Ramapo College of New Jersey Top Questions

What should every freshman at Ramapo College of New Jersey know before they start?

Masae

I would give the advice to myself or any high school senior to really think about what I would want to do after college, for a career, and what would make me the most happy. Knowing this ahead of time saves precious time and money during college, and helps you make sure you graduate on time. I entered college undecided, and I'm paying the price for it now- I might not be able to graduate on time, now that I know what I want to major in. I would also tell anyone to get involved on campus, make connections with upperclassmen and faculty, and get to know your professors, since this will help more than anything else to open up your opportunities for success during college and after you graduate. Lastly, go ahead and take risks. Start saying yes to (healthy) things you normally would just pass up. Volunteer and go exploring, since this is your time to really see your place in the world!

Ji

find more about the school you want to go to. college visit helps alot.

Joanna

The advice I would give myself would be to not rely on what other friends say on where I choose to apply. I would remind myself about the expierience I am having now and about how I absolutely love my school and the time I am having here.

Allison

Apply to the schools you are interested in even if you think you may not get in, there is always a chance that you are what they are looking for. The SAT and GPA scores listed on the web sites are averages, which means that there are people with scores higher and lower than the averages. Visit the schools, go on campus tours, and take the time and opportunities to meet faculty and staff. You also want to choose a school that you feel comfortable at, not just that you want to eventually fit in to. Be openminded about each school until you are certain you do not want to go there. Don't let a good opportunity pass you by based on previous misconceptions of the school. And if you can't decide on a college in the end, make a pro/con list!

Peter

Some advice I would give to students about finding the right college is look for the college that fits your personality. One that is not too big, too city, too small, too rural. Find the right mix of all of that and you'll feel comfortable being away. Also, visit as many open houses as you can , talk to the professors, see how engaging they are in conversation, how interested they are in having you as one of their students. Make friends as soon as you can, because by the second semester, many people have formed their clicks and settled in to a routine. Be confident. To parents; you cannot choose where your child is going to be happiest, only he or she knows. This is the point where you have to let them pick their path and decide their future for themselves. Help is of course appreciated, but try not to be overwhelming. College comes once, and for many, it defines where the rest of their lives will go.

Kristen

There is definitely a lot of reseach involved. It is best to visit a bunch of schools even if your aren't sure you will like them. That way you are able to narrow down your choices to those in which you are very interested. I suggest visiting schools over weekeds during the summer going into senior year or even weekends during junior year. Doing this allows one to keep focused during senior year and narrow down which applications can be sent out. Although application fees can be somewhat expensive, I suggest applying to as many schools as possible and there will be no regrets later on. I love my school but I sometimes have regrets for not appling to other schools that may have been good for me as well. After acceptance is delievered and the choice of college is dwindling, it would be best to make a final trip to the top three or four schools to get a better idea of exactly you are looking for in a school. It might even be a good idea to stay over night to get a real experience. After all, you will be spending the next four years there.

Lauren

Finding the right college is an exciting time for students. At the sane time, however, some may be more excited about leaving the nest rather than analyzing how colleges will help them achieve professional success. While parents can't force their kids to attend a specific school, they can guide them in the right direction. First, establish whether you want to live home or go away; if you are going away, think about how often you want to come home so the distance correlates with what you want. Next, think of the personal and educational benefits of attending a big or small college. Bigger colleges offer more social activities and you graduate holding a well-known school name; smaller schools offer a more intimate learning environment. Equally important is identifying some of the majors that interest you and making sure your potential college has a reputable program in that department. Lastly, figure out your personal interests and needs. If you prefer city life over a rural area, try to find a school that fits your other criteria in the city. If you have a disability, make sure the campus is accessible and provides services to help you succeed.

Natalia

Finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is hard. I advise all students to apply to as many colleges as possible. To all parents, I would advise them to help their children visit as many colleges if possible. Unfortunately, the procrastinator that I was then, applied to colleges at the last minute during my senior year in school. I was on time for deadlines but I didn't look for as many colleges as I should have because I was worrying about the colleges that I was already applying to. I wasn't sure about which college I wanted to attend because I did not find the spare time to look for colleges on the internet. Though I preferred going out-of-state, I knew that attending a school in-state would cost less. At the end, one out of five colleges that I applied to, accepted me. To accept was my only choice; I really wanted to go to college. But I had financial problems at the school and ended up transferring to a school where I am now content. I believe that what I've experienced would not have happened if I procrastinated.

