Colorado State University-Fort Collins Top Questions

Choosing the right college is very important, as it is planning at least the next four years of your life. Some people say that it does not matter where you receive an education and that the important part is that you go to college. I would disagree with that. College shapes you and makes you realize many different things you did not previously know about yourself. I personally call my last three years a wonderful learning and growing experience. As cliche as that may sound, it is very true and from the bottom of my heart. No matter what, I would advise people to have faith in themselves and know that they can make it to college and do well at it. We are human and will make mistakes along the way. However, what matters most is that we not only learn from those mistakes but also try and grow from them. College should be a time in your life where you truly find you- your passion, motivation, and what makes you tick. It is necessary to realize it is a hard part of life, but in the end is very worth the hard work.

I would have to say that the most important aspect to college searching is to be as open and honest with yourselfs in what you want in your eductaional experience. Try to find as many options as possible before making any descisions. Don't pidgeon hold yourself to one area of the U.S. or one type of curriculum. And once you find what you are looking for, go into it full heartedly. Don't hold back or be afriad to do something different then what you're used to. That is how you learn and grow as a person on all levels. And finally; become interactive with everyone around you. It is easier to succeed in all areas of life if you have people and resources around you at your despense. Don't be afraid to take advantage of what you have. That is how you can become successful in finding a suitable college and having the best experience available.

Visit the campus first, and visit a class or two. Also don't buy into "brand" name colleges, just because a school is well known doesn't mean its the right fit. Also have lots of fun, you wont get to do it again.

The advice I would give to parents is I believe they need to get involved with their son or daughter in choosing the right school as well as help them research in order to pick the right school for their son or daughter. Also students need to be able to visit the campus and take tours to gain knowledge and a little taste of what their college experience would be like. Once chosen their right school students and parents should take time to plan on how to manage time in school and their social life to succeed in academics and not just the excitment of college. Also if parents are sending their son or daughter to a school where they cannot supervise then they should call and keep in touch making sure their son or daught behaves,stays focused, and pushes them to succeed. If parents and students do these things I believe they will not only succeed, but be very happy in the experience they have in college.

I would have to say the best advice for parents and/or students when finding the right college is to visit the campus and talk to as many people as you can to find out if it's the right fit. You don't want to enroll in classes and pay money just to find out that you feel uncomfortable there. As for making the most of your college experience, I would say to make friends and talk to people that you may not know or may not be of the same ethnic or racial background. I feel that people can learn alot from others as well as make some new life-long friends. Also, I believe that students need to get active in the community and at school. There are so many jobs and internships that suit everyone's interests. I would say to take chances and shoot for the stars...What's the worst thing that can happen? I feel it is important for parents to be a part of the student's decision-making process and to be included in the tours and visits. I think it helps students to get feedback and reassurance.

Make sure you visit the schools you are considering before you decide to attend. Being on campus can really give you a feel of how your experience at school will be. Students, choose the school that is right for you, not your parents. Colorado State University is an incredible campus that welcomes all kinds of students. Make sure you choose a school with a good concentration in what you want to do in life as well as somewhere you feel comfortable enough to make your home for the next four years.

The advice that I would give would have to be make sure that you go to a place that makes you feel like you belong. Going off to college is a large enough change as it is without the added stress of feeling out of place. Also, finding a school that will work with you to make your dreams achievable, whether that be paying for school or being able to study whatever it is that you want to study.

When deciding what college is for you, do not rely on the money or where a friend is going; make sure that the campus fits with your personality and they have what major you want. When in the college of your choice, make sure you do more than go to class. Go to sport games, make friends, and most importantly get involved!

When it comes to finding the right college firsthand experience is key. Participate in campus tours so that you can get a personal experience of the university. Campus tours allow you to see what the environment, students, and faculty are like. Also, talk to alumni about their experiences at their universities. Research is also vital for finding the right college. You cannot just apply to a school without researching statistics about them; you must research. Research everything from class sizes to demographics. In order to make the most of the college experience, the number one thing is to get involved. If you get involved, you will meet people, grow intellectually, and become a stronger individual. Getting involved can be anything from playing a sport, to attending on campus events. College is what you make it, and only you are in charge of what happens.

I would advise that students thoroughly research their schools of choice and make list of 2-5 schools that match what they want. They should visit each of theose schools and take an in depth tour of everything the school/campus has to offer. Parents should help as much as they can in the decision process without interfering with the choices of the child.