University of Central Missouri Top Questions

Trust your student, they know what's best for them.

Find a school that will allow you to interact with the type of peole you want to be around, as well as a school that will keep you intelectually challenged.

To parents, I would say this: It is your kid's experience, not yours. Do not try to interfere with or limit where your kid decides to apply and accept. However, please give a lot of guidance on financial matters. If you want your kids to succeed, please teach them to be wise with their spending/saving habits. To students, I would say this: You are at college, first and foremost, to learn. You are not there to drink, sleep around, or spend all day playing video games. College is a time of self-discovery, but that self-discovery includes doing things (like going to class) that will help you figure out what to do with your life. It is indeed possible to have a social life and be academically successful at the same time. Learn the art of balancing your schedule. It is key to surviving school.

Finding a college that the student likes is most important. While financial capability is an important consideration when choosing schools, students 'forced' to go to a school they don't want to won't do as well. It is also very important to fill out as many scholarship applications as possible. Sometimes all it takes is applying for the right scholarship to be able to go to whatever school you want to. It is very important to be socially active on campus, whether through club-sports or something of that nature, college is about opening your mind and meeting people and no one can do that while sitting in their dorm-room! Best of luck with your college search!

Make sure you get as much information on how much it will cost and your options about finacial aid

Finding the right college is like finding a new best friend. It is important to find a friend with whom you have chemistry and are willing to spend all of your time. It doesn't matter what you're doing, they just make you feel good about yourself, challenge you to grow and explore and provide opportunities for new experiences. Most importantly, is finding a person who compliments your personality. If you feel like the school meets these standards and is a place in which you can see yourself flourishing into the person you want to become, then there is a good chance that the school is a good fit for you!

dont follow a boyfriend/girlfriend!! DON'T DO IT!! I mean it

For female freshmen i would advise not rooming with your best friends. Its never a good story in the end. For parents, support the students even if they're not making the grade that you think they should be making. Some classes and teachers are pretty hard to deal with.

My advice in choosing the right college is to look at the campus. The campus tells a lot about what your experience will be like while attending school. While visiting the campus look around at the different sights such as the people, the landscape, and the buildings. Usually you will know if it is the right place for you by visiting the campus, but also look into the academic side too! Talk to a few of the professors face to face to get a good idea of who will be guiding you in your professional field. Ask them questions about the courses and how everything works in the program so that you can have a good idea before starting classes. One of the worst things you can do is choose a college based on reputation and word of mouth. In order to suceed not only academically, but also emotionally, you have to choose your school with an educated decision and confidence. You never know what might end up happening if you choose the right school, you might just get comfortable and stay for a while!

My advice for finding the right college would be gathering research and personal experiences. One should go visit each college interested in to get a feel for the atmosphere and diversity of students. I would set up appointments with advisors and really get to know the college and the town. College can be a very fun and educational experience when you find the right fit so each child needs to write out what they are looking for and go with the school that feels most like home.