University of Rhode Island Top Questions

Find a place you feel comfertable and safe at. Make sure you want to go to the college for the right reasons and not just to be away from home.

DOnt worry too much

Finding the right college is a lot harder than it looks. I have been at the same school for almost two years and now have decided to look for some place else because I thought I would be happier than I am. Money was a huge factor for choosing my school and if i really tried harder, I probably could have gone to my dream school instead of settling. Finding the right college is all about perspective, are you a city person or a rural person? What makes you happiest in the world? can you still access this where you're going? Try to make sure there are programs and courses that will make you happy. While college is about new experiences, adapting is really hard and can't always be successful.

make sure the school has everything to offer for your major.

Talk to people with in the major you are going into. Also think long and hard about everything: distance, cost, future cost, finacial aid, etc. As for the college experience, join clubs and make friends, they keep you sane.

know the school well before choosing to attend it

Don't forget that college is an ever changing experience. Your work load changes, your social group changes, your major might change, but most importantly YOU change. College is an experience that everyone should have. Making the "right" college choice doesn't need to happen in the first year. You are allowed to move as many times as you want. This experience flies by, so don't take one second for granted.

Make no concessions in your search for a college. For example, if you live on the East coast and apply to a school in California, go see it! Don't assume that "It's too expensive just to go visit considering I don't even know if I'm going there." Do you know how expensive your college tuition will be? A plane ticket to any college campus is well worth it. Don't ever pick a collge based on geographic proximity to a boyfriend or girlfriend. Don't stay in state becuase he or she is still in high school, or if they didnt get into college. If its for real he/she will be ok with you going to college far away. It truly is just like high school in some aspects; you have the opportunity to join a sports team as a freshman again, explore your interest in various clubs, and it is a chance to explore your interests with a much broader class selection than high school also. With this in mind, it is not a bad idea to pick a school with a diverse extracurricular program - even if you know what you want to do.

I think a lot of research is necessary before deciding on which college to attend. There are many factors that should go into the process such as: campus size, degrees, climate, diversity, location, availability of extracurricular activities, on campus housing, dining and meal plans. I think it is also best to tour the school once you get in and if you know someone who goes to school there, definitely take advantage and just follow them around the school to get a feel for what the campus atmosphere is like and also what weekend life is like. To make the most of the college experience I think people should get involved in things they are interested, be open to making friends and meeting a variety of different people, and developing professional relationships with professors.

The college experience should be fun and exciting. It will be a collection of memories that you'll remember forever. Put in adequate time to research the schools that you may be interested in. Check out the campuses and everything that they have to offer. Be sure to choose a school that you'll feel comfortale at and look forward to spending the next four years at. Don't think that the more expensive a school is, the better the education; this is definately not true. Many state universities offer excellent programs at a great in-state tuiton rate. Overall, go into the college experience with an open mind and be prepared for everything that comes your way. It is an opportunity not only to learn, but to also meet many new friends and have the best time of your life!