James Madison University Top Questions

I would tell them to visit as many colleges as possible. College visits are very important becuase you get a good feel of the kind of people that attend the college and you see the environment that you would be living in for the next 4 years of your life. Don't limit yourself to small, or medium, or large schools. Test them all out, because you might be looking at a small school but a medium school could be a better fit for you. Also, dont stick with one geographically location. If you know you want to go south, look at a couple schools north. Thats what I did, I wanted to go north and ended up in the south, but it's alot like the north becuase I'm in the mountains.

Academics are important but the friends you make and activities you participate in are what make the college experience. Talk to current students if possible to get an idea about the real atmosphere of the school. Sometimes what is advertised in school pamphlets doesn't show the real picture. Ask about the weekend scene and social lives of students. If you know what major you're interested in make sure your school offers it. Get to know your classmates and professors. Get involved by joining clubs or sports; it's the best way to meet other students, make friends, and give you a connection to the school. Most of all, follow your instincts. The college experience is what you make of it.

Do not limit the schools that you look at because there are so many options. Give every college a chance, meaning tour all different kinds of schools. Think about all of the factors you want in the college you choose, make a list and see if those schools fulfill your needs. Make sure that you can accomplish your goals at your college and are surrounded in a positive environment. Parents, make sure the college is within your budget and affordable, because a financial struggle can cause a lot of family problems.

I would tell students that they need to follow their heart. If they have things that they are looking for like a certain sized school, athletics or academic programs that will definitely help narrow the search. Either way if you have criteria or not, it definitely helps to visit the campus and explore the school websites (if you can't get to the university) and take a tour, talk to the people and go in the buildings and see what the environment is like. It really helps with the decision of what school will be best. As far as making the most out of the college experience; take part in the freshman orientation if it is offered, that is where you will make some of your life long friends. Get involved in something, there ar normally hundreds of things to do. Go to athletic and other school events. Take advantage of the availability of your professors, never be afraid to ask questions and study groups are always a great choice. College is going to be what you choose to make of it so just go in with a optimistic outlook and take chances.

I would let them know to follow their heart. More importantly though, make sure to look at different kinds of colleges. All I ever looked at was large universities, and here I am wishing I was at a smaller one. Take the time to visit each school, take a tour of the campus, and ask students who currently attend to give yourself a feel of what the school is really like. If you are not comfortable with parties and drinking, I really suggest asking others who are currently attending to tell you the truth about the party scene. Pick a school you could honestly see yourself at, not because of its name or because you think your friends will be jealous. Really sit down and think about what you are picking, but it will alter your life completely.

I would tell students and parents, to go visit the college, when they aren't giving tours, when they campus wasn't prepped for thousands of prospective students and their families to visit the campus. That is when they are going to see if that school is really what they say they are, are they the friendliest, cleanest, most school-spirited, it's a time when you can see what the atmosphere at that university is really like. Also, for the students, really do your research when it comes to your major and what you want to do, find out what schools have the best programs, if you have limitations work with them, if you can't go out of state for example, then find the best business programs within your state. It's especially important that students also know about their program, when they will start taking major-related courses, required GPA, and pre-requisite classes that are needed. Students need to be organized, have good time management, but also know that part of the college experience is making those friendships you will have for the rest of your life, so focus on that too.

Parents and students should visit as many colleges as they can in order to experience the ways each one differ. This will give not only the parents but the student a feel of where he/she will fit in on and off campus. While visiting they should talk with current students and faculty and perhaps ask questions that they have about on campus life as well as the community around the campus. If possible they could try to participate in an on campus activity,such as football game or sit in on a class.They should also drive into town, have lunch or go shopping. This would not only benefit the student but the parents as well.

I would advise them to visit the school outside of visitors weekend. It allows you to see how the campus really is when the school isn't trying to show off. You know when you find the right school.

I went away to college in order to see and experience what a Shenandoah Valley brochure had visually invoked inside of me, a certain excitement and beautiful escape that whirled my vision like an array of waltzing illumination. As I write this response, sitting in the fourth seat to the left in one of JMU's blue-stone buildings, laptop open and eyes absorbing today?s sunrays over the green valley and tall mountains, I type without giving the keys even a glance. I did not choose JMU to tap on keyboard- but to peer out of a window, reflect, and look forward to the beautiful lessons that I will learn in this seat. The room is illuminated- the weather is perfect- there are friends laughing below- squirrels are climbing up the neighboring blue-stone building to say hello- and the remnants of past lessons flow through my mind, brushed along by the cool Shenandoah breeze just outside the windowpane. My advice is, choose the college that makes you feel alive. I wish I could contact the photographer who compiled my Shenandoah Valley brochure three years ago; this view should grace the front page.

Parents don't pressure your kids to go to a certain school or into a certain major. Let them figure it out thats the best way to find the right college.