Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis Top Questions

Making the most of college is a two-step process. First, parents and students must evaluate the needs and wants of the individual and how those fit with prospective universities. Political leanings, religious affiliation, the academic-athletic balance, and environment all play a very important role in the type of experiance a student might have. Secondly, to maximize the college experience, students need to approach it understanding that they and their preferences will change. Not every college is right for everyone, but it is possible to initially dislike things about a school that a student may come to appreciate and value with time. An urban, commuter school may seem undesirable to students wanting a 'traditional college experience,' but they offer the kind of opportunities for employment, internships, and independence that are hard to find in a collegiate town. Similarly, an academically focused student may feel out of place at a school with a passion for athletics and Greek life but eventually finds a niche with campus groups that make them feel at home. No college experience is predictable, and the key is good planning and even better optimistic adaptation to the new situations ahead.

IUPUI is a wonderful school to attend to get a good education and also be able to be in a downtown environment where jobs can be readily available that associate to your major.

I would say to look at the acedemic side of the college. Don't go by how big the school is or how many students are there because a lot of students pick those schools for partying and although students want to go out and do that from time to time, Studying and graduating to become successful is a lot more important. Don't limit out a college until you've talked to a representative or visited the college to get some better information then a packet or a website because the ideal college may be a very small college. To follow that, some colleges are small or look boring to go to but they may have to best classes to meet your major and also have the best advisors and proffessors, which in turn can make the classes easier and making college more fun to be in then. Whatever the choice though, Don't only pick one college and apply to only that, pick 3-5 and look into them all and make your desicion after the acceptance letters have come back in so you have other options just in case something goes wrong.

Choose a college based on your needs. Do not make a desision based on what other family and friends have choosen for themsleves. Be an indivdual.

I would recommend that students take a long, hard look at the career they would love to do and not be concerned about the amount of money the career makes. I feel a student needs to be studying in a field they love. This seems to always enhance and boost grades and I feel the student will find some way of being successful in a career they love. The student's confidence and excitement will increase allowing them to be that much more successful in his/her career.

When trying to find a college you should go and visit any schools you're considering, take a tour, see what your average day may be like if you chose to go there. If you plan on living on campus ask to take a tour of their campus housing. Ask to sit down and talk with someone about your financial situation and what kind of help they have to offer you. I feel that in order to make the most of your college experience you need to go into it with an open mind. If you're not sure what your intended major is thats fine! You can use your freshman year to explore and find out what you may be interested in. There are alot more options in college than there were in high school. Just make sure that the credits for the classes you take can be used to meet general requirements.

Think about everything as a package. Don't let a location or the quality of a particular program make your decision for you because the other aspects you don't like will come back to haunt you. Visit campus, talk to students in your potential program, and compare financial aid and tuition. Take advantage of the fact you are a college student - eat weird stuff for breakfast, take odd jobs, save money, travel and study abroad.

The advice I would give to parents and mainly students about making your college decision is... if you want a REAL college experience, do not choose IUPUI. That is, do not choose IUPUI if you are going to commute there. If you are going to college at IUPUI and you live far away, then that is fine. If you are going to commute to IUPUI for college, do not do it because you will not get the "real college experience." The real college experience is rolling out of bed 10 minutes before class and making it there on time, meeting new people, meeting your new best friends, joining sororities and fraternities, having a meal plan, and going home on Thanksigiving and Christmas. When I commute, I go home everyday and I work too many hours to get the best possible GPA. IUPUI does not have meal plans, they have very few sororities and I don't believe they have any fraternities. I just feel that IUPUI does not give you one of those once in a lifetime college experiences that you'll share with your children someday.

try and figure out what it is that you love to do in life and go for it in college and if that is what you truly love do it with all your heart and never let any one let you think other wise. Avoid the idea of money and go for you dream full on and never look back for any thing.

Make sure that the school gives you what you want & need before you decide where to attend college.