Ohio State University-Main Campus Top Questions

Choose a school that will challenge you who are. The right school for you is a place where you can be comfortable, fit in, and succeed, and also the place that will transform who you are into someone you don't know yet. College is a creating process, each day is an adventure. Know that the best college experience lets you learn in the classroom but even more outside the classroom. The best intellectual discussions happen between you and a friend you've just met, or in your own mind while walking across campus. There are many opportunties to do things outside of studying; talk to people to find these opportunities. One lesson I've learned is to go somewhere, do something, talk to someone, even though I may be scared because I've never done it before. If nothing else, I feel good about saying I did something new today. College prepares you for tomorrow by molding who you are today; choose the school that's going to mold you into someone you want to be.

My advice for future parents and/or students about finding the right college would be to do lots of research on your top 5 college picks. Colleges that have tons of clubs, extra curricular activities, and endless amounts of choices for majors are always a good choice. Decide whether you would mind big class sizes or small. Would you mind walking a mile or more to class, or would you rather be in your classroom within five minutes of leaving your apartment or house? If you know what you want to major in, look and see how your prospective colleges rank in the top schools of the nation. It's never a bad idea to take a campus tour either because it gives you a real feel of how things go about on campus.You can make the most out of your college experience by volunteering and joining clubs. You will meet so many different people, and you will learn more than you ever thought about other people. College is such a wonderful experience, make sure you get out there and get involved at your future campus.

Do not, DO NOT base your choices on the prestige of a school. Find out as much as you can about the institute, including VISITING and ASKING questions--to your interviewer, to the administrators, to your tour guide, and most importantly, to as many STUDENTS as possible. You can never ask enough questions to ensure that you find the place that best fits YOU for the next 4+ years of your life. While applying to a school, it's very easy to forget that it's not all about the institute judging you; please, please do remember that YOU are judging the school, too. Once you're in, allow yourself the first quarter or semester to experiment every aspect of what being in college involves. Get a feel for classes AND dab in every sort of activity available on campus, even those you might find uninteresting. The goal is that by the end of this first quarter or semester, you will have a pretty good grasp on how to balance between play and study, as well as an idea of where you will want to commit yourself to in the future. Don't be afraid to seek help when needed!

Don't let your parents influence you. Students should go where they feel most comfortable. Also consider your major program choices.

The best thing to do during a student's/family's decision making process is to go and visit the campuses that the student applied to. This gives the family and, most importantly, the student an idea of what campus life is like, how updated the school is in terms of recreational facilities, libraries, and dormitories, and if the student will fit into the environment i.e. city or rural surroundings. I would also suggest meeting with an advisor within the student's prospective major so that he or she may get an idea of the courses offered and workload. This is helpful in narrowing down what major he or she will pursue and if the school is qualified or unqualified in that industry. Finally, once the decision is made about what college to attend, I believe, it is very crucial for the new student to live in on-campus student housing with other incoming freshman. For me, as an out of state student, this was very important in developing strong friendships and a social network. From there, it is much easier for a student to join extra-curricular activities and become more involved in their major of choice.

It is necessary for potential students to always be resourseful and patient. When choosing the right college, parents and students should make sure to visit the campus before finalizing their decision. Many times, a student will select a school based on how well it looks on paper (rankings, programs, etc).

If you're unsure what you want to do, attend a community college first. After you figure out your desired field, don't let money stand in the way of your dreams. Between scolarships, private loans, and hard work, it's worth it to attend the best university you can afford to go to for your desired program.

Do college visits and if you have the opportunity, do an overnight visit. Pick a school that will fit you, whether you want a big campus or a smaller more intimate one. If you can, let the cost be the very last deciding factor. First year take a variety of classes to help you figure out what you want to major in. Don't be scared to get involved, but academics do come first. Take advantage of the opportunties like guest speakers or tutoring or just going out to support your team. College is the time to learn about new cultures and meet people from all over the world. As long as you are polite, most people will be more than willing to talk about their culture and themselves. Study hard and make time to have fun with friends, because in the end, it's those times that you will remember and learn the most from. In college you might never actually get the chance to sleep.

First, I would suggest parents and students talk to each other. I remember talking to my parents about college and finding out they had differing views on college than I did. College is a big investment and it is important to be on the same page regarding money, living situation, dining plans, class schedule, and general direction for a degree. Secondly, I suggest that the student make a list of the areas of study that interest him or her. These are subject to change, of course, but it is advisable to pick a university or college with departments and emphasis on certain disciplines that matches the students' interests. Thirdly, I would recommend the student live on campus for at least a year. To me the college experience is not complete unless one has lived in a dorm in close quarters with other people. By living on campus one learns to make friends, solve disagreements, share space, form study groups, engage in the nightlife and other social events. Admittedly the college experience is sure to vary from person to person, but these suggestions I have made are based on the unforgettable and wonderful undergraduate experince I had at Ohio State.

Make sure to visit the schools you are interested in and ask a lot of questions. It is important to look at both academic and social aspects of the school. Finances are important, so part of the decision should be based on how much money you are awarded and how much it will cost to go there. Also, look at the rankings of the school and rankings for the school in your major, as well as the job outlook. It may seem like graduation is far away, but it is important to think ahead about getting a good job in this economy. The college process can be stressful so it is important to get the most information from each school in making your decision.