freshman—The first year of undergraduate study.
Grade Point Average (GPA)—A student's average for the semester or quarter. Letter grades (A, B, C, D, and F) are converted to points (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1) and averaged to determine the GPA.
Hate Speech—A term for speech intended to degrade, intimidate, or incite violence or prejudicial action against someone based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. The term covers written as well as oral communication.
Homestay—A living arrangement in which an international student lives with an American family in the home. These opportunities immerse international students in the English language and allow them a unique perspective on the way of life in the United States.
I-20 Immigration Form—The certificate of eligibility for the F-1 student visa. You will need this form to obtain your visa and to enter the United States.
Internships—Practical work or training experience that allows students to apply what they have learned in class. Generally, you'll participate in an internship when you are not taking classes—perhaps during the summer.
Junior—The third year of undergraduate study.
Major—Chosen area of academic specialization.
Master's Degree—An advanced degree awarded by a university following completion of studies beyond a bachelor's degree.
Minor—A secondary area of academic specialization.
Police officers—Members of an organized police force who are sworn into that post to serve and protect all citizens. Police officers carry guns; security guards do not.
Professor—A teacher at a university or college.
Public/Private—Public schools receive public funding and are generally less expensive than private schools for in-state students, which do not receive public funding. Public schools are also referred to as state schools.
Semester/Quarter/Term—Most colleges and universities divide the school year into two semesters (fall and spring), while others have three slightly shorter quarters (fall, winter, and spring). "Term" is the general word for either a semester or a quarter, as in "fall term."
Senior—The fourth year of undergraduate study.
Social Security Number—A nine-digit identification number, assigned by the U.S. government, that citizens provide to employers for tax purposes.
Sophomore—The second year of undergraduate study.
Sorority—A social or honorary club of female students. Members often live together in a sorority house.
Study Abroad—A program in which students attend school in a country outside the United States and receive academic credit toward their major. Visit colleges' Web sites to determine whether they offer study abroad.
Syllabus—An outline of topics to be covered in a course for the duration of the semester or quarter.
Teaching Assistant—A graduate student who handles classroom instruction duties for the professor.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)—A standardized test required by most schools. The test measures a student's proficiency in the English language.
Transcript—Official record of a student's academic courses and grades received.
Tuition—The cost of attending classes at a college or university. Tuition does not include room and board or other living expenses.
Visa—Official designation on a passport that the holder is authorized to travel or live abroad.
How much will an American college education cost?
The cost of an American college education is on the rise, but cost-cutting methods do exist. The information and advice that follow will help you offset the price of studying in the United States.
Consider the Costs of an American College Education
Karen Ziv knows a thing or two about college education costs for foreign students. Ziv, an Israeli who received her master's degree at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey and now works as the director of the International Student Organization, says the successful international student must have expenses in order. The price of tuition alone isn't the only factor contributing to the high cost of an American college education. The cost of living in the United States plays a role in how much you'll spend. Cities near the East and West coasts are more expensive than cities in the South and Midwest regions.
Students who research which schools best mesh their career interests with their finances will inevitably find the right place. "If you don't have financial limitations, it would be nice to study in New York or San Francisco, but you can go to a less populated city and still get a quality U.S. education," Ziv says.
The cost of an American college education is on the rise. A survey of 2,700 colleges and universities in the U.S. reports tuition for public universities increased 10.5 percent in 2004 and 13 percent in 2003. In 2004 private universities' tuition increased by 6 percent, according to the survey conducted by the College Board, and community colleges' tuition increased by 9 percent. It was the first time average tuition was more than $20,000 for a private college, $5,000 for a public university, and $2,000 for a community college, according to The New York Times. Tuition costs for out-of-state students can be higher.
Cutting College Costs
For the 500,000 international students who study in the United States every year, financial aid is far more difficult to obtain than for American students. One cost-saving option that is becoming more popular among international and American students alike is attending community colleges for two years and then moving on to a larger state or private boarding schools in the U.S.. Another option to keep costs down is to take online classes.
Hidden costs, such as the price of textbooks, affect international students' budgets as well. Buying used, instead of new, textbooks helps keep the cost down. Another expense is health insurance. International students, especially those from countries where the government provides health care, often don't realize they have to pay for health insurance when they attend a college or university in the U.S.A. For international students, buying a health insurance plan can become costly, but buying health insurance through a group such as the International Student Organization, which bands international students together to provide lower health insurance costs, can reduce the financial burden.
All these costs may seem like a roadblock to studying in a country with one of the highest regarded higher education systems in the world. But Ziv believes a U.S. degree can be worth its weight in gold when you return to your home country. "You come back to your home country with a foreign education, and you build more status," Ziv says. "You can build more opportunity for yourself."
