North Carolina State University at Raleigh Top Questions

Start early in your search and your planning.

My advice would be to go visit many different colleges and ask lots of questions. If you decide to take the campus tour, dont be afraid to go up to random students and ask them what their opinion is. Talk to as many people as possible so you can get a feel for the campus. You'll know very quickly whether or not it's a place for you. As for when you finally decide on a college, dont be afraid to get out there and meet new people. Take advantage of all the activities going on at the beginning of the year, no matter how lame they might seem. It's extremely easy to meet new friends in college, you just have to have a positive attitude!!

Read all the information they send to you.

Get a good feel of the school, its academic reputation, what the students do for fun, and the type of personalities that seemingly dominate the school. Visit!

Choose a school that you can see yourself at class, sporting events, art events, and social events. It's important to feel like you are at home even while away. I think that while social activities are extremely important to a well rounded college education, you need to be very smart about your academic choices as well. Make sure that you have fun, but that you focus a lot on the classwork you're there for. I know I made a mistake by putting my social life first--leading to a GPA that I'm not pleased with. I also had a dream to go to Veterinary School, but because I didn't stay focused like I know that I could have, I missed out. Follow the things that you want, and stick to it. Good luck!! Parents--be there for them when things aren't perfect.

Never limit yourself! College is all about expanding your beliefs and looking at life through new experiences. The right college is one that you feel comfortable fitting into, but with lots of room for experiencing new cultures and plenty of opportunity to observe and participate in activities that will challenge you. This is the most exciting time in your life, and the memories you have will forever shape your identity. Parents should look at schools that offer a variety of opportunities for students outside of academics like opportunities to study abroad, service projects, diverse clubs, and cultural experiences and students should take every opportunity they have to trying out everything their college has to offer. At the same time you can't forget about academics so pick a school where the faculty are willing to mentor you about your future. They will be an invaluable resource for you will help you begin networking for the career you choose to pursue. Loving the environment that you are in and having ample social opportunities makes the next four years of cramming in the library all night much more bearable.

As far as finding the right college goes, I suggest finding one that fits the career you want to go into. If you can not get into that one go to your next choice do well and transfer, I know many engineering students here at NC State who transfered from other schools like ECU and Carolina that are not engineering based schools. Once you get into college, go out to events like semester opening bashes, do intermural sports, or anything else that may interest you. Do not be afraid to get out there and have fun but make sure your acedemics are kept up. The hardest part about college is getting a balance between your school work and your social life.

If I had the opportunity to give advice to parents and/or students about the importance of finding the right college and making the most of their college experience I would tell them to follow their heart. Many students tend to follow their parents' ambitions and do not trust where their hearts want them to go. I would tell the students to listen within and to go where they will be happy. If the student is happy, they are more likely to succeed because they are in the place where they wanted to be, not where their parents wanted them to be. The student will have more pride in what they accomplish and them choosing the right college that meets their needs also aids in the process of getting the most out of their college experience. Not only should the student focus on their academics, but they should also strive to meet new people with similar interests as well as those different from them to help mold the student into becoming a well-rounded individual. Academics is great, but you also need to try to be social and outgoing so that when you graduate, you will know who you are .

Begin you search early. Don't wait until you're walking across the stage or even a few months prior. I waited, and did not have the opportunity to educate myself about all of the options out there. Be sure to educate yourself. Talk to people who are in positions that afford them both knowledge and resources. Talk to your advisors and counselors. They are at your school to help you find and get in the college of 'your dreams'. And take a few apptitude tests to find out what careers align with your interests so that you'll know which general path to take when you get into college. And when you arrive at that college, be sure to familiarize yourself with all of the options there. Meet and speak with the people in power, such as financial aid officers, advisors, and professors. Also, get involved, there is no better college experience than one that combines a healthy social life and a balanced academic work load.

To find the right college, do your research! Go to the campus and take a tour, go online and read about what they have to offer and the costs, and decide if it's in the right location for you. Be sure to focus on school and get help with a class if you need it, but don't be afraid to have some fun once in a while, and try to meet as many people as you can because they could turn out to be your life-long best friends. Try to get involved in a club or fraternity/sorority on campus that shares your interest (chances are there's a club for everything...even basketweaving!). Also, if you ever need anything, turn to your advisor or a favorite teacher, that's what they're there for and they're more than happy to help you!