Appalachian State University Top Questions

To be the most effective in college, parents do not need to rush their child off to college if they are not ready. This includes if the child does not know what they might want to do with their life and with their career. By attanding college for the sake of "attending college," one is setting themselves up for a rough and rocky college experience. The child must be ready to take on all aspects of college life and if they are not there is a great possibility that they will not achieve their maximum potential. I went into college believing that I would have all the time I needed to figure out what I wanted to do as a career and by the time I realized what it was that I wanted to do, it was late in my college experience. Now I am having to struggle with getting classes when I need them to graduate and financial aid is hard to come by. If a child needs to take a semester or year off to find out what it is that they need and want out of life, then that is the best thing that they can do.

Start with everything. Have a list or book of every possibility. From there start to work down the list to a handful, by eliminating schools based on location, size, courses offered, price, and student life. Many students will choose or not choose a school that they actually know little about just because they have heard a couple of offhand comments. It is good to take into account what others before you have experienced, however what?s true for one person in one year, may not be for you and in the next. Exhaust all your options, do the research, because the time you put in will be well worth it, not only placing yourself at a great school that fits you best, but also giving you the comfort of knowing that you have made the right decision, which will keep you focused and in the school you have chosen, well on your way to graduation.

Parents should not choose the school for their child. The student will end up spending the next 4 or 5 years of his/her life at an institution so it should at least be a school he/she acutally likes. Visit Visit Visit! All schools sound amazing on paper, but until its right in front of you, you cannot make the greatest opinion about it. Think about all possible majors you might want to pursue. Do not pick a school based on the one major you are in love with; try to pick one with multiple backups. It is totally okay to feel nervous or scared during orientation or the first day of classes. It gets easier. Try to get involved in a club or activity you like or you think you might like. College is all about experimentation and trying new things. Just do it. Make all kinds of friends from different walks of life. They help you grow. Do not stay in your dorm room all day. Making the most out of your college experience does not mean you have to compromise yourself. Be who you are, and you will have fun. Its a fact.

The most important consideration is the prospective student's approach to the world of collegiate academics. Unlike the suppressive public school systems, colleges do not enforce student particpation for participation's sake. University resources, professors, and students are all encouraging to the learning process, but it is ultimately up to the student to decide the value of their educational experience. In my experience, academic (and overall) satisfaction at the collegiate level is correlative with academic interest. Most all professors are more than willing to help students outside of class on matters concerning both academic success but also personal success as well. I have never felt encouraged than by the atmosphere of my university. There was a time when I never thought I'd make it through highschool. During that time, "education" represented an opressive "system." My presence at a university has helped changed my point of view entirely. Only four years of college? Why not a lifetime? How can I afford that? Setting also plays a crucial role, and is an extremely important consideration in deciding which college to attend. But ultimately I feel that an interest in learning, enthusiasm, and persistence, are the key to a successful college experience.

Trust your instincts.

Visit all the colleges you are looking into, and when you are there go talk to people. Meet and talk to a few professors you see. go eat on and off campus, the campus food will be your life when living on campus so make sure you can eat it for days on end but remember you can cook and eat off campus too, so check out that area. most importantly look at the weather, really hot or cold and be prepared! do get there and 2 months later have it be snowing and have no winter clothes and be mad because you don't like the weather, you are living there about 9 months at a time. Look into the extra-curricular activities and think about which ones you would join and the others that you would meet in those groups. to successed you have to met and others and have friends, joining groups are the best way outside of classes. The student has to plan what they will do and how they will successed once they get to college, then the student the put their plan into motion to get the most out of their college experience.

Honestly, try to figure out what your needs are before you start looking, but don't limit yourself to what you think those needs are. A lot of students come to my college - even though it doesn't fit the specifications that they had when they first started looking at schools - just because they got a sense that this was where they were supposed to be. If possible, go and tour the schools you're looking at - and if that's not possible, try to talk to students who have attended that college or university. Also, if you have an idea of what you want to do as a career before you start looking into colleges that will help you narrow your search too because you can ask your teachers about schools they would recommend for your field. The best way to "make the most" of your college experience is to try and be free to trying new things. The entirety of the college experience is new, so take the chance and push yourself. This is the best way to start figuring out who you really are, by discovering parts of yourself that you might have never known otherwise.

Visit the college first and try to talk to someone who has been there or is going there now.

