Virginia Commonwealth University Top Questions

During my senior year of high school I was very hesitant about my future. Being a first generation college student is extremely terrifying, or was the case for me. I began to doubt myself and the dreams of becoming a teacher that I always had. Going back to my senior year I would give myself personal strength and realize that my goals and aspirations are very attainable on more levels than one. Funding for school has been very difficult, even though I have two jobs I always feel the need to apply for full-time status at school. I feel that by quitting one job or becoming part-time in school will lower my self-esteem. I know that I am just as worthy of an extended education and believe that I have proven that not only to myself, but discouragers also. I would have however, taken more time into the financial aid process before entering into college, sometimes I feel that remaining out of school for a year and just working to gain money would have been a better option, but that is false. I would not trade in my education for anything.

Sit down and decide what is important to you. Then make a list of those attributes to help narrow down the long list of potential colleges. I found College Board useful while searching and eliminating potential universities. But most importantly, visit the campus. Go to the open houses and also try to find a day to walk around during a normal school day. What tour guides and faculty try to paint of a campus may be completely different from the picture you will see while there in person. Also you may notice attributes of the college that you would not have without the visit, such as the diversity and character of its students and faculty. Can you picture yourself there amongst the other students? Another tip is to pick for you. Try to avoid choosing a school based on friends who may go to the same school or family traditions. In the long run, you will be the one attending the university, so you should be the one who enjoys the campus.

I believe finding the right college is mostly based on two things. Price is always an issue of course, but assuming students can get scholarships or financial aid and loans to apply for a variety of colleges, the choice boils down to expected major and location. Knowing what you're interested in before you start applying to schools is extremely important; you want to do personal research on the competitiveness of the programs and how high-tech and accommodating the facilities are. Getting stuck wasting years and money at a school that doesn't challenge or give you a valuable and applicable real-world education is depressing and frustrating- anyone wishy-washy about what they want to do should attend community college. Secondly, location does play a major roll. The majority of people I know chose their college based on how far or near it was from home, whether in-state or out of. It sounds arbitrary and irresponsible, but I chose my school mainly because I wanted to experience city life and be sufficiently far away enough from my parents, while others aren't ready and shouldn't move away from home immediately. after high school. Also, good luck :).

When it comes to looking for the right college--look for a major that interests you, an environment that you favor (i.e. city, country, mountains, beach) and work off of those areas in your state and find a school close by. To also help you find a college thats right for you, think if you can afford in-state or out-of-state tuition and if you can afford something further away then don't hold yourself down to the limited choices you may have. Finally, to make the most out of any experience, especially a college life, allow yourself to take change with open arms and don't allow any opportunity to blow past you.

Students should make sure to do a lot of research. Figure out a few majors that you would strongly pursue and find colleges that are known or have strong programs for those fields. Visit a bunch of schools and stay overnight if possible. Figure out everything about the possible schools. Make sure to try the food, get a taste for the academic life and social life, and find out about any extracurriculars are. I think most importantly students have to remember this is your decision and your future. It doesn't matter if your family went to Harvard or UVA or UNC, what matters is what you want to do with your life and which school best suits your personality and will help you reach your goals and set you up for your future the best.

asking to alumnis

When thinking of the right college for yourself, think of all aspects of it: financially, academically and socially. You'd never want to choose a college, just because it was known for being a party school: you should choose a college that's worth staying at for the full four or two years. Make sure you visit the school and find as much financial aid as possible, if needed. A college should give you enough freedom to be your own person, but also stress the qualities needed for our future.

Make sure you are choosing the school that you could picture yourself attending. Don't make the mistake of choosing the collge with the better campus or the one that all your friends are going to. Go to the one for you.

College is the best time for one to grow and mature into an adult.. There are many universities and colleges around the world that may offer the perfect thing one is looking for but do not be afraid at looking at other alternatives. Each college has something unique about it, and when the best one comes along, hold onto it. If you find that the school is not what you thought it was, it is never too late to transfer to another one. Although this college experience is about preparing you for your future job, it is also a time to let you have fun. Parents should not be afraid when they send their children to school so make sure that there is a good and safe security system at the university. Do not forget that studies are important too. You should find the time to be able to manage your academics and your social life. It is up to you to decide whether you want a small or large school, diversity or homogeneous population, small or large classes, religious affiliation. It doesn't matter where you go, it's what you make the most of your college experience.

Parents need to take into consideration what their student needs and wants in a college, but they definitely have to share their guidance and advice. Keep finances in mind, but also remember the various opportunities for aid. Be very active in searching for scholarships because there are so many out there just waiting to be won. Students should choose a college for its academics in addition to social life. Do not choose a school simply because you hear that a lot of parties go on there. Have fun, but understand when you need to be serious and when you can have fun. You can learn a lot, make a lot of friends, and go far in life. Take advantage of everything your college has to offer.