Consider the Costs of an American College Education
Karen Ziv knows a thing or two about college education costs for foreign students. Ziv, an Israeli who received her master's degree at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey and now works as the director of the International Student Organization, says the successful international student must have expenses in order. The price of tuition alone isn't the only factor contributing to the high cost of an American college education. The cost of living in the United States plays a role in how much you'll spend. Cities near the East and West coasts are more expensive than cities in the South and Midwest regions.
Students who research which schools best mesh their career interests with their finances will inevitably find the right place. "If you don't have financial limitations, it would be nice to study in New York or San Francisco, but you can go to a less populated city and still get a quality U.S. education," Ziv says.
The cost of an American college education is on the rise. A survey of 2,700 colleges and universities in the U.S. reports tuition for public universities increased 10.5 percent in 2004 and 13 percent in 2003. In 2004 private universities' tuition increased by 6 percent, according to the survey conducted by the College Board, and community colleges' tuition increased by 9 percent. It was the first time average tuition was more than $20,000 for a private college, $5,000 for a public university, and $2,000 for a community college, according to The New York Times. Tuition costs for out-of-state students can be higher.
Cutting College Costs
For the 500,000 international students who study in the United States every year, financial aid is far more difficult to obtain than for American students. One cost-saving option that is becoming more popular among international and American students alike is attending community colleges for two years and then moving on to a larger state or private boarding schools in the U.S.. Another option to keep costs down is to take online classes.
Hidden costs, such as the price of textbooks, affect international students' budgets as well. Buying used, instead of new, textbooks helps keep the cost down. Another expense is health insurance. International students, especially those from countries where the government provides health care, often don't realize they have to pay for health insurance when they attend a college or university in the U.S.A. For international students, buying a health insurance plan can become costly, but buying health insurance through a group such as the International Student Organization, which bands international students together to provide lower health insurance costs, can reduce the financial burden.
All these costs may seem like a roadblock to studying in a country with one of the highest regarded higher education systems in the world. But Ziv believes a U.S. degree can be worth its weight in gold when you return to your home country. "You come back to your home country with a foreign education, and you build more status," Ziv says. "You can build more opportunity for yourself."
Article by Reid Forgrave, reporter for The Des Moines Register in Des Moines, Iowa. He traveled to India and Sri Lanka in 2005 to report on humanitarian efforts after the tsunami. He has also worked as an intern for The Express, a daily newspaper in London.
Student Visa Interview Tips for Success
Because the process of issuing a student visa is something that the U.S. government takes very seriously, it is easy to become intimidated by the security precautions and blunt questions. Don't let the word "interview" scare you away, though: You have already completed the hard part of the visa process by gathering and submitting the necessary paperwork. After you've made your visa interview appointment, follow these tips to ensure that the rest of the process goes smoothly. Get to the consular's office a few minutes early. Though you may have spent weeks or months gathering the required visa documentation, your actual interview should take no longer than a few minutes. Therefore, you'll want to arrive at the consular's office with a few minutes to spare in case the interviewer is running ahead of schedule.
Bring only necessary items to the interview. Since it is likely that you will be ushered through a security checkpoint or metal-detecting device upon your arrival at the consular office, make sure that you are not carrying prohibited items such as office bags or briefcases, electronic items, mobile phones, or cigarettes, all of which can trigger alerts.
Be ready to be fingerprinted. Those receiving a student visa must submit to electronic fingerprinting, which is usually done at the interview site.
Be familiar with the most commonly asked questions. As discussed, the visa interview can be somewhat stressful, but only if you are not prepared for it. Once your name is called, you will be directed to the interviewer's office, where he or she will ask you questions about the time you intend to spend in the United States. None of these questions are meant to trick you or deter you from entering the United States. Consider the following frequently asked student visa interview questions:
Bring only necessary items to the interview. Since it is likely that you will be ushered through a security checkpoint or metal-detecting device upon your arrival at the consular office, make sure that you are not carrying prohibited items such as office bags or briefcases, electronic items, mobile phones, or cigarettes, all of which can trigger alerts.
Be ready to be fingerprinted. Those receiving a student visa must submit to electronic fingerprinting, which is usually done at the interview site.
Be familiar with the most commonly asked questions. As discussed, the visa interview can be somewhat stressful, but only if you are not prepared for it. Once your name is called, you will be directed to the interviewer's office, where he or she will ask you questions about the time you intend to spend in the United States. None of these questions are meant to trick you or deter you from entering the United States. Consider the following frequently asked student visa interview questions:
- Why do you want to travel to the United States?
- Who is sponsoring you?
