Illinois State University Top Questions

I think the most helpful thing, after researching yourself online or with interviews, is to actually speak to people attending this university. Visiting is very important to get a feel and talk to students about the courses, professors, and advisors.

Overall, you attend school to get an education. Make the most of your 4+ years by learning everything you can for the future. Sure, a social life is important but don't let it get in the way of your grades. As a non-drinking student, I also believe parties do not have to rule your life.

I suggest looking not only at the school and its overall reputation, but at the department, college, or school of your major. Look into it's rating and see how it compares to other institutions. However do not become too caught up in a school's prestiege or "fame." While degrees from certain schools may carry more weight than others, make sure that you are getting the education that you want and are comfortable with. It is important to find a school that will further your education by providing you with the proper tools to explore and succeed your area of interest. Remember that the dollar amount doesn't always indicate the quality or value of one's education.

Go visit the schools that you are applying to. If the school doesn't feel right, chances are you won't do as well. Once you are in college, get involved in something. Make friends and be active in activities on your campus.

As a college bound student is looking into colleges with his or her parents, it is important to gather as much information as possible about the college and especially to visit the college. Once they visit, it is important to see the dorms and inquiry with residents what it is to live in the dorms because the majority of the time is spent in a dorm room. To make the most of the college experience it is necessary to become involved in organizations to balance between classes and a job if students choose to have one. Being part of an organization or many gives student a sense of belonging and competence. Overall, it is important for the students to question themselves if they could see themselves live and be happy and successful in that one college that they are looking into.

I would tell the parents to sit down with their child and figure out what their child wants out of college, besides a education. For example, if they want the experience of living away from home, then a university would be a great choice. If they would rather not leave home, then they should choose a community college. If they want to make lots of friends, then a large university would be the way to go, if they are nervous about being around large groups of people then they should aim for a smaller university. It all comes down to what exactly the potential student is looking to get out of their college experience.

Finding the right college is a lot like an interview. You are interviewing the college to see if it accomodates to your particular interests on campus, and if the college will deliver the knowledge you wish to receive when you graduate. Visit a couple of campuses and ask any question that comes to mind to a couple of students. Tour guides are there to spruce things up, students will tell the truth. For example, If you are interested in the sports program, ask a sports athlete that goes to the university. The best recommendation about making the most out of your college experience is to be yourself. There is no popularity contest in college, and making friends is much easier to do. I guarantee there are students that share the same interests as yourself, and being yourself is the best way for them to find you.

When you choose a college, do not allow distance or money keep you from doing what you dream of doing. If you want to attend the school, that you like, just get good grades, and get a job on campus. If you do not go to the school that you want to go to, you will most likely end up regretting it. I know that I somewhat do, because I was supposed to go to school on a scholarship for athletics, but I didn't. But the best advice to give to future college students is, to go into school on a positive note. Do not goof around, it is much easier to get situated first. I know it's exciting, and you may think that you need to join everything, but enjoy school for a semester, and if you think that you are ready to take on the many endeavors that college life throw at you, well then good luck! Enjoy college.

Choose a school that has a credible program for the field you want - not just where your friends are or for the social scene. College can be and IS a lot of fun, but its also a lot of hard work. Remember why youre there, and what you want to acheive. Its easy to get sucked in to the social life and freedom college allows, but don't lose sight of your goals and what getting a degree really means to you.

It is always hard when trying to look for the right college for you. You need to keep an open mind of all the colleges that you may visit. Make sure that you also go to a college where you may now some people, it is always hard to start off the year not knowing where to have fun or meet people. If you have those friends that have been there for a year, it is always safe to know that that could be an optional school. When you are visiting, don?t be afraid to ask questions. When I first came to this school, I knew no one. But I went and talked to people on my floor and we hung out, and luckily one of the people that I met was a sophomore and he knew where parties were and he was a fun person to hang around. So if you are nervous about talking to people, you need to break the barrier while you are in college. When you meet new people in college, they can turn out to be your friends for life.

