Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Top Questions

I felt very limited on my choices of colleges and only applied to a few in-state schools. Don't be afraid to take a chance and apply to a dream school. Also, be sure to visit the different colleges you are considering. They all look terrific in magazines or on website pictures, but sometimes they aren't so glamorous in real life. Talking to people who go to the school is also helpful because they can give you a students perspective about things you may not have thought of before.

When finding the right college, the most important thing a student can do is make sure they will be completely happy with the college they choose. The obvious qualities to look for are big school or small school, urban or rural surroundings, good professors, and good food. However, there is a lot more that goes into having a succesful college experience. Every student should look into the organization of "campus bureaucracy" within areas such as housing, advising, and even parking availability. Make sure it is easy to get out of a bad roommate situation. Don't become trapped with an advisor who tells everyone the same thing or makes you go to another office to find what you're looking for. Make sure you will be able to get an on-campus job if you need one, so that you don't have to worry about taking off for breaks and exams. However, most importantly, visit the campus. Walk around outside and inside every building you can get into. Imagine yourself going to class every day. Is your path exciting? Will you be rejuvinated every morning walking to class? Remember, this will keep you going even when it seems impossible.

You have to know what you want. Why are you going to college? For some, they want to prepare themselves for a great job. For others, college is about having fun--party, alcohol, and sex. You can always do both, but what's your number one priority? If your priority is to become successful then put a lot of effort to meet this goal even if it means giving up on partying. You can join a lot of related academic clubs (e.g., Accounting Society), apply for a tutor, and study in the library until midnight. If you just want to have fun, then join a Greek life, a sports club, and fun related clubs (e.g., car club). Keep in mind that just because you are studying, it doesn?t mean you can't have fun. It means you have to make sacrifices sometimes. It?s all about knowing what you want and acting upon it. Your idea of a great college life is nothing if you can't make executions. There will be nobody to tell you how to live your life anymore. Raise or fold, it?s your chips. Play them wisely.

Ultimately it is the student who has to live with the final decision concerning where he or she will be going to college, so the final decision should be his/hers. Make sure the student communicates concerning the things that are most important when looking for the best school.

Finding the right college is not a decision to take lightly but it also isn't as stressful as you might fear. It's smart to take into consideration who you are as a person and who you would like to become. Visiting colleges is very important in trying to make that decision because you are able to see the who lives there, what they do in their spare time, and if you can see yourself there for four years having a wonderful time. Then, once you've picked which college is the best choice for you, there are many opportunities for you to explore: join a club, a sports team, an academic team, or begin your own; find an on campus job with flexible hours so you can meet new people and make some extra cash to fill your pockets; find study partners in your classes that way you can make friends and keep up with your studies. The experiences and skills you earn in your four years of college help you in situations throughout your life but it's your choice (for the first time!) to make it happen.

I think that finding the right college starts by thinking that there are no wrong colleges at first. Look everywhere in your range and begin weeding them out by looking at what they offer for you. There are no wrong answers. Once you have narrowed down the list by the range that you are willing to live in, begin by looking at the acedemic programs that are offered and any connections to other schools where you may decide to further your education. After that has been done, one should look into the extracurriculars that are offered at the school that intrest them. Even if you can not directly participate, think about the things that you want to be a part of. There are so many schools that offer so many things. A perspective student should visit more then one, and know that there will be one that you just feel is right, as long as you open yourself up to the new possibility and to the new life chapter that is going to be embarked upon. The bottom line is, do not give up on a school too quickly, because there is a place for everyone. Find yours.

My best advice that I can give to anybody trying to find the right college is start really early. Start touring colleges that have the program you desire that will eventually lead you to a fitting career. Also, see if the atmosphere is right for you. Some advice to the parents is to plan ahead for financial issues that might occur when your child attends his first year of college. Try to find the right college for the best overall tuition that you can handle without a great deal of stress. However, our child is the one that is attending college and should be satisified where he or she is attending after high school.

I feel that the student should go for whatever school they feel most comfortable at. I think it is important that the school offers alot of different choices of activites in your interest. I have seen people leave Virginia Tech for it not being artsy enough. Look into what your interests are before choicing the school and see if they are available. Also don't worry if your boyfriend or girlfriend and friends are going somewhere else. You will most likely have a computer and still be able to talk to them. The college expirence should be all about YOU not anyone else. I feel that you will be the most happy in life if you are able to make your own choices rather than being talked into something due to those around you. Be happy and do alot of research. You will know when you find the school that is right for YOU.

Make sure you apply for financial aid. Go visit the colleges you apply to, make sure you get all of your questions answered. Check out the campus, get a tour, check out their libraries, and even the surrounding town. Don't be afraid to even ask a student what they like most about that college. Apply for all of the scholarships you can. Make the right decision for yourself. Don't hesitate to ask questions, there are many people on college campuses that can answer questions!

