University of Massachusetts-Amherst Top Questions

I would say that one of the most important things about deciding on the right school, is visiting them first. When you visit a college, you can get a real feel for what life is like there. Don't just go on a tour. If you're really interested in a college find someone you know who goes there, and ask if you can stay a day or two with them. You can go to class, and see all the parts of campus that they don't show you on the tours. And you can see dorm rooms that aren't cleaned out four tours. You get to see the student side of the college, instead of just the image that they try to get across in tours. And since you're going to be a student, you want to find out all these things before you go to a college, walk out of the car, and discover that you hate it. So, definently visit the schools you're interested in before you accept anwhere. It is a lot cheaper to pay $40 dollars on gas or $100 dollars on a plane ticket, than $40,000 on the wrong school.

make sure you know exactly what you want in a school before choosing one

Find a proffessor who you really click with. Stay connected with them for the duration fo your college career.

I've always been told, "it is what you make it" and I always had thought that was a silly thing to say, and than I went to college. You have to find something constuctive to do when your not doing work. At a place like Umass it could be anything, but you have to put a little effort in and you'll end up getting alot out of it! Finding the right school takes work and paitents. Start early, take your time and do your research, before you start spending all that money, make sure its the right place for you. And, if you don't like it or are misarble, do something different!

In order to find the right college a person needs to find a college that has their passion. A university with a team or club that involves your intrests will make college an amazing experience for you. Join activities and put yourself out there. Trying new things and meeting new and interesting people is the best part of the college experience.

The advice I would give about finding the college that is right for you, is do your research about each and every school that you are applying to. Go and visit the campus, you may like what it looks like online but pictures don't always accurately depict what the campus actually looks like. Go online and see what courses are offered and just take an hour and brouse the webesite. See what activities are offered and if they are things you might be interested in doing yourself. See what different ways you can make your mark on the campus, the more clubs and activities open to the students the easier it is to make yourself known and succeed in the school. Yes, finally, take into account the price. Schools are pricey and the applications can be pricey also, but remember that this is your future and it is hard to put a price on the way you want your future to turn out. If you think that one of the more expensive schools is for you, then go for it, because how can you put a price tag on your future?

Students: don't think so much about what your parents want, or where they want you to go. This experience is about you, and where you want to go. Also, don't stress too much about schoolwork, as long as you try, it will work out. Have a little fun. Parents: this experience is about them. Let them go out into the world and make mistakes and learn from them. Its okay if they screw up sometimes, becuase that is what college is all aout. It gives kids a place to become adults without being totally cut off. If you are always breathing down their neck, than there is no way that they can make mistakes on their own. Bring them up right, and they will make good choices, and learn from the bad ones.

Find a school that has a lot to offer to a lot of different types of people. Sometimes kids know what they want, or think they know what they want when choosing a college or university but it makes a difference to give them room to change their minds and explore options they never even thought were possible.

One piece of advice I would give all parents and students about finding the right college is to make sure they visit and tour the campus of the school they wish to go to. Every college campus has a different atmosphere and surrounding environment, so they want to make sure that they find the one that's just right for them. The student should imagine what their life would be like if they attended, and whether it is really what they want. Parents also want to make sure that the environment isn't too wild for their high school graduate. The ideal school choice for both parties would be one that meets both of their needs and wants half-way.

I would tell them that it is a definite advantage if they go tour the campus first instead of just picking a random school. Teenagers need to find a college that works with them, that's not too big but also not too small.