Ohio University-Main Campus Top Questions

I would say to give wherever you end up a chance. I came into OU thinking that I was going to hate it. The negative attitude that I had preformed about the school made me act negatively toward it and everything about it. I was miserable my first year and I ended up getting released from the university. That was a wake up call. I wrote a paper and got reinstated. Once reinstated, I canged my entire outlook on the university and myself as a person. I came back, raised my GPA, and now I have a greater love and respect for this university. When looking at a school, determine whether distance will be an issue. I love my mother and OU is an hour and fifteen minutes from my home town. I wanted to go to Tennessee, but I probably would have been miserable. Also, consider the cost. Staying in state is a wonderful option, considering the costs of tuition and now they annually increase, and this increase is significant. Lastly, for parent and student, keep a positive attitude. Support one another. You always need someone back home cheering you on and loving you, regardless of anything negative.

Definitely go on a college visit to the colleges that you are considering. You never know how much you really like it until you experience time on the campus.

I recommend visiting the schools you are interested in and trying to find someone to stay with for the weekend. Get a feel of what the life is like on the campus. Also, see if the school is going to offer you a good education in what you are looking for. Don't just go someplace because it has a great party scene or your favorite football team. You aren't paying to go to a school for the football team or beer, you are going there to get an education.

Give every college a chance and visit as many as possible

I would make sure you visit the top colleges on your list while you're waiting for acceptance letters. Once you know where you've been accepted I would sit and talk about the possibilities and try to narrow it down to a few choices. I would then visit those colleges again and takes notes on things you did and didn't like. Make sure you ask lots of questions, even if you think they're dumb. I made a pro/con list to help me decide between my top 2 choices and I think that really helped alot. I would also suggest not picking a school just because your best friend or boyfriend/girlfriend goes there. Think outside of the box, choose a place you think you could fit in and grow in.

Go with a college that you feel at home when you visit. Get to know some of the people around the campus and interact with them to determine whether that campus is right for you.

Visit lots of schools and see whats right for you.

Fill out the FAFSA early and visit a lot of schools and apply to a lot of schools.

Go on a college visit without your parents. Ask real questions from students. Don't let things overwhelm you, just roll with the punches. Things change and so should you.

Visit the college on a day that is not designated for freshmen orientation. See how the campus runs on a daily basis. Talk to professors in the area of study you are interested in to make sure they are interested in you. Take note of the quality of the dorms, construction going on, availability of transportation, and store locations. Definitely consider living arrangements, health care, security, and expense.