Central Washington University Top Questions

?Where are you planning on going after graduating?? was the undying question during my high school years. Everyone wanted to know what college I was going to, and it felt like the school I picked would define my entire existence. I wondered, ?Will my future go horribly wrong if I pick the wrong school?? So, I poured over research, took compatibility quizzes, and practically memorized school statistics. I was so concerned about finding a college I thought would show who I am, that I didn?t realize the school you go to doesn?t define you, you define it! Like everything in life, what you put into college is what you get out of it. It?s your motivation and enthusiasm to personalize your college experience that truly makes the difference. You make college as challenging and enjoyable as you like, and no matter where you go you will always discover opportunities to find great experiences, ideas, people, and memories. So don?t worry that your school will shape your whole destiny. Remember the college you choose will help make you who you are, but it won?t sum up the limit of your experiences. Only YOU can define yourself.

The advice I would give is to make sure you visit the campus and talk to people who attend school there. Make sure the size of the school and the people who attend it fit into your style or college wont be any fun for you.

Do not choose a school based on another person. Make the choice you want to make, not your parents, in the end you are going to be the one attending the school not your family or friends. Be involved, meet people, interact with others, and live in the dorms at least once. Give the school a chance; don't let money be a factor because there are many scholarships out there. Know that you are not alone in this situation, every year students are transitioning into a different environment, sometimes even a different state. Always keep your head up, try to stay focus and remember why you are in college. Remember that in the end it is your choice to further your education but also remember it is very important to have a college degree, no matter what college you attend. Yet do not forget to have fun! Learning should be fun! It is always great to learn new things; the things you may learn may be from your friends so choose wisely. Don't be scared, a lot of us had to go through the same thing, and now some are very successful!

If you know what you want in life, essentially the right college can come to you. If you don't know what you want to do, don't worry you have time. I recommend community colleges; you can save money, get your general education requirements done, and have time to decide your career. If you know already what you want to do, I suggest students and parents do extensive research on universities in a particular region of the U.S. or the world a student would want to call "home.? Find out what each campus has to offer you in their environment, credentials, and money. Once you've selected the campus of your choice and start attending, it's critical as a student of particular profession, to get involved to make the most out of college. As a music education student, I wouldn't have known half of the stuff I know now if I had not been involved in student organizations and sought out professionals for advice in my field. By being involved, one can develop lasting social and professional relationships that can make the entire college experience a memorable and worthwhile time in a student?s life.

Find a college which balances academia and leisure. A good college will have quality library and research resources, dedicated professors, and a general preparation for a career, but equally important are activities for time out of the classroom. Look for a college that sponsers art exhibitions, concerts, cultural events, sports, plays, and opportunities to be actively and constructively social. Both of these areas are important in developing a quality campus life.

When you graduate from high school, unless you are absolutely sure about what you want to become in life, it's going to be a difficult process deciding where you will attend college and what career path you will choose. There's plenty of people who will select any college they can and wait until junior year to stay "undecided", and theres some who will analyze every choice of school until they think they have found one suitable. Finding the right college depends on the balance between these two aspects. Don't pick a college out of the blue, and try everything you possibly can, because there's simply too many choices and it's doubtful if you can find your heart's desire in four short years. However, going to a certain college with one select goal in mind is also a slightly naive decision, as one with this sort of outlook will definitely miss out on a plethora of experiences and self-discoveries. Combining these two outlooks- searching for new experiences at a public college containing them, while keeping a few goals in mind- that is the secret to a college experience that will remain a beautiful memory.

Live on-campus and make lots of friends.

My advice to other students about finding the right college for them is: 1) Conduct research on your colleges of choice. Look to see if they offer the programs or degrees that you intend to pursue for your career. Also check the graduation rates of the school and students average GPAs. This will give you an idea of the academic challenge that will be presented to you at that particular college. 2) Visit the colleges you are interested in attending. Get a feel for the small community or big city that it is located in. If you aren't comfortable with the surroundings, then chances are you wont enjoy or succeed in college. To get the most out of the college experience, it is important to branch out, meet new people, and most importantly, get involved!! There are literally hundreds and thousands of opportunities in college, whether it is taking part in theater, playing intramural sports, tutoring other students, volunteering in the community, etc. It all comes down to your involvment in the opportunities presented to you that will ultimately shape your college experience.

I would advise incoming college students to apply for at least three colleges, and to apply a couple months before the application date. Listen to teachers and ask them, based on your interests, which is the best school for their interests.

I would say plan ahead. My main mistake was not planning ahead. I felt that since I am from Ellensburg, which is where Central is located, I had all the time in the world to apply. In reality it is a longer process than you first think. I would also suggest visiting the campus and taking a guided tour to get the feel of the school and what activities they offer. I have noticed that there are many activities I was not aware of until I asked for myself. Taking a tour would eliminate that. Also I would say to reach out and meet new people even if you already have familiar faces at your school. I did this and I have met many good friends.