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Featuring Pat Leonard, director of admissions for Brooklyn College (Brooklyn, NY)

Q: Do you have any suggestions on how I can best deal with the culture shock of college?

A: There are many ways to reduce the culture shock of your first days as a college student, many of which you could be doing now.

Conduct a search for a "good match." Factors such as academic quality, total cost, and location are important for your final decision, but you should also try to get a "sense of place." Ask yourself: Do I fit in here? Are there students like me attending? Can I grow here? Will I be intellectually challenged? Are there programs in the subject areas I am interested in studying? Will the school provide the support I need to make the transition from high school?

Realize that a college education can be broadly defined. Education is not simply an accumulation of facts, figures, and formulas. Education involves disciplining your mind, knowing where to go to find out what you don't know, and learning to ask good questions. At its most basic level, education is the development of your ability to think and communicate. If you understand this definition, you will develop a more positive attitude about your upcoming calculus exam or that 20-page psychology paper due tomorrow.

Find yourself. "Who am I?" is one of the most important questions you can ask in college. You may begin to discover the answers by becoming fully involved with Campus life. There are many valuable lessons to be learned both inside and outside the classroom. You will learn much about people and yourself through involvement in student activities and organizations. In addition, a combination of book knowledge and understanding of people will carry you much farther in life than either one alone.

Explore. Open your mind. Don't hesitate to ask questions. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Don't wait to get help if you need it. You will begin to develop more confidence in yourself if you accept the challenges that college offers. Keep in mind that college can be a much more forgiving environment than the professional workplace.

Set a few simple priorities: Hit the books early and often, get involved with one or two activities you enjoy, have some fun, and don't forget to get sleep, the most commonly sacrificed activity in the lives of many college students. College offers many new avenues, but you must make some wise choices. It is impossible to join a dozen clubs in your freshman year, party several nights a week, and still expect to find enough time for your studies.

Know that academics come first. But also know that you need a life apart from the books. Take your time, find your place amidst the opportunities you will discover, and concentrate on those goals that are most important in your life. Enjoy every day of your college experience; it won't last forever.

Q: What do colleges find more appealing in an applicant: lots of club and team memberships, or all high grades?

A: Your high school days should be filled with both top-notch academic studies and extracurricular activities. The idea is to reach your full potential as a student and a person. You want to find a healthy balance between your studies, your activities, and your social life. Although academics should be your first priority, involvement in school clubs, activities, or community service should be a very close second.

Selective colleges look first at your academic record, with an emphasis on your grades and strength of curriculum. Admissions officers also look at your leadership skills, special talents, awards, and honors. Keep in mind that the depth of your involvement and the strength of your commitment are far more important than the number of clubs and organizations you have joined. In other words, being president of the Drama Club is more impressive than just being a member.

If your goal is to gain entrance to a highly selective college, then you must exhibit both an outstanding academic record and a strong extracurricular profile. The top schools in America have many highly qualified students competing for a limited number of spaces. But don't panic -- many colleges that offer a great education do not have such a highly selective admissions process. You do not need a 99 grade point average and a 1600 SAT score to get into these fine schools. Aim for a solid academic record and proof that you can contribute to the extracurricular life of a campus.

Rather than looking for the "best" college, you should look for the "best college for you." Consider schools that are a good match, a comfortable fit. If you adopt this outlook early in your high school Career, you can make decisions based on your strengths and interests -- not on what you think is best to impress a college admissions officer. Being true to yourself will, in the end, be your best ally in the college search process.

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