University of Massachusetts-Amherst Top Questions

Let the student choose.

GO VISIT THE COLLEGE WITH YOUR KIDS ..and make sure there are plenty of financial aid available

The best advice in choosing a school is knowing either what you want to do, or at least having options to discover a passion or interest while enrolled at a school. I have always been happy at UMass due to the professors being available, as well as other facets of the university. As to making the most of the college experience, one can always find a party if he or she wants to. It is just up to the student to know what is right for he or she and to make the right decision. I have found it best that I treat my education like a job - with very long hours. I start off my day at about 8 am every morning and I do not come back to the dormitory until about 7 pm at the earliest. I spend time not in class in the library just reading and trying to catch up on the curriculum. I found this works, so I am not swamped with work over the weekend and that is when I allow myself time to sleep for 13 hours, relax, or go to the friday night hockey game or party.

Do your research. There was a school that I really liked and got accepted to and I was ready to go there, but I decided to go take a look at the campus and it changed everything. The school was 9 hours away by car, and the town that it was located in was not what I was looking for. It was great academically, but it didn't fit my needs. If I hadn't gone to visit before choosing to go there, I would have been very unhappy. Also, apply early action (not early decision - unless you have your heart set on that school). That way, you'll know ahead of time if you have a school that you've gotten into and you can spend less time worrying about applications to the other schools. When you get accepted and pick a college, consider moving in a few days early - you'll get to know the campus and you'll meet people before the semester starts. And don't room with a friend - it can only lead to distaster. Focus on you school work but leave time for fun and you'll have a great time at college.

You're heart is racing, your palms are sweaty. You're looking at college brochures right? And you're completely lost! Is it better to attend a school with good dining services, big dorm rooms, or a ton of classes? Choosing the college for you may seem daunting, but here is some advice. First, think about the size of the school you want. Will you be overwhelmed by a campus of over 20,000 students? Do you want small classes and more intimate relationships with faculty? This can help narrow colleges down before getting into the smaller details. Also, keep in mind that while a campus may have a lot to offer, what if you want to get off campus? Do the schools you're looking at have bus services, nightlife close by, restaurants for when you're sick of cafeteria food? Don't forget these important aspects when choosing a college. Once in college, take charge or your own experience. Join a club, check out cool classes not in your major, form relationships with faculty for good recommendations and don't panic! College is supposed to be fun, so get out of your dorm room and have some fun!

Students should find the right environment for them and feel comfortable around their peers and professors. The environment in which a student will live is crucial to his/her success.

It really depends on your goals. If you are thinking about professional school, such as medical school or law school, go to the school that you think you could get the best possible GPA at, as I have found that most professional schools do not care where you went, they just care about the numbers (GPA, MCAT, LSAT, and so on). Actually, even the higher paying jobs care very much about your GPA and experience, so just consider your future. A 3.0 at Harvard may not get you as far as a 4.0 at a school with less of a name.

It's important to take those college tours and while you're on them don't be afraid to ask the students you bump into, not your tour guide, about their experience and what they like and don't like. Also, when you do go off to college be open minded and have fun. College is about learning about life, just as much as it is about doing well in your classes. Yeah, don't forget about your class work! Don't skip class either!

Very rarely will you find a college that is the "perfect fit". Try to independently asses aspects and programs that are important to you as a student and a person and search for these colleges. Do they need a chess club, a strong science program, good class ratio? Getting even a vague grasp on these will dramatically help with the process. Visting is also an important part. Take the tour and listen closely to what the guide says not about the buildings or history, but about their experience at the school. If possible try to eat on or near campus to get the feel of the area. If you already have an area of interest, try to contact some faculty members to ask them about the program or their research. Looking through a course catalog can also provide insight into what you can expect from that school. Most important to remember is that you will be influencing and shaping your school by being there, you can help make it become what you want it to be; so don't get too tied down by statistics. It's more a gut call than a calculation.

I would recomend visiting the campus of colleges the students are interested in attending. Students should also find out about orientation programs (and attend them!), and look into extra curricular activities. Getting involved in an extra curricular activity early freshman year is a great way to make friends and make a large campus seem smaller. Also, if you don't know exactly what major you plan on choosing, choose a school with a variety of prgrams. Many students change majors, so choosing a school where you can stay at that school if you change your major is important. Also consider the cost of the schools you want to attend against your future career goals. If you plan on being a teacher, paying back large loans will be difficult, so attending a less expensive school might be a better option.