Indiana University-Bloomington Top Questions

I feel that I made the right decision going to IU. The level of competition and academic excellence exceeded my expectations. I was fortunate to join a club affiliated with my major, the Sports Marketing Club, allowing me to attain internships both the summers between my sophmore and junior years with baseball teams both at the college and minor league level. I pushed myself to become involved at IU, both academically and socially. I can't say that there is any advice I could give myself, since I really think that what I expected while in high school, doesn't compare to the college experience I have had at IU. I couldn't be more happier and am looking forward to obtaining a career obtained by my education at Indiana University.

I would take advantage more of scholarships. I didn't realize how much money college would be costing my family, and I wish that I would have applied to more. I think as students it's harder to realize how much money goes into a college degree. You have to pay for housing, food, tuition, buses, weekends and etc. At the end of the hear it's a really big bill. Take the time to fill out applications and even if you think you don't need scholarships, with this economy it's better to be safe than sorry. A lot of scholarships are for high school students going into college and now I have lost a lot of opportunities to do so. High school seniors don't get too caught up in fun, funding your college education is just as important too!

My most important bit of advice I could give myself as a high school senior would be to RELAX. Do not take such small things and blow them up into huge delimmas. Remember that each and every day only happens once so enjoy high school instead of taking it for granted. Learning to appreciate the small things in life will make the transition into college all the more grand. Each new experience that college life brings changes you and allows you to grown as a person. Go with the flow and study hard, everything else will fall into place without being forced. If something does not go as planned, do not stress. Let it go down a different path; it could turn into an adventure you never expected! Talk to everyone you can and learn from them. Indiana University is full of interesting and diverse people who are so eager to share their stories. Basically the advice I would give is slow down and always be yourself. As every chapter and life, college only comes once.

This is the most important decision in your life up to this point, so spend every second you can afford with this! This will decide whether you graduate from school excited you landed the job you wanted or in a company you wanted, or dissappointed you will be a clown or forced into something you are not comfortable with. Go to the colleges you are deciding between and take campus tours. Do not just ask the tour guide questions about the school; stop and ask students what they think about certain things. The tour guides are going to give you answers the colleges want you to hear while the students will most likely give you their real opinion. If the student takes the time to give you their opinion is also an indication of how friendly the students are on campus. Take the time to sneak in and sit in a class and see how you feel about it. Once again, where you go to college will determine the rest of your life. Do not just cram the night before like a test in high school, take the time and make the best decision for you.

The advice that I would give anyone on finding a college is to visit the actual campus and choose the school that feels the most like home. Also, it is good to make a list of things you like about your town or city that you currently live in, and if you find yourself putting that you like that it feels like a community or that the town is small and cozy, go with a smaller school. It is a really good idea to talk to students that have attended the school to see what they think of the faculty, financial aid, and classes. To make the most of the college experience, I would say to get involved in clubs and volunteer services. All colleges have them, but doing some research about what your potential college has to offer in those fields is extremely helpful as well. Overall, the best advice that I have ever recieved is to picture yourself in 5 years and go to the college that you feel will get you there and be enjoyable at the same time.

Do not send your child to IU.

Students and parents should maximize the amount of college visits and research all possible scholarship opprotunities. Once a student finds the college that best fits him or her, then getting involved as early as possible is an excellent idea. Students who get involved in numerous groups, or activities have the best chance at a fulfilling college experience. Even though college is an amazing experience full of fun things to do, students need to stay focused on grades or else they will have a very short experience.

Make sure to visit the campus and talk to the students. Not only about the school but also about things to do socially.

Base your choice on the majors the university offers with the students interests. Look into the faculty and dedication of the university.

My best advice would be to branch out and try new things. It's easy enough to the same college as all your high school friends and have a great experience, but I personally think it's worth it to put yourself out of your comfort zone and go your own way. I did and now I still have all my friends from high school and an amazing group of friends at IU. I went random with my roommate, and now I am extremely close to her and know that we will be friends for life. Be social and outgoing. Joing groups. Get involved. This is the difference between having a great first year experience and being miserable at your school. Pick a school where you will feel comfortable- size wise, whether it is urban or rural, and at what level it is known for "partying." Most importantly, go with your gut. If you like you're meant to be a certain school, you probably are! When I visited IU, I immediately new I belonged there, and so far it has been a great decision!