University of Missouri-Columbia Top Questions

Put a lot of thought into what you want to do before you select a school. If you don't know then go to school "undeclared." Most colleges will give you two years to declare a major. After your major has been decalred, make sure youkeep your priorities straight. School first, always. School before girls, before drinking, before extra curriculur activites. Maintain focus on the end goal - graduating. Utilize your school's career services office often and early.

save as much money at you can before you go

When choosing the right college, high school seniors are usually worried about cost and whether or not it is a "party" school. There will be parties at every school and the cost should not matter that much because every student will have to pay off college loans after they graduate anyway. It is important that students should pick the school that they feel most comfortable. Students will be better learners and want to try harder in a place that they want to be and feel comfortable. Getting an education is more important than worrying about what you will be paying later. Parents should let their student choose where they want to go. They will get more out of their education- and more out of their money- if they are at the school that makes them happy. After all, it is four years of the students life, so they should be able to choose where they want to spend it.

Apply to all the colleges you feel are right for you and once you find out which schools accepted you, go visit each one of them. I applied to eight colleges and visited all of them to see where I would fit in the best and right when I stepped onto University of Missouri's campus, I knew I would fit in best here and so far I love it. Even if you are unsure about getting into some of the colleges you want to apply to, just apply. You never know if they will accept you or not and there is no harm in trying.

All that matters, when it comes down to it, is finding somewhere where you will be truly happy.

Make sure you go to visit days, and go on your own personal visit with the major you wish to enroll in. Visiting and learning about where you'll be for four years is really important.

I think that the key to finding the right college is to know why it is you really want to go to college. Although college is, first and foremost, a chance to advance your education, that may not be the reason that you really want to go. Some people want to go to experience the life of a college student. For those people, a rigorous 4-year academically challenging university would not be the way to go. Every college has something that's unique and interesting about it. Don't just go for the big name colleges. Find out why it is you truly want to go to college and search for that. The easiest way to adapt to a new situation is for it to be a situation that you enjoy being in. Also, the only way to make the most of your college experience is to get out there and get involved with your college. No matter how scary it may seem, the only way you'll ever get anywhere is to give it a try.

Don't, don't, DON'T go somewhere to a) follow a boyfriend/girlfriend or best friend, b) because your dad/mom/grandpa went there, c) because the sports are good (unless you're playing them), d) because you got a free ride, or e) for any reason that has something to do with partying, sororities/fraternities, non-academia, good on-campus housing or food or other related folly. College is for learning; as lame as that sounds, it's true. All those other things should come second, third, and fourth. Let the extra-curricular things enhance your experience once on campus, not impact the decision on where to go. Don't follow friends; you'll make new ones. Don't follow a boyfriend/girlfriend; allow yourself to miss and be missed. (They'd just be a distraction anyway.) Learn. Throw yourself into studies. College means being a full-time student. It's a four-year occupation, odd in the sense that you pay to have this job, but appropriate nonetheless considering tuition is just a downpayment on a future.

I believe that no matter what college a student gets into, their college experience will come from what the student puts into it. That being said, I would advice parents and students to visit different colleges and look for the one that "feels" right. Instinct is a strong clue as to where a student will find the best experience and be comfortable. Look for a college that combines strong academic standards, a variety of extracurriculars, strong school spirit and pride, and most important, a college that won't cause too many financial constraints. College is an experience that comes from not only the school you choose but also from living and growing daily. It is the perfect opportunity to learn about yourself, to think about what you want for the future, and to set the goals to get there.

Don't be afraid. Go where you want to go and try everything that you're interested in. You never know where your fit will be, and the most important thing is finding your happiness.