Indiana University-Bloomington Top Questions

The first step to finding the right college is determining whether or not you want to go to school with a few thousand others or 40,000 others. This is a big decision and it is not simply a question of whether you want to be in a city or a town. I go to school in Bloomington, Indiana which is dominated by the student population. This city was built around the college. Although I go to school with 40,000 others, Bloomington feels warm and close to home (even though it is 10 hours away from home). Being in a large city you may go to school with this many students, but it will not have the same feeling as a college town. Do you want to live in a small rural town? Do you want to live in a college town? Or do you want to live in a city? This is the set of questions that is most important when deciding where to attend college. Once you have this figured out you will be able to feel comfortable with your surroundings and make the most of your college career.

The advice that I would give to parents and students is to keep an open mind when looking at colleges. You will never find a school that is full of people that are exactly like you with the same beliefs and morals. Also, I think it important to look at as many schools as you can because, that is the only way to see what is out there. I encourage students to look at schools out of state and in state just to explore their options. Also, apply to more than just your first choice school because there are no gaurentees. Last but not least, enjoy your senior year and keep your relationships with family and friends strong so that when you do go off to college you already have a strong support system whenever you need it. That helped me have the confidence to try new things and branch out to make new friends. Do not ever give up and work hard when you do get to college; it is a great experience and will be well worth it : )

When telling others advice about choosing the right college, I would tell students and parents that they need to visit several campuses and talk to other students about their own experiences on their campus and figure out if what these students are saying is what he or she identifies with. The person should figure out if he or she wants a very academically focused school, a school with a large social scene, a big or small student body, a big or small campus/class size, how many activities they have the opportunity to become involved in, how diverse the school is, how much tutoring and academic support they could receive, how much financial aid is available, etc. A student needs to figure out what he or she wants and then choose a college that fits with their personality and interests, not the interests of their friends.

Have no regrets.

It's important to get involved early in your college career, so you can start to build a foundation in the beginning, rather than waiting until junior or senior year, when employers will be most interested in looking at your activities on your resume. Choose a school that fits your personal needs, rather it be for financial reasons, a learning disability, or location. It may seem like a good idea to pick a school where your friends will be, but in the end, it is your happiness that matters the most, not your friend's. Therefore, do what is best for you. Try to avoid feeling pressured by parents and/or school counselors to choose a certain school. Look at all of your options very carefully and take your time in deciding which school will fit YOU!

it's mostly in your attitude towards what you end up with, not in your choice. you'll get the most out of your experience if you make it unique and avoid just following a singular academic track or the aesthetic choices of one group of people. get to know lots of different kinds of people, get to know and respect the town (keep in mind most towns have mixed feelings about students, and be a productive community member!), and keep in touch with the faculty members you click with the most.

Step back and look at the programs that each individual school offers, not the sports team or the college life, but the actual classes you will be taking and the various activities that you may want to be involved in, for that will be where you spend most of your time throughout your four years. After finding the right matches in those areas, then look at the campus life and choose one what that best matches your personality and interests. The most important thing is to show up on the first day with a positive attitude and an openness to the future, do not discount any potential friend or opportunity based on first impressions, take a leap and enjoy your time having new expierences and meeting new and different people than those that you have grown up with, that will lead to a meaningful rewarding college career.

Parent and/or students should always visit a college and make sure that the size of the campus is to their liking. Also, depending on what the student wants to study, strengths in particular majors should be considered when determining what college one should attend. The atmosphere of the college should be fitting to the student's personality. Some colleges are known for their partying and commitment to athletics where others are focused on the arts and theatre departments. A student should consider the atmosphere in which they want to be placed before deciding which college is for them. Then, after visiting the college and getting a feel for what that particular university is like, make a decision. Make the decision that is right for you. Your decision may not always be the same as your friend, but as we all know, no one is alike. To succeed in college, one must be happy at the university they choose.

I think everyone should try out a college that's somewhat far away from home just to see how it is because i think everyone should have this experience and live your time here to the fullest.

I would encourage students to visit any college they are interested and also talk to the students who have attended or currently attend the college. The best way to see what a University is like is to see it for yourself and to see what others have thought about it. Finally, parents don't pressure your children to go to one college or another, ultimately it is up to them what they will enjoy. If the student is unhappy with their college, it is a waste of time and money. College is a time to enjoy yourself, and also learn a little bit.