University of Rhode Island Top Questions

Study hard.

Selecting the right college or university, at first, appears to be an extremely daunting and overwhelming project and decision to a high school senior and his or her family. However, this decision should not be nearly as "scary" as people make it out to be. Visiting different schools, interacting with students, attending campus tours is part of an exciting experience. High school students and families are getting sneak previews of what their life could be like just a few months in the future. It is important to vistit all different types of schools - large, small, private, public, city, rural, suburban, religious affiliated, non-demoninational. Cheking out every possible available opportunity will allow the prospective students to get a better idea of which environment will allow them to be the best student they can be. For me, filling out college applications seemed like the most time consuming aspect of the college application process. Once I had completed that serious aspect, I was overly excited to visit the schools in person. My campus tour at URI sold me to attend the school. I could see myself walking around the campus, and loving my new life. Take a chance.

Go with what feels right. make sure you feel comfortable at the school you are thinking of attending. Take a tour of all campuses you are considering. If you do not feel comfortable then the school is probably not right for you.

You will never know the right college until you've been to college for a couple of years. My advice is to do something that incorporates something you are passionate about, because it will come natural to you. To make the most of the college experience, spend half of your time learning and half of your time communicating.

It's important that a only goes as far away as you think they can handle. Choose a school with a lot of majors so if they decide to switch majors, they don't have to switch schools. Although some schools are expensive, sometimes it's worth the extra money.

Parents and students need to collaborate when deciding on the right college. For instance, parents are concerned with which school will offer their child the best education at the lowest cost. However, students may be more concerned with the extracurricular activities as well as the student life on campus. There must be a healthy balance between all of these aspects so that every individual involved in the process is pleased.

I would tell them that sometimes what you thought would be the best college for you sometimes isn't. It's ok to transfer. I know so many people who went to bigger schools in cities, and other urban schools and a lot of them transfered to my school. They thought that "The city life was for me," but sometimes you just need that in-between college where it's like home, but it's not. A lot of schools will give you this and some will say they do. Make sure to look and visit your schools. Talk to the students and teachers/advisors. Get a feel for what the school is really about. If you want to see school spirit, go to a basketball or football game. If you want a feel for the acdemics, go talk to the teachers. Just know that it's ok to realize that maybe your first choice wasn't your best choice. Credits will transfer over, and there are many scholarships to apply for. Just keep your chin up, have a sunny disposition and remember that you can only have a first experience once. Live it to the fullest while you can.

For most families today (including my own) I picked the University of Rhode Island because it was the best education I could get for the lowest cost. I was awarded the most financial aid here but still I need more money and have to work hard during the semester to pay for tuition. Parents and students also need to find out what the student is most interested in studying, if not, then the college social life can easily pull the student away from his/her studies. If you are interested in what you are studying then school becomes more fun and it is easier to learn.

Make sure that while you do your work, have a little time for fun. Don't let yourself get stressed out because then you will end up pulling all-nighters and not staying on top of things. College is a great experience and you should enjoy it while you are there.

Try to really get a feel for what life is like on the campus of the schools that you look at. Talk to actual students when you are there about their experiences, not just tour guides. This is the most important thing when choosing a school, since it will be your home for the next four years. Meeting people is paramount in making the most of your college experience. Many schools have well over 10,000 students!!! They are not all the same, and it is among them that you will likely find your most lasting friendships, so don't be afraid to meet as many new faces as you possibly can. You will meet people from all over the world and gain unbelievable insight into humanity. Get to know your professors as well. They like to know the impact they are having on their students. Some, you will not be a fan of. Others will change your life and the way you view it permanently and in wonderful ways. Most importantly, HAVE FUN!!! You only do this once and if you do it with open eyes, heart and mind, it will truly be the time of your life.