University of Rhode Island Top Questions

The advice that I would give students looking for the right college is to go visit the schools that you are interested in and actually talk to the students at the university and not just the person giving the tour. Try to imagine yourself there and if it feels right to you. Once you go and visit each school, some of the schools will feel right and some won't. If you don't like it once you are enrolled, you can always transfer and you will know what you like and don't like then and what will work for you.

College is what you make of it. You can go to the best college in the country and have a miserable time or go to the worst college and have the best time. You define college!

Just go with your gut. When you visit a school and you have good feelings about it then go for it.

The advice that I would give to parents and students on finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is to base each decision upon the students wants and needs. The student should think about what he /she likes and wants to do in their life. They should take advantage of academic advisors well before they reach the school. Schedule an appointment either in person or by phone to discuss each major and career opportunities available to them. Once you have all the information, then make a decision about your major. Also, befriend students that already attend the college. There are great tools like facebook, which allows students to connect. Ask them to be completely honest. Ask more than one student. Students are great tools to help decide if a school is for you. Finally, do not attend a school solely for financial purposes. Sometimes the extra money you spend on your education is well worth it. Take advantage of the schools by being invovled, making connections, and developing relationships with students and professors. They are a great assests. The most important advice I can give, find who you are and share it with the world.

Find a college that has a high rate of employment after graduation and a strong alumni base. Also, find a college where you feel comfortable at and realize as an incoming freshman, that everyone is in the same position as you , so you're not alone.

Find a school that has the social and campus setting that you like. Don't resign yourself to a small-town school if you think you will thrive in a city setting.

I would recommend that they really do a full amount of research and not rush into any decisions.

Find a college that fits your needs not only educationally but geographically. Focus on what you really want to do with your life because once you graduate you will work the rest of your life doing a job you will hopefully be pationate about. If you try to fulfill your needs with an education that may bring you to a field that pays more but not really your passion, think of the life you will have with that unfulfilled want.

I would say to make sure you find out how big or small of a college you would like to feel comfortable in, know which majors and classes you're interested in are available at that college, what kind of atmosphere you like to work in friendly or to yourself, the area your college will be located- cities-small town-etc., you should make sure you have housing on campus or off, you should make sure you have health insurance at school, you should check out school organizations or activities you would like to be involved in while in college, and you should also check out getting a job on or off campus.

dont make a decision until you go through an orientation, tour, or anything similar..get a real feel for what the place is like in person, DO NOT rely on just brochures or advertising

Find a school that is the right size for your child. If your child is outgoing send them to a large school. If they are quiet send them to a smaller school. Finding a school where your child can be comfortable is key. Otherwise, the student will never learn if they are uncomfortable or feeling like an outcast. Put the child in their correct setting and they will feel at home and feel like they are where they are suppose to be and learning will begin.

Get financial aid early!!!

My advice is short and consise, if you're look for a place that is friendly, yet adheres to academic standards. A place that has professors you can talk to but who won't skew the lines between teacher and friend. A good school offers a variety of school and community active clubs and activities, has a well-lit campus, off-campus transportation, a security, police and fire force, and has very good if not great places to study, research and go for extra help. Its important to go to the colleges or universities before you accept the invitation to go to the school. Make sure if you can't afford the school there are alot of employment oppurtunities close to the school. If there are any student enrichment classes at the school as a freshman take advantage of them. Remember school and studying are important but you won't get through the experience without the help of some really good friends, mentors, or professors.

Make sure when choosing the right school that is it somewhere that YOU want to go, not somewere that your parents or friends want you to go. In the long run its where your going to spend 4 years of your life, preparing you for the rest of life. So, you want this to be a place that you will come to love not a place that you are going to hate because you followed your friends there or allowed you parents to chose were you would attend school.

college is a time to push your boundries, so i suggest getting away from home, but make sure you can get back. also try to find a school that has lots of extracurriculars and exchange programs. you want someplace that will offer you as much as you can fit into your scheduale for the next 4 years. and check out the student body, and if the people you meet don't seem like they would be your friend, then guess what, you're probably not going to like the rest of the population. and talk to someone in a fraturnity or sorority and ask them where they spend their weekend. if they say off campus are you prepared to get youself off campus on the weekends and is that something you want to have to worry about? and the bigger the university the more you're going to have to put in to it to get out. always ask about the dean, and gauge what they don't say. because students equate the dean with the direction the school is going. last but not least, always i mean always! check out the dorm's'!

Be sure to visit the college, walk around, and most importantly ask questions; of teachers, professors, and even students.

I would tell them you have no clue until you try it. You can always transfer but at least keep an open mind.

Always go to the college of your choise, not your parents, and go when you know you are ready and sure of what you want to do with your future. As for your college experience, make friends along the way, attend lots of functions, and always think before you do things.

The advice i would give to parents/students trying to find the right college is the name of a school isn't everything, sometimes a big campus life style may not be for someone or the other way around. take trips to colleges that you are applying to and take a tour, make sure you like the enivorment , classes, and the people at the college. Most of all make sure in college that you stay focus but have fun too because college may be some of the best times of your life. You will meet people that will forever be in your life or you may realize that one day that going to college was the best idea you made in your life.

While in the process of finding the right college parents and students shouldn't have to worry about whether or not it is too expensive. Students are going to want to be somewhere that makes them happy. If they are at a school that makes them miserable then their schoolwork won't be to their fullest potential. It is definitely a good idea to visit schools before you apply to them. If you can see yourself being there and making friends there then totally apply there, worry about the money later. Check out all the minor details of the school to make sure they would fit into your lifestyle. Be picky about the schools. Apply for as many scholarships as you can and do extremely well in school to earn other scholarships.