- What is your annual income?
- Do you have a credit card?
- How many children do you have? Where are they?
- Do you know anyone in the United States?
- How long will you be staying in the United States?
- Do you plan to work during your time in the United States?
- How can you assure that you will return to your home country?
The Student Visa Interview: Six Characteristics that Visa Officers Look for
The prospect of studying in the United States is an exciting one, but you must not get so excited that you overlook important preparations. When scheduling the visa interview—which generally lasts only three to five minutes—remember that the purpose is not to make yourself look good or give the "right" answers. Rather, it's about stating your intentions for U.S. study in an honest, open manner. Visa officers are responsible for regulating international traffic through America's institutions of higher learning. They will not try to trick you, but they will ask a series of questions in an effort to determine whether you possess the following attributes that often predict success in a U.S. degree program:
- Preparedness. While avoiding sounding rehearsed, interviewees should take some time beforehand to become familiar with the format and purpose of the visa interview so that no question confuses or surprises them.
- Fluency/articulateness. Your interviewer will likely not reject your visa application if you stumble over a phrase or two, but thinking carefully before you speak will help you to avoid appearing influent—or worse, suspicious.
- Academic seriousness. You will need to impress upon your interviewer the importance of a U.S. education in your future goals. Your visa application is more likely to be rejected if you express non-academic desires—like U.S. immigration or exploration—during your interview.
- Financial stability. A person's financial situation can say a lot about their motives for leaving their home country. Interviewees must prove that they can afford to live and study in the United States without employment, if necessary.
- Ties to home. One common reason that student visa applications are rejected is that students fail to convince their interviewer that they have ample reason to return home once their U.S. study is over. From the perspective of many consular officers, a student is more likely to leave the United States after graduation if they have a home, a family, or attractive career prospects elsewhere.
- Straightforwardness. Honesty is perhaps the number one thing to remember. Your interviewer will have access to international databases and other resources that will allow them to verify your responses if necessary. Giving far-fetched or inconsistent information can severely negate your chances of obtaining a visa. Talk openly with your interviewer and avoid volunteering unsolicited information—speaking out of turn could cause you to become confused and contradict yourself. Above all, remember to maintain composure at all times; the interview is very short, and you will get through it a lot easier if you remain as calm and focused as possible.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Remote College Tours
Not every student can visit his or her institution of choice, so most institutions implement services to make it easy for students to get to know the campus before they arrive. Virtual tours help students get a feel for the space that they will call home for the next few years, and interactive chat rooms and message boards give prospective students the opportunity to meet fellow students and university staff members. This article reviews some important questions to ask during those sessions in order to maximize your American education experience.
Find a "point person"
The first thing you'll want to do when choosing an academic institution is to get in touch with a member of each campus' international student services team. They will send you packets of literature describing your new campus, which you should read thoroughly, making a list of items that you're still not sure about so that when it comes time to talk to an admissions representative, you know exactly what to ask.
Exploring your new home (from afar)
A major consideration for every international student is housing. If you're staying on campus, ask about the residence halls (or dorms, as they're called in the United States).
An aware student is a safe student, and since ensuring the safety of students is a priority for every institution, staff members and fellow students can offer valuable campus safety tips.
"Meeting" your instructors
While you will likely get the opportunity to have direct contact through e-mail and by phone with your future instructors, some of the most helpful recommendations will come from your fellow students. Through them, you can find out whether the institution's overall teaching methodology is more project/presentation-based or centered on lectures and whether there is sufficient technological support for students.
From fellow students, you can also get a feel for the reputation of a specific department and know which classes within your major are particularly helpful. Other students are a great resource when choosing an advisor, too, since they can give personal testimony about the level of attention they've received in their studies.
Your fellow students can give you off-campus tips as well, such as:
Find a "point person"
The first thing you'll want to do when choosing an academic institution is to get in touch with a member of each campus' international student services team. They will send you packets of literature describing your new campus, which you should read thoroughly, making a list of items that you're still not sure about so that when it comes time to talk to an admissions representative, you know exactly what to ask.
Exploring your new home (from afar)
A major consideration for every international student is housing. If you're staying on campus, ask about the residence halls (or dorms, as they're called in the United States).
- Are they big or small?
- Single-sex or coed?
- Quiet or noisy?
- How far is the walk from the dorms to campus?
- From the dorms to surrounding towns or attractions?
- If public transportation is necessary and available, where can you obtain a schedule?
An aware student is a safe student, and since ensuring the safety of students is a priority for every institution, staff members and fellow students can offer valuable campus safety tips.
- Be sure to ask about the campus' department of public safety.
- Find out how many officers patrol the campus, in what areas, and how frequently.
