Appalachian State University Top Questions

Do not choose acollege just because your best friend is going there. It may not have the same major as you wanted to study. It could be more liberal or more conservative than you want. The atmosphere or location may not be ideal for you. Pick a place that you know will make you happy, both in and out of school. You are going to be spending your life at college for at least four years, and you might as well be happy the whole time.

Find a college that is the right size with the type of atmosphere that feels right. Do not choose a school based on where friends are going but where you think you will be the happiest. Find people you know at different college's and ask about the campus from them or stay with them for a weekend to see what it is really like. Look into the programs offered and the clubs on campus. Make sure the college is the right fit for you.

First, find a college that fits you're academic and social needs. Get familiar with services offered by the school, e.g., meal plans, housing, and extracurricular activities. Most importantly, Visit Your School! Are the physical surroundings pleasing? More importantly than that, visit while class is in session. The atmosphere created by the students is infinitely more important than surroundings. Are you comfortable? Are the students friendly? Does the school feel competitive or laid back? What activities are the students doing outside (studying, frisbee, etc.)? Once you arrive, make friends with people you live close to. You'll see them most often and need to be friendly with them anyway. Go to all orientation activities your school offers and don't be afraid to show up for a club meeting or two. Make acquaintances in each class for notes and study groups. Get to know your professors and don't be afraid of talking to them after class. This will open up opportunities for experience in that field. Always take advantage of free meals on campus, communicate with your roommate; and stay organized so you're not stressed and so you have time to kick back and enjoy the experience!

The advice I would give students on finding the right college is to apply to several different schools. Take your time on finding the right school for you because that is where you will be the happiest. Take tours of different campuses and get a feel for the town surrounding the school because that is where you are going to be spending much for your life for the next four years. Now for making the most of college, have fun but stay focused on school work as well. One of the biggest mistakes students make their freshman year is to neglect their school work and focus on their social life. Learn to manage your time. Another thing to do is to get out and try new things, meet new people and just have fun. Be social with people in your classes and in you dorm building. Most of all do not worry to much about everything, take your time and enjoy college.

I would advise that students dig down inside and really try and figure out what interests them and what kind of setting they would like to live in. I think it's important to look a wide variety of schools and really try to feel out which one will feel the most like home. Personally, I'm extremely interested in protecting the enviroment and bringing about social awareness on the impact people have on it and that was a big part of my decision to come to Appalachian State. It's really important that students do their homework in looking at schools, and parents have a duty to push them to do this. Whatever college you pick you're going to spend (most likely) the next four years at and so why wouldn't you want to make sure it was really the best fit? It really comes down to where you think you'll be happiest, and where you can see yourself getting a good education; A place to grow both academically and socially to prepare you for the rest of your life.

Meet as many people as you can your first year and not just on your floor... everywhere. Get involved in as much as possible in the beginning. Study with your free time and make sure you are active physically.

Choose a school is worth the cost of what you are paying to attend

Colleges are like puppies. Whatever one you choose you'll end up falling in love with. Where ever you end up make sure you find out all the resources and oppurtunities that are available and make use of them as often as possible.

Explore colleges which seem to fit the lifestyle you want to live and if you find that you made the wrong choice in schools you should hang in there and make good grades so that you have the option to transfer to a school of better fit.

Deffinately take a trip to the school. One big reason in chosing the school that you goto is the town that surrounds it, its where you'll be spending most of your time.