University of New Hampshire-Main Campus Top Questions

Look for a university with pride and responsiblity in its programs.

Look around and tour various schools. Do the research on the schools you're interested in. Ask questions.

Going to a college or university is a change and most students do not realize that. If you are moving away from your family this will be an adjustment. Also you will meet many people from diverse and different backrounds and you must be willing to accept. As you continue to explore a college or university you will learn that you will have less class time, but also the exams take a lot of outside studying. Also when moving into a dorm one may feel a little worried about their roommate but most are normal, and most colleges and universities will move you if you cannot live with your current roommate. The key to living with a roommate is communication and to be accepting, if these things do not work out you would just simply talk to a residential director and they will help you move to a new room. things to know: Be accepting, be ready to study out of class, DO NOT EVEN THINK OF PLAGERISM, and remember to have fun and focus on what you want to do with your life. Talk with your parents, and don't forget they are always there if you need them.

My best advice would be not to judge schools based on what you hear/read. Everyone has their own needs, and the only way to find out if you will be compatible with a school is to go and spend time on campus. For example, my school, UNH, has a strong reputation for being a party school, but me and most of the people I know spend our weekends skiing, cycling, rock climbing, hiking, dog sledding, ice climbing, kayaking and doing various other on and off campus activities. I spent two days on campus and sat in on two classes before making my final decision about going to UNH, and I feel that time gave me a true feel for the school.

Spend a weekend at the school if you can. Don't follow the tours - they only take you to the best parts of campus. Try to figure out what you want to do before you go to college.

In order to find the right college for someone, that person needs to realize what they want to get out of the whole college experience. The academics are very important, because that is what your paying for, but your also paying for the whole experience. What I mean by this, is that college is a time to grow and mature into an adult. I have found through my own experience that its not only what you learn in the classroom that prepares you for the "real world" after college, but also all of the interactions and experiences that you have throughout your college years that truly prepare you for life after school. So with that that said, I would say that the major things that an incoming college student needs to look for in schools, is 1)if it has a major that that student is interested in, 2) Location of the school, if the schools surrounding area has other places that interest the student to help get away from the class room from time to time and 3) the environment of the school, this includes size and reputation, which can effect the life style of that student.

Make sure both the parents and students agree on the college of choice. Parents shouldn't have to force their child to go to a school they don't like because of financial reasons. Make sure the student applies to a school that he/she likes and is within the financial range of the parents.

I would tell the parents and students that are looking to make the most of their college experience, that it is really important and crucial to visit the schools you are considering. When you visit the schools you think you want to apply to, it gives you a feel for how the campus, you can see how the students act and behave, and get an idea of how comfortable you feel being there. Not only are the academic and social reputations of the schools important, but visiting them and making sure that you can see yourself going there is the most important factor of all. Once you have a list of schools to apply to, visiting those schools can help you really narrow your list and see where you actually think you want to attend.

On finding the right school: I was very unsure what school I wanted to attend, but once I saw UNH in person, I knew that it was where I wanted to be. You have to go visit any schools that you're seriously considering going to because if you walk around and can't picture yourself eating in the dining hall or having to take classes in that building then you know that there's one out there that's just calling your name. On making the most of the experience: I joined a sorority the first semsester I was at school. Now, I know that sororities aren't for everyone, but the main thing to do is to get involved in something that you're passionate about. If your heart and soul isn't into whatever your doing, go until you find something that makes you feel like you belong.

Make sure you feel comfortable with the enviroment at the school you choose. The worst thing is feeling completely lost when you get to college and your parents drive away. Its important for your school to feel like home otherwise it will be very difficult to focus on your studies.