Western Michigan University Top Questions

Find a place you can be comfortable in and try to meet people. They can help you stay active by having fun, helping you study, getting involved, and who knows what else. It's up to you to make it the best you can, not anyone else. Also if you can, try to study abroad, it can be a highly beneficial eye-opening experience.

I would suggest that they look at the programs at the school, the campus itself, and the student life there. You have to know how big of a school you can handle; how big of a school you can handle as a student. You also want to look at how far away from home the student/parents are comfortable with. The school also has to allow the new student to be able to get out on their own and grow up and learn, both academically and life lessons.

You don't have to go where your friends are to have fun and do well.

It is necessary to visit a variety of schools before choosing one, in order to really know what the best environment is best for you. I didn't attend college immediately after highschool and I would have to say that was the best choice I could have made. Not everyone is ready right away and that time gives you a chance to learn more about yourself and learn a lot about the real world. Upon taking that break I felt as though I had a lot more clarity when ultimately deciding what my major should be. Lastly, I would tell students that they shouldn't worry too much about declaring a major right away. One should take a variety of classes and try a lot of different things before stressing out about what their future career should be.

Finding the right college is a major decision. Many factors need to be taken into consideration. Class size is so important. If you cannot speak directly to your professor you may feel lost in a crowd. Closeness to home also is a major consideration. I spent my first year 9 hours away from home and now I am only 2 hours away from home this year. I feel more closer and I am able to go home when I feel like it. This is important to me. Student body is another factor. Find out as much information about the students and what they like to do. I knew Western had a reputation for heavy drinking but did not realize how much until I arrived here. I am now trying to find groups that are against this and make new friends. Visit the campuses you like most and even stay overnight to observe everything you can before making a choice. I feel that what you witness with your own eyes is more important than any brochure or web site. You have to trust you own judgement.

My advice to future students and parents about choosing the right college would be to go on as many campus tours you have to until you step onto the campus that feels like home to you/your child. I personally had a difficult time deciding where to go to college, but taking the campus tours is what helped me to finally make a decision. After I had visited the campus that was right for me, no other college compared. My original plan fell through once I walked the campus of the college I am currently attending and have attended for the last two and a half years. It was the campus that I fell in love with, not because it was big and perfect, but because it was the perfect size for me and spoke to me. It was where I wanted to be. Honestly, after attending that campus tour, all the other colleges I was interested in were just not as good. Nothing could change the way I felt and I still feel that way when I walk on my campus today. So take the time to go to the campuses; you won't regret it.

The best advice I can give to parents and/or student about finding the right college, is to be supportive. Education is one of the most important things one can pursue, and that education needs to be the right one for that person. Find out what they feel about what they would like to do, and look at colleges to find out if they have a first year experience or career pathway class to help. If they already know, look and research for colleges who specialize in that, and then find the colleges they like the most and visit them! Visiting colleges is very important; you're on the campus, you learn about the college, you learn about social life, you know things that would be available, and you get a glance of what a student life would be like. Also, see if there is someone you can talk to about your particular interests; they can answer a lot of questions you have about a specific major, program, organization or club. Listen to what the you or your student has to say, so you know they are comfortable and feel supported in their choice; they'll go far.

I would tell people to first look around at many college and the programs to offer. If you like what you see than by all means attend that school. While at school I would tell people to definately get involved in an organization and make as many friends as you can. You can still keep your high school friends but they are now scattered across the state and country. It is always best to make friends that live just down the street.

A great way to find the right college for yourself will be to search according to your major, the size of the campus (if you like it small or big), the location of the college, or a college that is financially stable for your needs. Once you have established the search process for the right college, then you should find out all the information about that college before applying to make sure that you have made the right decision about starting your college life. Now that you've chosen a particular college of your own you probably want to make the best out of your college experience, Right? Well, College is a great place to meet people from all over the world and experiences that you've never had before. So the best way to enjoy college is to get out with an open mind and be involved with school activities, which could provide for you a great social network for life after college. If school activities can't fulfill your needs then join a club/Frat./Soror. that is to your interest, go out into the city to have fun like movies, dinner, shopping, or you can always travel.

I would encourage parents and students to look into finding a college that best fits the student regardless of cost. I believe that college can only truly be enjoyed when the student is in an environment where they feel most comfortable. Another important factor is finding a college that has a quality program for the student's desired career. This is especially important because attending a college merely for the social aspect, or because of the cost of the school will shortchange the student and their potential learning and knowledge.