University of Massachusetts-Amherst Top Questions

to look for a school that has the career that the student is interested in. also to look for diversity and extracurricular activities the student is interested in. the size, location and reputation of the school is also important. so the student and the parents should look into these because they are very important. but most important of all is where the student wants to go and where they will feel most comfortable going.

If you ask me, i think the best way to get to know a campus is to go their. Dont do the tours, instead, ask people where stuff is. See how nice the people are, what they are doing adn talking about. Eat a meal at the worst dinning common on campus to know how bad it could be. Sit in on a class and ask a question. Talk to random students about housing, sneak into a building if you have to. That is how you get to know about the campus. Only through hands on interaction can you begin to understand what your day to day life will look like and that is what is really important. This will show you how the student body is, not just the marketers in the administration.

Consider your personality: do you thrive in a large facility/group setting or do you do better being in a small classroom? What type of college will best suit your educational and career goals: do you need research or practical experience? Are you better at teaching yourself and working on your own or at having the instructor work with you in the learning process? Once you pick the college, get involved in a few groups and find some people in your classes to connect with.

Make sure that you love your college campus, and know as much about the people who attend, as well as extra curricular activities, and what there is to do around the college town. College is a time for you to truly learn who you are, and to open up, so make sure you are extremely comfortable on your college campus. Try new things, and you dont have to party to make a name for yourself. Make sure you do what you want to do, and not what everyone else is doing.

Find out what you are looking for by visiting a bunch of different colleges prior to making your decision. You may think you want something, but in the end it might not be the right fit for you. Talk to other college students and about their experiences. Look into different activities you think you might want to get involved in because it is a great way to meet new people and looks great on a resume. Make sure it is an atmosphere you feel comfortable in, for example don't pick a larger school like UMass if you won't be able to focus in large lectures and get your work done. Go into your college experience with an open mind and make it the best experience it can be.

I believe that the right school for your child will be obvious when you see the sparkle in their eyes the first time they visit a campus. Regardless to how much tuition costs or where it's located, what is most important in choosing a school is the feeling the student gets when they walk on campus. I know that my parents were concerned about the size and overwhelming diversity of UMass Amherst when I first visited it, since I come from a very small community. All the worries and concerns vanished when they saw my face light up at the first sight of the Arts Center and Music Hall. Helping your child realize that their dream is attainable through unlimited and unbiased support is the most valuable thing you can do for them to help them through their college application process.

Before even looking into colleges, you want to ask yourself what you want to get out of it. Do you want a career right out of school... start looking into schools which offer a variety of internships and major-related jobs. Will you be looking to further your education at professional or graduate schools... try finding schools with strong academic programs and data on number of students accepted into post-undergrad universities. If you're still unsure about what you want to do with the rest of your life, as most students are at the inexperienced age of 18, try to find a school which offers a variety of programs and options for you to figure out what you want to do without having to take extra semesters and increasing that dreaded student loan bill. Most of all, you want to feel comfortable at your school. You are going to be spending the next 4 years of your life here, and you don't want to do so in misery. When visiting potential schools you want you ask yourself "Do I see myself here? Does this feel right for me?" Feeling comfortable at your school is the key to success.

Always keep money and environment into consideration. A lot of parents tend to choose colleges based on who offers the most financial aid; however, some student s are best served in a very small college, others are best served in a college with a lot more people. Choose where you are comfortable, and don't put yourself in a situation wherby you hate the environment where you are trying to study.

Find a college that's right for you, not for your parents and or friends.

Look into and apply to as many different types of schools as possible and make sure you visit.