Texas A & M University-College Station Top Questions

Think about your high school experience. Think hard. What were you involved in? Band, theatre, sports, UIL, debate, not much? Also, were you known throughout your class? Did you enjoy being able to know most of the people that you passed in the hallway or did you feel content staying as part of the crowd and not getting too noticed? If you like just being one of students, fitting in and going with the flow, then a big university will fit your style quite well. But, if you were the social butterfly type and loved being able to share a conversation with anyone that you ran into at school, a smaller university will fit you better. It is hard to feel comfortable at a large school such as Texas A&M when you come from a small high school where you knew everyone and they all knew you. Once you find your appropriate college, start early trying to become involved in organizations that will fit your personality and your acquainance needs. All freshman have a new beginning when they arrive in college, so hit the ground running and become active in a group that you feel strongly about.

Visit the school. I think that is so important to be able to get a feel of what the campus and student are like and to see if it is a fit for you. Also, look into the areas that interest you. For example, I'm really interested in extracurriculars and A&M has a wide variety which really attracted me. Another thing to take into consideration is the quality and atmosphere of education. Like if the class size is too big or too small for you. Talking to students who already attend is a great idea as well!

To students, following your heart and not having others influence your decisions not only finds the best campus and environment for you, it also makes the college experience worthwhile in the end. The heart speaks volumes when its feelings are interpreted by the mind. To parents, happiness for your child, not your personal desires or money, is the key to success. Let your child do what makes them happy, and love them through thick and thin. If you open up to where they want to go in the future, they will open up to you and it will be an experience both parents and students will not forget.

Your initial choice is not always the best one. There is definitely a certain amount of planning that needs to go into this decision. Many students tend to choose the first, easiest and/or safest choice because it is 'comfortable.' A huge part of going off to college is being taken out of your comfort zone and placed in new environments with new interactions. It's important to look for a school that will allow this growth without causing any unnecessary stress. More than just academic prestige should be taken into account when deciding because this is going to be your home for the next four or more years. That means you should consider the distance from home, extracurricular possibilities, and anything that is specifically important to your learning, and living, style. Overall, I think the most important thing to remember while looking for that perfect school is that there are thousands of other people in the same position that want to find themselves and figure out what to do with their lives just as much as you do. So choose a school that will ultimately make you happy with yourself. This is YOUR college experience, no one else's.

I'll try my best to give the most truthful, honest, and humble words i can. To the students. Do not think that your mind can be limited because it cannot. Close your eyes. Focus on the person that you are and the dreams you have for your life. Focus on what you love, what you care about, what you feel in your heart is right. We do not all have the same faith or beleifs, but in this instance i must speak from my own heart and what i beleive. Follow God. Follow God with all your heart, body, mind, and spirit. Let Him call you to where He wants you. Your joys in life will be endless with HIm. There is no college experience like the one you will have with the Lord in your heart. Listen to Him...he will guide you. He will lead you to the place where you will grow the most. I beleive you are my brother/sister even if i have not had the honor to meet you. Friend, whoever you are now and are to become, i pray that God will guide you. Follow your heart...God be with you. Goodbye.

My advice to students finding the right college is to be selective, focus on the pros and cons, with a good understanding of what will help the individual flourish as an adult and become independent choice making individual. A person should be selective about his surrounding. Encouragement to select the right school size that suits his position is a must. The student needs to be comfortable with his surroundings because this will be his environment , his home for approximately four college years. A holistic approach need be considered because school is not all work, every individual that is to be whole must discover his own inner circle of social, spirtual, and emotional support. A student will make the most of the college experience by setting goals and living the dream. The person must have discipline, direction, and courage and humble himself in times of need. Relax, enjoy, and take advantage of this great path of opportunity that others only can dream of!

Make sure you do plenty of research before attending the college of your choice. They might offer more degrees than you are aware of which could be of more interest to you.

Parents and students should visit all the campuses during the fall they are looking to apply to, because just being observant about what goes on on the campus can really make a difference.

My recommendation for students with limited financial opportunity is to attend a local community college for at least the first year. This is an economical way to acclimate to the college environment. It also protects the student from destroying their GPA if they were to struggle the first year. One consideration when attending a college is to determine which career you want. Then, research which schools specialize in degrees for that career option. A campus community is another important factor. Most colleges offer plenty of extra curricular activities, but if you are interested in one in particular, find out if it is offered. Selecting the right college is just as important as determining which major you will pursue. Do not select a college based on where your friends are going or where your parents went. The college has to be a good fit for you. Look into the satisfaction of current students. Evaluate the professors and classrooms.

Collegeboard.com is your friend. Come up with a general are in the United States where you would like to go to school and then research the schools in that area. Then get a good list of 3-7 schools and tour each one. If you're able to do this while school is still in session, you'll get a better idea of how things actually are at the college or university that you're touring. Either way, pay attention to the reactions of the students as they see someone new. Do they look eiger to meet a new friend, judgemental, curious, or do they seem like their space is being invaded? Also, pay attention to the facilities and the history. If a school is rich in history and traditions, its an obvious sign that it has been doing something right.