University of Missouri-Columbia Top Questions

Find the college that best suits you. Don't be a follower; just because all your friends go somewhere, doesn't mean it's the right school for you.

The most important thing to consider when choosing a school is whether or not the student is going to be happy there. An unhappy student is unsuccessful, unfocused, and will not enjoy his or her college experience--something that I think would be a terrible waste. A lot of factors go into deciding whether or not the school will make a student happy--what the dorms and food are like, how close (or far) away from home it is, what courses and degrees are available, and of course, the social life. I think its important to consider each of these things individually, but ultimately it falls to the student to decide which gains precedence over the others. Parents should try to guide students towards the place that is best suited for them, but should also try to ensure their child's academic success by picking a school where they will be likeliest to come out with a degree. Simply put though, happiness should always be the deciding factor. The school with the highest chance of making the student happy should be the one that student decides to attend.

I would tell students who are looking for the right school for them to make sure they are thinking as selfishly as possible. Think about your needs, your interests, your aspirations, and your goals. Close your eyes at the heart of campus and see how you feel. Are you out of place? Do you feel anxious? Are you relaxed? Do you see yourself sitting on a bench between classes chatting up a new friend? I think it is really easy to tell how you feel in an environment because our bodies have a type of intuition about our safety and happiness. Think about how you feel and interact with the university and try to really picture yourself there. Also, don't forget that this is an important process for your parents too. Seeing you grow up, move out, and be on your own is, well, terrifying for them. Be patient with them and help them see how you would be comfortable, safe, and happy (considering this is the core of what they are worried about). Once you are at school, get involved! It can make or break how you enjoy your college years. Be safe, Be Smart, Be you. Live.

I think that you should focus on the degree or area that you are interested in. Go to the school that offers the best program for that degree, and then look at the location and see what is going on in the area. If I didn't live in a liberal college town with a lot to do socially, I wouldn't have enjoyed my college career as much. I'm not just talking about drinking and going out, but community festivals and other fun, safe activities also. Academics should always come first, but a social life is important too. I think people worry too much about what college to go to when really college is what you make of it. As long as you are going to a reputable, accredited school and you work hard, then you should have no problem getting a job after graduation. As far as the enjoyment of going to that school, that is all based on what you choose to do there.

My best advice would be to tour the school. The whole reason I chose the University of Missouri-Columbia is because of its beautiful campus and great history and traditions. Both of my parents went to southern schools and they have their own traditions so I thought that going to a different school with its own traditions would give me the great experience that they had and that is exactly what has happened. With the tour I learned that UMC created Homecoming, and have a great history and traditions that, as a greek, I got to experience first-hand. I also got to see every bit of the campus and its great scenery. That is the best advice that anyone can get for making this tough decision.

Choosing a college is a difficult desicion for any family. In order for you to make a wise and informed desicion on what university to attend, I would recommend visiting the college for a weekend. Hopefully, you will know someone who attends the university, but if not, a lot of universities have students willing to show a prospective student around for a while. Go on friday, explore the campus and pop into a few classes. This will give you an idea of what it would be like on a typical school day. If you have time, I would also recommend speaking with some advisors about coursework in whatever major you might be interested in. That night go out and socialize. Try to get a feel for what the students are like at the college and what the nightlife can hold. On saturday, there is no better way to get to know a school then to attend a football game or some other type of sporting event. Once you have returned you will either have fallen in love with the school or you will know it is not for you. Happy hunting!

If you get bored easily, do not go to a small school where you will fall out of interest. If you get easily distracted by partying or social life, do not go to a big school where it is likely that you will not do well.

First and foremost, consider what you want out of the college experience. It's important to pick a college based on what you want to study but it is also important to think about what you want to get out of your four years or more at a school. This means picking faculty you can work on research projects with, a campus you love, a college with a ton of opportunity to get involved. Parents, listen to your child's wants and needs out of a school; don't just consider how prestigious it is; think about whether or not your son/daughter will be happy there. Students, think about your future not about which school has the best football team. You're going to college to get an education and you want it to be a GREAT education. Visit as many schools as you can and really do your homework because you are making an investment. Try to find the biggest bang for your buck in terms of a great school for an affordable price; you can go anywhere and get an awesome education; don't think that you need a massive school to facilitate a degree that counts.

Get involved. I know everyone hears it all of the time and it gets old, but do it! There are hundreds of organizations on campus and that's how people meet other people like them. It makes you smart with your time, is a good way to boost your resume, and is fun! There is something for everyone.

Visit lots of potential colleges so you have something to compare. Think about what you want to do when you graduate but you don't have to make any definite decisions right away. You will grow a lot in your first year at college because you will be meeting so many new people and having a lot of new experiences. Things will probably change a lot and maybe your thinking about "what you want to be" will change and you may want to change your field of study. When looking at a college, I would look for variety in just about everything: student body, after class activities, athletics, even the campus itself. When you're visiting, take a step back from the standard campus tour and expore on your own. Can you picture yourself there? Do you feel comfortable, at home, safe? Take your time making your decision because once you choose a school, you'll be very excited to take the next step in your education and in your life.