Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Top Questions

There are two things you want to look at when you are selecting the right college. The first thing is the atmosphere of the school; if you can feel like your at home while you visit the college than you should know that's the right one for you. The second thing is the schools reputation; if you can mention a schools name and get positive reviews back from many people then you should know that is a great school for you to pick.

Before anyone decides to go to which school they want, they should first asses their personality and preferences. If a student wants to be a well-rounded and socially developed person, it would be wise to choose a bigger school. If a student tends to be more socially awkward or solely interested in the development of their academics, its best to choose something smaller.

The advice I would give to parents is to be very supportive in helping thier child find tha right college. Help them to be beaware of everything they need to support them in college. For students my advice is to not just find a college that looks exciting and highly ranked, but compare it to your academic abilty or your academic potential. Also, don't just focus on that aspect of college, but think about finances as well.

Although I am mostly happy with my college experience so far, there are a few things I would encourage students applying for college to research and take note of before choosing a college. One, I would make sure to tour your final choices of colleges before accepting. I did not do this, and while I am completely satisfied with the campus environment, things could have turned out much differently if I had shown up to campus for orientation and hated the campus. Also, I would advise those applying to and considering colleges to make sure to call the financial aid office before accepting to see how much the school is able to give to a student in your financial situation, if financial aid is something you need to attend. While I am really glad I go to Penn State and am really enjoying myself here, the financial aid allotted to a student like myself is not nearly enough to cover the cost of education. Make sure to consider the costs of all four years at the school of your choice, and whether that is realistic for you.

Visit all campuses you apply to. With that do some research on dropout rate, average GPA, etc... Most importantly, go to all of your classes!!

In choosing a college be aware of the surrounding areas and how adaptive the student may be. Change is good but not always the easiest thing to deal with. Choose a place in which the student can learn and succeed in anything they choose. If the student is very self-motivated and not easily distracted, a bigger campus may not impeed on their success. If a student is easily distracted and losses focus easily, a smaller campus, may be the optimal choice. College is a great experience that can be a great investment, invest in a place that best suits the student attending that institution.

I would recommend that the student seriously consider what he wants in a school. Sure, a fun major will let him enjoy his college experience more, but will it assure him success after college? Selecting a college is very much like choosing the rest of your life: you will meet friends, live in a different area, and learn about a new field, all which will lead to significant life changes. The student must consider all advantages and disadvantages of attending a certain school, then make an educated decision with the help of family, friends, and guidance counselors. College is too expensive and time consuming to make a rushed decision. As cheesy as it may sound to the student, he should complete personality questionnaires and aptitude tests to find out what kind of program would suit him best. By evaluating his abilities and taking his preferences into account, he can choose a major that will best suit him. Lastly, the student should consider what kind of social scene he wants at school. The social scene can either augment the college experience, or provide the distraction that make academics difficult.

get the students involved

Choosing a college and area of study is an intimidating process for many students. College years arethe time where one develops and matures academically and personally. The decision making procedure is largely affected by factors like credibility, standards of admission, family legacy, and cost. However, one important piece is missing. Attending a university is essentially moving out on one's own, living independently, and is a great learning experience for four years. In those four years, happiness is the most important factor. Students should choose a school that they feel passionately about, that one school that when they visit, they think, this is home. Choose a school that you are proud of. Choose a school that as an alum you can be loyal to. Choose a school that will be a happy home for the best four years of your life.

I'll admit that finding the right college for you is a difficult task. However, its not impossible. The most important part of finding out where you want to go to college is first finding out who you are as a person. You must ask yourself simple questions: like how far away from home do I want to be?, do I want to go to a big/small school?, would I prefer a rural/urban setting?, what schools offer my intended major?, and so on. Once you are able to answer these you will have a much more selesctive list of possible colleges. All you have to do now is compare them. If possible go and visit the college campuses or view their websites. Ask people who have attended/currently attend the college what it is like. The more you find out about colleges the easier it will be to choose. Just remember to relax and take your time. College is supposed to be an enjoyable experience so if you choose a college that just isn't for you don't worry...you can always change your mind.