Go on a tour of the college before making your choice. Also, apply to as many colleges as possible because the more options you have, the better. When touring a college, you will know if it is the right fit for you, if there are any second thoughts, with my experience, it is probably not the right choice

I would tell them to take there time and don't just jump at the first college that offers to you. Also sometimes your first choice is not your best choice, sometimes I wish that I would have looked more at my second and third choices. College is fun but make sure you go to it for the right reasons, make sure its what you want to do and don't let your parents, family, friends, or anyone pressure you into going to college. Maybe you just want to take a year off first or maybe join the military, just do it for the right reasons.

I think its important to pick a school that is both an enjoyable place to be in and one where they have the most opportunities in their area of study.

I worked very hard in high school, perhaps even harder than I do now in college, and I always got good grades. My goal was to get into a very competitive and prestigious university that I would be proud to attend. However, when it came time to choose what schools I was interested in, the ones I liked the most were too expensive. I highly recommend looking into scholarships so that other people can go to the school that they dream of going to, rather than just settling for one that is inexpensive and close to home. I also think that it is very important to visit a variety of schools before choosing one, because that is a whole different experience than just reading about them.

Find a place that has a great program for what you want to study. And sororities are not bad! Join one!

The best advice that can be given is spend a lot of time researching schools that you/your teenager are interested in. Once your family has an idea of colleges overall, take time discussing and deciding how much you can afford to pay, large greek system or not, big/small, city/rural, and what your student would like to major in. It is important to go to a school that has a good program in whatever you intend on studying. After the colleges have been narrowed down to realistic choices, visit! Spend time walking the campus, looking at the dorms, talking to professors and current students, and take notes! Apply at 4 or 5 schools that you are the most impressed with, see what kind of scholarship you could be offered, and decide from there. Honestly, all schools have postive sides and negative ones, and no matter where your student decides to go, there will be good days and bad days, but it all works out in the end. Good luck!

My advice to parents and students about finding the right college is to find one that works for everyone. Compromising never hurt anyone. Also students, listen to your parent's advice, they know a lot more than you think. To make the most of the college experience my advice is to have fun. Enjoy your classes, enjoy your social life, go to school sponsored events, go to non school sponsored ones, etc... Most of all make friends because you'll have these relationships for the rest of your life.

One of my favorite quotes is, ?In a world where you can be anything, be yourself.? As I started looking at colleges, I had no idea where I wanted to go. Then I remembered that quote, to be myself, and pick somewhere that I loved, that would work best for me. After all, this decision would change my life, and affect me the most. My advice for students would be simply, make a list of what you want out of a college such as, how far away from home, what major the school must have, and of course what activities there are for you to get involved in. From there all you need to do is look some schools up, go visit them, and from that point on go through an elimination process of which one satisfies you the best. Do not ever let anyone or anything hold you back from doing what you want. This is the beginning of a new chapter, a change. It is okay to be nervous; it is okay to be unsure. Take everything step by step, and I promise you that it will all be okay.

Finding the right college can be a difficult thing to do. There are so many options to keep in mind, the size of the college, their specialty, and the type of people that attend the school just to name a few. All of these are important factors when it comes to finding the correct college, but what is the most important? I personally believe that you should look at what the school excels in before you go looking at the aesthetic choices such as size or types of people. if you want to become a business man, then you should find the schools that has an excellent business program first, then look amongst them for the school that fits your personal choices. in this way you can get the most out of your college time by having a school that not only provides you with the education that you need, but also fits your personal tastes.

Choose a school where you will be most able to succeed. This includes the campus environment, school, size, education provided at the school, and the kids of classes available. All of these things will help you do well, and it's extremely inportant to be at a school that can accomodate to your needs. College is your experience, and the more comfortable you are with your environment, the better you'll do. I cant stress enough how important a college experience is; and if you like your classes along with the environment you're in, there's no way you can't make the best of it.