University of Maine Top Questions

I would really encourage students and parents to sit down together and clearly determine exactly how they are going to pay for college before they actually enroll. There needs to be clear communication between students and parents, especially if the parents are paying. It is important that parents get very involved in the college process. Of particular importance is the FAFSA - students and parents need to take the time to figure it out together. Also, they should both have a full understanding of how much school will cost them minus the difference of financial aid. Words can't really express how crucial it is to figure out how to pay for college. It is getting more difficult these days to pay for it and I feel as though many parents aren't as involved in their children's education as they should be. If I could go back and do it all over again, I would definitely take the time to educate my parents on what is going on, rather than excluding them from the process since they don't pay for anything. Without education and involvement, parents cannot fully appreciate the huge investment they are making for their children!

Having been in college for 3 years now, from what I have experienced, the most important advice I would give would be to do your research. Researching the price of the school, the courses offered, the funding and the campus are important, but also, researching the majors available and what those could lead to is also very important, I feel if moreprospective college students focused on seeing what interests them as a career and then seeing what school has the program to best fit their goals, there would be less indesciiveness regarding such a huge decision in a persons life.

The most important part of finding the right college is spending some time on the campus before enrolling. You don't really get a feel for the atmosphere on an hour long campus tour. Tours are like publicity stunts; you are only going to hear exaggerated truths. Go around and ask students what they like most/least about the school, what the food is like, and how the residence halls are. Current students will give you the honest answer that you are looking for because they have nothing to lose.

DON'T BE AFRAID TO SWITCH IF YOU ARE UNHAPPY! Chosing a college is not a permanent affair. Ivy league schools are not all they're cracked up to be. Don't feel pressured to stick with a major. The most important thing to remember is that this is your life, and you only get one shot at it. do what is going to make you happy in the long run.

My advice is: try not to worry about the money. My college experience has been tainted because I chose the second-choice school that offered me an education for slightly cheaper. Getting into school, and seeing my financial need increase while my aid decreases has been severely disappointing. I often wonder if I my first choice school could have been cheaper. Go to the school that makes you excited, where the quality of the institution and your future peers can be seen wherever you go on campus. Don't just read the websites and compare class descriptions; go explore. See you future professors, study lounges, dorm rooms, and laboratories. Try to loose your parents for a while and really immerse yourself. Then as you leave, gauge how drawn you are to going back. Remember that feeling because when you get your award information in the mail the tendency is to compare numbers and measure superficial qualities of the school. Base your decision off which school you felt most content with and which school you think will help you grow the most. Do no settle for second best, and make sure your decision is your own.

Don't be concerned about the cost. There are ways to ease that pain. Find a school that you feel at home when you're on campus. To make the most of the experience surround yourself with genuine people who are interested in some of the things you enjoy but also have their own interests, don't be pressured to do things you KNOW you don't like, but be open to new experinces and new ideas and be willing to try at least ONE new thing a semester.

Make sure you visit the colleges you are interested, and take tours.

For students, it is important to recognize how much class participation and discussion means to you in terms of your overall ability to retain the information you are being taught. If it is very important, you should definitely choose a school which is small in size. If it is not important than choosing a large school is great, as long as the expectation is 95{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} lecture with very little class participation.

The advice I would give parents and/or students about finding the right college would be to do research and find out what schools are good in the area of study you are looking into. You want to have the best education that is available to you so you can strive and be successful when you graduate. You want to be prepared the best way possible. On making the most of your college experience I would have to say be involved in your school in any way you can, whether it be a sport, club, volunteering or student goverment. Any way that you can give to the college and be involved will open a lot of opportunities for you; making friends, scholarship opportunities, a chance to grow, and having the chance to make a difference in your school and in your own life. Enjoy the time you have in school and be involved in your education. College is a time for personal growth and expanding your education. So pick the school that will be academically best for you and that will also allow you to have a good social life.

Finding the right school is a difficult process. If loans are going to be taken out for your college experience it is important to try and find the best deal for the money. With our economy many schools are just too expensive. Attending college is one of the best opportunities and times of ones life. Pick a location that you have always wanted to go to. To make your college experience worthwhile one must get involved with campus activities. The busier you are the better your experience will be. I wish I had gotten more involved my freshman and sophomore year. There are so many different opportunities that you most likely will not be able to do again. TAKE ADVANTAGE! Something that sounds clich? but important is to focus on your school work. When one graduates they want to feel that they did the best that they possibly could. Remember to be friendly and open. The only thing more important than your grades are the friends you will make on your journey. Cherish them. They will be there much longer than you college adventure.