Central Washington University Top Questions

A lot goes into finding the right college for you or your children. There's cost (important now more than ever) location, academics, class sizes, connection to the business world, reputation, extra-curriculars, alum in the family, and the list goes on and on. This process can be long and grueling but it doesn't necessarily have to be. My biggest piece of advice would be to pick a shool that closely matches your needs/wants as a student. Don't pick a school because it's popular or because your friends are attending it. If you or your student has the slightest inclining of what carrer path is most desirable to you then make a decision based off of this. All the other details like class size and location are not nearly as important as a school whose academic renown matches that of your future career path. If I had known what major I wanted to pursue when I started the process I would have not wasted so much time taking classes unrelated to my current major. This will save you time, money, effort, reduce stress and put you well on your way to entering into the business world.

When looking at colleges look close to home first. Some of the best college experiences happen right in your hometown.

When you are looking for the right college wrong steps can be made so it is important to research. College is first and foremost a large step in a student's life to further their education and to increase future job opportunities. Search for a college that best suites the student. This needs to be both social and educational to create a successful learning environment. The college needs to be a self-rewarding place to learn and the surrounding area must also be rewarding and safe. You need to ask yourself if the school has a field of study that interests you, does it have areas near by that you can get away for activities that you enjoy like hiking or going out to eat? The main success comes from the student and school mix. You need to be able to sift into your environment to feel comfortable. Something simple like being happy can help a student tremendously with their education. A safe and strong learning environment is what you need to look for in a school, support and dedication will carry the student the rest of the way.

have somewhat of an idea of what feild they are interested in so that they can find a college that offers that feild.

First of all I would say selecting the location of the college is very important. Deciding how far away from home you want to live is a good idea, as well as deciding what type of city,(large or small?)and what type of landscape you would like to be around (urban or country?). Furthermore, considering what you like to do in your free time is imperative. Do you like to camp, fish, hike, and ski? In that case you might be happiest in the mountains. If not, do you like going to concerts, shopping, and other high profile events? In that case you might want to choose a large city. Other than location, the next important decision to make should be based upon visits to the college. The overall impression and feeling you get from being at the campus should be a good indicator of whether or not you will enjoy your time there. Academically, some schools are harder to get into than others this is true. However, many universities have the same courses of study, so after you decide on the location and environment you thrive in, all you need to take care of is your intellectual interest.

Central Washington University has a reputation as a party school. It is not the best of the best, yet it was my first choice as a college. I chose Central not for its label but for class sizes and location. When looking for the right college parents and students need to maintain an open mind. Although Central was not the most reputable college out there, I saw potential by having an open mind to what smaller class sizes and a rural area could do for my education. The right school can truly make or break a college experience. If a student choses the right school they will find something to help enhance their experiences but if not then it becomes harder to enjoy the experience. College students need something to turn to, whether it is college provided activities or taking comfort in knowing they have small classes and a community to count on. If students are not open to all possibilities and the bigger picture it can be difficult having neither enjoyable classroom environments nor a social environment to fall back on; making choosing the right college a very important decision.

The best advice I can give on finding the right college and making the most out of your college experience would be to start your search early. The worst mistake you could ever make is to rush through the process and get stuck going to college you don?t particularly like because of a missed deadline or some other bad reason. Before you start your college search, make a list of things that you feel are absolutely necessary for you to make the most out of your college experience. Don?t limit your list just to activities and opportunities the university has to offer. Definitely make sure you like the city and the location of the university. That will make all the difference. Also, don?t limit your search to your financial ability. There are a lot of financial aid and scholarship opportunities available to help you fund your college education. Apply for as many as you can. While in college, get involved in clubs and campus activities. That?s the best way to meet people. And through this whole process don?t be afraid to follow your heart; after all, this opportunity only comes once in a life time :)

I would advise parents and students to take into account the childs comfort level with the location of the school and size. I love how my school is out of the city and is a somewhat small school. I feel comfortable then to ask questions and never feel like i'm just a number to my school. I would also advise that the child/parents do not choose the school based on relationhips or friends who are going to the school because that's not a good reason to attend a school. You should also look into the majors (yes, more than one, I have changed majors twice) that they are interested in and make sure that they have a strong program.

