Queens University of Charlotte Top Questions

dont get carried away with living on your own. you have a job to do in school and that's get your degree. life is fun, just remember to make as much money as you can because they aren't going to give it to you. And try your hardest to get AWESOME grades.

My advice to parents about finding the right college for their children is to let their children choose what colleges that they are most interested in rather than forcing a certain school or area on them. Then once they have chosen a few, look into details about the schools and compare them. It is very important for the parents and students to visit the colleges and see how they feel when they do so. Students, when you visit, ask lots of questions. Ask current students what they think about the class sizes, campus housing, availibility of the faculty and help with school work, the food on campus, extra curricular activities, how easy it is to get involved on campus and meet new people, etc. Do this at each campus that you visit and compare answers. Also, consider each of your first impressions and memories of these visits. Most people feel that they know which college is right for them as soon as they visit the campus! Don't be afraid to ask questions!

Being the first person in my family to attend a university, I know first-hand how confusing the college application process is. It is hard to get a feel for what you are interested in when looking for a school. I recommend looking at all the programs and activities the school has to offer. Academics are important, but only relevant if the school you choose makes you happy. In order to find out, you should visit colleges overnight. This is the best way to get a feel for the campus life. You may find that certain schools aren't for you by exploring the things that students do in thier spare time. Once you choose a school and start attending, it is always best to get involved. Join clubs and intermural sports teams. This is a good way to meet people with similar interests as you and makes adjusting to college life a lot easier. If you don't get involved, it is hard to make friends and you may becoeme more homesick. Keep yourself busy, and don't lose touch with your family. They are your support system and will help you through the difficult times/choices during college.

To find the right college you have to make sure that every aspect of the college fits you. Make sure you visit the school before you end up enrolling, you dont want to hate the campus later on. Dont settle on one college if you havent given any other colleges a chance. You may not think you need to but it will definately help in making your decision and finding the right college for you. To make the most of your college experience I reccomend trying a little bit of everything. Go to events, experience as much as you can before its too late and you dont get a chance to in the future.

First, have a game plan, know what you can afford, know what you are looking for, know what major you are interested in, and do not be afraid to try new things. As far as paying for college, try scholarships, save up, and do not be afraid to take out college loans (but reasonably). For your college choice, make sure the size is right (small, big), make sure the environment is something you can see yourself in, know the student-teacher ratio, make sure the school will prepare you for the real world (community service, job placement/graduate school, and international experiences), and be sure to check out the school before attending it (dorms, classrooms, and everything in between). In college, choose a major that you are genuinely interested in, learn about careers in your major, stay well rounded with extra curricular activities & a healthy social life (so avoid bad situations like excessive alcohol & any drugs) , and make life-long friends. Lastly, try not to be hesitant to go to a school in a new state /unfamiliar city, or an international school, and keep an open mind about the school itself (meaning not perfection but a good fit).

Perspective students should spend the night with a student embassador as part of their decision process.

Start early! No good decision is made quickly, especially not one that will determine where you will spend your next four years. Search a lot of schools to start. The school you have thought you would go to throughout high school may not be the one for you. You need a long list to search and mark off as you go, by checking on things like academic programs. Take visits to as many as possible. The pictures on the websites and conversations you have on the phone with admissions counselors are nothing like taking a walk around the campus and interacting with the students who are currently enrolled. You may realize that what you thought was a beautiful campus in pictures is not, and what you really didn't want to give a second look at, is the school you were meant to go to all along. Finally, talk it over with your parents. If they are making the payments, they should be able to express their opinion. Also, they truly do know what's best for you. Take their advice!

My advice to parents or students about finding the right college is apply, apply, apply. If you think you might like a school apply to it, even if you can't afford it or think you wouldn't really go there. I didn't apply to many schools so my school decision was kind of made for me. You never know what kind of financial aid you might get or if you will be accepted until you apply. Once you reach college, take advantage of everything! Definitely explore areas that you are already interested in regarding to classes, clubs, and social activities. But, also try new things too. This is the time in your life to experience life and all it has to offer. It is the time when you discover yourself, and you cannot fully know yourself until you have a variety of experiences. When you look back on your college years, you do not want to wonder, "What if I would have joined that club, or went to that political debate?" In college, live your life to the fullest, with no regrets.

Try to define who you/your child wish to become and stive for a school that supports that. Also, pick a school that will challenge your/your child's views on things and really test you/them to become independent people with individual voices. I see so many freshmen that come into college with a friend or buddy that they spent all their time with that denied them any difference from HighSchool. College is to bridge the gap between a child and an adult. It is important to grow up in these 4 years(or more). Just because a school that seems perfect for you/your child doesn't allow you/them to be exactly where you/your child had pictured yourself/themselves doesn't mean that what they offer is any less valuable. Realize that not every college is for every person; that's why they differ so much. All in all, put everything into your/ your child's experience because it's a great place to learn stuff other than what you need to be academically sound.. its a place to learn how to be successful. Sometimes that is not only academics alone.

My advice to students would be to go with your instinct. As you enter campus, try to imagine yourself sitting in the quad or walking across campus for class. The first reaction can often be the truest, at least it was for me. If the school offers an option of spending the night with a current student, or sitting in on a class, take advantage of it! It will give you an opportunity to observe the student/professor interactions, as well as typical class sizes and teaching styles. Check out the availability of tutors, the availability of campus police, the amount of psychological help available. If you have the chance, check out the dining hall and ask the students how the food is - they won't lie! Also, don't let the tuition scare you away! Pursue all financial aid options and apply for all scholarships available so that your choice is not limited purely by your ability or inability to afford the tuition. If you have many schools to choose from, create a list of your priorities and/or qualities you want in a school (such as distance from home or class size) to help dwindle the choices down.