Muskingum University Top Questions

The most important aspect of finding a college right for you, is to make sure you are comfortable there. In all honesty, that level of comfort cannot be reached with a parent by your side telling what is good and what is not. The initial visit should most definitely be with the parent, but if you like it, take a few friends a visit together, without your parents. You will see things you never saw before and that is how your comfort level will form. Also, be yourself! When you have to fill out any type of form or application, don't pretend to be someone you are not. If you don't like playing water polo, don't answer that you do. Without being comfortable in your own skin, you can never be comfortable in a new school. And most importantly, HAVE FUN!

The best advice I could give someone about finding the right college is to consider all the possibilities. Think of all the reasonable options that are available to you and then visit them. Just because you like the school on the internet, it is convenient, or all your friends are going there does not mean that it is the right fit for you. You could learn all you want about a school through emails, websites, brochures, and people who go there but nothing will tell you if it is the right place for you like a visit. I fell completely in love with a school based on its website and materials that I was sent in the mail. However, the second I set foot on campus I was shocked to find just how wrong I had been about the school. As far as making the most out of your experience at school, my suggestion is to get involved in things. Do not except college life to be amazing and adventurous while watching TV. in your dorm room. You have to make it happen yourself. Get out there, meet people, and do fun things!

I think finding the right college for your son/daughter is about, not necessarily what the parent wants, but more what the student wants. Whether it be smaller classrooms, a fantasic engineering program, or a gorgeous campus, make sure they encorporate what they prefer and what they need. Don't let it be about how good the food is, or how nice the dorms are, make sure that the program they have for their interest is a good one and if the dorms are nice, then that's a 2-in-1 deal, but don't let something like that hold them back. And, I would say that you should never let money be an issue; because if your student is striving to be what they want to be, they will enjoy making the money that helped earn them their position. Everyone is in debt when they graduate, I don't think the tuition of the college will make much difference as long as your son/daughter is happy with what they have accomplished.

If I had to give a parent and/or student advice about making the right choice on selecting a college, I would say that the student as well as the parent need to start big and start early. Look at several different schools which are made up of different demographics. For example, choose a big state school like Ohio State , a little smaller school such as Ashland, a community college, and a school with a small population like Muskingum College to visit. Once you have visited the schools, narrow your selection down and do overnight stays or classroom sit-ins. Make sure you also apply to your top three schools immediatly. The earlier you apply, usually the better chance you will be to get scholarships from that school. Make sure you get to know the school the best you can by visiting multiple times. Also, ask questions and get involved with the tours. This is your living enviorment for the next few years, so know if it will fit your needs.

look at as many colleges as you can. Do not just pick one and apply to just one college. You may think that you would like acollege prior to being a student however once you are astudent you fin things are different. Look at a few colleges so that you get ideas about what you dislike and what you do like.

I would tell future students to find the place that feels like home to them. Going to college can be a scary and exciting experience, so as long as you choose a college that give you that "comfy-cozy-almost-like-home feeling," you'll feel as if you really belong there. After that, adapting will be that much easier. Once at college - get involved! I can't stress enough how much extra-curricular activities can really make you feel busy, happy, and productive. Part of a fantastic college experience is really feeling as if you made an impact there, and left your footprints behind in a positive way.