Experience is vital. Before you graduate running start is pushed, professors stress internships, volunteering etc. I suggest the same thing. Go visit the campus, go on tours and be bombarded with information. Students act as if you go there, stay the weekend. I had originally said yes to WSU amazed with the school's spirit and the size, but after I visited with my mom I left overwhelmed. The next weekend I went to CWU to visit friends and ended up loving it, I couldn't stop comparing the two. I couldn't ignore that going to Pullman could be a huge mistake, afraid to let my parents down. My mom called Central a "glorified community college." I compared the two, in the end I wanted to call Ellensburg home. My mom and I went on a very long weekend to Central, she ended up saying yes. She's forgotten her first impressoin and tells anyone who'll listen my accomplishments at Ellensburg's finest "community college." Parents listen to your children, they need to start growing up and compromising with them in this huge decision will be the best for both of you.

Look at as many universities in person as you can before making your decision about where to go.

?Where are you planning on going after graduating?? was the undying question during my high school years. Everyone wanted to know what college I was going to, and it felt like the school I picked would define my entire existence. I wondered, ?Will my future go horribly wrong if I pick the wrong school?? So, I poured over research, took compatibility quizzes, and practically memorized school statistics. I was so concerned about finding a college I thought would show who I am, that I didn?t realize the school you go to doesn?t define you, you define it! Like everything in life, what you put into college is what you get out of it. It?s your motivation and enthusiasm to personalize your college experience that truly makes the difference. You make college as challenging and enjoyable as you like, and no matter where you go you will always discover opportunities to find great experiences, ideas, people, and memories. So don?t worry that your school will shape your whole destiny. Remember the college you choose will help make you who you are, but it won?t sum up the limit of your experiences. Only YOU can define yourself.

The advice I would give is to make sure you visit the campus and talk to people who attend school there. Make sure the size of the school and the people who attend it fit into your style or college wont be any fun for you.

Do not choose a school based on another person. Make the choice you want to make, not your parents, in the end you are going to be the one attending the school not your family or friends. Be involved, meet people, interact with others, and live in the dorms at least once. Give the school a chance; don't let money be a factor because there are many scholarships out there. Know that you are not alone in this situation, every year students are transitioning into a different environment, sometimes even a different state. Always keep your head up, try to stay focus and remember why you are in college. Remember that in the end it is your choice to further your education but also remember it is very important to have a college degree, no matter what college you attend. Yet do not forget to have fun! Learning should be fun! It is always great to learn new things; the things you may learn may be from your friends so choose wisely. Don't be scared, a lot of us had to go through the same thing, and now some are very successful!

If you know what you want in life, essentially the right college can come to you. If you don't know what you want to do, don't worry you have time. I recommend community colleges; you can save money, get your general education requirements done, and have time to decide your career. If you know already what you want to do, I suggest students and parents do extensive research on universities in a particular region of the U.S. or the world a student would want to call "home.? Find out what each campus has to offer you in their environment, credentials, and money. Once you've selected the campus of your choice and start attending, it's critical as a student of particular profession, to get involved to make the most out of college. As a music education student, I wouldn't have known half of the stuff I know now if I had not been involved in student organizations and sought out professionals for advice in my field. By being involved, one can develop lasting social and professional relationships that can make the entire college experience a memorable and worthwhile time in a student?s life.

Find a college which balances academia and leisure. A good college will have quality library and research resources, dedicated professors, and a general preparation for a career, but equally important are activities for time out of the classroom. Look for a college that sponsers art exhibitions, concerts, cultural events, sports, plays, and opportunities to be actively and constructively social. Both of these areas are important in developing a quality campus life.

When you graduate from high school, unless you are absolutely sure about what you want to become in life, it's going to be a difficult process deciding where you will attend college and what career path you will choose. There's plenty of people who will select any college they can and wait until junior year to stay "undecided", and theres some who will analyze every choice of school until they think they have found one suitable. Finding the right college depends on the balance between these two aspects. Don't pick a college out of the blue, and try everything you possibly can, because there's simply too many choices and it's doubtful if you can find your heart's desire in four short years. However, going to a certain college with one select goal in mind is also a slightly naive decision, as one with this sort of outlook will definitely miss out on a plethora of experiences and self-discoveries. Combining these two outlooks- searching for new experiences at a public college containing them, while keeping a few goals in mind- that is the secret to a college experience that will remain a beautiful memory.

Live on-campus and make lots of friends.

