James Madison University Top Questions

I would say to visit as many colleges as possible before making any final decisions. It is important to know what you are looking for, so you are satisfied with your choice. Do research, visit schools, get advice from college students, explore the school's location, and apply to schools in state as well as out of state. Be open-minded, and don't be afraid to go too far from home. Attending college has been the best experience of my life so far, so no matter where you choose to go to school, enjoy it, and meet as many people as you can, get involved with extra curricular activities, and take classes to simply learn about an interesting subject, not just because you have to take the class. It is your time to explore, so take advantage of this amazing opportunity, and learn something new about yourself and others around you. You will gain a new perspective of the world, life-long friends, an education, and the experience of a lifetime!

The best advice is to visit the school if possible. You can learn a lot about the school from taking a trip to the campus and getting the "vibe." It also helps if you can take multiple trips to the school. The traditional campus tour given by student ambassadors is very informative and can provide a lot of information about logisitical and technical parts of the school like building locations, dining services, dormitories, and financial aid, however, if possible, the student should talk to other students attending the campus and get their opinion. They are more willing to talk about classes and their experience, and are not obligated by the university like the student ambassadors would be to only talk about certain aspects of the school. Also, the college students are more often than not going to be able to answer a lot of questions about the area around the school, like the town and what things there are to do. They are probably more willing to give their advice about what to do before enrolling and will let you know any mistakes they made or should have done. By talking to more students, you can get the true vibe.

I would recomment that the students choose the school that they feel is most suitable for them. Parents should not choose the schools because they are not the ones who will be attending the school. The school for the student should make the student feel like he or she belongs to the school and that he or she is able to express his or herself. With all of that being taken care of, achieving the requirements for graduation should be attainable. Also, the college that the student chooses should have a good program for the major that the student wants to persue.

Make sure to explore any campus you are interested in. Don't hesitate to travel to the college of your choice and take a tour. This is the only way one can get a feel for the life of that college and somewhat experience its campus. I would not recommend chosing a college you have never visited before in person. Once you have choosen a few colleges to apply to, keep an opened mind and write your essays from true experiences that stand out and make you, you. You need to tell the college why your an important asset to their campus, and what you will do to be an important asset to their college community. Once you have been accepted, be open and willing to try new things. Dorms will be strange at first, but there you will meet some of your life long friends. Make sure you get to know your professors, for they are the ones that can direct you towards internship oppurtunities and job oppurtunities. Don't hesitate to join clubs, they're fun ways to meet new people outside of your dorm, and give you a nice break from studying. Most importantly, have fun!

I would suggest that students do their best to not only pay attention during school tours, but also be aware of the student body (both in person as well as demographics). School size can be more important than one might think. Weigh out the pros and cons of each possible school, and do not make snap judgements.

Make sure you visit the school first and that when your there you KNOW your at the school you just cant be without. Make sure you also research financial aid and know what kind of loans you qualify for. Also, if you live in a state with decent schools seriously consider them since they will be less expensive; but if you LOVE a school out of state then go for it you shouldn't feel OBLIGATED to go to an in-state school just because its cheaper. Also, know that if you want to go to a school that is on the expensive side that you go for it -- anything can be done and if you really want it you can get it, don't let the cost of tuition be the decision factor; don't let it ruin your dreams. Good luck!

I believe that the best way to determine the right fit is to physically visit as many campuses as possible. Lots of schools look nice online, but you must visit them in person to get a good perspective. Also, in order to make the most out of your college experience, try everything the school offers/has available. Go to fun guest lectures, concerts, sporting events, do community service, get involved with campus organizations and most importantly, just be open-minded.

It helps to get a feel for the social scene by spending an overnight at your college of choice.

When choosing a school first make sure the size it right for you. Also, visit the campus and make sure you like the atmosphere and that the people you meet are friendly and helpful. Although you may want to make life easier, find out from students whether the classes and workload are challenging. If they aren't you'll end up bored and feel like your either not learning anything or wasting your time. Find out housing availability on and off campus- you will spend most of your down time either in a dorm or apartment, so finding a comfortable living situation is very important. Advice: get involved in clubs, intramurals, etc- it's a great way to meet people, as well as a comfort zone for new students. Also, try to meet as many people as you can and try not to write anyone off too quickly. And most important follow my motto: Work hard play hard- after all college is supposed to be fun!!!

I would say to make sure you really check into the financial aid department. See if they give freshman MUCH BIGGER packages than every other class. Also, make sure your student is happy there. These days money really isn't an issue. You can always borrow more. If the student is forced to go somewhere they feel miserable then chances are they won't last long, so make sure the college is the right fit for them. Make sure to visit each college you are considering too. They always feel different than they do on paper so once you are somewhere you feel you belong, you will know you found the right place.