Ramapo College of New Jersey Top Questions

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!

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!