James Madison University Top Questions

look at the variety of programs offered for your interest, the staff and LOCATION. Find the best scores among these three variables for the school that suilts you. Remember that the choice of classes that you want to take freshman year is FAR from permanant. The # 1 thin to remember is you only get 4 years (sometimes 2) to learn about anything. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS

I would recommend that you visit each of the schools that you apply to; take a good look at the students surrounding you. Ask yourself if you could see yourself as one of those students passing by. Ask yourself if you can see yourself on the said campus. That is one of the first things that attracted me to JMU, as soon as I set foot on campus I felt at home. And home is exactly what it is going to be for the next year, so it is really important to feel like you can fit in there. Once you have made a decison, I would recommend looking into various organizations and clubs. Get involved! The more active you are in the school, the more the school can do for you!

The more colleges you look at the better. Also, don't just take the campus tour, if possible, stay on the weekends or after school hours to get a true feel for what the campus is really like.

Make sure you do a lot of research

Finding the right college is not always a promised thing. It takes time and effort. I suggest always visiting the campus and taking a guided tour. Tour guides will give you information that you won't find online, and you can always ask a question that you would personally like to know. The right college won't always smack you in the face, but when going on the tours, note which campus you feel the most comfortable on...the one you don't feel like you have to change to impress people. Look at class sizes, town population, sports ranks, party atmosphere, study atmosphere and anything else you may be interested in. The most important thing is making the best of college. No matter what campus you choose, YOU are the one that decides whether the years spent there will be memory-filled and amazing or the worst time ever. Dive in to the activites you like and don't be afraid to take chances. Study hard, because it does pay off. Even if the first couple of months you feel homesick, try your hardest, make friends and be positive.

While you are deciding which college to attend, it's important to visit the college campus and have an open mind. Take a campus tour and ask students questions about their likes and dislikes about the school and what they're involved in. While on the tour, try and picture yourself as a student. Think about your priorities in a college. Consider the size of the school, greek influence, on /off-campus housing availability, student activities, gender ratio, religion, competitiveness, tuition/financial aid, what majors the school is known for, etc. If you are unsure of what you want to study, you should to look into a liberal arts college. They emphasize a well-rounded education and offer resources to help you choose a major. If you have time on your visit, eat lunch at a campus dining hall to see how students interract. Once you move in, get out there! Don't be shy, everyone is the "new guy." Study hard right from the start and keep an open mind when meeting people. Be yourself. Look at your club/organization options and join slowly. You don't want to spread yourself thin, but you do want to be involved.

My advice would be to visit the schools as much as possible before making a decision. I would recommend spending a couple nights there which would allow you to see how the dorms are, how the meal plans work and just give an overall feel for campus that isn't the one they present to you on special visitor days. Sometimes the schools put on a show for these special days and it gives a different impression than if you visited yourself. I also suggest visiting some classes so you get an idea of how things are conducted in the classroom. I would talk to people other than your friends who go there because they might just show you the good aspects of the school if they want you to go there. Plus, people who are different from you might offer a different perspective on the school completely. One last thing I would do is see what the surrounding area has to offer. You will more than likely move off campus eventually and want to know the area around you.

Visit as many campuses as you can. When you find the right school, you'll know it. Just follow your heart and whats best for you. Your college experience is what you make it. Have fun and do everything you want because most likely you will never get the chance to do it again.

Research financial options because schools do not take into account all of the expenses associated with going to college. Find an upperclassman in the major you are interesed in at the schools that you are researching and see if you can shadow them for a day or two and see how their life is. Branch out from what you are used to. If you grew up in a big city, attend college in a small town--its only four years and who knows, you may like it. The same applies for those that grew up in small towns, attend college in a larger city. Lastly, move away from your parents and grow from your independence. No matter how much you learn in college, without having to rely on yourself and respond to daily life issues, you haven't learned what is important.

Let their kid decide in the end and make sure that the school is a good fit for his/her personality.