- Are there emergency phones or call buttons located around campus? If so, have your point person send you a map. Add to your list of important on-campus contacts a phone number to dial in the event that you witness suspicious behavior and want to report it.
"Meeting" your instructors
While you will likely get the opportunity to have direct contact through e-mail and by phone with your future instructors, some of the most helpful recommendations will come from your fellow students. Through them, you can find out whether the institution's overall teaching methodology is more project/presentation-based or centered on lectures and whether there is sufficient technological support for students.
From fellow students, you can also get a feel for the reputation of a specific department and know which classes within your major are particularly helpful. Other students are a great resource when choosing an advisor, too, since they can give personal testimony about the level of attention they've received in their studies.
Your fellow students can give you off-campus tips as well, such as:
- Where can you find the cheapest groceries?
- What do students do on the weekends—do they travel home or stay near school?
- Where should you go if you want to see live music or fine art? Most U.S. students are happy to offer advice, and by establishing casual communication with a good mix of both students and instructors, you will get a much better idea of what to expect from your new environment.
Choosing the Right U.S. Institution: More than Academics
If you are looking a college or university in the United States solely based on the academic program you've been accepted to, you might want to reconsider your thought process. It's important to remember that there is more to life at a U.S. university besides writing papers and putting your nose to the book. Feeling comfortable on campus, international student support programs, and extracurricular activities should all factor in on your decision.
The Prestigious Program
Perhaps you have been accepted to the top business school or the top journalism program in the state, or even the country. Congratulations! But have you considered the time you will be devoting to that program verses the time you will want to devote to learning and growing as an individual?
Time spent away from your family in a foreign country can be a scary thing, and it's important that you build a support network of new friends, counselors, advisors, and professors while you are away. In order to do this, you'll need to take a step away from your textbooks.
Outside the Classroom
College is known as the center of culture and new ideas and thousands of students from around the world attend. It is easy to feel lost or overwhelmed, especially if it's a completely new culture to you.
That's why probably the biggest single thing to make you feel connected to your college or university is to get involved in extracurricular activities and international organizations to build friendships outside the classroom. Research shows that students who get involved are more likely to succeed academically and earn a degree—so if you think staying in your dorm room each night reading and working on projects is the only way to be successful, you are wrong!
Campus Environment
If you are selecting a school simply based on your application letter alone, you might be in for a big surprise when you arrive on campus. Perhaps you thought the school was in the middle of a city when in reality it's an hour from one? Or perhaps you thought you'd be in a quiet setting and you are next door to a subway station or airport?
It's important to remember that enjoying your environment and actually liking where you will be spending the next semester or year, or even four, is a huge factor in your happiness. If you aren't happy in your environment it will be difficult to stay focused on your studies and might ultimately make you regret choosing the institution based on your program alone.
While academics and getting your degree should be one of the most important things to you, as this is technically the goal of college, remember to have a little fun along the way and not to get swamped with the scholastic side of things. College goes by pretty fast. If you don't stop and enjoy some it once in a while, you could miss it.
The Prestigious Program
Perhaps you have been accepted to the top business school or the top journalism program in the state, or even the country. Congratulations! But have you considered the time you will be devoting to that program verses the time you will want to devote to learning and growing as an individual?
Time spent away from your family in a foreign country can be a scary thing, and it's important that you build a support network of new friends, counselors, advisors, and professors while you are away. In order to do this, you'll need to take a step away from your textbooks.
Outside the Classroom
College is known as the center of culture and new ideas and thousands of students from around the world attend. It is easy to feel lost or overwhelmed, especially if it's a completely new culture to you.
That's why probably the biggest single thing to make you feel connected to your college or university is to get involved in extracurricular activities and international organizations to build friendships outside the classroom. Research shows that students who get involved are more likely to succeed academically and earn a degree—so if you think staying in your dorm room each night reading and working on projects is the only way to be successful, you are wrong!
Campus Environment
If you are selecting a school simply based on your application letter alone, you might be in for a big surprise when you arrive on campus. Perhaps you thought the school was in the middle of a city when in reality it's an hour from one? Or perhaps you thought you'd be in a quiet setting and you are next door to a subway station or airport?
It's important to remember that enjoying your environment and actually liking where you will be spending the next semester or year, or even four, is a huge factor in your happiness. If you aren't happy in your environment it will be difficult to stay focused on your studies and might ultimately make you regret choosing the institution based on your program alone.
While academics and getting your degree should be one of the most important things to you, as this is technically the goal of college, remember to have a little fun along the way and not to get swamped with the scholastic side of things. College goes by pretty fast. If you don't stop and enjoy some it once in a while, you could miss it.
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