James Madison University Top Questions

Tour every college that you are interested in going to, because it might be a great school but not a good fit for you. Make the most out of your college experience by getting involved and meeting people that you never would have talked to in high school. College is where you open your eyes to new experiences and new people, so take advantage of it. Make these four years the ebst years of your life!

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Like many people, I was not entirely sure what my future may hold when I came to school. I ended up picking my school because of the reputation and the distance from home (and the fact in-state was significantly less money). I really benefitted from the classes they require and the ones offer as electives with realizing a path for my future that would work well for me. After I started making these realizations, however, I found there are not many classes in that field offered. The application process is stressful, but thinking about what you like to do away from a social life and what classes promted the most interest throughout the high school years would be incredibally beneficial. I never thought about that while applying; it would have helped. Also, get involved with campus life. Its hard to come back to once you get into a routine.

Definitely visit each school and get to know individual people on campus even if that means staying in the dorms with a student or making a few extra weekend trips to goto a football game or something. It is a completely different experience speaking to a student that is just hanging around rather than faculty or recruiters. It makes it a much more fun experience and you learn a lot more about the school through these students.

Don't go to a school because they have a good football team. Don't go to a school because your parents went there. Visit. Visit. Visit. Visit. VISIT. Don't let a formal tour decide; go spend the weekend with a friend. Don't go because your girlfriend/boyfriend is going. Meet new people. Everyone is in the same situation as you. They are feeling the same doubts, nerves, exclusions. Some of your best friends of your life will begin in college. Keep a journal of those first few months in college; read it two years later, and you will laugh at yourself. Try new things. This is a once in a lifetime experience. Let everything unfold around you. Learn something, and learn it passionately. Living in a dorm is amazing; looking back on it will put a smile on your face. Don't go home every weekend. Don't go visit your boy/girl friend every weekend. Go out to eat at 3 am on a Tuesday. Stay up all night and tell stories about your past. Play jokes on your roommate. Have the most fun of your life. Be the change.

The most important aspect about finding the right college is to do their "homework". Both students and parents should research schools, see if the desired academic program is available, and learn about student life. If students are undecided about their major, the school should provide services and help that will help guide students in discovering a desired career. Students and families should visit the campus to check out facilities, student life, and dorm life. To make the most of their college experience, students need to have decided on their own that it is their top choice. Students should feel comfortable in their surroundings, feel safe, and be provided with the quality education that they expect out of the school. Students should also research school traditions, learn about what current students partake in, and learn about opportunities available to them on and off campus. Parents should be open minded and learn about the schools along with their student, and also understand that it is where their child will be spending several years studying, working, and living. Students should be prepared for life changes, and these should happen in a setting where they are comfortable with having these changes happen.

I think it's important to let your child pick the school that makes them feel great. If you step on a campus and you don't instantly know it's the school you want to go to, then keep looking. I never thought I would have that feeling until I stepped on this campus and I didn't look back. Make a list of things you are looking for in a school and visit a school that has all the things you want, and then visit a school opposite to what you want. Pick out the advantages and disadvantages of every school you look at. Remember, the next 4 years of your life will be spent there. Also, don't be nervous, you'll find the right one.

Don't worry about whether or not a particular college has high standards or is ranked high in academics. Pay attention to the program you want to study; look at what opportunities the school offers, such as studying abroad and internships. Don't go somewhere just because all of your friends are going there; you'll make more friends wherever you go. Think about how you learn best- do you need small classes that allow for discussion, or are you fine with large lecture halls? How far from home you are should not be ranked as the most important unless you truly have need to be near home. If you find more than one school that matches your requirements, then you can look at the other things. Is there a particular language you've been interested in studying that only one school offers? Is there a particular extra-curricular activity that you're dying to try? Also, visit the campus. I feel that the atmosphere is important as well. When visiting, pay attention to how comfortable you feel in the campus's environment. Listen to your instincts. Choose the college that feels right, not just the one that looks best.

Look at as many schools as you can. Make sure you like everything about the school. Definitely go and visit the campus. Make sure you ask a lot of questions. Make sure you can envision yourself at the school. Remember freshman year isn't going to be perfect. It is so different from high school. Challenge yourself to get involved in clubs and organizations on campus. That will really help your transition. And even if things get rough at school, stick it through. Give yourself a chance at that school before you think about transfering someplace else. Things really will get better.

The only way that a student can really find the college that will be the best fit for them is to visit every school that interests them. No matter how many statistics you look at and brochures you read, you have no idea what a school is like until you visit it to experience it for youself. Campus tours can be very informative, but you will get the best feel for the school by just walking around campus on a weekday and observing the students and the type of attitude they have as they go to class. In order to make the most out of your college experience, it's important to be open to meeting new and different types of people and trying new things. Every college offers numerous activities and extracurriculars, so try out a few and you might be surprised at what interests you. Of course, sports games are huge social events and a way to make you feel more spirited and connected to your school. Most of all, don't let your social life distract you from the reason you are at college in the first place--to get an education. Always put your classes first.