Rivier University Top Questions

I would advise prospective students to get an idea first of the size of the school that would best fit the student's personalily. I have been to large/medium and small colleges, I definitely prefer a mid-size college, big enough to have alot of the services the are are important to students but not so big that you teachers don't know you. Pick a school that fits your family's budget. There are great schools out there that don't cost 200k for a 4 yr education. Be involved in the whole process, students can be overwhelmed with all the freedom and the amount of work and strict deadlines, so stay "close by". Have fun, enjoy your education, appreciate your ability to attend college and appreciate your accomplishments and successes.

Make sure that it is a college that fits the needs of the student and that the major is one that you want. Also make sure that the school has other majors that you would beinterested in in case you decide to switch majors. Make sure that you work hard and take advantage of the time to learn-- you're paying a lot of money to be there!

Just remember that each school is different and find the one that fits you prefectly before applying.

First, the prospective student should discern whether or not they know what major the wish to pursue. If they do know what field they want to study, they should look for a school with a specialty in that area. If they don't know, then the student should figure out what they need in a school: size, location, affiliation, extra curriculars, supportive faculty, etc. All of these factors can help find the best school for any individual. As far as enjoying the college experience, most parents will tell their children to focus on their studies; that there will be time for fun after they graduate. However, socializing with friends helps relieve stress from a constantly heavy course load. Also, a strong support base provides an emotional safety net for the nervous, and often homesick, freshman. Partying until the early hours of the morning certainly isn't conducive to a healthy student, but that doesn't mean that a quick night out with friends would lead to failure. In short, make friends, study hard, keep breathing and never be afraid to ask for help. You're not alone!

The person attending the school should be the one who chooses it. Know what you?re looking for in a school, for example do you want a big school or smaller? Go with your gut, when you find the right school it just feels right and you know it's the right school for you. There are many schools out there and it can be hard to decide, but most people are at least able to narrow down their choices based on expense, location, amount of financial aid provided, etc. When choosing a school, talk to the professors and students that already go there, they will be the real voice you need to hear to know if that school is right for you. But, don?t forget to listen to your own judgment; after all you know what?s right for you better than anyone else. One more thing, don?t be afraid to try new things and make new friends. The friends you make in college will last a lifetime and I would even say this part of college is just as important as the education you receive. Best of luck!

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I believe that every student should live on campus for atleast a semester, for the college experience. In my opinion small schools are the best choices because they provide small classes and if one may need help there are alway resourses available and the professors are constantly willing to help you out. I find that you learn more in a small setting and everyone knows your name.

Decide what you want to go to school for. Look at a few schools and look at the catalog that lists the course and credits required to graduate, then visit a campus and speak with some of the students about their experiences at that school. Getting permission to sit in on a few classes to get a feel for the professors . Another place on campus I would visit is their peer tutoring center. It is important to see what free services they offer for students and how accessible it is to get help if needed. Next, look at the cost. It may also be helpful to look at any accredited community colleges and see if they ofer many of the same pre-requisites at a lower cost. A family can save money and the student can transfer to the college of their choice once they get the basics down. I would also get involved in a group or organization of the students interest. The great thing about these groups is that there are so many to choose from and there is always another student in the group tht has either been in your shoes or is in your shoes!

The best advice I can give you is to do your research early, even if you are a sophomore or junior in high school. First of all, consider the college location. Do you want to live in an urban, suburban, or rural area? It is equally important to consider the student teacher ratio. For instance, how would you feel if you were in a class of 150 students versus 20 students? Also, do not rule out a school because of the cost of tuition since there are scholarships, grants and loans. To reduce the price of tuition in half, you could attend community college for two years and then transfer to a four year college. Furthermore, it is very important to have both an academic and social life. As for academics, make certain that the college you are applying to has you major you may be considering. For a social life, become involved with club and activities on campus. Lastly, to make the most of your social experience, I believe that living on campus versus commuting is the way to go since you will be interacting with peers everyday and not just the days you have classes.

If you know what you want to major in I would suggest doing lots and lots of research. Look at schools and see how well they are known for your specific major and the percentage of job placement after graduation. Once you have done your research visit the schools and see if the size is right for you. While some may love big schools in the city, it may not be the right campus for you. After all your research and visiting is done all you can do is apply anywhere you can. In today's society colleges are becoming more and more competitive to get into!