Purdue University-Main Campus Top Questions

The advice that i would give parents is to let their kid actually make the decision on where they want to go to college and not the parent. Although the parent may be giving financial help, the student is the one that actually has to live their and go to classes and if the student is not enthused and actually like the environment most likely they will do poorly because they dont want to be there. So to really get your money's worth choose the school that not only has a good price but what your child is attracted to also.

Choose what is best for you, not your parents, friends, or boyfriend/girlfriend.

I would say search for a college based on your major and location. I have seen students, including friends i have gone to high school with choose a school based on where they would have the most fun. I always say go based on your major, you can have a great social life anywhere. Also, if you really want to get away from home go for it, just be sure it won't take forever for your family to reach you. In other owrds, look at schools in states where you have relatives. Last , but not least, enjoy your college experience becauseit goes by quick.

It's hard to know what kind of person you are when you graduate from high school. Many people don't want to be separated from their best friends. I know that the main reason I came to Purdue was to be with my friends. Little did I know that many of my friends left Purdue after the first year and the ones that did stay, I hardly ever speak to anymore. I would be sure to go to the school that feels right for you, even if you are the only person from your high school to go to that college or university. You always make friends in college anyway. Don't waste four years somewhere where you will be unhappy. College is supposed to be the best time of your life and the time to learn who you are. Don't be afraid to branch out and try new things, that's what its all about.

Save your money. Try to participate in extra-curricular activities on campus. Volunteer while you are in high school - it looks good on your application. Plan how you are going to pay for extras like books (buy used!), lab fees, etc.

Finding the right college is more about the student's personality than the parents' wants/desires for that student. If the student is not comfortable in their surroundings (i.e. the campus is so large they are overwhelmed, so small they are bored etc.) they will not do as well in their studies. They will find excuses why they can't make it to class or don't need to etc. Also, take the weather into consideration when you decide on what college to attend and where to live. If the weather is going to be harsh for say winter or the rainy season make sure you live close so you can get to classes that won't be cancelled when the weather is so bad you can barely drive there if at all. Lastly, take finances into consideration because having to work to pay for school and rent and all that takes a significant portion of your time and it puts more stress than you think on your studies. You should be able to spend your time at internships and jobs that will give you experience in your proposed field.

When trying to find the right school or college, always visit the campus. I know the looks of a campus is not something you really focus on, but sonetimes you get to campus and you feel weird or uncomfortable (its happened to me) even though it has academically everything you wanted. There is always more than one school who will fit your academic needs that will also have that feeling of belonging.

After spending almost four disappointing years here at Purdue University, I can absolutely say that the right college makes all the difference toward maximizing one's college experience. While one can certainly make the most of any given college, whether they fit in with the social norms or are outcast into the outside cliques, time spent in finding the right college atmosphere may be the most important aspect of insuring an amazing college experience. Even though large colleges, such as Purdue, claim diversity in numbers, a majority of campus behaves according to the stereotype, in this case extremely conservative, which is difficult to overlook. Find the college that makes you happy. Find the college where you fit in. Find the college that feels like home. Only then will you have the foundation to make the most of your college career.

Visit every campus that you are interested in and take career consuling test before you decide your major

no point in going to the hardest school you can get into, you want to do WELL in college. An A from your state school and an A from a "better" school still give you a 4.0 and you want a HIGH gpa....if you can get a 4.0 from your state school but only a 3.5 from your "better" prospective school, go with the 4.0. Go to a school near the place you want to get a job. employers go searching for people near the places their located, they also try not to move people very far from home (then they'd have to give more and longer vacations and hear the employer complain about how much better home is) visit the school and make sure you like the atmosphere. city schools sound trendy, but they aren't for everyone, and you may not realize that until you've been on campus without mom and dad for a day or two.

I would suggest visiting different colleges and finding one that feels right and has a variety of majors in case your child decides to switch their major which happens quite frequently. Some people enjoy being on a large campus and others like a smaller one. It all depends on your student. You also need to take into consideration where the college is located. In state colleges are typically cheaper and allow your student to come home more often.

First and foremost, students and parents need to look at colleges that provide the field of study that best meets the student's interests. They almost must consider the atmosphere that would best encourage the best possible study habits for that student. I believe it is important for students to be around diverse groups of people as well, and that needs to be something that is considered before deciding where the best place for the student to learn would be. It is important to be around a variety of people in order to learn about different cultures and beliefs. This is benefical for the future as the students will probably be working with a diversity of different groups. It will help to develop further social skills in life.

Try to visit if possible; several times if the campus is high on your list. Talk to as many current and former students as possible. Make sure that you feel like you'll fit in socially, intellectually, and all the other ways that matter to you. Always pick the one that seems the best fit. That's what I did and I'm glad.

Dont picka major that is too hard. Enjoy your life.

pay attention to student to student relationships. In my experience, this is very important in the classroom; even more so than student to professor relationship. Make sure the college or university allows the student to get involved early in internships, research, and clubs. Almost any undergraduate college is the same, but reputation of the school is a big factor after graduation.

In finding the right college, look at your high school and decide what you like and don't like about it. Use those opinions in finding the college that's right for you. Definitely visit the colleges you are looking at and talk to students that currently attend it while you are there. Try to keep from talking to the people that are coached on what to say to you to get you to go to their college. They are told what to say about the college, not necessarily what they really feel. And just use your instincts. If you visit a campus and something just doesn't feel right, don't go there.

I complained about location in my previous responses, but it's really a moot point. Most students will only be at the school for four years, after which, if you went to the right school, you can live wherever you want. I would advise a new student to pick the school that has what they want to do as the most important feature. If you don't know what you want to do, then I would say go to a big school. A school like Purdue has pretty much everything, so life-changing academic decisions aren't all that difficult to make. Also, I would recommend a larger school simply for the experience. You will meet people from all over the world and have opportunities to try all kinds of new things. Secondly, reputation is very important, especially if you plan to go to graduate school. Make sure the school is known for what you want to do, and make sure you work hard and do well. Getting off to a good start your first year will make all the difference in getting internships and just enjoying life as an upperclassman.

As far as finding the right college is concerned, I would say that each person needs to evaluate what he loves. Not what he kind-of likes, or thinks would make the most money, but what he is really passionate about. Once a person knows what he is truly passionate about, he needs to select a school that is known to be a power in that area, and that will be appropriately priced, or will be able to provide sufficient financial aid. To make the most of the experience, I would say that a person needs to experience a little bit of everything -- working while taking classes, not working while taking classes, few credit hours and many activities (intramural sports and a technological users' group for example), and many credit hours with few extra-curricular activities. If a student will put forth the effort to try each of these things, he will meet plenty of new friends from all walks of life andunderstand how to develop a strong work ethic. If a person will do these things, he will be a much more well-rounded person overall than otherwise, and will be able to deal with almost anything in life.

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Students: Have fun and experience as much as you can, but remember that you're there for a degree. Also, remember to get enough rest. Parents: Don't worry about the 'party school' label because every school has it and it's easy to find. Focus more on the respectabilitiy of the degree and the opportunities the school provides. Also, keep in touch, but try not to hold on too tightly.