Florida Institute of Technology Top Questions

Finding the right college isn't really about where you go it is about your outlook on where you are goning. You could go to a wonderful but just not meet the right people to keep you happy, but you could go to a school where you meet awesome people and teachers and it doesn't matter what you learn. College isn't the big deal everyone makes it out to be the main thing that students should look at is if they want to go to a big school or a small school becuase that is all that matters.

Make sure you go and visit the campus and talk to people attending the school. When you talk to advisors ask really specific questions so you know what you're getting into (ie: how long will I need to attend and how much will it cost?). Get involved with campus activities (if you want to) and be open minded and kind hearted. Your success is based upon how much work you put into yourself.

Don't be afraid to talk to your professors, they are very helpful and have a lot of connections when trying to find a job later. Class size is definately important, if the professor knows the students by name it makes it a lot easier. Join a study group with some friends. When looking for the right college think about how far away you are willing to go from home, class size, and what the undergrads are doing you want to be as involved as possible right from the start.

Look for schools with many possible majors you'd like then find a campus you like. Be very open during orentation and first weeks, everyone is in the same situation as you, make friends.

If at all possible, try to get through college racking up as little debt as possible. Debt can add significant stress to young people just starting out on their own; constantly having to think about paying off student loans can make it hard to fully enjoy the college experience. On another note, try to get relevant work experience while you are still in school by working for one of your professors; it is a great stepping stone that can be used to secure summer internships and even your first job after graduation! Also, be sure to get involved in an organization related to your future career; professional organizations are great for networking and making friends. Most importantly, never be afraid to change your major. If you come to realize your current major isn't what you thought it would be and you are more interested in pursuing another degree, by all means, make the switch! This is YOUR FUTURE. College is one of the greatest times of your life. You have your entire future ahead of you for YOU to shape. Carpe diem and good luck!

Don?t pick the ?right school?; pick YOUR school. In all likelihood, this won?t be your best friend?s school, the school that offered you the most money, or even the school that placed highest in the rankings. It may be one of these schools, but not for any of these reasons. To know whether a school is right for you, you must know how it feels to live, study, and socialize there. The best way to find out? Go visit. If you can?t visit? Talk to students; they know. Once you enroll, get involved. Don?t worry about getting in over your head; if it sounds interesting, do it! Join organizations, go on fieldtrips, make friends, network, and if you later find you don?t have time or aren?t interested anymore, quit! They?ll understand. When it comes to extracurriculars, I?m not suggesting you throw the phrase ?too busy? out of your vocabulary, I?m just recommending you only use it when you?re not really interested, and it?ll be true! You will be WAY too busy doing all those things you love doing and weren?t too timid to jump in and try!

Don't choose a school because of it's prestige or reputation. Choose a school because it will help you in the career you desire for your future.

Make sure you know what you want to study and that you are fully able to handle the financial aspects of college before you committ to a university.

First, visit collegeboard.com. There, their son/daughter can pick options pertaining to what they feel their ideal college would be. Then, in turn, College Board narrows down the colleges in the United States that best fit with their preferences. I used this feature on collegeboard.com and I'm happy that I chose Florida Tech. I'm getting a great education, it has a fantastic meteorology program, I have a myriad friends, and I'm part of a few extracurricular activities. Additionally, my advisor has given me a list of a few internships that I am seeking. To help narrow down their decision, I'd also tell parents to look for colleges that offer internships, scholarship programs, and excellent programs specifically for their major. If their son/daughter is undeclared, make sure they research and/or visit a college where they not only feel comfortable, but a college that he/she can guarantee will give their son/daugher a great education. Overall, a parent wants to see their child both to succeed and become a well rounded student. These are steps that both the student and parent can take to ensure a full college experience.

I would recommend that the family unit start preparing early in the high school years. Preparation is the key for the right fit.The college experience is the whole nine yards, the dorm , classes, teachers, environment and all of the other many factors that will lead you to be a sucessful adult.