Appalachian State University is a small school nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina. The campus is quaint and tight knit, fostering a real sense of community among students. Class sizes are small and there is great opportunity for students to make as much of their educational experience as they are willing to put into it. Our football team has been doing exceptionally well the past three years that I have attended the university, and I hope they will continue to be a legacy for years to come. Freshman students especially have a good time here as the town itself is easily accessible by foot and the school provides too many opportunities to get to know other students. No, I kid, but there really are lots of club info sessions and freshman seminar groups to help students make lasting bonds with one another and explore the opportunities that university life has to offer. I would recommend students enter the university undeclared and find the academic pursuit that best fits them after a few years of general study, and I would not be surprised if while attending this school you develop a real passion and enthusiasm for the outdoors.

Choosing the right university is a monumetnal decision in the life of a modern student. Choosing the university that fits a student best is vital in order to succeed in the social and academic setting, however selecting the right university is not necessarily everything. I truly believe any student can do well in nearly any college setting, given the right attitude and determination. While life will surely be easier in a place that seems to relate to a student best, the right mindset is the main determining factor in making the most of the college experience.

When choosing a college, it is best to apply to as many schools as possible. This is imperative in finding the perfect match for you. As a student, you want to find a school that fits your educational, social and environmental needs. The key point I make for students is that you absolutely cannot settle for second best when it comes to your college education - this is the rest of your life! For parents, you must understand that most teenagers have little concept of money. If you do not explain to your students your financial situation, they will never know. Encourage your students to make a large selection of schools to apply to, but help them to choose schools that are not going to be out of reach (with the help of loans or financial aid, if necessary). When your college student leaves home, as a parent, it is time to accept that he or she has left home for good. The chick has left the nest; it is time to let it fly!

Go to the college you are thinking about in the winter. If you can to live there then, you can probably live there the rest of the year. Find out what extra-curricular activities they have before you get there, it makes it easier to jump right. Know what free resources are on campus and USE THEM ALL THE TIME! Study abroad at least once and for at least half a year, it will not be enough. Don't be shy. Don?t room with someone you know, best friends can make the worst roommates. Don?t let significant others stand in the way of you making friends; you will be very lonely when you break up. Don?t go home every weekend, explore the area you are in, you?ll probably like it more. Call your parents at least once a week, but not every day; you need to develop some autonomy. Everyone should live in a dorm for at least one year. Finally, have fun but keep your GPA up, the higher the GPA the more opportunities you?ll have after college to do whatever it is you want to do, even if you have no idea now.

Keep in mind what you want to go to college for. Does it have the department or major you're looking for? However, saying that, keep in mind that what you thought you wanted to go to college for may not seem so compatible in a couple months. Leave your options open. For me, academics are extremely important, but to be honest, most schools can give you a good education. Make sure that you also pick a school where you think you can be happy, not just the most prestigious you can get into. This involves things such as campus size, class size, social activities, etc. I am much happier for having chosen a good school that I can excel in, but one that I know also appreciates me.

Make sure you're going to a school where the environment is something in which you know you will not hate. Make sure you don't go select a college because the boy or girl you like is going there...that never ends well. Do not be afraid to actually explore the community surrounding your college, as this community will impact your opinion of the school far greater than you would first expect.

Students should have an Idea of what they want in life and decide which college will offer the tools and experience to acomplish this. Parents should remember that academics is only a part of the college experience. The college experience is for most students the first step into the real world. I personally have learned twice as much about life's risk, reward and consequences than about Business Marketing in my years in college and all for the better.

Don't choose the school, let the school choose you! Make lots of campus visits and choose the school which makes you feel most at home.

I would advise students seeking to come here simply because of the fact that ASU has won three football championships not to come. Those students that wish to attend a school where the atmosphere is calm and clear, where the area around the school is a great wide outdoors, and where there is some of the best sking on the East coast should most certainly apply here. There is a great atmosphere of fun, environmental awareness, political activism and discussion and invested faculty and staff here. ASU was paired with NCSU as the school I was accepted to, but I went to here, in the beautiful hills, because I was close to family, I was offered more scholarship money and, in the end, because the campus appealed to me more. The weather can be mutable, and change on a whim; the winters cold and the springs wet, but it is all just a part of the best school in NC. Don't let people tell you this is a "hick school," ASU is the best kept secret in the NC school system. I would also advise them to bring a good winter coat.

It's not always about the name of the school that will be on your diploma. Go where you really believe that you will get the education that best suits you. Go where you feel comfortable, not where everyone else wants you to go. These are meant to be the best years of your life so don't waste your time at a school that doesn't fit you (your needs, personality, etc).

Dont rule anything out, and get involved. You will have a much better time if you are making friends and doing things you enjoy. Try to take advantage of everything the university has to offer at least once. Dont spend too much time you your dorm you will get home sick, go out and explore, do something youve never done before. Parents, let your kids be adults. If you have raised them right you have no reason to worry about them, trust that you have taught them well enough to make the right descisions.

