James Madison University Top Questions

The best thing to do when picking a college is to visit the college while school is in session, not necessarily with a trained tour guide, but with someone you know who attends the school. I would highly suggest visiting for a long weekend, possibly attending a class with a friend, and then seeing what the weekend life is like. It is difficult to choose schools, because it is nearly a blind pick to see which will suit you better, which is why it is wise to visit with the mindset that you are living one weekend in the life of a student that does attend there. There is no cookie cutter way to choose a school, it just needs to feel right to you.

Talk to alumn from each prospective college and hear their own take on it. Plan a weekend visit to interact with students from the school. Take a tour on campus while school is in session.

When looking for the right college keep in mind location and financials first. If a school is too far from home (everyone's distance varies) cross it off the list. Next I would look at the tuition and scholarships offered at the school. If it will be hard to manage, or impossible to get loans for (especially in the economic crisis we are facing some adults can not back their children with loans) , and no direct scholarships or grants from the school I would put it on the maybe list. Then of course the fun part, visit the school during the school year and get a feel for what students there are like. See if you would want to be a part of the community the school offers. Talk to professors, yes it is awkward at first, and staff as well and see if you like the environment you are surrounded by. Once you are starting your freshman year, do your best to get involved and meet the people you are living with. Having good relations with roomates can greatly affect your initial college experience. Find clubs, sports etc. that you want to be apart of and do them.

Find a college that you feel like you really feel a connection with. One that has a good program of your choice and one that you know you will not regret going to.

explore all options and figure out your priorities, then choose the school that fulfills what you need and want

When searching for the right college, be sure to look for the schools that have a strong emphasis in the field you are thinking about going for. You want to get the best education you can for the amount of money you are going to pay to attend. Also, make sure the faculty in your field are highly trained and really know their field of study well. The professors make all the difference in how you learn the material and get better at what you do. where the school is geographically located can also have an impact on where you choose to go. Make sure that when you are applying you go to a school that will put you in a good learning environment, somewhere you will be comfortable and not feel out of place at. Most importantly, go to the school for the right reason. Remember, your career is way more important than your social life. Jobs are more interested in how well you did in college, not how much fun you had.

In order to pick the right college, the most important thing to do is VISIT! You never know how you'll feel about a place until you're actually there. Take as many opportunities to visit campus as possible; whether it be a sponsored weekend where there are tons of prospective freshmen, or you're just walking about campus on a random Tuesday. Get to know the different places and try to sit in on a couple of classes if possible. The atmosphere of the place you might attend college is a very big deal, and if you're not comfortable there you won't enjoy it as much. To make the most of your experience, get involved but not too involved. Give yourself time that first semester to get to know campus and focus on your classes, since that transition time is usually the hardest. Make sure you take advantage of all opportunities thrown your way, such as studying abroad. Become a dedicated member of one or two organizations on campus and give them your all. These years will fly by faster than you know, so cherish every memory.

When looking for the right college for yourself or the student I believe there is a couple of very important things that you should consider. The first being what is academically going to challenge you. Make sure you wont be to bored or to stressed out becuase of course work. The second thing is you should make sure that you like the atmosphere. Decide whether the people fit you and you fit the people. Like the campus because your going to be looking at it for four years. As to making the most of your experience at college dont be afraid to make mistakes, be outgoing and make friends that you can always have fun with, and interact within school to be involved. Dont ever be afraid to ask questions. And for the student, make sure YOU like it and not someone else. Lastly, make sure you will be happy becuase that is the most important thing.

I'd say access your child's strengths, weaknesses, and career objectives and begin by investigating local and state institutions that seem to have some correlating characteristics. This is obviously an important decision that can only be made worthwhile through thorough investigation of what the individual is looking to get out of the experience, AND what the college/insitution has to offer. As far as making the most out of the experience, the best place to start is finding out what interests you, and follow that path wherever it takes you. Colleges typically have all sorts of clubs, associations, events, etc. that not only provide unique opportunities to get involved, but they also can be good friend-finding and networking tools. It's important to remember that this time of your life is the TERMINAL for your youth and the ARRIVAL of responsible adulthood, and only you can chose the plane and destination when your given the ticket of opportunity.

Don't go to college based on its name. I went to a big-name school because I wanted to 'wow' people when I told them where I was going. I didn't care about the cost, the size, the party scene or anything else that actually mattered. Big mistake. Turns out, the name isn't all that important. Sure, people will judge you on what school you choose based on what they know about its reputation, but who cares what they think? Do what you really believe is the best bet financially and in terms of best fit. Also, listen to your parents! I wish someone had guided me in my college choice, but no one did, and I ended up in the wrong place. Most kids what to go out-of-state because they think it makes them more independent. Truth is, you can be in-state feeling like you're hundreds of miles away AND still get to go home to do your laundry. I went out-of-state and have now had to transfer because I couldn't afford out-of-state tuition, no matter how many jobs I worked.