My advice to other students about finding the right college for them is: 1) Conduct research on your colleges of choice. Look to see if they offer the programs or degrees that you intend to pursue for your career. Also check the graduation rates of the school and students average GPAs. This will give you an idea of the academic challenge that will be presented to you at that particular college. 2) Visit the colleges you are interested in attending. Get a feel for the small community or big city that it is located in. If you aren't comfortable with the surroundings, then chances are you wont enjoy or succeed in college. To get the most out of the college experience, it is important to branch out, meet new people, and most importantly, get involved!! There are literally hundreds and thousands of opportunities in college, whether it is taking part in theater, playing intramural sports, tutoring other students, volunteering in the community, etc. It all comes down to your involvment in the opportunities presented to you that will ultimately shape your college experience.

I would advise incoming college students to apply for at least three colleges, and to apply a couple months before the application date. Listen to teachers and ask them, based on your interests, which is the best school for their interests.

I would say plan ahead. My main mistake was not planning ahead. I felt that since I am from Ellensburg, which is where Central is located, I had all the time in the world to apply. In reality it is a longer process than you first think. I would also suggest visiting the campus and taking a guided tour to get the feel of the school and what activities they offer. I have noticed that there are many activities I was not aware of until I asked for myself. Taking a tour would eliminate that. Also I would say to reach out and meet new people even if you already have familiar faces at your school. I did this and I have met many good friends.

First off, deciding whether I wanted to stay in state or look for schools elsewhere is what my parents told me to do. That would help eliminate some of the choices. After I decided that I still wanted to be in state to be close to my family, they told me to look for a school that could not only provide me with the programs that Im intending to major in, but to look for a shool that could offer me some new experiences. It is always nice to stay with friends from High School and go to the same colleges, but to step outside of my comfort zone was what they really advised me to do. People sometimes don't know what they are capable of untill they are placed in different situations and challenge themselves in new ways. For me Central was a small school in a small town and was able to give one on one time with all my teachers, but the best part is participating in events around Centrals campus. I was able to meet other students who over time have become my family and we enjoy hiking and rafting. The outdoors is our playground.

I would advise parents to be supportive of their child's decision to go where they want in order to make the transition easy. When looking for the right college look for the college that will have classes that will be beneficial in getting your degree. Looking at cost comparison is also beneficial because you can take basically the same classes anywhere in most cases. Smaller universities have smaller classes which make it easier to get ahold of your professor. The larger colleges have upwards of 100 students somtimes in lecture halls and this makes it hard for professors to knoow you. It is nice to be able to have the close connection with teachers.

I would highly advice parents and students to some feedback on the colleges they want to attend. It would be really helpful if you already know what you want to do in college, so that when you're about to graduate college, you could get an early start on your career. Make sure that you stay active on campus because that would really help with meeting many people. Make friends with the professors and they could give you some insight on what you want to pursue in life. They could give you recommendations and help you choose what college you want to do in graduate school. If you're not planning to go to graduate school, then they could network you to some careers.

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Try to define interests before picking a school, whether they be academic or social based, and try to match those interests to a college or university. Also, decide if college is desired now, or if waiting would be a better option. If unsure or wanting to wait, remember that it is okay to wait. A lot of money could be saved and life lessons will help find the right frame of mind necessary to do well in school. If school is the right choice, make sure that there are plenty of extra-curricular activities to suit your needs and that class sizes and instruction are fitting to the way the student learns. If looking for a culture shock, try a school in a differently sized city than you come from or a place with totally different weather/climate, but if not, try to stay in a similar situation. However, as a returning student, I find that teaching quality and class size is the most important thing; something I did not even consider the first time around.

Talk with the faculty, departments, and administration of the school before deciding to go there. Assessing their knowledge in both their own department and other departments around the school will give you an insiders look of their organization and their skill.

I believe that in order to find the right college, students need to feel comfortable in their surrounding environment and atmosphere. Parents may be concerned for the rise in tuition prices, and may lean toward a school that is less expensive. The reason I chose my school is because of the size of the town, and the distance it was from my hometown. I chose a school that is approximately two hours away, driving on the freeway, and has all four seasons throughout the academic school year. Making the most from your college experience is a great way to have fantastic memories once you graduate. For parents, having their children socialize and make new friends is a great thing to do. Some may say bigger schools are better for that, but if you were to attend a smaller school, I would think your friends may be more sincere and friendlier. At a larger, more expensive school, students may want to get in, take the required classes, and get out. Depending on your friends, however, makes all the difference in the world. No matter where you go, choose your friends wisely. They make college bearable, no matter where you go.

