Boise State University Top Questions

I would have to tell them that sometimes the school you want to go to won't fit your lifestyle or budget. sometimes you have to settle for less then you want in the beginning but in the end you should find that you came out with whatever you wanted; a degree, friends, a good job, ect.

Make sure that you know about the Cleary Act and know what happens at the school before you send your child. Understand the way the security department works and know what the dorm facillities are like if they are living away from home. Know what the teachers are willing to do for the kids if they need help in their subjects and get a feel for the teachers you can usually tell from conversation and demeanor if a teacher really cares about your child's success. Know the administrative policies and explain them to the student before they come so if they need anything they know where to go and who they need to talk to. Get a feel for the students that will be around your child if you don't feel comfortable bring that up to them and discuss it talk to the child and see how he or she will handle different situations that they have not been exposed to yet expecially if they are from a small town going to a big city.

One of the first pieces of advice I share with anyone is to get plugged in to a network on campus. First, be sure you have an advisor. Then seek out clubs or groups that interest you and network with other students. To be successful, I have found that I must be willing to ask questions! Someone on campus, whether it's a fellow student, professor, advisor or administrator, will be able to direct me to the answer.

When deciding on a college to attend and a career to pursue it is extremely important to consider your long term plans and be prepared for unforeseen changes in your circumstances. I experienced a great deal of frustration because I failed to do this thoroughly. An unexpected turn of events, specifically my family's move to another state for financial reasons, forced me to transfer to a different university. A degree better suited to my goals was available at my new university, but this meant that nearly 30 credits that I had already earned were no longer useful, and that is not to mention that I paid thousands for those credits! Therefore, when beginning a degree program, I would recommend that you thoroughly consider your options and investigate how easily credits tranfer from the school of your choice. Doing this will help to reduce your frustration if you choose, or are forced, to change your plans.

Make sure the school is located somewhere you can spend four years of your life.

Some people go into college with a detailed four year plan and some don't even know what classes they're taking their first year. Either way, whatever college you choose it's the right path to take. If you are in doubt, aske those who missed out on the experience. Remember to become involved in your surroundings, (like with the other students in your class, the on-campus organizations, or in-class discussions) the more you get to know others, in turn you will get to know yourself. Try something new everyday or even just once a month. You'll be amazed at the things you've been missing out on. Above all, know that you are not alone. There are a lot of people that want to see you succeed; your friends, family, and especially faculty (though come test time it seems they're all against you). So find your way to those people on campus that smile at you -and even smile at those who don't. In the end you want to take with you an education in academia and humanities, too.

My advive to those looking for the perfect college is that which ever school you choose, you are the one responsible for making it the best fit for yourself. You will never know how perfect the school is until you attend it. Then you must take the opportunities presented and grow as an individual and learn from the mistakes. Each person you meet at the school was put there for a reason, so keep your eyes open for who is there to teach you a lesson and who is there to become a very influential part of your life. Appreciate all the good and bad, tough and easy, fun and hard because this is a very significant part of life and a time that forms your values and teaches you what you will need to be successful in the future. Also, many are not given the chance to attend college, so make sure to enjoy the experience!

In order to find the right college for a student to attend, it is wise to visit the campus once or twice. However, do not dwell on what the campus will look like, if it will meet your standards, whether you will fit in, paying for it without taking out loans, because, ultimately, the school you attend will have so many links to find you absolutely everything you could imagine. The important key to getting the most out of what the school offers, though, is push through the uncomfortable feelings of making a mistake and let your voice be heard. Whether its starting up a new club, working on a service project, asking questions during class, discovering what lies in a building you've never been in, or even getting questions resolved by asking professors/students/campus employees. Let your voice be heard and break through to obtain the most you can from your college choice.

College is about reaching your dreams. Do not just choose a school just based on one criteria such as how close it is to home, or costs. I chose BSU on only two criteria, it is close to home and they offer a Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering. I have told several people I really want to be an airline pilot after graduation, and I actually looked at other schools such as Embry Riddle. However due to cost and location I chose BSU instead. You should make sure you choose the school having the best program for you. I like Mechanical Engineering but I enjoy aviation even more. When choosing colleges, yes tuition is expensive at other schools sometimes, especially if you applying as an out of state student, but if other schools offer a degree you would rather have, go for it. There is always financial aid and student loans. College is supposed to be the best time of your life, so make the best out of it by doing what you really want to do.

The one piece of advice that I would give to parents and/or students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience would be this: Be sure to find a college or university that is going to orient you to the school thoroughly. When I first arrived at Boise State University, I was so confused about where buildings were located, how to ask for help when needed...even where to find the nearest restroom! I attended a mandatory school orientation session a few weeks before I began attending Boise State. At first, I was upset that the university would force me to attend something like orientation, but after it was all said and done...I was so thankful! I have been happy ever since...I learned so much from that one day, and gained so much confidence about attending Boise State. Good luck!