Michigan State University Top Questions

Parents and students should be looking at what they can afford for going to college. Financial aid is available at many schools, but starting off after college with over $10,000 can make your financial situation difficult for years. Along with financial aid pay attention to what you think best suits you. If you do not like big cities or big crouds, you may want to find a smaller school even though it is not one of the popular universities in your state. Look around and see which campus you feel most comfortable at. Just because all of your friends are choosing a certain university does not make it the right one for you.

Selecting the college that is right for you is a challenging process. With so many great schools available all around the country, it's hard as a teenager to choose the institution where you will earn the education that will help shape your future. It's important to research different schools, go online and look at the websites of all schools you may be interested in. Start with a broad search and then pick out certain characteristics that you like the most (size, location, programs offered, sports). From here make a list of the schools that have the qualities that you want. Once you've narrowed it down plan trips to visit your top schools. It is important to take a trip to a school before you enroll, because you are going to be spending lots of time and money there and you should make sure it's what you want. Parents should be involved in this process, it's necessary to take both what the student and parent want and find a school that offers both. The college years are fun and exciting but in order for them to go smoothly it is important to research and plan ahead.

Choosing the right college is like choosing a second home. The student must feel welcome, and comfortable on campus, or it will be nearly impossible to study, interact with professors, and make friends; all of which are vital to make this stage of life a success. Most importantly, encourage the student to follow their dreams. Then decide what the student is interested in. If a desired major has not been chosen there are ?quizzes? online that formulate possible areas of interest from answers to questions about likes and dislikes. Once the student has examined possible careers research colleges that have accredited programs in those areas. Next, decide what size school the student will be comfortable attending. The final step is to visit the campuses that meet the criteria. If possible attend a class or two, people-watch and talk to professors and advisors. After a few days the student will know if that campus is someplace they can call home. Upon arrival to a new campus it is essential to experience new activites and people, but never abandon any morals. They say, your college days are the best of your life, but remember, life is only what you make it.

I think what is most important is that students go to the universities to visit before even applying. My freshman year of college I would have never dreamed of coming to MSU but after visiting the school I fell in love with it. You never know until you try, and I ended up transferring to MSU. The other thing is to really think about what you want. Anything is possible, but it needs to be something you love. If you don't like running into people you know all the time, a small school isn't for you, etc.

Many factors are necessary to consider when choosing the right university. For some families, the main limitation is cost of tuition. Many out-of-state and private schools are simply too expensive. For those students who do not have an issue with financing their education, they should consider campus and class size, extra-curricular activities, and student services (tutoring, counseling, writing centers etc.) Comparing different schools for national ranking is also important. Visiting as many campuses as possible and getting a general feel for the varying atmospheres is essential. Many schools are obviously more conservative or liberal than others. It is good to find a campus where you share common interests with the other students. An academically-geared student would have a difficult time living on a campus that is a well known 'party school'. The years spent at college can be the most important and memorable for many students. It is important to make the most of them: join clubs, attend conferences led by special speakers and learn as much about the university community as possible.

Make sure it is somewhere that you are comfortable with almost every aspect of it, the size and set up of the campus, the size of the school and the classes, the type of people that attend, etc. Make sure it is somewhere that offers majors and classes that you are interestred in and that are at a level that is right for you. Make sure the location of the school is good for you. Don't be afraid to step out of your shell, try new things, meet new people. You only get one chance to be in college, so make the most of it. Don't go home every weekend but don't forget about home either. Don't let your social life get in the way of your performance in school. There's a time for fun and there's a time to do work and study so make sure you find the right balance. College is a place to make mistakes, learn, and grow.

I would tell parents/students not to have tunnel vision when looking for the right college for them. Make sure that the college is right for the student and you are not just making them go because the parent went there, it is a good location, or because of costs. You may not have the same experience your parents had or the college may be a completely different campus now. If you want to move away or stay close, that is your choice don't let anyone talk you out of it or in to it. There are so many ways you can get assistance to pay for college that it doesn't matter what tuition costs, this is your education and experience you need to succeed. College is the most amazing growing experience of your life. When you look back on your life nobody wants to have regrets. If you want to study abroad, do it. If you want to join a sorority, do it. Most of all when you are picking out a college don't let anyone influence you. Look at the big picture and make the choice that is in your heart.

Make a list of what is important to you and rank them, then go from there. Know what kind of classroom setting and study environment works for you and go with a school like that, after all you are in school to learn. Get involved with activities that you enjoy as much as you can without having it affect your classwork. Don't be afraid to try new things and open your mind up to new ideas since college is all about new experiences. Talk to strangers sitting next to you in class and make friends whereever you go because it is all about who you know and it may get you somewhere later in life. Most importantly, don't be afraid to be yourself and express yourself. There are so many people that are trying to find themselves in college and everyone has their own style. There are students out there just like you and who will accept you the way you are so never compromise that just to 'fit' in at the party scene.

My advice would be to not feel pressured or rushed when picking a college. Take your time and pick the colleges that have the qualities that best fit what you want and make sure to visit them because sometimes they can sound better than they are. Sometimes this process can seem overwhelming but just have fun with it and you'll find the perfect college for you. College is the best time of your life so make sure you find the perfect one and make sure you enjoy it when you're there. Join clubs that best fit your personality and get out and party whenever possible. But always leave time to study and do school work or else your college career will be short, plus this is your future we're talking about! So take your time and find the best college for you, work hard and have fun!

In order to find the right college, you have to look both at the college environment and the academic programs a college offers--and feel like you would be able to fit right in with both of them--because both are essential to making the most of the college experience. Your academic program should have a lot of opportunities available for growth of knowledge and experience within your chosen field, and the college environment should supplment your academics with a lot of opportunity for growth as a human being. After that, what you choose to participate in shapes how your college experience will be.