North Carolina State University at Raleigh Top Questions

I recommend that students and parents visit two or three schools of their choice; talking with individual students and professors on a one-to-one basis. This way, the parents and prospective students will receive the best verbal and non-verbal answers to their questions and concerns. I encourage individuals to take advantage of the learning resources available to them. Attend Orientation Week and attend student performances held at the Student Center. Take a tour of select residential halls in different areas of the campus in order to obtain a well-rounded experience of the different residential and social opportunities. In addition, I encourage potential students to sit in on lectures from professors that they are interested in. In addition, please obtain a map from the student center and create your own personal campus tour, being sure to check out the dining hall(s), bookstore, and library. Participate in school pride by attending a home game, depending on the athletic season. Nevertheless, it is best to visit campuses during the week to learn from current students; and to get the best social experiences that the university has to offer! Don?t be afraid to ask questions and have fun!

I would advise parents and students to look deeper than the tours and information provided by the university itself, and look at the actual experience current students of that university are having. It can help avoid future dissapointment, because of course a university is going to work very hard to give themselves a good name, which makes them a very one-sided source. Schools with an excellent repuation that seem very attractive while you are researching a school to enroll in may actually be experiencing a decline in quality or growing pains that will affect that school negatively by the time you are accepted and enroll. Caution should be used even when a choice seems to be a guaranteed success. College is one of the greatest experiences ever on many different levels, and social aspects should not be ignored. Education is of course the biggest priority when selecting a school, but a poor quality of life or enjoyment of the experience socially can take a toll on how well you benefit from an otherwise excellent school. Do independent research! Find a balance between educational and social satisfaction!

Take a month or more to think hard about just what you WANT to do with your life, not necessarily what makes the most money. When you figure out your interests and what career fits that best, apply to the local college that would give you the best education, as well as other local colleges as back-ups. When you get to college, remember to have fun in any way you want to, stay on top of your studies, and don't sweat the small stuff. Keep your priorities in mind.

Do your research, find out which school fits you the most, go to all social events the school has your freshman year, attent every single day of class, do your homework before it gets rusty, have fun, and also know how to pay for college before you get there. There are a lot of scholarships out there, all you have to do is keep trying until you get lucky.

Visit the college before you make a decision and see what the social life is on and off campus.

Never give up looking for a school if you aren't satesfied with what is offered, you never know when or where you will find the perfect school. To parents, trust that your kids are making the best decision for their future no matter what school they choose and support their decision. Even if it seams like you won't be able to afford it, the school will help them with financial aid. The important thing is that you find a school where you believe you will get the best education you can possibley get, once you get there you will make some incredible friendships. I can certainly understand a parents hesitancy about their child going far away from home but again, trust them and they will make you proud.

Make sure that you tour the University or college that you plan on attending, and make sure that you visit multiple places. In addition be sure to think outside the box when deciding on where to apply. Even though out of state may be more expensive don't rule out the option because there may be a great University that has the location, degree, and extracurricular options that you would thrive with. Finding a University is not about going for the reputation of the school, but more about finding the right match for your needs, goals, and talents. I was going to go to UNC Chapel Hill but when I visited I got a weird vibe. There is no better way to explain it, but when I went to NC State I felt comfortable and almost at home. I could see myself going there for four years and feeling comfortable. I also was inducted into a dual degree program which made the large University setting scale down into a more personalized acceptance. You should go where you are not treated like a number, but as an individual that will benefit the growth and progress of the University.

In order to find the right college, base it around what you want to do with your life and what school has the best program for your major, rather than around location, social aspects, appareance, etc. While in college, really get involved with various organiztions on campus so that you have a sense of comittment and belonging. While it is important to engage in social activities, do not let your social life take over your schoolwork, because you really are in college in order to prepare for your future career.

Do your reasearch and figure out where you want to be a student, not where your parents want you to go, or where your boyfriend or girlfriend want you to go, but where you truly fit in.