Find a college that has a good major in something that you think you might want to do. Don't go for its social reputation, go for its achedemic reputation. Go to a medium sized school. Large ones are harder to adjust and smaller is harder to find friends.

fuck off

In finding the right college, the student must be for the student to make the decision based on their wants and needs. The student must know what they would love to do as a career to choose perfect college. Their are certain colleges who have different majors that others do not. Once students find the college, they will also find different activities to particpate in that offer different opinions and views student never think of in their own mind. That is a big advantage, to take in everything students are exposed to. Also make the most of meeting new people from different social classes and cultures, they are so many different people to meet that introduce students to worlds they did not know of. In all to find the right, students should look diversity in social classes and cultures, new activities, and connections around the college into the real world. If these are all accessable to a student, the more they are prepared to enter the real world after graduation.

Unless you know exactly what you want to do and know exactly where you want to go to do it, pick a school based on it's environment and people. Such a choice will make you generally happier and a passion is sure to follow happiness wherever you choose to go to school.

Get involved!! Get involved with your campus even if its just a job on campus get involved. Choose the college that fits you best not your parents or siblings but you, and know what you want when going to the campus of choice. Know what your goals are and maybe even have a tentative how to get there list. If you choose a college because it fits you its more fun for you too. 1-509-230-7766

The best advice I could give students and parents about college admissions is applying to a number of different schools. I applied to four the fall of my senior year of high school, but wish I had applied to more. If you have great hs grades, shoot for the stars, but if you don't make reasonable choices. Also, a number of factors influence how far the school should be from the students home. Financing was a big part of my scenario so I only applied to colleges in my home state of WA. And lastly, I would stress that families visit the schools the student is considering to ensure that the campus feels comfortable. Most importantly, make sure the student feels that he/she will gel with the size and culture to campus life.

The advice I would give kids and students on finding the perfect college would be; first go and visit the school. In order for you to be happy, you need to be happy with your surroundings. Stop and talk with studenst, ask them questions. Such as, how do you like your class sizes, how is the weather around here, are the proffesers good? These questions will help you in making your decision. Also look at what type of majors are available at the college. Are you going to have to transfer later on? This is very important when you are looking into your future. I would also tell kids to go to college on their own and not with a friend or group of friends. The best part about college is meeting new people and finding who you truely are . You will find a new group of friends and they will be the best people you have ever met. You dont want a friend tying you down from what and who you truely want to become. Go to the right college for you, not your friends. Overall, be open to new things and have fun.

Advice that I would give to the parents of future college students is to help guide your kids. Give them advice and suggest ideas about what might be best for them but do not force your kids to apply where you want. Parents must keep their kid's interest at heart at all times. My advice to the students is to listen to your parents but do not be pressured to apply to the college your parents want you to go to. If it does not suite you, you should not waste your college years being miserable. Going to the right college will help you discover what you want to do in life. Don't give up that chance just to please everyone but yourself. When you reach college, you must make the effort to meet new people. The easiest way to meet people are talking to your neighbors, or going to group events. Having friends makes the college experience better, so don't be shy. Do your best in classes. Even though you are on your own, it is up to you to get the best education. Finally, get out there. Work on campus, join a club, be social.

In order to find the right college, it is imperative for prospective students and their parents to research and visit all desired colleges before making a final decision. In addition, the university's selection of majors as well as the location, price, alumni involvement, and networking capabilities are extremely important. If students are undecided about their major, Individuals must recognize how far they are ready to move away from their family as well as how college will be paid for and if they will be able to establish good relationships/connections that will help their career prosper after college. College allows open-minded individuals to grow personally and academically, but it is important to remember the family values that were first established. As a full-time student with a full-time job, I have worked hard at fulfilling my college experience by choosing the activities I attend carefully. While memories from unnecessary social events fade, the knowledge I have gained from class discussions, favorite professors, volunteering, and clubs over the past four years will remain for a lifetime. Above all, the friendships established will prove more valuable than anything ever learned from a textbook.

When you are looking at colleges the students should decide based on what they want in a college. It should have to matter what parents and friends and girlfriends/boyfriends feel. The student should look inside themselves and decide what they feel is truely right for them. Because when they get to the college level, those friends could change and you need to decide whether you would like the college without anyone else. And those parents should be supportive of their kids no matter where they want to go, help your students choose what will truely make them happy.

