West Virginia University Top Questions

I recommend that you do a self assessment of your goals, desires, strengths and weaknesses. Determine what is most important to you. Then check out your college options. Start early so you don't get stressed or feel pressured. Talk to other students already attending the college, visit the campus at different times, and make sure the school has the academic program that supports your career goals. Try to find a college that has the best combination of offerings to meet your idea of a "dream school". Make sure it meets your number one criteria. For me, a reputable engineering program was important, so I chose WVU. I wanted a college that would help me find internship opportunities and prepare me for a rewarding career. I also chose WVU because both of my parents attended there and I liked the sense of tradition and loyalty, especially with the sports teams. To make the most of your college experience, I recommend that you set realistic goals and participate in a variety of activities so you balance hard work and fun. College is an opportunity to help us grow and develop in all aspects of our lives - mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially.

Visit the school before you decide. Research the school before applying as well. Know what kind of school you want to go to. Do you want a big party school. A school with big sports teams and lots of school spirt. Do you want a small school that is close to home.

Don't mess high school up. It all counts starting the first day of 9th grade. Also, if you are thinking about choosing between a 4-year college and a community college, and the factor is "getting away from parents". Choose the community college. Saves loads of money. Otherwise, if you went to a 4 year university you'd waste your first year getting wasted and flunking out. It's wise to just stick with the parents and then make a smooth transition after the 2 years at a comm. college.

Advice that I would give to parents and students about finding the right college, may sound corny, but is very true. Once you step foot on the "right" college campus, it just feels right. As soon as I stepped foot on West Virginia University's campus, I knew that's where I wanted to be for the next four years of my life. I knew that the opportunities would be endless, and that since it was a large university, I could make friends from all sorts of backgrounds. Now, two years later, I am more in love with WVU then the day i stepped foot here. An important part about choosing the right school is how well the program is for your major. The Psychology Department here at WVU is known as being very challenging and the students that have left here have been very successful. I know this because alumni and company reps. have come to our classes to share their experiences. Make the most of college by joining groups/clubs you never thought you would. I signed up for acting next semester, something I would never have done in high school. Take Chances!

I would suggest to parents and students to visit the colleges and help the students learn good study habits before going to college. This is essential for students who don't need to study and where high school is very easy because for these students, college is the hardest to adjust to. Look into many colleges and don't just settle for a college because your friends go there. Make sure its what you want.

Don't settle on something that is not what you want.

How can you know what a place is like if you do not experience it first hand? I found that visiting campuses and talking to students was the best way to discover what college would fit my lifestyle best. Reading about colleges and looking at their programs is a great way to narrow down the college search, but once a student has a list of ten colleges or less I think the only way to see what the campus is really like is to go to the college and see what it feels like to be apart of that community. If a student goes to a campus and feels completely out of place, then they will know that it is not somewhere they would feel comfortable living for the next four years. I found that once I came to my college I knew it was the right place for me and I would not be as satisfied at another university.

Visit Campus and talk to students

The students need to find a college that will help thme get a job once they graduate. Most students pick their school based on how much parting there is at the school. Parents need to talk to the students and make them realize that college decides the rest of your life.

I advise students searching for a college to go visit the campus of any prospective schools and take the tours available there. Make sure that you know about the transit options on the campus because getting where you need to go is very important. Also, closely study the institutions' websites. They very often have helpful resources and information such as maps and descriptions of the campus and lists of various clubs and organizations along with their websites and descriptions. Be sure and go with your instincts when picking the place. When you begin college, get involved in an organization as soon as possible. I reccomend faith-based organizations such as InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Whatever you do, get involved. Education is extremely important but remember to make time for your social life as well.