Mississippi State University Top Questions

My advice to parents and/or students about finding the right college is to start looking early and look thoroughly. I regret when I looked at colleges most of my "campus tours" were done online rather than actually on campus. It's important to go the university and see it and spend some time there. If possible, stay overnight, maybe not with a parent but with a friend in order to experience the students' social atmosphere and personalities. Remember, this a a place and these are the typ of people you will, hopefully, be spending the next four years of your life with. If you're not happy spending a weekend there why would anyone want to waste four years of their life. Another thing I wish parents and/or students could avoid is only looking at the numbers. Just like the old saying "money can't buy happiness," just because one school offers more scholarship money than the other doesn't make it the right place to sign with. All in all, do what makes the student happy and what makes them feel comfortable, balanced with what the parents feel is in their child's best educational interest.

I would tell parents to be supportive of their children's college choice no matter how much they may disagree. I would tell students to go with the choice that makes them feel the most comfortable. I would also tell them to remember to study, study, study and always put school before play.

Follow your heart.

Many first year students jump into the college life without knowing consequences to one's actions. A student is living on campus with no parental guidance is something a student must learn to adjust to, but not take advantage of the privilege. When considering what college a student wants to attend depends on many factors: location, campus condition, education background, etc. Then, once a student makes their decision, they can begin to enjoy the positive things about college life.

Mississippi State University is a great school. It has many rescources to help students not only with school, but the resources at this college helps students learn to help themselves academically and to help better themselves as a person. There is never a dull moment, but that does not mean it is distracting. No matter what the activivty - be it sports, music, clubs, groups, ect - you always feel involved. Professors and teachers want to see their students work hard and reap the benefits from working hard. Though MSU was not my first choice, I never once regretted my choice in enrolling at this fine college. I love this school, I love the faculty - both teaching and non-teaching, and the friends that I have made here are friends that are the truest and rarest. Mississippi State University is not only my school, but it is my second home.

To look at lots of colleges, and apply to lots of colleges. Then, visit the colleges and let the student get a feel for where they belong. No college is right for every student. The student needs to be completely comfortable, and the parents need to let the student make a decision, not force them to pick one school or another.

Take a large group of colleges you like along with the fields of study that interest you as well as your social lifestyle needs and overlap the areas and see which college you best fit. Best fit as in a college you like with a degree program your interested in and enough social activites for you to engage in.

The crucial element of a college to look for is whether or not it offers the degree in which you are desiring to obtain. With those options laid before you, just visit the campus. By meeting with the financial aid offices and professors in your subject area you can get a good idea of how life oncampus will be. Finding a great college just for you is simple if you simply put forth the effort to find it.

When searching for the right college, you want to consider what your major will be. Look at the colleges academic record with that particular major. Do they excell in that area? Most colleges specialize in one or two areas. Visit the campuses of the colleges you are looking to get into. See if you feel at home there, because if you decide to attend that college campus will become your home. If you feel akward and at unease you may want to consider somewhere different. Another thing that you might want to check on is does that college require you to attend all your classes or require freshmen to live on campus. Do you agree with the colleges rules? When you choose the college that you will attend get involved. You will meet new people that will become some of your best friends at college. Do not forget the reason that you are going to college though. It is important to remember to study, work hard, and maintain a high GPA so that when your college days are over you can find a great job and start your life on the right track.

My best advice would be for the student to pick the college that they feel they would fit in the best, not where the parent would like to see them attend. It is very important for the success of the student that they are happy at the school they choose. Make sure you tour many schools before picking the one that you want to attend.