North Carolina State University at Raleigh Top Questions

I recommend that students and parents visit two or three schools of their choice; talking with individual students and professors on a one-to-one basis. This way, the parents and prospective students will receive the best verbal and non-verbal answers to their questions and concerns. I encourage individuals to take advantage of the learning resources available to them. Attend Orientation Week and attend student performances held at the Student Center. Take a tour of select residential halls in different areas of the campus in order to obtain a well-rounded experience of the different residential and social opportunities. In addition, I encourage potential students to sit in on lectures from professors that they are interested in. In addition, please obtain a map from the student center and create your own personal campus tour, being sure to check out the dining hall(s), bookstore, and library. Participate in school pride by attending a home game, depending on the athletic season. Nevertheless, it is best to visit campuses during the week to learn from current students; and to get the best social experiences that the university has to offer! Don?t be afraid to ask questions and have fun!

I would advise parents and students to look deeper than the tours and information provided by the university itself, and look at the actual experience current students of that university are having. It can help avoid future dissapointment, because of course a university is going to work very hard to give themselves a good name, which makes them a very one-sided source. Schools with an excellent repuation that seem very attractive while you are researching a school to enroll in may actually be experiencing a decline in quality or growing pains that will affect that school negatively by the time you are accepted and enroll. Caution should be used even when a choice seems to be a guaranteed success. College is one of the greatest experiences ever on many different levels, and social aspects should not be ignored. Education is of course the biggest priority when selecting a school, but a poor quality of life or enjoyment of the experience socially can take a toll on how well you benefit from an otherwise excellent school. Do independent research! Find a balance between educational and social satisfaction!

Take a month or more to think hard about just what you WANT to do with your life, not necessarily what makes the most money. When you figure out your interests and what career fits that best, apply to the local college that would give you the best education, as well as other local colleges as back-ups. When you get to college, remember to have fun in any way you want to, stay on top of your studies, and don't sweat the small stuff. Keep your priorities in mind.

Do your research, find out which school fits you the most, go to all social events the school has your freshman year, attent every single day of class, do your homework before it gets rusty, have fun, and also know how to pay for college before you get there. There are a lot of scholarships out there, all you have to do is keep trying until you get lucky.

Visit the college before you make a decision and see what the social life is on and off campus.

Never give up looking for a school if you aren't satesfied with what is offered, you never know when or where you will find the perfect school. To parents, trust that your kids are making the best decision for their future no matter what school they choose and support their decision. Even if it seams like you won't be able to afford it, the school will help them with financial aid. The important thing is that you find a school where you believe you will get the best education you can possibley get, once you get there you will make some incredible friendships. I can certainly understand a parents hesitancy about their child going far away from home but again, trust them and they will make you proud.

Make sure that you tour the University or college that you plan on attending, and make sure that you visit multiple places. In addition be sure to think outside the box when deciding on where to apply. Even though out of state may be more expensive don't rule out the option because there may be a great University that has the location, degree, and extracurricular options that you would thrive with. Finding a University is not about going for the reputation of the school, but more about finding the right match for your needs, goals, and talents. I was going to go to UNC Chapel Hill but when I visited I got a weird vibe. There is no better way to explain it, but when I went to NC State I felt comfortable and almost at home. I could see myself going there for four years and feeling comfortable. I also was inducted into a dual degree program which made the large University setting scale down into a more personalized acceptance. You should go where you are not treated like a number, but as an individual that will benefit the growth and progress of the University.

In order to find the right college, base it around what you want to do with your life and what school has the best program for your major, rather than around location, social aspects, appareance, etc. While in college, really get involved with various organiztions on campus so that you have a sense of comittment and belonging. While it is important to engage in social activities, do not let your social life take over your schoolwork, because you really are in college in order to prepare for your future career.

Do your reasearch and figure out where you want to be a student, not where your parents want you to go, or where your boyfriend or girlfriend want you to go, but where you truly fit in.

Figure out what you want to do after college, and find a college that will prepare you for that. If you want to be trained in a skill or trade, choose a college or university that focuses on doing that. Don't settle for a University or college that does that thing on the side if you are serious about it. GO MEET THE FACULTY AND SEE THE FACILITIES before accepting an offer to enroll! Go talk to other students during the week days. If students are not receptive to you walking up to them and talking to them around campus when you are a senior in high school, and asking questions-- like at the lunch hall, or whatever, then they will not be receptive to you as a freshman in highschool, either. I visited NCSU several times before attending, and met faculty, toured facilities, I even went to a summer camp here to stay in the dorms before moving into them. I talked to students who were assigned to talk to me-- and random people I met in common areas. Be friendly, focus on your goals, and college is fine.