Iowa State University Top Questions

Visiting the prospective University's campus is important. It gives the student an idea of what the campus is like as well as the students that attend the school. Everything from housing and food to transportation can be observed or even tested. If the atmsphere is not something the student will enjoy, it does not matter how good the academic reputation is. The student can only enjoy their time in college if they enjoy the atmosphere of the school.

Finding the right college can be a very personal experience. Its the place where you are now on your own sometimes away from family and and friends so it is very important to find a school thats just right for you. Those lloking into colleges should think of the career path they would like to go into. Choosing a school that has a very good program in your selected field can be very benifical becuase it allows you to contact and make connections with professionals. It should be a place where you picture yourself attending for years. Another factor to consider in choosing a college is the financial cost. Make sure you feel the cost of the school fits the type of education you want. Also think of things you enjoy doing. Many schools offer clubs and sports. Look into those activites because it can creat ways of meeting new people and allows for breaks in between classes and studying. Its important to know what you are looking to get out of college and if you dont know college is a great place to learn more about yourself and the world around you.

Picking a university or college at times can be a real headache. For me, I wasn't at all sure what I wanted to go to school for at first, so picking a school was especially hard. It wasn't just the programs that I was looking at. I was looking at costs, location, and extracurricular activities too. My parents could afford to send me to college, so I needed to be able to put myself through college, so affording it was a main priority. My best advice to parents and students alike looking for a school is this: Find a college that has everything that interests you, whether that be athletics, greek life or the academic programs. That way, if you change your mind, there is a possibility to successfully change it. Keep in mind, financial aid is always available, no matter where you go. Pick someplace safe with a strong community that keeps the students and parents well informed.

Parents: I know that its difficult, but you've got to let your son/daughter go. College is a time for learning, which includes: doing laundry, cleaning, dating, managing finances, finding jobs, etc. If you continue to do some or all of these things for your child, they will never learn the important life skills necessary for the world in which they will be living. Students: First of all, don't fret about finding the "right college" for you. It's all about the people and the facilities. Look at an institutions facilities and make sure that they are top notch in your program of study. If the resources at the university are acceptable to you, apply/enroll, and get out there and meet people. Make friends, network, try new things, do things for yourself, learn as much as you can from your experiences, and most importantly, enjoy your experience.

Finding the right college doesnt have to be a hard process. There are plenty of websites that help you figure out the college for you. Also many colleges offer tours and visiting hours so you can see and interact with the campus for yourself. And to make the most of your college experience, HAVE FUN. Rember that you are a student and have academic responsibilites. Get involved on campus or in your dorm government, join clubs, make friends, and remeber to study and prepare yourself. College is hard just dont let it bring you down.

Talk to other people attending the college to get tips on housing, meal plans and classes and how teachers and classes are rated but the students. Have fun!

For students, when you're making your choice think about your future, where you want to be after graduation and whether the school can help you get there. If you choose a school based upon social events, or bar scene then chances are your not going to pick the right school to help you succeed.

Take the time to explore all options. Look at many different schools and choose one that is right for you. This isnt just a place to go to school, its where you will learn and grow for many years. Take that into consideration when choosing a college or university.

When you are choosing a college look at what is important to you. Don't assume that accodemics are all you need to worry about. Look at clubs, sports, students, location and anything else that you are interested in. Concider what you enjoy and things you want to experience. Most important of all, if you end up at a college that you don't like, look for something else. Learn from your mistakes and never settle.

Definitely look at all the factors before you choose. Look at size, personal attention, what majors the school focuses on, if they treat you like a person or a number, if you want to be close to your family or in a smaller town setting, whether its a big party school or somewhere you can balance your social and academic life. I chose the completely wrong school for me based on partying and where my friends were going, but after really looking at what I needed, transferring to Iowa State was the best decision because it was a perfect fit for the person I was becoming, not the naive teenager I was. In the long run, my parent's were right in telling me to stay closer to home and to find a school to focus on studying, not partying. It was the best decision I ever made to listen to my parents advice.