Grand Valley State University Top Questions

Make a list of what you expect to gain from a college experience and don't settle for a college that is not going to allow you to fully make that most of those experiences.

Make sure to find a college that encompases all that the student wants to get out of their experience, whether that be the courses, the living areas, or the faculty. In order to get the most out of your money, do enough research to make sure that you're getting all that you need.

Research and try to visit the colleges you are considering.

Picking the right college is important. I suggest somewhere you feel comfortable, a place where you can find yourself and grow academically as well as individually, and a place that meets your expectations of your learning experience/ furture goals.

Parents, please listen to your student! Don't try to relive your college career, or lack there of, through your student. This will be the best time of your student's life or the worst. The defining factor will be you! Listen and be understanding of your student's choice and really try to remember that this is an adult now. I know that it is hard to look your student without seeing that chubby toddler taking his or her first steps but they are grown adults and need to believe that you trust them. What you think of them is very important to the student even if we say we don't care what you think. Be supportive and be perceptive of our mood and demeanor. You will know if there is a problem or if we need you. Finally, let them experience the whole going to college for themselves. In the end, they will respect you more.

Parents and students should work together to make college visits and to research different schools before applying. It is important to do research so that both the parents and the student can get a feel for what to expect when school starts. It is also a great way to know if the right choice is being made. As far as making the most of the college experience, students should try to get involved in at least one activity on campus. This will not only allow them to meet new people, but will also help them become a well-round individual with different experiences that may help them in their future.

Definately take a tour of the campuses you are considering. Witness a class if possible. How you feel about the campus and the classes can really make a difference. You have to feel comfortable with the campus or it won't be a good experience. Make sure also that the college offers not only the program you are interested in but has a good program and one that will help place you in real situations such as internships or volunteer work. This way you get hands on experience before you graduate which looks great on a resume for future employers. If you can try to talk to someone who goes there and ask for thier opinion. People's opinions of the school can help you make a good decision espeically if they feel strongly one way or another. If you ask them about certain aspects that are important to you then you can get a feel with how you will fit in at that school and if it's what you want or not.

Make sure you really know what you want to do before you start down a path. Nothing can make a college career take longer than being indecisive about what you really want to do. A lot of students change their majors at least once while in school, but often the most sucessful don't.

Make sure you take a tour of more than one school. Yes, one school might your first choice, but if you dont see other campuses how will you know how you feel about it. Make sure you know what you are going for. If you dont know exactly what you want to do, think about maybe going to a community college for the first year to get some of your general education classes out of the way for a little less money. Dont let your friends from high school try to pressure you into going into a certain school. If you do not like a college that they do, you will make new friends and you can always visit them on the weekends.

For starters, before thinking about college, make sure you have developed or are aware of all the neccessary habits and skills needed to surivive as a college student. Some of those skills include study habits, time management, and knowing how to balance your social life with school work. When looking for a college, make sure that the institution can meet the needs that are most important to you. For instance, classroom size, graduation rate, and availabilty of resources, some of which i hadn't considered to be quite as important.

Tours and selling points are all well and good, but actually speaking to a faculty member and a student candidly is the best way to get straight answers about the campus. They can give more specific advice based on their personal experiences, and give you a sense of the community dynamic. Facilities can shape the dynamic of the campus, but it is important that the attitudes of the teachers, students, and administration form the sort of community that you want to be in for the next three to six years. And speaking of that: think carefully about the depth to which you wish to engage the subjects you are pursuing when scheduling. Rushing through the undergraduate career can be financially justifiable, but lack in the sort of learning experience that is lasting and rewarding. Also - and this isn't just talk - get involved: it really is a great thing for your resume, meeting really great people, and doing something interesting and meaningful. Its a tough life looking out from the safety net of college. The stereotypical college party is just fine, but the more fun you can find in campus or community activities - the better prepared you will be.

Pick a school that would be good for you, not necessarily a school that has the best program for your interest. It's more important that you enjoy most of the aspects of the school rather than the prestige that comes with a school.

The community around will determine your college experience and Grand Valley has the best students!

I would tell them that they should look for a school based on the amount of opportunities that will be provided to them outside of the classroom. College is about learning in every aspect of life. Almost every school will give you the same based on academics, but each school has a different lifestyle. Find the lifestyle that fits you.

Realize the name isn't everything. I go to a division 2 school that most of my family hadn't heard of before, and yet I feel like I'm getting a better experience, better education, here than I would at U of M. Its not in the name, its in what the school offers. Make sure you actually look into what is available to the student. That could come from a much smaller school; just realize that. Make sure you take into account what works right for YOU, the student. What works for one person doesn't always work well for another, and schools work the same way. I am very happy here at Grand Valley, but it may not work for someone else. Once you've made the decision, make sure you get involved at your school. Play a sport, join a club; anything like that will make your college experience that much better!

Don't worry about what your freinds are doing, you will make so many new friends! Just think about where you want to live, and what you are going to school for.

Choosing the right college is a difficult task. I reccomend begining by researching the academic programs offered at each institution. Check to see that the school offers the acedemic program your student plans to pursue. If your student is undecided as to a major make sure that the school has multiple programs of interest for the student. When reseaching make a list of campuses to visit. Plan ahead when visiting each school. Make arrangements with the university to have a guided tour if offered. It is best to visit the campus when classes are in session to get a true feel of daily life on each campus. On each tour make sure that different housing options are visited to make the best choice for living arrangements that fit the students lifestyle. During the tour ask your student questions like "do you feel comfortable here?" and "how do you feel about the size of the campus?". Choose the school that both the student and parents feel most comfortable with. It is ok for a campus to be to big because you can grow into it, but do not go to a school that you feel is too small.

When entering into college, I wanted a university that I would be able to get away from home and live independently and meet all new friends in a new and friendly environment. My first year at Grand Valley State University was very hard for me to adjust to coming home a high school life of being in the "popular" crowd and knowing everyone. It was quite an adjustment to realize Grand Valley is not like high school where I did not have to work to make friends; I just had friends. My first semester was such an emothional struggle that I was debating on transferring to a closer univeristy to my hometown where more of my high school friends attended. I ended up sticking out the rest of the semester and began becoming involved in the university where I met some friendly people. I am so glad I didnt quit and transfer schools and I ended up learning qualities about myself I never would have learned if I would have quit. My advice to parents and/or students would be to never quit. Make the best out of every situation and believe that everything happens for a reason!

Find a college that has an accepting environment. Visit many different colleges before deciding the one that you want. Find a college that is not too big or too small but is the perfect fit for your son or daughter.

When choosing a college make sure that it fits your budget and your personal preference.