Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Top Questions

Dont worry about if they offer the major you want because you will probably change your major. Look for the school with the most choices of majors instead.

Speaking as an upcoming sophomore and easily remembering the days filled with college applications, dorm-life worries, and packing lists, I can relate to any students looking at colleges. Remember to visit the colleges- don't just look at one aspect, but consider the location, the size, the academic possibilities, the dorms, and the opportunities. If you're going into mechanical engineering but are considering physical therapy, make sure to go to a school that has both options. Parents, let the student choose- demanding their attendance to a certain school will not help them if they don't desire it. Students, take consideration of your parents', counselors, and college students' advice. Once you get there, don't just think about the party scene or academics, but find a balance. Remember the goal for the end of your time there, enjoy the short time you have by finding friends in and out of your major, and find time to both relax and study.

College isn't about where you go or how you do, it is about the experiences you learn. If you are going to look for a priority system in finding the college that fits you best, it should be based on what experiences the alumni were able to recieve and where it has taken them. A big college may not give you a personal experience and a small college may not give you valuable experience, but find the balance between them and you may have a school that you will be able to have pride in for all of your life.

It is important to visit many different colleges and universities because the feel on each campus is so different. If you know what you might want to major in, make that your first priority in choosing a college- afterall, that is why you're going! To make the most of your college experience, get involved in some kind of social group right off the bat- whether it is religious, academic or social. It is important to get involved in a smaller community within your school and is an easy way to make lifelong friends! Also, to make the most of your college experience, STAY IN TOWN on the weekends! You may be tempted to go home the you st few weekends, but that is how you will get to know people and truly integrate yourself into the campus community.

Visit colleges and universities, and make sure that your son/daughter is comfortable with the university culture and feel and the location of the school. Also, chooose a place where your son/daughter can adjust well and make friends easily.

Find a place that your child loves. He/ she is going to be spending the next 4 or 5 years there. To the students; live life to the fullest there, make as many close friends as you can, study hard, but reward yourself. For many of you this is probably the first time you will be on your own. That means your going to have a lot more responisbilty than you have ever had before. One last note, make sure you learn how to do laundry before you go. Best of luck.

My parents dragged me through the process kick and screaming. Just know that in the end, everything will work out. You will find a school that you feel you belong to and if you don't like a school five minutes into the tour....just leave.

Look at choosing a college as one of the most important decisions of your life. Be well-informed about all of the schools you apply to. Visit the school, sit in on classes, tour the dorms and apartments, and talk to students and faculty. Too many students make their decisions based on other's people opinions, but in the end, your opinion is what counts. And if you can't decide, even make a pro's and con's list for each school if you need to. After you've done all of this, let your heart and your mind decide on your school. Once you have found the right school, strive to make your four years as fulfilling as possible. Be flexible, well-rounded and spontaneous. Don't spend all of your time partying, because you will regret it. But also don't spend all of your time worrying about school, because you'll regret that too. Manage your time well, be involved, and don't take yourself too seriously. I like to live by the motto "work hard, play hard." In the end, the college experience is what you make it. I say, chose to make it unforgettable!

The best way to test whether a college is right for you is to spend a day or, even better, two there. See how the atmosphere feels. Go to the student union, walk through the library, sneak into the back of a large lecture class, and talk to a few students walking across campus. Speaking with students who attend--especially those other than tour guides--will help you get an honest image of the school. And most students will be more than happy to share their experiences at the university, whether good or bad. Getting involved right away is the best way to take away the most from college. What you study is important, but learning is more than just books. Getting involved not only introduces you to new people, but often it gives you opportunities you would never have without being in a club or organization. Being involved also helps you to leave your mark at college, and there's nothing better than knowing you've helped to leave a legacy. Study--and study hard--but make the time away from the library count by finding an organization where you feel like you belong.

Finding the right college is a balancing act. Students and their parents should decide what qualities are most important before choosing a school. For example, things to consider include distance from home, tuition costs, the programs that the school offers as well as the size of the student body and the ratio of professors to students. Students should also visit the colleges so they get a feel for the different campuses. As for making the most of the college experience: Have fun but not so much fun that you forget why you're at college in the first place. Get involved. Join clubs or intramural sports teams. Join a sorority or fraternity if that interests you. Wherever you decide to go, make sure that it is either your ideal school or a place where you can adjust easily to the next chapter in your life and enjoy the ride.