The college experience is not just about the night life. A good college has professors in your major that know your name and talk to you in the halls. Don't go for a college that is to big because you become a number. Although, not to small because then you really don't get the diversity you need to experience. Liberal schools are good for that culture. Go somewhere that you can relate too. This place is the mountains and I love them. School is the most important thing when choosing college. Make sure that the school you chose has a really involved program in your major. It helps when you get ready to graduate.

Find out what you want to study, and where and make sure you visit the campus to see if you are a good fit.

Somewhere the college matches the students personality. If he/she is outgoing, a bigger school may be better, if he/she is quiet then a smaller school may better suit them. Also doesn't matter about the name, but as long as the college has something the student enjoys learning about and finding a future in it.

Students need to find the campus that appeals to them. When you walk onto campus you should feel at home, not stressed or worried about what people think of you. I find that the academic enviornment is as eqully important as the academic standards when it comes to a college. Students who do not feel at home will not succed even if the academics at the college sets the student up for success.

have fun but be sure that you GO TO CLASS!!!!! Your GPA drops alot if you skip class. But just be sure you have fun. Youre only in college for a short amount of time. Find somewhere that feels like it could be your home for the next four years.

Stay patient and focused. Patience to allow your mind to absorb as much information as possible. And focused so that you may reach your intended goals and have a bright future.

Follow your heart.

Students and Parents must make a couple of visits to the college to get a good feel of the campus. Also, visit at least twice, once during the week and once during the weekend to see how the students react with others and how they deal with classes and how they interact on game days and also on non-game days. The students need to know which size of campus they would benefit from the most. They should have an idea of what the student wants to major in, and they should make sure the college offers that major. Also, evaluate the statistics of students with your similar major who graduate and have a job when they graduate.

The number one piece of of advice to parents and students about finding the right college is "start early." The number two piece of advice about finding the right college is "visit campuses." The third piece of advice is "have several choices." Starting early means looking at colleges in your sophomore year of high school. Visiting a campus will give you the feel of its student body, its faculty and staff, and its atmosphere. Make sure that you visit a day while classes are going on. Having several choices will allow you flexibility. Going to the right college for you is the first step in making the most of your college experience. If you are not happy with the final choice you made or did not get into your first choice, there is always the option to transfer. It is easier to transfer into a school than to get in as a freshman. The second step is getting involved in your college's activities: connect with your fellow classmates, talk to your professors, join a club, start a sports team, and live on campus, atleast for your first year. It is up to you to make the most of college.

in looking for the right college i would say that there is nothing better than visiting the campus and talking to the students who go there.

People get too hung up on being the best and most successful. Sometimes the most prestigious or expensive college isn't right for you. I was a part of a competitive high school program called International Baccalaureate, and yet I chose a laid back school. When I first stepped onto campus, I immediately felt like I was home. It was then that it hit me-- prestige isn't everything. Don't worry about IVey Leagues. Those aren't for everyone. Pick where you're going to be happy. This will be your home for the next 4 years. But once you're there, make sure you get involved. There are tons of organizations and clubs for every kind of student. Plus, schools usually have awesome entertainment committees. Just last week I saw a French Opera that came straight from Europe and just the other day I saw a comedy show by BJ Novak of NBC's hit series, The Office. College is what you make of it. People who are lonely, friendless and bored create their own misery. Take advantage of this time and make the most out of it. It'll be the best years of your life.

Visit the colleges you are interested in and talk to people who go there if you know someone who attends. Take a tour and find out about what the school offers because you might find a little know school that is amazing and that would be perfect for you.

My advice for parents and/or students regarding finding the right college would be this: Go to a college that is a good distance away from home, but not too far. The reason that I say this is that by moving further away than a lot of students do, you force yourself to become more independent. You are unable to rely on everything you had before, so you have to take the initiative to get things done on your own. However, if you move too far away, if/when you do require assistance, it may be unattainable. Getting the right balance between the two distances will create natural motivation for independence, but won?t leave you crippled if you ever need something from home? be it social interactions with old friends, money and supplies, or just some of mom?s good home cooking.

If you're looking for a school where every student will know every other student thats not a private school... you've found the right one. This is a state school wherein by your sophmore year, you will know at least 20 people you see walking from one class to another one. We are a big Appalachian Family of Mountianeers with incredible team spirit. Football is growing here and basketball is going ACC! Our community is growing, but for only 9000 dollars a year you get the ultimate college experience. Books are rentals, so they're included in the tuition and you don't have to pay for them. Professors are helpful, and they really care about their students. You have to work hard to keep up your GPA, especially in the Chemistry program, but what school isn't like that?

