Miami University-Oxford Top Questions

Do not panic about test scores and GPA's.

I would advise parents and students to talke about what the student expects out of the college experience. Parents and students need to have real conversation about the cost of education and where that money will come from. This real expectation will help define what type of college is affordable and best sited to the students wishes. Both parent and student need to honestly evaluate the home sickness factor and just how far away is far enough. To sum it up real communication and expectations on both parent and students part.

I would advise parents and/or students to be actively engaged at their college. Typically the students who do not seek social events, communicate with faculty members, or other students will not fulfill their college experience. As long as the student makes sure he or/she is committed to their studies and is giving back to their community, they will be successful. In addition the student should know they need to balance their social and academic life. If they are able to go out with friends and have fun while still performing at a high level in the classroom and remain committed to their committments everything will be fine.

Parents and Students should look at ALL aspects of the college. There is more to a college then majors, cost of attendance, and distance from home. People forget to think about the people that go there. Are they artsy, sorority girls, atheletes, nerds, or binge drinkers? Students can ultimately be unhappy no matter what school, because the school doesn't fit them. It is not about being the best student for that school, but about the school being the best for the student.

The advice I would give to parents/and or students when making the choice for the right college is to actually visit the campus. There is a great deal of research that you need to to before you whittle your choices down. It's important to think about your own lifestyle and your family closeness. This determines how far away you feel you can live. Once you have your choices, it's vital to visit the campus during a group tour. Every campus has it's own feel and personality. You will get to know it as you walk around the campus. By the end of the tour you will know if the college fits you or not. Along those lines, it's important to look at the types of extra curriculars that are offered to see if they are compatible with your interests. Besides studying and keeping your grades up, it's important to get out and get involved in those extra curriculars. College is about meeting people and making connections as much as it is about curriculum. These are friends you could have for the rest of your life! Make the most of everything offered outside of classes!

My first part of advice is the most important: ultimately it has to be the student's decision, because otherwise there is almost no chance of success in terms of "finding the right college". Beyond that I think it is crucial to consider three aspects of the school you could possibly attend: location, size and atmosphere. Location because if you are looking to stay close to home (whether to mooch off of mom's food or to enjoy family company) then flying halfway across the country and isolating yourself is definitely not a good choice. Conversely, if you are dying for some true freedom and independence, then a few hundred miles can be a great bonus. Size is also important because generally campus size and class size correlate. So if you want a lot of contact with professors, I recommend looking toward smaller schools. And finally atmosphere. You have to decide if you are looking for a college in a big city where there is lots to do but everything is expensive, or a more rural experience, where life is only on the campus itself. All these considered, all you need to make the most of college is self motivation.

Within reason, go with your instincts

Invest the time and effort to totally understand the college experience offered; the academic expectations/fit. How comfortable will you be at this school - shared interests with other students? Do not be misled to attend a certain school simply because it may be the "right thing" to do. Feel good about your choice that you make, and be an involved citizen! The college experience will only get better and better - imploring success!

Make sure to do your research and find out what programs the school offers, how the professors are viewed by academic experts in their field and be practical about the distance from home, costs and programs offered. If any of these things don't meet your expecatations, you would be better off picking another school.

Figure out what aspects of a university are the most important to the student, be it academic reputation, financial aid availability, Greek life, etc. Research schools and evaluate them using these criteria. Visit some of your top choices when students are on campus and ask them questions about their experience at the school. Once you start college, it is very important to keep an open mind! You will encounter all types of different people, and you may miss out on a good friend if you adhere to a pre-conceived notion about the person.