Finding the right college is knowing what you want to do in life, what your interests are, and just go off of basic instinct. You need to go to a college that has a few majors you may be interested and could see yourself doing as a future career. Dont waste your time at a college that doesnt have what you want. Also, what drew me to CWU was that there was a rodeo team, and that won me over, as I am very active with my horses. But there are many clubs here that could interest anyone. Picking the right college depends on how you feel about the college after looking around and doing your research on it. I picked a medium sized college because it wasnt as intimidating as WSU was, for instance. Not to mention, CWU is gorgeous, as its campus is made of brick buildings. It seemed very homey and a place I could adjust to quickly, and I did! To make the most out of college - get involved with clubs, sports, activities, ANYTHING. Now is the time to have the time of your life, so live it!

Most importantly, take your time. Start looking as early as sophomore year just for possibilities and VISIT them. The campus is a huge part in deciding if you like a college or not. Look into your main interests based on the size, academic availability, major availability, sports teams, life surrounding the campus, and the overall feel of the campus and town. To make the most out of your expereince, learn and take in as much as you can, but still have an amazing time. Meet new people and do new things as much as you can! EXPLORE!

My advice to students about finding the right college is to not just follow your friends by applying to the same colleges they are, but to rather go after the colleges that will give you the kind of education and experiences you most sought after! I say this because you will meet so many new students that love the same things you do in just your first days at any university, that you should really only be concerned about being where you truly want to be. Once you have achieved your goal and start attending the college of your choice, really make the most of your experience by digging deep and discovering all the school has to offer. For example, the school I attend is all about the outdoors, which i love. They offer everything from fishing to river rafting to even rock climbing! By taking advantage of these opportunites, I have really found out a lot about the person I really am and has helped me in choosing my major. All in all, go where you sincerely want to and do not be afraid to try new things even if your not sure you will like them. Good Luck!

Dont pick a school based on where you friends or your boyfriend/girlfriend is going. More than likely the school and the environment will suit their tastes but not yours, so you'll be stuck somewhere you're not completely happy. Also, if you breakup with your significant other or you and your friends have a falling out, now you really have no reason to be there. In addition, you shouldnt attend a school based on the simple fact that one or both of your parents are alumni. Again, that campus may have made them happy, but it might not fit you. I would say the most important aspects I took into selecting my school were whether or not they had a good program for my major, if I like the town and the campus, if I was the right distance from home for me, and whether or not they had enough options and availability for financial aid.

Go with what your heart actually tells you, I think that my school would be great if it was a little more relevant to my major, but at the time I was confused about what I wanted to do in life. Now that I know, it's harder to transition to another school.

Go check out the campus and ask random students how they feel about the school. Check out what programs intrest you (sports, music, art) and if they really offer what you want. And always remember attitude is everything, it affects enjoy yourself.

The town of Ellensburg is very very very safe. It's the safest place I have ever lived. There is always someone looking out for you and helping you out. The classes are small and professors are very nice. My typical class size was only 30 students.

For parents i would talk to your kids about drinking and drug use. Encourage your kids to be themselves and not go to school to impress people. For kids don't do drugs, and if you are going to drink wait until you are 21 and drink responsibly. Keep focus on school. Its only four years out of your entire life.

Do whatever is right for you. If you don't feel like it's the right fit, it doesn't matter if it's the 'best' school or if someone else you know goes there. In the end, you have to do what will make you happy. If you don't, your college experience will be incredibly miserable and you'll constantly find yourself wishing to do something else. So, spend time on campuses you are interested in. Go to activities/events held by the school. Really get to know your campus and then you can decide if it's right for you.

Find a place that fits you and find a way to make it work. Money is always a factor, but don't let it dictate your path. You really can't put a price on the rest of your life.

START EARLY! And don't eblieve anyting the college tell you. Get the info from actual students. Bit of advice all colleges lie, they want your money.

The advice I would give to parents and students about finding the right college would be to visit the college before making your decision about applying. I would also look into student life, and academic programs to make sure whatever college you are looking at is offering what you like. The last thing you would want to do it go to a school that gives you a negative outlook on college, or possibly drop out because you were so unhappy. Also, look into what kind of money you have for college and then look into what types of aid and scholarships a particular college offers. You don't want to immediately pull out loans when there are so many donars who could award you for your good grades, or volunteer experience. College is the best experience! Don't miss out on it or make the wrong decision when you choose the school that best fits you.

I would advise parents or prospective students to attend all the open houses you can and visit many different campuses. Also, make sure your major is at the school you decide to go to.