Admissions

Look at your financial aid packages from all the schools you've been accepted to and don't be afraid to ask Alfred's admissions and financial aid offices if there is any way to even out the differences. They do want to see you there next year as part of their family.

Also - ASK QUESTIONS! See if you can stay the night to get a feel of the dorms. Ask if you can speak to professors or even students about the campus, classes and yes even the quality of food. They WILL be honest in their answers. Professors get paid regardless of their opinions and seniors get their degree in May - they have no reason to lie to get you there.

Check it out on multiple occasions, especially one day when the weather is not perfect. Alfred is absolutely BEAUTIFUL when the weather is nice, but because it rains so often, that beauty is sometimes overlooked.

Visit the campus and do an overnight if possible. If you have the chance, take a look around some of the restaurants and shops in the town of Alfred to see if you can handle the small-town living (as it could possibly be substantially different from your hometown). If you can drive bring a car to campus if possible, as larger towns like Hornell are quite a ways away. The alarm for Alfred's fire department goes off at least once a day around 6-7 pm and can be heard for everywhere on campus so keep that in mind. Also, the woods near AU are used by hunters during hunting season, so if you enjoy going into woods during this time without wearing bright orange, please don't.

Don't go there if you're a theater major. Trust me.

Bring a lot of blankets, and a mattress pad or two, as the mattresses are really hard. If you think for even a second that you and your roommate won't get along, then bring your own fridge and microwave! Establish boundaries early, and take the roommate agreement seriously!

Be sure to visit. Also Alfred like it if you have a recommendation letter from a teacher in a class where you didn't do well but tried very hard.

Check out the campus before and after you apply. If you liked it before you applied you will love it after too.

The biggest tip anyone could offer a prospective student is simple: do the work. If you skip the reading, and don't attempt the homework in a serious manner, don't blame the university for your lack of trying. That, and remember to have fun every once in a while!

Take a trip and visit the campus! This is important! It is the best way to see if this school is a good fit for you. AU is located in a remote, rural, small town. This is perfect for some folks, but would be not be a good fit at all for others. So, visit!