Western Michigan University Top Questions

The size of a campus, location whether it is urban or rural, how career-oriented a university is: many various factors play a crucial role in deciding what university to ultimately choose. When I was applying to schools, I know I had a few questions lingering in my head. What school will place an emphasis in the major I want to go into? It is important to research a university to see if that school has the major/minor you are interested in. Also, find out if that specific department you are interested in has a positive reputation; after all, your future education is at stake. Another vital question that came about was was where is this school located? I wanted to go to school no farther than 3 hours away, and I wanted a school that had a downtown area. Surprisingly, these factors would play a huge role in the making of the college student I am today. On weekends, I?m able to take a train home to study and when I have a few hours to waste away, it?s great to take a bus downtown with friends to grab some grub.

Take all the time you need and make sure you research on the school and visit. Nothing is worse than feeling out of place or regretting the decision to go to that school. Know what you can handle and do not put too much pressure on yourself because you will get run down, stressed, and want to quit.

I chose close to home to help save money on expenses - it was a good idea.

My first advice would be to know what you like. Be true to one's self. If you don't have any idea what you want to do with your education, you're much less likely to find a school that fits you. Many schools have specialities and certain programs of very high caliber that should be looked into. And for those who don't know what they want to do, just go to a school that is comfortable for you. That's the real ticket; comfort. If you're a student who is unsecure in his or her environment, you're not likely to well no matter where you are. Go to your school of choice, visit, hang out in the surrounding city, and get to know the area. If it feels like a place you could call home for four years, thats your cue to attend. You will be living in a completely new city for four years; my best advice is to love your college town so that you have an enriching and productive environment in which to blossom as you make the most important transition in your adult life.

Visit every school that you're interested in. It's extremely important that the campus is right for you. Pick a school that has a great, accredited program for you. Find out what there is to do both on campus and in the community. Once you're in college, find something to get involved in. Extra-curriculars are a great way to make friends and meet people while doing something that you love, and they could even help with job applications. First year experience programs are great for making the transition from high school to college easier. Stay in the dorms for at least a year, freshman dorms in particular. You'll be surrounded by people going through the same things you are, campus is right at your fingertips if you need to go study or get help from a professor, and you might make the best friends you'll ever have. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and don't be afraid if you discover you've chosen the wrong major or you won't graduate in time. Talk to people, see an advisor, or even go to a counseling center. Most importantly, have fun!

Picking the right school for you can be extremely hard. I would tell them to take their time and choice wisely. Pick a place where you are comfortable with the evironment so that when the climate chnages your not geting sick when you need to be sutdying finals or something major. I would stick to places in your budget range because you dont want to graduate with alot of debt already on your side.

I would tell parents and/or students to consider a school that offers flexibility in their choice of major and will expose them to new ideas and people. I changed my major during my time in school as a result of my experiences there and the people that I met. My perspectives on life have changed as I have met new people with different worldviews and experiences than mine. I think that students tend to feel that they know everything that they want as they are coming out of high school and sometimes might restrict there opportunities based on what they think they know. Keeping an open mind is very important as I have found that most everything I thought I knew about myself coming out of high school turned out to be wrong. Going to a school that excelled in several academic areas and is populated by a diverse group of students and staff helped me find myself as a person and in turn, find out what I truly want to do with my life. New college students should always be willing to try new things, and it is important to find a school that promotes this.

Don't screw around, do it right the first time.

Do research on the colleges you want to attend in adavnce, compare prices, courses, and learning enviorments of college campuses. Also take into consideration what extra benefits each college has to offer such as scholorships, daycare, tutoring, and counseling etc.

I would suggest picking the best place for you. One that is going to offer you comfort and this going to offer you the best education.