Admissions

Visit. Talk to current students.

Winters here are absolutely brutal, and they start early. Make sure you either pack a nice, heavy coat, or you go right out and buy one once you get here. I only came from an hour away, and the difference still was enough to shock me.



If you're coming in as a freshman and staying in the dorm, take advantage of the mentor activities and the activities the RAs run. Yeah, they seem corny and dumb (and the mentors/orientation leaders tend to treat you like you're still kids if you let them), but they'll help you get out and meet people. There's an amazing sense of community here and everyone's more than willing to include you, but you have to put yourself out there first.



Don't walk across the quad. Just. Don't. Skip, cartwheel, roll across it, nobody will care... but if you just walk directly across it, you will have committed the highest of the stumpy sins. People have gotten tackled over this.

It is a challenge so be ready to work hard in the sciences but learn a lot of valuable information.

Be ready to hit the ground running, it will be a lot more work than you're used to in high school, but definitely worth it. It has a partnership and is right across the street from SU, on of the biggest party schools in the country, so don't get too wrapped up in all the parties. Time management will be your biggest obstacle to overcome. There will always be something to do, especially if you're living in the dorms (Centennial), but in order to get a good GPA you will need to spend a lot of time doing homework and studying. A lot of students create study groups so you get work done and have a social life at the same time. Also, GET SLEEP! With everything that's going on, sleep can sometimes get lost in the mix, but without sleep you are more likely to doze off in class which does not leave a good impression on the professors and you will be more likely to get sick.

Have fun in college too! Join clubs that you're interested in and GET INVOLVED! Also, don't be afraid to go to your professors for help. Utilize their office hours, not only will they help you and answer any questions they have, but it will show the professors that you are truly putting in a good effort to do well in the class.

Visit the school to see how you think you would fit in. Go to information sessions about your intended major, talk to professors, and go to open houses. Most importantly, talk to the students who actually go here and get their opinion on the school. Feel free to ask current students anything that will help you figure out if ESF is the right place for you!

Don't live far away from campus! It's hard to get involved with other students and the community. Try hard to be outgoing, you'll learn so much more and make great connections. Also, take everything in stride. There are some aspects of ESF that can be frustrating (registration, bad professors, quarrelsome classmates, etc), but just remember it's all a learning process- use it for the betterment of yourself.

You'll discover very quickly whether or not this is the school for you. When you're hanging out on campus it may feel like it's all fun and games but when you're in the classroom there is no joking around! Classes here are tough!

Prepare for the cold winters.

Decide what makes you happy and go for it. Work hard and get prepared to be shocked at how different college is from high school. Be active and social...these 2-4 years are the only years you will be able to enjoy this.