Figure out what you want to do after college, and find a college that will prepare you for that. If you want to be trained in a skill or trade, choose a college or university that focuses on doing that. Don't settle for a University or college that does that thing on the side if you are serious about it. GO MEET THE FACULTY AND SEE THE FACILITIES before accepting an offer to enroll! Go talk to other students during the week days. If students are not receptive to you walking up to them and talking to them around campus when you are a senior in high school, and asking questions-- like at the lunch hall, or whatever, then they will not be receptive to you as a freshman in highschool, either. I visited NCSU several times before attending, and met faculty, toured facilities, I even went to a summer camp here to stay in the dorms before moving into them. I talked to students who were assigned to talk to me-- and random people I met in common areas. Be friendly, focus on your goals, and college is fine.

When looking for a college that is well-suited for you, a few major things should be considered. Perhaps foremost is the financial question. In order to succeed, it is important that the student worry as little as possible about money. They will certainly have enough other concerns. Make a well-informed decision here, and you will save yourself much future trouble. Beyond this most practical matter though, you should make sure to visit as many of the university choices as you possibly can. Pictures, reviews and descriptions have their uses, but there is really no substitute for going and seeing. It is very important that the student have a chance to see the place where they will be spending the next half-decade of their lives. There are difficult to define feelings that come from being in a place, perceptions that are related to the use of all senses. Architecture may give a sense of foreboding, or it may feel open and inviting. The average noise level may make focusing on work difficult. It is impossible to know without seeing for yourself. Make it a family vacation if you can; be sure to take time to visit the campus.

My advice is to work hard through highschool academically and commit to diversifying yourself through work experience, extra-curricular activities, and service opportunities. This allows for more choices of colleges to apply to. Also, visit all the campus you intend to apply to. Take a campus tour and ask lots of questions. Complete your financial aid packages on time and get to know your college advisors. Practice good study and eating habits and try to balance your social life as best as possible. If everything is in sync your college experience will be amazing!

Go visit the campus and maybe even sit in on some classes the student will be taking. You will definitely know just spending a day on campus if you think you will belong. Also, when first arriving, definitely partake in the new student organizations and events. It is a great way to meet people who are going to be going through your same situations. Definitely consider a fraternity/sorority. Even if you do not consider yourself to be the typical image, it is a great way to meet people who you will know for the rest of your life and will open doors that you would never even imagine.

The best advice anyone can give to a college applicant is make sure any school you apply to is a school you would like to attend. Don't apply to a school because it may be cheaper than the other, or because your friends go there, or they have a good football team. Apply to a school that you know you will love, because four years is a long time and you want to enjoy every part of it. Make sure you visit the schools you apply to, and if you can, sit in a on a lecture or two, walk around campus and get the vibe of student life and learning. Having a good education is priority in college, but so is your social life, if you're not having fun or if you lack strong frienships, learning and studying can become difficult. If you make an educated decision, a decision that comes from the heart , you'll attend the school you want, you'll get involved, develop strong friendships and have the best four years you could imagine. Good Luck!

I never visited a college campus until I participated in a summer program here at NCSU. It was the most amazing experience I have ever had, I would definitely tell parents and/or students to visit the schools and make sure to research organizations, dorms, buildings, history, etc. because it helps build community among a huge campus. Although the amenities, support, and academic pathways are important, once you step onto that college campus as a high school student when class is in session, you will be able to feel if the school is right for you. The culture of a university is something that can be felt immediately.

Vist the college, and do not go to a college just because someone you know is going there.

I would advise future college students to find a school that offers good quality learning, most importantly. Also, they should look into the activities and extracurriculars that the college and area offers, in order to guage whether the activities that interest them are available. Last but certainly not least, I would tell the prospective students to break away from their comfort zone and do something that they have never done before and meet new people. The people you meet in college will most likely be who stands beside you in your wedding, send you cards at Christmas, and update you on their lives. Besides the education part, socialization and being actively involved are the two most important aspects of college.

Keep an eye on your kid, make sure he/she is progressing educationally and not so much socially.

When looking for a college make sure you go in depth about what that college has to offer. Look at things you can get involved in such as organizations that may benefit you by increasing your chances for receiving a job after graduating. Make sure the campus is safe. Most importantly please visit the campus and see if it is right for you. Ask yourself questions while visiting. Does this campus offer things to help me succeed? Do the teachers really care about their students learning the material? Those types of questions that will make you think that the school you are considering is for you.

Think long term. Go for the school that fits your character, goals, learning style, and lifestyle... it's more than a tuition bill, it's a career move and a life move