Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona Top Questions

1. Make sure the school meets your financial needs. 2. Make sure campus life is exciting and diverse. 3. Make sure teachers are accessible. 4. If a student goes away, make sure they are able to handle living by themselves. 5. Make sure students balance school life and social life. 6. If the student can, be involved in on campus life. 7. Make lots of friends and have a great college experience. Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Make sure you vist the campus and know how far it is from home. I have seen too many people who, impatiant to get home, skip class to get there and then fail the class. Also keep an eye on the campus' reputation. How a school is known to other colleges is just as important as how good it really is.

The name of your school is not going to make you happy. For example, when I was looking at Penn State University, I was really drawn in. I heard so much about it and knew of it's outstanding reputation; it sounded very appealing. Once realizing how big the school was, and how big the transition from high school to college would be, I opted out of applying to University Park and decided on a branch campus. Branch campuses offer a lot such as, smaller class sizes (30 compared to 300), more interaction with the professors, and easier transitions. They also give you a chance to achieve a good academic standing in your first year or two especially if you are unsure of what you want to do. Getting involved at a branch campus is also much easier and more personal than at bigger schools, and it is the best way to make friends! When choosing the right school for you, keep in mind the type of setting you are comfortable in. The transition is not always easy, but being comfortable where you are will make it easier and will also give you a more positive attitude and get involved!

Live on campus in a traditional style dorm. This is the best way to get the most out of college. You will be able to go to more activities on campus, both for fun and for education. This will also help you to become more independent and able to live on your own. Sweet style dorms may seem more appealing, but you will meet more people in a traditional style dorm. Also, choose a school that offers a lot of majors, that way if you change your mind you won't have to transfer schools to change your major.

I would strongly advice students and their parents to tour the colleges that they apply to before choosing one. I would also encourage them to speak to students that attend the college and not just to the representatives that are there to give them tours. They will be able to get a better perspective from the insider's view that way. I would also encourage them to ask about anything they are uncomfortable with or have questions about directly. That way the student understands exactly what situation they will be dealing with. I would also advice them to think about things other than academics such as, living arrangements, student organizations and clubs, and social aspects of college living.

Allow your son/daughter decide where they want to go to college. They know what they want to get out of their college experiance not you. Allow them to major in whatever they want, becuase they are learning the material, not you.

Make sure you visit campus and that you like it. Also, definitely spend a day visiting the area around campus, everyone needs a break every now and then and going off campus is a great way to do so.

Finding the right college is a long process. You should start researching colleges at least a couple of years before graduation. You can talk with teachers, counselors, and other college students. You first need to be sure what field you want to major in, and research the colleges that offer that degree. You need to consider the location, the size of the college, and what all it has to offer. You need to check tuition costs and financial aid. You should start visiting different colleges about a year before graduation to check out living accomodations and transportation to nearby stores. You should at least apply and visit 3 diffferent colleges before making your decision. You need to realize that the college that you choose will be your new home for the next 4 or 5 years, so you want to pick the one that's right for you.

As a parent, it may be difficult to see their child, who they have raised and nurtured for the last 18 or so years, just get up and leave. Indeed the transition is difficult for parents, but they must understand that the transition difficulty for the student is ten fold. Increased responsibility, tremendous amounts of time dedicated to school, and the fine balance between work and pleasure, are all some of the things students have to adjust too. So when it comes down to the time, your son or daughter finally departs too live on their own, and lay the foundation for their future, you must maintain a steadfast love and affirmation that your child will succeed and make the best of their present and future opportunities. Now matter how grim things may look, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Parental support is vital in the first stages of a students transition, but you have to be willing to accept and understand things you may not accept, or a lack of communication will insue. A parent will undoubtedly be lied to, if they are not understanding of the realities of college life! Regards, Ben Beaver

Look for the right college that not only meets your academic needs but your social, spirtual, and environmental needs. Look for a school that would match what will help you grow and learn.