Middle Tennessee State University Top Questions

When looking for the right college, you have to follow your heart. It could be the most prestigious of schools, but if your heart tells you it's not the right school, then it wasn't meant to be. Your parents should have a say in where you end up going to college, but it's important that you choose the school for reasons that are good for you, not for someone else. If you're going to spend four years somewhere it needs to be somewhere you're going to love being. While in school, it's important to have a social life, yes, but if that is the only reason you are in school, it may not be the right thing for you. You should balance your social life and your academic life evenly.

Let their children decide what they want.

My advice about finding the perfect school is that -- there is no perfect school. No matter if you go to an ivy league or a community college its gonna have its ups and downs. Its all about what you make of the oppurtunities you are given. Get involved in any and all clubs or extra-curricular activites that will help you grow in your field and find a job. Interact with as many students and professors as you possibily can. Its all about networking and laying the ground work while at college. I've seen so many friends just go to class and do their homework -- and thats all!!!! GET INVOLVED!! Take the extra effort to do what you want to do. Get an internship, shadow a professional, work for free if you have to. Do whatever it takes when you have the chance. Sometimes its not all about the grades you earn, but about how you spent your time getting those grades.

The most important aspects to look at while picking the right college is cost, consider your childs field of study, location, financial support.

You have to put blinders on. Forget what everyone else is doing, forget that there are spoiled kids all around you that have their education paid for and don't need or want to worry about school. Apply for every type of financial aid you can find---and this means that loans are an absolute LAST resort. FInd a network of a few friends to go to relax with. Try out as many random classes as you have to until you figure out where your niche is. It isn't a waste. It ISN'T a waste. Education is education---take all of it in and apply it to your major. Don't have a "4 year plan." That's stupid and impossible in most cases. Compete with yourself. Don't try to slide by to meet the lowest expectations possible. Even if no one else is pushing you--push yourself. You will feel 10X better on graduation day when you walk across the stage with a complete knowledge that you did it on your own.

Choose a college that you really enjoy being around. Make sure you like the town and the campus alike. Make sure you like being on the campus so that you're not dreading going to class everyday. Make sure you fall in love with where you're living and if you want to change majors go for it. Don't be afraid to just be yourself.

Although most would say that to truly enjoy the college experience one must go away from home, I strongly disagree. I am going to school approximately twenty minutes from my parents house and I am still living the college experience. One must remember that when finding the right college there are many things to consider such as distance, academic programs, and the reputation of the school. Also, do not apply to only one school because if for some reason you are not accepted it could be too late to apply for another one. Once you have started school, stay focused on what is important. Although partying might be tempting remember that once you get out of school you will be able to do anything you want without having to face academic consequences. Don't ever give up and remember everything happens for a reason.

If you can, talk to a professor in a field that you think you will major in to see what the teachers are like. It is important to have good professors!

As a Senior at Middle Tennessee State University, my advice would be to search for colleges on the internet and then narrow your selection down to three or four colleges. Next, I would apply to these colleges that you have selected and then schedule a time with the admisssions office for a campus tour. Once you are accepted and have decided which college you will attend, you should get ready for the best experience in your life. I would make another visit to the school to help you get aquainted with everything before you begin your classes. Now that you are at college you need to make the most of your time there. The most important thing you can do is to get involved in clubs and organizations that are similar to your interests. Also take time to meet with your professors and get to know them as they may be helpful to you latter when you need letters of recomendation or other various things. Even though extracurrucular activites are very important to a great college experience, one must not lose sight of the main reason they are there, which is to get an education.

The best advice that I would give to parents and students when searching for the right college is 1) Know what you want in the school/campus 2) Know how much you want to spend 3) Start looking/researching as early as possible