Don't listen to what anyone else tells you about "the best school" or "which school you need to go to;" make a list of school's you personally are interested in and apply. Don't be intimidated by distance or price; just apply, and if you get in then you can make your decision. Second, be sure to tour and visit everywhere you apply at least once if not twice. You may think you really want to go somewhere, but when you step on the right campus you just know. Next, a good school is a good school; don't think of things in terms of "Liberal Arts" and "Science/Math;" I go to Virginia Tech and am double majoring in English and Psychology and I'm receiving an outstanding education. Go with your gut, and choose the school YOU want; you have to go there for four years, not your parents or friends. Lastly, don't worry about where you will or won't get into; America has the best universities in the world and you're going to be happy no matter where you get rejected from. After all, you picked all the ones on your list.

For my own college search, I already knew what major I wanted: engineering. Knowing your intended major will narrow your search immensely. After I found a handful of colleges with great enineering programs I visited them, heard their speal and looked at the programs and extra curriculars they offered. I picked based on marching band, but you might want a specific sport. It all depends on what you want to do. If you don't have anything specific in mind yet, I suggest trying a community college just to get started. It's cheaper and you can start looking for what interests you most. To make the most of undergrad, I suggest getting involved. My school is big, but through getting involved I've made so many friends it doesn't seem that way anymore. Also, I've found classes outside my major that interest me, like sociology, music, and study abroad. Don't let getting your degree get in the way of your education.

When visiting colleges, talk to students that seem to be most similar to you. Ask about the negative things, especailly what he or she faced as a new students. Also, do not be scared to go off to schools that your friends are not interested in. These people might not be your friend s in the coming years. I know that this process is scary, but so many people have been through it... and you're probably smarter than so many out there.

It's important to find a place where you feel at home. Don't go somewhere just because you're parents went there of your brother or sister goes there. It has to fit for you. Be sure that you feel comfortable and safe.

When trying to find the right college make sure you visit every campus that you intend on applying to. Seeing the campus and the people that attend that college may help you to make your final decision. Also, to make the most of your college experience be sure to make friends and get involved in as many extra curricular activities that you can with your work load.

After being in college a few years, and going through the application process myself I've learned that what you get out of the experience depends on how much you're willing to put in to it. While searching colleges, it's important to find a place where you feel you could get the most out of your experience. College years are your most fun, but also very demanding. Find a place that suits your academic needs as well as recreational oppurtunities that would interest you. Also make sure to visit the school to get a feel for the student body, and the overall feeling of the campus. As far as making the most out of your college career, as I said, you get out of it what you're willing to put in to it. Oppurtunities are everywhere for the people that look for them. Talk to proffessors, volunteer for undergraduate research, apply for internships. All of these allow you the oppurtunity to get a feel for what your field is really like in the real world. Overall, you're college should be a place that will allow you to grow in to the person you want to become.

Make sure you know what you want to do before getting to college because if you don't then you may have to stay a lot longer than planned. Make sure to keep partying to just the weekends and focus as much as possible on studying and making good grades.

The best advice for parents and students when selecting a school is to pick a college known for a variety of programs. Chances are that you may change your area of interest while in college. After all, college is really about shaping you into your future self and you don't have to know who that is right away. When visiting a college, get a feel for the students and the campus and seriously consider how those factors fit with you. While you want to choose a college that fits your academic interests, make sure that the campus you're going to call home for a few years, feels like home. The number one piece of advice that my parents gave me was to not sweat the small stuff and work to the best of your abilities, and if you put forth the effort, you'll reap the benefits.

In order to find the right college, I think it is important for a student to not only consider his or her long-term goals, but also personality. One should choose an environment that is conducive to his or her needs. By doing so, a student can ensure that he or she will stay motivated and feel comfortable at school (which is vital for success). I would highly recommend for a student to get involved in some extracurricular activity in his/her first year of school. I believe that this can improve the overall quality of the college experience because it can help him find people that share similar interests. It is the friends a person surrounds himself with at school that can greatly influence the experience he or she has with the school as a whole. Most importantly, one should keep in mind that college is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It is a time in one's life where lessons are to be learned both inside and outside the classroom. My advice: study hard; make lots of friends; get involved in the community; and absorb as much information and memories as possible.

Definitely visit every college you are interested in. You might think you want to go to a certain school but actually visiting it could change your mind! Also, get involved. That is my biggest mistake. I never wanted to be in a sorority which is big on Virginia Tech campus but there are other options. Join clubs that interest you and make friends in classes. Thos classmates could become lifelong friends!

Go in with an open mind. It is hard considering cost, but if its the best school for your major and the size school you want, you'll figure out a way to pay for it. Try new things, dont be afraid to join a club or group that you never thought you would, its a great way to meet people and when you look back on your experience you will be glad you did it. You have lots of resources right at your fingertips in college, use them while you can. If you get an opportunity to study abroad, do it! Find a happy medium between school and socializing, if you only stay in and study you will miss out on a lot that is part of the college experience; if you only go out and socialize you miss out on the great education you are paying to receive. Take in every moment, it will be over before you know it!