Purdue University-Main Campus Top Questions

Try to determine what you enjoy doing and then find the best school that fits your budget to obtain a degree.

College isn't just about the education, as most of us think it is, but it's about the experience. There are a number of different college's out there all offering different types of experiences. Finding the right college not only means looking at what you want out of your education, but the memories you want to walk away from those years on that campus.

Make sure you visit a school you are seriously considering, because you will be spending 4 years or more there. Don't be afraid to look at schools that are not close to home. this may help you grow up and become more independent. Don't go through your entire college experience with out having any fun. Experience new things, take interesting classes, and take tiem to explore who you truly are.

If your child is adamant about persuing a certain career path, find the best school for that path. If your child does not know what he or she wants to do, find a school that will be condusive to the soul searching that is sure to come. In both cases, the name and prestige of the school should not be your main concern. Go visit the campuses. Talk to faculty. Most importantly, TALK TO STUDENTS. Sending your child to an Ivy League school does NOT mean he or she is garaunteed to be successful and grow as a person.

The best advice that I could give would be to look at all the options that are presented to you. Make sure that your child has applied to a variety of places not just the "safe" schools, but also the ones that they may or may not think that they can get in to. When I was applying I had my ultimate career goal in mind, I plan on being a veterinarian and only applied to vet schools. This wasn't necessarily a good idea, what if through the course of my schooling I decieded that vet school wasn't for me? I would be stuck at a school that didn't foster my changing of majors. In thinking this through I took a chance and applied to Notre Dame, just to see if I could get in. I had dreamed of attending a university such as Notre Dame, and wanted to see at least if I could get in. I did however get into all the schools that I applied to, and choose from there, but the fact is I had options. The options allowed me to look at pros and cons of each school and pick from there.

Don't feel pressured to go to college right upon graduation. I took a year off and then went to get my degree. It helped me decided exactly what I wanted to do and gave me a chance to save up more money. Rarely do people graduate in 4 years anymore anyway. Find the college that has a good reputation for what you want to study as well as one that has a welcoming social environment.

Make sure you take everything into consideration. Do they have a lot of majors if you want to change your career (which most people do.) Is it close enough in case you get sick or hurt? Is it a well known college? Will you get the bang for your buck? Please don't choose a college because it is "pretty" or your "boyfriend or girlfriend goes there." Those are the WORSE ways to make such an important decision.

I think the biggest thing that can help make one's college experience the best it can possibly be is taking advantage of everything that your school has to offer and fully use all the resources that are at your school. Also, I think it is so important to step out of your comfort zone and try something new, because you never know what you'll like and what can make a huge impact on your life. Also, I think that whatever college you attend will seem like the right place for you if you are just open to it and open to everything that it has to offer.

Look for a place that feels like home

I would tell them to go. Go the Universities and actually try to experience the campus before going. I think that would have helped me a lot.