Truman State University Top Questions

Ask your friends and parents for advice, but don't be compelled to choose a school based on other people. Visit and research every school, and then pick the school where you feel that you really belong. Get to know current students, and think about whether they are people that you could see yourself becoming friends with. Also, don't pick a school just because it has a great program in your desired major. Make sure that you choose a college that has many strong programs; most people end up changing their major after they matriculate.

Travel around and visit college campuses before applying/accepting to get a better feel for what you are looking for. Attend a school for YOU, not for your best friend or significant other. When looking for a school, note the school's reputation, location, cost, and student/teacher ratio. Study hard--it's school for a reason!--but take time for yourself and making friends. Keep an open mind towards your peers and their beliefs, but remember where you came from and what you value/believe in. Save money when you can, journal when you can, and take pictures when you can. Working towards a goal in extracurricular activities (volunteer, athletics, etc.) does wonders in the name of self-accomplishment as well. If/when you have trouble in a class or with an assignment, visit the professor; he/she will usually appreciate that you took the time and effort to learn. It is better to ask and be correct than to guess and potentially be incorrect. Best of luck!

Visit as many colleges as you can. That is the only real way to know what you want. When you walk through a campus and it just feels right, then it is. Don't overthink it and go with your gut feeling. I am not saying don't take other factors into consideration, but it really comes down to where you feel right. If you don't get a great feeling on the campus, don't force it. To make the most of your college experience, you have to get invovled. There are so many activities to do on any campus and it is super easy to get involved! The friends you make in college are great friends that are going through the same things you are. Another thing that will help you get the most out of college is to take advantage of all the opportunities there are. Do research, go to fake interviews, take free practice standarized tests, go to the on campus concerts and game nights...there are so many ways to meet people and have a great time!

When finding the right college, I think it is important to choose a school that has a strong general studies program, like the Liberal Studies Program. This program will immerse students in classes that stretch over varies areas of study beyond what they are taking for their major. It will help their critical thinking skills and make them well rounded. In making the most of their experience, I would tell students to get involved. Colleges offer many organizations and discussion groups, so it would be easy to find one that expresses a certain hobby or interest. Service and social fraternities/sororities can help students to find other students who share similar interests and they can form a bond that can last a lifetime. If you are interested in music, many schools offer choirs and bands that you do not have to tryout for. College is what you make of it. By studying hard and finding a good, close-knit group of friends, it can be one of the best experiences of your lifetime.

The single most important factor in choosing the right college is identifying your goals, whether they be financial, career/professional, personal development, or some other kind. The school I attended for my undergraduate degree focuses more on developing and nurturing responsible citizens through an emphasis on the Liberal Arts rather than training students in how to find or do specific jobs. While this is a drawback in some ways, it aligned with my personal goals. The same could not be said for someone with different priorities. So, once you've established the goals that are most important to you, you have to go shopping for a school that complements those goals. Making the most of your college experience is a bit easier, and it's two-fold: do your work to the best of your ability, and have fun. My school was very small and located in a rural part of northeast Missouri, so social and cultural opportunities didn't abound on their own, but it taught me how to entertain myself and make good, lifelong friends.

I would advise them to be thorough during their searches, and be sure to visit with the specific professors in their fields. Also, start early in applying. It can actually save time, money, and energy.

I didn't start looking for schools until I was a senior in high school. I was overwelmed that year, because I did not have a chance to visit all of the schools that I wanted. Start visiting possible schools during your junior year in high school so that you have plenty of time to make final decisions during your senior year. When I applied for schools, I didn't know what questions to ask. Find out what resources will be available to help you once you are in college. Talk to professors who will be teaching your major classes. Sit in on a class. Most importantly, talk to current students - they will be able to tell you how the residential life, academic life, extra-curricular life, and general feel of the school is. As them what their biggest advice in choosing a school would be. Finally, I am a very faithful Christian. If you pray about the decision and trust that wherever you end up is the right place, it will make the search for a school much easier. It took me two years to realize that the school I ended up at was absolutely perfect.

The selection process can be overwhelming. Know what you want. Small town or big city? Large or small campus? Strong athletic college or strong academic college? Price is also a big factor. My choice was easier because I knew that I wanted a small campus in a small town that had a large focus on academics and encouraged teaching rather than research from faculty. Once you know what you want, finding the perfect college is much easier. Be sure to utilize resources. Almost every college will be happy to send you information if you only ask. Making the most of your college experience can be done several ways. Some students find happiness with Greek life. For me, meeting people who are different from myself and learning about them has made my college experience amazing. I have made friends with International students who come from all over the world. These people have really made my experience better than I ever expected socially. Academically, just remember that professors are always willing to help. You can talk to professors about hard classes or even life decisions. They are valuable resources.

When choosing a school you should consider what will be condusive to learning and working, as well as be a place where you can live for 4 years. You should visit the campus because pictures can be deceiving as well as meet the professors and talk to the students; they will have the real scoop on the school. Find out about the school's plans for the next few years, like tuition cost changes, room/board, or meal plan changes; look into anything that could affect you after you enter the school. Don't worry if you choose a school and then change your mind. You're spending too much money not to like where you're going!

Visit the college first and talk to as many students as you can.