University of Northern Iowa Top Questions

I'd have to say to know what you are getting yourself into. If you are an out-of-state studen know the tuition and fees cost. Also precalculate your cost of living to that to make sure that if loans become unavailable you can still get by. Talk with the department of residence and know the procedure to becoming a resident so you can become an in-state student. Talk with the financial aid department and make sure they are helpful. Talk with them also about available loans, grants, and scholarships available. They may be able to help you apply for some. College can be a financial hardship on you and you need to know what is available out there to alleviate some of the stress. Always account for what would happen if a change of major occurs. You need to know how much a change in major will set you back financially and if you will still be able to recieve loans and aid if you extend your stay at the university. Check out the off campus and on campus liviing. Make sure the off-campus living is something you would like and can afford.

Find a college that you feel comfortable at and choose it because you want to go there, not because someone you know is going there or because your family went there. Explore you options and be smart about your class load. Meet with your advisor so you know which classes to take to graduate on time. Make a plan and apply for a lot of scholarships.

Get in there and try new things. I met my best friends in marching band. We are still friends, and I know we will be friends for the rest of our lives. The college I am at now was not my first choice, but this was the perfect fit. Sometimes the college you think is right for you, may not be. Talk to those who are close to you and ask for their opinion before making your final selection. You won't regret it!!! Good luck to you in your college search. It is a hard one, but it is most rewarding when you graduate!

Start saving for college from the moment you are born, it can really break you. Money management is probably one of the most important things anyone could ever learn. However, just because a college you want to go to is too expensive don't rule it out. If that college would fit you best as far as location, your major and atmosphere, then there is nothing left to do but apply. Make sure you apply to atleast three colleges, you'll need back-ups. I applied to only two but got accepted into both. Once you start high school focus on your schooling because you're grade point average is very important. Once you've selected a college you have to stay focused because it's very easy to fail a class and become suspended. Colleges want to make sure you're there for the right reasons because there are plenty of people on the waiting list who want to be there. So try your best, attend class and do you're reading assignments for tests.

To the parents, understand that your child has to make this choice. It is not yours to decide, but theirs. If your child chooses a college in another state, let them. It's their choice, it's their future. To the students, find a campus that's easy to navigate. A small campus is better than an extremely large campus. Attend a college that offers classes that mostly have class sizes being about 30 students. Make sure the financial aid program is readily available and that they explain everything to you. Take a tour before you decide to attend the college you think you want to go to. Most importantly, don't choose a college your friends are going to. Choose a college that has your desires at interest, the one with the best program to help you work towards your future career.

Ask around and learn about other peoples experiences. Take the time to go on college tours to see which is best for you!

Do your research! Find out what majors you think you might be interested in and find schools that offer well known programs in those areas. Ask a lot of questions. Take advantage of the many services universities offer, from financial aid and academic advising to campus police and research committees.

The most important part of choosing the right college is deciding what you want to study before you actually start college. A lot of students start going to college and just wander aimlessly for a few years and then randomly pick a major because they can't stay undecided anymore. In the end, they waste a lot of valuable time and money on taking unnecessary classes and their overall GPA and college experience suffers as a result. However, if you start college with a concrete goal in mind then it is a lot easier to stay focused and get involved in campus activities, which greatly contribute to the overall college experience. College isn't all about classes and grades, it's about the people you meet and the way these people affect you. Every year spent in college is a huge step towards becoming self-sufficient, and the people around you are the ones that have the greatest influence on who and what you become after college. Therefore, chose your path wisely and involve yourself only with those that you want to be associated with. The rest will take care of itself, as life usually tends to unfold that way.

Visit multiple colleges and talk to students about the pros and cons of each school. Make sure you don't just talk to people who hate or love the school, get a variety. Also no matter where you go get involved! Getting involved will help make college feel like home and it will help you love the college you attend like I do!

do lots and lots of research. Visit as many colleges as possible, and try to talk to alumni who have gone through the program in your major. When you finally decide on that college, be confident. Make the most of your experience, get involved!