Shenandoah University Top Questions

The most important thing is to visit the campuses that you are interested in, but not on a typical orientation day. Go on a day when you can see the campus and how the students are interacting with each other. That is the best way to experience the surroundings. Also, be open to what you see. Some people have not experienced a lot of things, and when they see it they can simply cross that college or university off the list. Don't do that. There are things to be learned and experienced besides stuff from books.

pick a cheaper school

The number one thing I can think to tell others about chosing a college is visit the school. Places may look very nice in pictures but you can't be sure if it is right for you until you step foot on the campus and walk around. Another important thing I did that helped me greatly was writing a letter to the financial aid office explaining my personal situation and they were able to better help me to finance my education based on those circumstances.

The best advise I can offer for students and parents considering different colleges is to do their research. I think one mistake I made when I was selecting which college to apply to is not doing enough research on the schools I selected. The internet is truly a great tool for all sorts of research on any college. Aspects of a college that would be best to reaseach are student life, acedamics, professor to student ratios, test-scores of students accepted to graduate school. Also, the locale of a school is somewhat of importance in student life on campus. Both student and parent should make sure the school is trailored to both the needs and wants of the prospective student before applying to a certain college. A student should not try to tailor themselves to fit into the school but choose the right school that fits themself.

I would say that just follow your heart in making a decision like this. Choose a college that would benefit you the most and enjoy your time time in college because you only live through it once.

I would tell the student to look at the types of people that go to the school already and to make sure the faculty will be willing to help. To make the most of their experience they should become involved in many extracurricular activities and don't be afraid to speak up in class.

It is a personal choice dont let you friends persway you college decision

When looking for a college or university it is helpful to have some idea of what the student would like to do in the future, or at least what they are interested in. This helps to pick schools that have the major or minors that would be appealing to the student. It is also important to take into considersation the distance away from home. I think it is best to find something that is far enough away, but still close in case of home sickness. The size of the school is also important. Something too small can feel smothering, whereas something too big may make the student feel lost and alone. Once you find the school you think is best it is important to embrace the activites on campus. Participating as much as you can while still keep up with your schooling is the best way to get the most out of your college or university. You pay to go there, so take advantage of everything that they are giving you.

Pursue what you are really interested it, what you care about. Make sure you like the campus, if you can vsit the campus and like it in the rain, then you will like it in the sun. Go to the Welcome Week activities even if they seem silly, thats where you meet your friends. Go to class!! Even if there isn't an attendance policy, go, you wont learn if you don't go to class. Don't party to much, I'm not saying don't go, parties are an important social scene, but that doesn't mean you need to party every weekend. Get to know your roommate, and if you don't get along switch roommates. Don't go home to often, make college your new home.

In order for the student and the parent to feel comfortable about the school that is chosen, I feel it is very important to visit these colleges and universties, even if you cannot get a tour guide, ou walking around the campus wil tell you a lot about the school. I personally visited 13 schools before I chose the school I actually attended. Some of the schools that looked amazing on paper gave my the wrong vibe when I walked around on the campus. This also gave me the opportunity to see how students interact on campus without it being 'staged.' Its very important to see a campus and talk to students who go there (even if all you do is ask where the restroom is or the cafeteria), you will stil get a vibe from the students.