University of Maine Top Questions

Go to the campus and ask questions, then go with your instincts.

I would tell students to really make a wise decision when choosing their major. I know a lot of people that just don't like school, plain and simple, and it is because there major does not interest them. They just want to get there degree and get out. If you choose something that you are passionate about, you will really get your money's worth and love every minute of it. I am so in love with my major (Computer Science) that I like to squeeze every last drop out of the classes I take and can't wait to sign up for next semester's new and exciting courses. After all, learning is the whole reason you are here, not just for a degree. Choose a course of study that you know you won't regret.

For students and parents I would offer two different sets of advice. Students, do not limit your choice of a college by evaluating its reputation with your own self-esteem. At the same time, do not discredit public and community colleges. Different environments are for different people, and in the right one you can flourish. When you come into college, do not waste your time here. Focus on your studies but allow yourself to indulge in the opportunities college provides you. Talk to your professors, even outside of your major. You never know what doors that can open for you! Don?t worry too much about the future, you?ll find what major and path you want to take. Parents, do not be alarmed when you get that first call around midterm season filled with tears and doubts. Keep on encouraging your children to make choices for themselves, whether that choice is on what classes to take, if they should switch majors or studying abroad, or even what activity to participate in. Make no mistake; your opinions do still matter. Do not worry too much if your child doesn?t find their spot immediately. I am sure they will.

I think when you look at where to go for college, you need to find a place that appeals to you both academically and visually. I found that the school I am currently attending is very beautiful and it also has a very good engineering program in which I am enrolled. I think you also need to look at the kind of community it forms. Most of my friends I have met here and live in close proximity to. All in all, I think you need to find a school that you think you will enjoy. The key to doing a good job at school is enjoying what you are doing.

It is very important to decide the ideal population size of the desired school. The community feeling of each school rests largely on how many students attend. Figure out whether the student wants to know most of his or her classmates, or whether the student wants a little more anonymity. Also remember that a school's prestigious reputation will only go so far. A degree is a degree, and the school name has very little effect on life once a stable career has been established. That being said, do not base the majority of the decision on the school name alone, because it will not guarantee success either in school or in a job search. It is far more important to determine where the student will feel the most comfortable, and be able to balance a positive social life. These last two criteria are of the utmost importance because they will ultimately decide how well the student succeeds in college. For if the student has a positive outlook on his or her life during those four years, it is much more likely that the positive feelings will transfer into his or her academic work. A happy student will succeed.

Make a list of the qualities you think you would and wouldn't like to see in your University and then try to narrow it down to the top 5-10 most important. Don't be afraid to visit your potential campuses and view them with a critical eye, after all, this is where you'll be spending a lot of time and money and the start of your future is the result of these years. Be sure to look into what majors your potential schools have to offer, especially if you're unsure as to what you want to do with your life. Having a wide variety can open your eyes to things you never thought of before. Check into how much financial aid the school offers to make sure the whole burden wont be placed on you and your family. Look into campus regulations/qualifications, such as: are freshman allowed cars, how safe is the campus, what extracurricular activities do they offer. Being thorough may take time in the present but will pay off in the future. Trust me. Overall, have fun with this experience- it's exciting, you're starting up a whole new chapter!

Students should bring along their parents to look at prospective schools. The student should make a tangible list of things he or she is looking for in a college, and things they want to avoid. Parents also have a say, but ultimately, the decision belongs to the student. Take a walk inside the buildings where classes are held, and get a feel for them. If anything, (aside from fear of the unknown), makes the student uncomfortable, keep looking. College needs to be a comfortable place, and a second home. If possible, meet some of the teachers the student may have the first year of classes. If there are extracurricular activites the student enjoys, make sure the school has those. Activities and hobbies are a great way to reduce stress, so the student should look for convenient places to perform them. In the end, trust your gut feeling. If the student doesn't feel at home on the campus, or the lecture halls seem too large and daunting, continue on your search. Finding the right college is all about finding the right fit.

Plan on doing a lot of research on your own when looking at colleges. Apply to more than one college and try to look into a major you really think you would like. Research it on line or enter college without a major and try to decide as soon as you can on a major so you maybe won't have to spend more years in college than you planed because you keep changing your mind. Get exposed to all of the majors you can so you can pick the right one for you and ask your advisor for help if you just can't seem to decide on your own. Also listen to family advise but remember that you need to make the final decision about your future. Try your best to make the right choice according to your interest and not just how much money you will make in certain career choices. You may make more money but not be very happy. Happiness is most important thing to consider in your choice of the college and the career .

Determining the right college is simply choosing the right one that best fit a students needs. I really believe choosing a college depends on the student as well. If the student wants to live close to home, then the student should go to a college that is close to home. If a student wants to get away from it all, then they should a college that best interests them according to location, costs, and especially degree. Parents have to realize that some students just want to go out there and try to find themselves, and if that means being 3,000 miles away or right up the street, then that's the way it goes. A degree is very important in deciding a college, but students may realize that the passion they once had for a career may change once entering college. I think the most important thing a student can do is to grow, find themselves, and that way they can find what and how they want to impact the economy for the rest of their lives. I think finding yourself is the most important.

My advice would be to look at several schools and make sure to talk to a current student who is not the tour guide. Get to know what the school is really like from students not from those trying to recurit you. Also, and probably the most important, if you're not sure who you are or what you want do yourself a favor and do NOT pick a major and do NOT go to the most difficult school you get into. Unless you are very interested in academics only go undeclared for a semester or two and get to know college. I promise you that you will change and learn something new about yourself which will then help you figure out what you want to be. If you jump in too far then you won't be as successful as you would like to be allow yourself to be young and have fun and then be a serious student.