Michigan State University Top Questions

When looking for a college/university, students & parents need to ensure that the institution will cater to their needs. To do this, a student has to really be sure of what he wants from a university, both academically and socially. Research to see how their programs match up to other universities/colleges around the country. Take campus tours and do summer programs at the school of choice. One has to be sure that the institution will have room for the student to grow both academically and socially. Once a student goes off to college, it is up to that student to take advantage of all the resources and opportunites that are available in order to make the most out of an institution. This can be done through research opportunities that get you hands on experience with your future career, student organizations which help to build a network of friends, learn how to share ideas, and work in a group setting, and study abroad which allows one to see the world and learn just how different yet the same we all are. In short, a student has to be sure of what they want out of a university & out of life.

Make sure you are able to pick a school based not only on your strengths but on your weaknesses too. You cant just go to a school because people say its the best fit for you, you have to know yourself and where you would be most comfortable.

When choosing a college there would be a couple things I would give advice about. First, I would tell students who have to pay for their own tuition, rent, groceries, and books as I do, to make sure they will be able to afford it in the long run. I am only in my second year and have spent everything I ever saved up for these years. It's hard going to a college where parents pay for absolutely everything for them while I am broke and not able to do as much or buy as much as they do everyday. Second, I would tell students to make sure they choose a school they will love for four years of their life because that is going to be your home and the people you make friends with become your family. Many students who choose to go to a college because of their boyfriend or best friend attending that school, often end up meeting new people and may no longer believe that is the right school for them. So choosing a school that is right for YOU and no one else is often the best thing!

Be open minded about trying new things and be outgoing.

The most important advice I can give to parents and students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is to find a place that feels like home. Whatever makes that feeling, whether it be the climate or the downtown area, or the classrooms, some part of the campus or the university should feel very comfortable to the student. As long as that qualification is met, everything else should be able to fall in place. Loans can make up for high costs. Plane tickets during the holidays can make up for being far away from the rest of the family. The prestige of the school might have less of an impact on future success than more expensive schools might lead you to believe. The single most important factor in choosing a school should be that it makes you feel comfortably at home.

I would advise going and see all of the different campuses that they are thinking about attending. Once you get to the campus and you actually walk around it and look at the dorms that you would be living in, it makes the decision on where to go in the fall easier. I would also tell studends to be outgoing their freshman year because everyone is in the same boat. Make sure that they try to make friends with people in their dorms. Also join everything you ever thought about joining. All clubs and especially leadership postions stand out on resumes and they are so much fun. Having another sense of belonging, besides to the college, makes you feel like you have people behind you, on your side.

Be confident in yourself! You can do anything you put your mind to. If you don't have enough money, there is ways to fund your education and it's the most important thing you'll ever do. But always remember to have fun too. Do your work but have fun. College is some of the best years of your life, so enjoy it before your in the real world! And take advantage of a study abroad, you won't regret it!

Go there and check it out. If you can't enjoy yourself while you are visiting, well how are you supposed to enjoy learning and being in an enviroment that constantly asks you to perform at your best.

It is very important to visit several college campuses and do extensive research before deciding on a college. Buying college books from the bookstore and visiting websites are definitely good ways to do such research. No matter how you go about learning about various colleges and universities, just make sure that you have all the information possible before making that final decision. Your college choice should be the perfect one for you; the one institution in the nation that makes you smile simply by thinking of it.

My advice to parents and students on finding the right college is to make sure that the school has the major that you want to go into. A lot of students make the mistake of going to these colleges and the next year or semester they have to transfer becuase they didn't offer their major. Also make sure that its in an environment that you wouldn't mind being in. Location is everything. Also with the economy declining make sure that you will be able to afford that coolege or able to obtain financial aid. The best way to make the most out of your college experience is to be open minded, try new things and make many friends. people find life long friends in college and that would make college even more enjoyable. So just make sure that its what you want and can handle anything that comes in your path.

Honestly I would have to say to follow your heart or go with your greatest instincts.. You will definitely more than likely end up exactly where you had wanted to if you do. Once you end up there, go out, get to know people, reach out in classes to other classmates-chances are they are going through the same thing you are. BE YOURSELF. People like being around someone who is real and can speak their mind and not base their thoughts off of other people's thoughts and opinions. Do what you feel is right at all times and if need be, take a few risks...nothing dangerous but something that you might end up being glad you did...live it up, college only comes once and four years later you can't get it back.

Visit campuses that you are interested in! You may not know if it's a good pick or not until you visit and see if it fits YOU.

The best advice I can give is to simply apply to any school that you want, regardless of cost. See where you can get in and visit. Leave no stone unturned as this is a decision that places you for four years. Pick somewhere that you think you can stay at, it makes everything easier. Get to know the town where your school is located... This is going to be your town. Don't let your parents tell you not to apply somewhere. An application is not a binding contract, it is simply an inquiry. Make an informed decision. My mom said that to me everyday and it drove me nuts... But I did it and it made everything so much easier. Follow your heart, you have to be happy.

Do your research! find a school with LOTS of opportunities

Do your research. Don't accept a college just because it's easiest. You will not be happy if you don't do your research.

Choosing the right college is not an easy decision; there are many factors that should be considered when finding the right school, and all of them are very important. I believe that the most important factor a prospective student/parent should take into consideration when choosing a school is the overall atmosphere. Because the student will most likely be spending four or more years at the college, he or she must feel comfortable to succeed academically. Far too many students do not get the most out of their college experience because they choose a college based on its academic prestige without considering how comfortable the environment is. It is very difficult for students to work at an academically successful life without also pursuing happiness. To truly prosper, students must attend a college that will allow them to grow socially as well as academically.

In looking for a college I belive that students and their parents should definitely visit each one that the student is interesed in. In addition, I also think that, when considering which college to attend, students and parents should also look at extra curricular activites that are available at each school, such as athletics and campus clubs, not just the academics that are offered at each college.

I would suggest that the student has some idea of what they want to go into and try to go to a school that has that best program. Or a school that has many good programs to pick from.

First, find a few schools that offer programs you would like to study. Apply as early as you can to all of those schools. Before you decide where to go, make sure you visit the campus. A school might look good on paper, but feel completely different in real life. Once you get to school, try to throw out your expectations for what a college experience "should" be. You will get the most out of your classes and friendships if you are open to new possibilities socially and academically. Make sure you participate in volunteer or internship activities. You will meet interesting people and add valuable experience to your resume. Most importantly, don't forget to HAVE FUN!

When looking into what kind of college/university you wish to attend you first need to consider what you're going to study. You can't attend a school that doesn't have a program to support your choice of studies. Second, you have to think about the environment you want to be in. Do you want to be at a large or small school, does cold or hot weather bother you, what kinds of activities do you enjoy (e.g. if you're an out-doors type you want to be somewhere that permits this, and if you enjoy night life you want to make sure that you're close to a city which provides night entertainment). Thirdly, you have to consider your finances. You have to know exactly how you're going to afford to attend the college you choose. Weather it is through: a college trust fund, your parents, working, scholarships/loans, or any combination of these. Considering these three points, and weighing the pros and cons of each will allow you to pick a college that suits you best.