George Mason University Top Questions

Do not base what college you send your child to on the tuition costs but rather make sure to visit each interested university and get a feel for the campus, the student life and the faculty. Also do alot of research on different sites such as ratemyprofessors.com to get insight on what students at the universities think of their professors. Nothing is harder on a student than a professor that is not enthusiastic because they are in the classroom rather than out in the field doing research. Tuition costs obviously play an important role but in my experience the cheapest is not always the best for the student even if it is the easiest for the family as a whole. There are various ways of paying for an education and people should definitely explore as those possibilities. The key to a good education is to start looking ahead of time. Begin searching while the student is in high school so that you will be more prepared for when they graduate and the student will not have to spend alot of time transferring because they don't like their school.

During the application, do not put all your hopes into one school. Always have a backup school. Make sure you choose a school that you have already visited and could possibly see yourself going there. Once in college, it is very easy stray away from the academic aspect. Remain focused on your academics and remember that your parents are not paying your college tuition for you to socialize and party all the time. Get involved in campus actvities and organizations; it is a great way to meet new people and also learn more about yourself as an individual.

go with what fits for you, make sure it is your choice and not anyone elses

Procrastination...the thief of time as one great mind put it and that is more than true. From the time I first applied to school until now, procrastination has always been prevelant. I lost grant and finacial aid money due to the fact that I procrastinated. One word of advice is to get everything done as soon as possible and you don't have to worry about meeting deadlines. Coming from a very low income family i did not always have the money to process application fees and send transcripts and I feel as if I missed out on a lot. But in the end I made the right choice. As far as the college experience I would say don't succumb to peer pressure. I fortunately have not ran into any peer pressure here at Mason, well not any bad peer pressure that is. You are not pressured into doing anything you don't want to do but it is available. On my campus I know that alcohol is every where you turn and it is free but never have I been pressured to drink by an individual. All in all, college is an amazing experience!

Try to figure out your interests first and then try to find the college that focuses around that. Keep in mind if you want to be around family, urban or rural areas, and also keep in mind to be in an area where you can go to work, intern, or etc. that is near your school. It won't help if you go to a rural school far from any orgs. or insititutions that can help you get your foot in the door.

I would first look at the quality of the education you are recieving relative to the amount of money you will be paying for it. If money is not a problem for you then I would look at the social life of the school. While college is for obtaining a higher education, college is a truely unique time in one's life when they will change completely as a person. This aspect needs to be taken into consideration just as much as the actual education they are recieving. Also, while a big school might appeal to most kids, I would recommend looking into smaller schools. That doesn't mean that you should know everyone there by the time you graduate, but smaller classes along with a tighter knit community really makes a difference in the way you learn and you will likely come out of better off. To make the most out of your time at college, I would recommend doing as many things on campus as you can manage. Don't get too over loaded but make sure that you make relationships with other students and faculty outside of the classroom.

I would tell students and/or parents who are seeking the proper educational facility to meet their learning needs that they shouldn't spend lengthy amounts of time searching for the right college; the answer will come in time. One can look through hundreds of college catalogues and still find nothing that interests them, only to find that the local college offers exactly what they need and it was there all along, ignored due to its close proximity to home or another such reasons. An exciting college experience can happen anywhere; it depends on the person who is making it happen, not their environment, although it does influence it at times. As long as the student is open-minded and focused on achieving their set goals, the 'college experience' will fall into place. It's not the college that shapes the experience; it's the student himself. Contrary to popular belief, a student's life and future are always in his hands, regardless of expensive out-of-state tuition or endless campus-finder catalogues they've browsed.

Don't go to college for someone else. Go for yourself and go for that, which you honestly in your heart want to learn more about. This is your experience, your life, and your chance to change the world around you!

Choosing institution to continue your post-secondary education is critical. There are many important factors to consider if a particular college/university is right for you. First of all, make sure that the institution of your choice has diverse programs related to your preferred field of study. For example, if you major in Science, then pick the school that has variety of science-related courses in which you can freely choose from. Also, it allows your learning experience to be enhanced. Secondly, consider school size and its location. Personally speaking, I prefer attending school in urban area, surrounded by drug stores, food markets, entertainment places, restaurants and so on because it is extremely convenient to find things I want. In general, I think your major diversity and life styles should be primary factors in choosing the right university for you.

Whatever school you end up at will become the "right" school if you make the most of it. Follow your heart but also think practically. Embrace every opportunity you are presented with while at college. Be outgoing and open-minded. Also be conscientious and responsible--this is more important to doing well academically than being smart. Do your best, and have fun!