Jessica

Choosing the right college for you can be a difficult and frusterating process. My advice wuold be to choose several colleges or universities and list them in the order of your preference. When making your list, some things to take into account are the cost of tuition, location, degrees offered, and on-campus housing. After the list is completed, visit each campus and discuss with current students about the social activities and what they feel the campus has to offer. Parents may be concerned with any drug and alcohol use on campus, which is something that should be taken seriously. Talking with a person who works on campus and reading the rules and regulations in the schools' booklets will have the most information. Also, check to see if there are any schoalrships available to help make payments easier. Once you have narrowed down your choices, the rest of the decision should be based on what you feel would personally benefit you the most.

Charles

College is not for everyone, but for those who choose to go, make sure you absoultely love your school! Knowing which one you like, love, or just believe is the best option is a conclusion that may be hard to make, or one that may come too easily. Without living at the school, or spending enough time there to fully grasp its every aspect, will often leave a student with a false image of what the college truly offers. This is why my best, and one piece of advice I can offer prospective students is to be proactive! It always helps to know your goals and dreams that way you know what to look for in the school and how the school and guide you along. Get to know these aspects well because they may not always be what they seem and by then, it could be too late. Research the school. Ask questions to students and teachers to get the real side of things an inside perspective. Know that college is your choice, not anyone else's. If you're ever unhappy, then speak up and make changes because it's definitely not worth the suffering. Good Luck!

Jennifer

I would tell students to keep their options open when applying to colleges, and that they should visit each school if they plan on living on campus. Apply to as many places as possible, putting all your eggs in one basket may not work out for you in the end. Also keep in mind that not getting into your "dream school" isn't the end of the world, you can find plenty of other nice schools that may actually be better suited for you. Be open to new experiences in college and get a little bit out of your comfort zone. The more things you open yourself up to the more you'll learn about yourself. Don't be afraid of new things, some things that seem scary can actually be pretty fun. Finally keep in mind that there are hundreds, possibly thousands of students that are eager to make new friends as much as you are. You'd be surprised at how many friendly people are on your campus.

Gregory

If you care about your child's learning, Ramapo is a great school to attend because the faculty is helpful and the students are friendly.

Juliette

Do your research! Find out about programs offered, classses, financial aid, housing, opportunities for jobs, etc. , and most importantly, visit the campus. Try to spend the day and imagine yourself as a student there. Once you are a student, get involved in those programs, activities, or clubs, that are most meaningful to you. Don't be afraid to speak to the professors about any problems or concerns you may have. They will they will work with you, or they can direct you to someone who will be able to help you. Enjoy the experience and take every opportunity presented that will help you reach your goals.

Shalia

I would tell them to make sure they really look into the schools and academic programs. Make sure that when you get on campus you make the best of it, and if you are living on campus remember work comes first. Enjoy yourself, have fun, and study hard!!!!

Kristina

When searching for the right college, make sure you can see yourself at that school, in those buildings, in those classrooms, and with your peers. The most important thing is to be comfortable with expressing who you are with those around you. If there are specific activities you are interested in being part of, make sure the school offers the opportunity for you to be a part of them. Also, the technology at the school is very important, especially in regards to computer and science labs. Those are things that constantly should be update in order for your learning experience to be fulfilled. Be aware of the student life at the college to make the best of those amazing years of your life. College is an amazing experience and it is so important that the student is happy.

Jonathan

I think I have learned perhaps one of the most important life lessons during college. Finding a school that encourages education and prepares students for a job is only a small factor in searching for the "right" school. I have found that a good school is one that prepares its students for life, to give them an outlook for life that is positive and that because of their experiences and lessons learned inside and outside of the class, the student will succeed and be able to handle the challenges and blessings that life has to offer. Every school will have positives and negatives, but a good one, is one where a student can feel comfortable in their skin, and learn to think that the only limits they will encounter in their life, are the limits the student/person places on themself.

Ashley

pick the right one for you, not because it is what everyone else is doing

Katie

Make sure that the college will satisfy your social and academic needs, everything else will fall into place.

Kazi

Chosse a school that will be best for a student's career. Do not choose a school for party and friends cause sooner or later it going to come back to bite. Also choose a school that are affordable. Never take too much loan. Always try to stay from loans over thirty thousands dollars.

Jelene

I would advise parents and students to calm down with the fast paced college process so they can truly open their minds to the overall atmosphere of each school rather than getting stressed out by visiting and applying to various colleges. College is more than just getting a degree; it is an experience in itself, if not, harder and more disciplined in its academic courseload while being more free to make your own choices. When you go on college visits, look at the students: Do they look happy? Busy with their studies? You can tell a lot from the students' moods at the moment. When you get to college, try to join and be active in one club on campus. Being involved gives you something to do asides from being in your dorm room all the time. There are chances that you will meet new friends, possibly for life.