The number one suggestion I would make to parents and students about choosing a the right college is to make sure you are choosing a major you greatly enjoy. Once you have that major then choose a college that can help you excell in that major. Once in that university get invovled, it greatly enhances your experince. Find clubs and organizations that you enjoy for they really help bring out who you really are and help shape you for your future. Dont just join because you want something to put on a resume, gain a passion for them, it helps you out greater in the end.

Find a college that is going to have a well developed major that you're interested in. Also see if you like the atmosphere of the place such as the weather and location. Another thing is to determine if you want to be in a small town, medium sized town or city.

Check out every school before you go anywhere. Just because you love it one place doesnt mean you won't like somewhere else better.

One of the most important things is to find the place that you will be most comfortable.

I would say that they main thing to remember when findig the right college, is to forget about the name. The school name is probably the least important thing when looking for a school. The key is to find a school that fits your personality the best according to your values. This is the crucial issue for the right school. As for making the most of your college experience, don't doubt your choice, just jump into college life and meet all the new people that you can.

God has plans for you. Watch for signs.

Visit the school first, meet some of the students and faculty, have a general idea of what major you will choose

Do not choose acollege just because your best friend is going there. It may not have the same major as you wanted to study. It could be more liberal or more conservative than you want. The atmosphere or location may not be ideal for you. Pick a place that you know will make you happy, both in and out of school. You are going to be spending your life at college for at least four years, and you might as well be happy the whole time.

Find a college that is the right size with the type of atmosphere that feels right. Do not choose a school based on where friends are going but where you think you will be the happiest. Find people you know at different college's and ask about the campus from them or stay with them for a weekend to see what it is really like. Look into the programs offered and the clubs on campus. Make sure the college is the right fit for you.

First, find a college that fits you're academic and social needs. Get familiar with services offered by the school, e.g., meal plans, housing, and extracurricular activities. Most importantly, Visit Your School! Are the physical surroundings pleasing? More importantly than that, visit while class is in session. The atmosphere created by the students is infinitely more important than surroundings. Are you comfortable? Are the students friendly? Does the school feel competitive or laid back? What activities are the students doing outside (studying, frisbee, etc.)? Once you arrive, make friends with people you live close to. You'll see them most often and need to be friendly with them anyway. Go to all orientation activities your school offers and don't be afraid to show up for a club meeting or two. Make acquaintances in each class for notes and study groups. Get to know your professors and don't be afraid of talking to them after class. This will open up opportunities for experience in that field. Always take advantage of free meals on campus, communicate with your roommate; and stay organized so you're not stressed and so you have time to kick back and enjoy the experience!

The advice I would give students on finding the right college is to apply to several different schools. Take your time on finding the right school for you because that is where you will be the happiest. Take tours of different campuses and get a feel for the town surrounding the school because that is where you are going to be spending much for your life for the next four years. Now for making the most of college, have fun but stay focused on school work as well. One of the biggest mistakes students make their freshman year is to neglect their school work and focus on their social life. Learn to manage your time. Another thing to do is to get out and try new things, meet new people and just have fun. Be social with people in your classes and in you dorm building. Most of all do not worry to much about everything, take your time and enjoy college.

I would advise that students dig down inside and really try and figure out what interests them and what kind of setting they would like to live in. I think it's important to look a wide variety of schools and really try to feel out which one will feel the most like home. Personally, I'm extremely interested in protecting the enviroment and bringing about social awareness on the impact people have on it and that was a big part of my decision to come to Appalachian State. It's really important that students do their homework in looking at schools, and parents have a duty to push them to do this. Whatever college you pick you're going to spend (most likely) the next four years at and so why wouldn't you want to make sure it was really the best fit? It really comes down to where you think you'll be happiest, and where you can see yourself getting a good education; A place to grow both academically and socially to prepare you for the rest of your life.

Meet as many people as you can your first year and not just on your floor... everywhere. Get involved in as much as possible in the beginning. Study with your free time and make sure you are active physically.

Choose a school is worth the cost of what you are paying to attend

Colleges are like puppies. Whatever one you choose you'll end up falling in love with. Where ever you end up make sure you find out all the resources and oppurtunities that are available and make use of them as often as possible.

Explore colleges which seem to fit the lifestyle you want to live and if you find that you made the wrong choice in schools you should hang in there and make good grades so that you have the option to transfer to a school of better fit.

Deffinately take a trip to the school. One big reason in chosing the school that you goto is the town that surrounds it, its where you'll be spending most of your time.