Grand Valley State University Top Questions

Keep working at it and find the one that's just right for you. You'll know.

Start looking for schools early, live on campus if you can, and try out as many social extra-curriculars as you can, just to get a feel for what you like and to develop a group of friends. It can be scary to go to a new school, knowing no body, but if you keep submerging yourself in what can be awkward social situations, you will make at least a couple new friends! College is about growing up.

I knew where I wanted to go by visiting the campus. Make sure the student feels comfortable in the environment and enjoys being there. The academics are important, but if your student doesn't enjoy their school- the quality of academics doesn't matter.

The best advice I can give is to visit the campus. Guided tours are great when first visiting the campus, but I found it best to actually stay with a current student for a weekend. The experience of staying with a student gave me a sort of preview of what college might actually be like at the university. The experience allows you to see all the different parts of the campus, the parts that students visit most, the parts that student use and like the most, which places are best to eat at, and most of all it allows you an opportunity to talk to many different students to get their honest opinions of the school. When it comes to making the most out of the college experience new students need to get involved. It does not matter what the student gets involved in, whether it be sports or a sorority or a volunteer club, just so long as the new student gets involved. This really allows the student to meet new influential people and to feel like he or she has found a second home, a home away from home. That is what college should be.

Now is the time to start thinking about the future. The mailbox is piled with college announcements, but what school is the right pick? Before filling out application forms, visit schools of interest. Most colleges will allow a tour and meeting with a councilor. Ask to see dorms and classrooms as majority of time is spent there. Also, ask questions about jobs available, meal plans, and groups that encourage involvement. After all tours are complete, take time to sit down with your parent or child, and discuss what was liked/disliked about each school. Now months have passed and the acceptance letter has been ripped open. It's important to plan for the school year by immediately contacting your roommate. Try to meet your roommate before school starts and go over what each of you will bring and rules you may have. This may seem unnecessary, but tension can be solved by going over topics such as curfews for guests and cleaning duties. On move in day, meet students who live on your floor and plan to get lunch together or find an activity on campus to attend. Overall, the most important task is to enjoy college and become involved.

Don't always look at expense right away if you don't have the money, look at the quality of the school and the campus life as well as the professors. I know that GVSU is very ready to work with students that need financial aid, and they offer many scholarships. Trust me, you will appreciate it more enjoying your college experience and being a few more dollars in debt than going to a school just because it was the cheapest. Once in college, get involved! The best way to make friends and really enjoy the experience is getting involved with campus activities/groups/sports. You will make a bunch of friends in no time, trust me.

Visit the schools. Every student will get a "feeling" when they know they are at the right school. You will feel very happy and well-placed. Also apply to several in state and out of state schools.

Take your time and visit the colleges you are interested in attending. Taking a campus tour and talking to advising faculty was one of the most benificial things I did when deciding what college I was interested in attending. College is more then just academics. It's going to be your home for the next 4+ years, so it's important that you feel like you fit in there. Size is a personal preference and really depends on the individuals personality. Having small class sizes and proffessors that really care in helping me succeed have been the cornerstone of my sucess. Getting involved and knowing about all my academic options during my freshman year really helped me make the most of my college experience. I developed many great friendships that have been great support and encouragement to me, as well as challenged myself in new ways by joining different clubs and organizations to expand my interests and knowledge about the world. By taking time to volunteer at college as well as get a job, I have learned more about my community and the responsibilities that I will have to take on once my college experience is complete.

Go and look at the college, walk around, observe what is going on around. How the students look is a good indication on how the students like it at that school. If you look at just the brochure, you won't get the whole picture and make sure that you know what you want to do before you go to a university. Why spend all the money on something that isn't going to get you anywhere start off at a community college and figure it out at least you can go from there.

Find one with the right programs at the right price.