SUNY College at Oswego Top Questions

Find a program that is strong for your major and make sure you like the off campus scene!

Just make sure that you look at each school carefully. Consider the size, the environment, the weather, the available programs....but don't look too carefully at the cost. Price is important, but its not the most important factor when determining where you will spend the next four years of your life. You need to make sure you find a place where you will be happy, and that you will get the most out of your learnign experience. I reccomend touring the campuses you are considering, if at all possible. Sometimes all you need to do to decide between several schools that seem to be equally appealing is to walk around the campus and get a feel for the place.

First, to parents I would suggest they be ready to let go of their child. It's a time for him or her to grow and discover where the future with take him or her. It's not easy, but don't be a helicopter parent. My Mom told me that she would not call me the first month I was away at college. This was not because she didn't love me, but she wanted be to have freedom. I could call her whenever I needed her, but she didn't want to push into my new world. To students, I would like to tell them that it's ok to change your mind about the program you're in or the college you attend. I went to NYU and loved it, but realized the program I was going for was not really what I wanted. So, I transfered for my Junior Year. It wasn't easy, but it was definitely worth it. Be flexible when you're trying to discover yourself and your future.

Go to campuses, I felt comfortable at some while others did not appeal to me. Look into what the college has to offer, clubs and organizations, majors and other campus life. Find one that meets you financial needs, there are plenty of good schools availiable at a cheaper cost.

Where ever you go even if its not your frist choose, you will love it becouse college is what you make of it. The more activity you get involved with the more fun you will have.

I think the best advice for parents would be to stay involved in what your kids are doing. It's important that although they may be away at school, realistically, especially their freshmen year of college, they will be facing a lot of challenges. It's important to make sure they stay focused, because sure, it's okay to have fun and try new things, but it's easy to to lose focus and mess up a great opportunity. For students, my best advice is to be honest with your parents. You're becoming adults; try your hardest to act like one. This is the time that your actions really matter, and although there will be a lot of temptations, it's important to stay true to your values and morals and make your own decisions based on a clear and conscious mind. Have fun, meet new people, stay open-minded and try tons of new things. It's your time to show the world that you stand out and that you are an individual. But don't forget why you are there; there will always be time for play but you have limited opportunities to make it count.

Do your own research as well as listening to your advisors. Be your own advisor. As questions in the career you want to end up in and see what they require. Don't start at a bigger university until you know your major. Try to take as many community college courses you can. Don't work a full time job. Get involved, live on campus at least one year.

You should definitely go visit the college and it helps to have friends that go there or to have a friend that is going there with you beacuse then it is easier to meet people. The best thing that you can do is joing a team or a fraternity or sorority because you meet a lot of good friends very quickly.

Get out there and meet people. Have fun but remember you are first and foremost a student. If you're smart you only go to college once so make it an experience to remember!

Every institution meets a wide range of academic and personal desires of its students. As a student or parent of a student, decide what you or your student personally wants out of their college experience, both academically and socially. Include in this decision the experiences and opportunities they would like to gain. Go in with an open mind, college is a life changing experience for both students and their parents. Whatever you or your student chooses to do, he or she will be making it their own.

ratemyprofessors.com is helpful to see what the faculty is like. Call the school and ask for a tour. Ask to speak with a current student about the kind of work and extracurriculars offered. THOROUGHLY navigate the website (including the library's website) to see how accessible different departments are. Call the department you want to major in and ask for the chair or head so that you can ask them specifically what kind of student they're looking for, what they expect from those they accept.

Look for as much finacial aid as possible.

Make sure to visit the college before enrolling.

A school with strong career services is vital.

Go alone to the campus for a little while. Just sit in a high traffic area and observe how the students interact together. See if people talk to each other, or if they just try to look more badass than the person they are about to pass going the opposite direction. A dining hall is a good spot to go. See if people say "excuse me" when they are trying to get passed you or if they stand there irritated that you are near them. Just get a good feel of the people. If you like the people, you'll like the school.

Find a College that fits with what the student is looking for. Find out about social activities and extra curricular activities that they can also get involved with.

Let your child make the final decision.

Academics are important but so is social involvement, volunteering, & experience.

My advice to future college candidates would be to go and visit the school you are thinking about attending at least a few times to really make sure it is the right decision for you. If you know someone that currently attends the school you may want to sit down with them and ask any questions you may have about the school and social life there. Also you could go and stay at the college over night with a friend and go out to see what the students are really like in their natural setting. Overall you want to find a school that fits you and your personality. Some positive qualities to look for may be that the school is, well rounded, diverse,provides a good education, and socially acceptable which gives you a place to meet and hang out with some of the best life long friends you will ever meet and have. Its all about the experience, take chances, meet new people, try new things, stay up late, go out on a weekday because college usually ends up being the best four years of your life.

Don't feel like you have to go away to college or choose a major right away. When I graduated high school I had no idea what I wanted to major in or where I wanted to go. I ended up just choosing a college and a major just because thats what everyone else was doing. I ended up hating my first year and almost dropped out. Its okay to be undecided. Liberal Arts is a great major to start out because you get to take all different types of classes and figure out what you like best. You will figure it out eventually. Its better to be undecided then major is something you dont like. If you do know what you want go for it, but dont limit you options. Take different classes you might not have thought about taking before. Try new things. There are so many interesting classes avaliable. Make the most of it. You may discover something new and exciting.