Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Top Questions

When looking for a college, try to find a place where you feel comfortable. Look around and especially get to know the type of people attending the school. If you're really into the arts and music, go to a school thats artsy and matches your personality. If you want to go to a school with a lot of people, find a school with a good football team and large campus.

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Make sure you apply to a school that you will be able to afford. Do not apply to colleges who have outrageous tuition fees. Apply to colleges that will be able to give you scholarships and will offer you the best alumni network for post college graduation.

Always visit a campus before you decide which school to go to. All schools look good on paper, but it's the community that you are going to fall in love with. Orientations and various campus fairs will let you best know which school you will feel at home in. Being at a school that makes a person feel invisible isn't a good way to start. Visit several campuses so you can decide what kind of school you want to be involved in. And always use the resources your school offers. Go to the seminars; go to the study groups. Immerse yourself in the community.

Exploring my options was what I had neglected to do, but ought have done. This goes beyond looking at in-state, out-of-state, or private schools. Find out what you want to get out of college, or find it out as you search. Never limit your options too early. In addition, find a school with extra-curriculars that you like. This is important to keep you well-rounded, which many employers like to have, people who are comfortable in different situations. Finally, make a flexable schedule for yourself so you can study, work, sleep, eat right, and have fun.

It's normal to be nervous about your college decision. After all, its probably the first major decision you have to make. I was torn between two schools when it came down to choosing the perfect college. One year later, I have absoultely no regrets on the college I chose. Some of the things I thought I'd hate the most ended up being my favorite parts of the school. I recommend VT to everyone that's trying to decide which college to attend because I think everyone will love being a Hokie.

You've heard that it doesn't matter where you go to school; you can just make it work. You've heard that you should only go to a school with a well-recognized name. You've also heard the college experience is kind of irrelevant; the only thing that matters is that you come out with a degree. Oh, so wrong. First of all, narrow down your colleges by three things: location, population, and academics. Don't go to a small, country school if you love the city! Once you've narrowed it down, start looking at those colleges' websites to search for various clubs, organizations and other opportunities that might interest you. Those "other opportunities" will reshape you (in a good way) as a person. It is the experiences, hardships you endure and relationships you develop outside the classroom, that teach you how to cooperate with others and the world around you. College life encourages personal growth and cultivation into a well-rounded adult. Your grades are VERY important, but so is your outside life. Supplement good grades with your interests and college will equip you with tools that last a lifetime. Your only option is to succeed!

You never know what the college is going to be like until you visit it. Don't go wherever everyone else wants to go, and don't go somewhere just because your parents want you to. There are a million options and opportunities waiting for each person out there, so go find it! Try new things when you get there! Get involved! Meet people in your building, in your classes, and be yourself. Strap down your first semester so you don't have to pull your GPA up the rest of your college career, but do things you may have thought you would never do! There are so many options on campus to be a part of the community, get yourself out there! Don't do anything you don't want to do. As mom always says, don't do it just because someone else likes to do it. Keep up with old friends, make new ones, and take lots of pictures! There's a lot to pack into four years, so make the best of it!

The biggest thing that I needed to master when I came to Virginia Tech was figuring out when I should study and when I could spend time doing things that I enjoyed doing. Every college student struggles during their first year. No matter how easy the transition may seem from the outside, students are seeking to learn time management and strike a balance within their new independant lives. I love my school and the organizations that I am involved with. I love my friends, but I also love my major and the classes that I am taking. If I didn't have classes, there wouldn't be any reason for my being in college in the first place. If I didn't have friends, or if I stayed in my room the whole day, I wouldn't ever be happy. Extremes in either direction can make college life a miserable experience. However, if students find their calling in both areas, and avoid overworking just as much as they avoid overplaying, they are sure to have a wonderful college experience. After finding that balance, college, for me, has become manageable and fun because I am passionate about everything I do!

Let you kids find where they are supposed to go.