#collegedecision

College Unify helps students explore and compare colleges, understand courses, and get expert admission guidance to build a successful career.

Choosing the right college for your future is a significant decision that requires careful consideration. Here are some essential steps to help you make an informed choice:

Reflect on Your Goals and Interests: Take the time to reflect on your academic and career goals, as well as your personal interests. Consider what subjects or fields of study excite you and align with your long-term aspirations. Understanding your interests and goals will help you narrow down your choices.

Research Different Colleges: Conduct thorough research on colleges that offer programs and majors aligned with your interests. Explore their websites, course catalogs, and virtual tours to gather information about academic offerings, faculty, campus culture, extracurricular activities, and support services.

Consider Location and Campus Environment: Think about the location and campus environment that would best suit your preferences and lifestyle. Consider factors such as climate, proximity to home, urban or rural setting, campus size, and student community. Visit campuses if possible, or participate in virtual tours and information sessions to get a sense of the atmosphere.

Evaluate Academic Reputation and Resources: Look into the academic reputation and resources of the colleges you are considering. Consider factors such as faculty expertise, research opportunities, library facilities, laboratories, internship programs, and career services. A strong academic reputation and robust resources can enhance your educational experience and future prospects.

Financial Considerations: Evaluate the financial aspects of attending college. Research tuition fees, scholarships, grants, and financial aid options. Consider your budget and the potential return on investment in terms of future career prospects. It's important to choose a college that aligns with your financial circumstances and minimizes the burden of student debt.

Seek Advice and Guidance: Talk to counsellors, teachers, mentors, and current college students to gather insights and advice. They can provide valuable perspectives based on their experiences and help you consider factors you may not have thought about. Additionally, reach out to college admissions offices with any specific questions or concerns.

Visit or Attend Virtual Events: Whenever possible, visit the campuses of your top choices to get a firsthand experience of the environment and facilities. Attend information sessions, meet faculty members, and interact with current students. If in-person visits are not feasible, take advantage of virtual events, webinars, and online resources to gain a sense of the college community.

Trust Your Instincts: Ultimately, trust your instincts and gut feeling when making your decision. Consider the colleges that resonate with you and align with your goals, values, and aspirations. It's important to choose a college where you feel comfortable, inspired, and excited about your educational journey.

First of all, congratulations on your decision to attend Alvernia University this fall! I know that it has been a long and maybe even overwhelming process to come to a decision about where to spend the next three, four, or five years of your life (depending on your course of study). Now you have to trust that you have made the right decision and it is time to get excited about preparing for the journey ahead!

What is a confirm you might ask? As an incoming student, you are labeled a “confirm” once you pay your $300 enrollment deposit. In admissions, we keep track of the number of confirmed students each week until classes begin in August so that we can determine a number of things: the number of faculty we will need, classroom assignments, budgets, etc.

As you start to think about making the transition into college life at Alvernia, there are a couple of things to remember. There will be different types of students starting at Alvernia this fall. For some it will be your first time living in a residence hall with other students. For others, you may be transferring to Alvernia from another institution. Some students will be commuting and their home will be outside of the campus boundaries. Each person sitting in your classes will bring different experiences, perspectives, and ideas to projects that you will be working on together. The good news is that you will get to meet your future roommates, classmates, and friends at the upcoming events on campus this summer!

Here are some ideas to keep you busy until Move-In/Orientation Weekend that begins on August 20th:

-If you plan on living on-campus, complete the online housing application, request roommates, and complete the questionnaire about your living preferences

-Pay your $250 housing deposit to secure housing if you plan on living on-campus

-Submit your “Petition to Commute” form if you do not plan to live on campus

-Sign up for a Connection Day in June. This is where you will come to campus and get your student id picture, your freshman class schedule, etc.

-Complete and submit your health and wellness forms

-Have your physical form completed by your Primary Care Physician if you are a student athlete or are enrolled in one of the following majors: Nursing, Occupational Therapy, or Athletic Training

-Continue to search for outside scholarships

-Sign and return your financial aid award letter; please check if you are accepting and/or declining any portion of the financial aid offered to you

-Make the most of your summer! Find a job to make some money to pay for your books or to have some spending money. Don’t forget to make time to visit with friends and family!

Orientation Weekend will take place Aug. 20-24th, 2015. Move-In will occur on Thursday, Aug. 20th. Classes will begin on Monday, Aug. 24th. (Note: If you are a part of the Freshman Foundations program, you will have an earlier move-in date: Sunday, Aug. 16th).

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact your Admissions Counselor or the Office of Admissions at 610-796-8269; the office is open Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm.

Enjoy your summer!

Melissa Manny, Assistant Director of Admissions

Interested in transferring to Alvernia University?  I was in your shoes a few years ago, and I will tell you, I made the best decision of my life by transferring here. Alvernia has everything to offer for students, and the transfer process is very simple.  Now that I am working in the Admissions Office, I can help you the way my counselor helped me to transfer in. The first thing you will want to do is apply. Make sure you include all the schools you ever attended on the application. The next step, is to have your transcripts sent from all colleges/universities you have attended, as well as a high school transcript.  Once we have everything, we will be sure to get you a decision quickly! 

For those transfers who are interested in seeing the campus before applying, I would suggest coming to a Transfer Tuesday event which you can find on the Alvernia University Visit page!  This will provide you with a small info session, a tour, and also an opportunity to have an unofficial degree evaluation done.  The degree evaluation is important so you will be able to see where your classes will transfer over. We also have scholarships for transfer students!

I hope this information is helpful for you.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Admissions Office at 610-796-8269, or visit us online.

Ryan Ludwig