East Carolina University Top Questions

I would tell parents and students to know what they like because that makes a big difference in what school to attend. There are private schools and public schools and the income of the individual is important to this decision. Also, if the student knows his or her major it is important to make sure that that major is available at that school. The best advice I can give is to know what you want in a school and narrow your choices based on those characteristics.

Finding the right college is one of the most difficult things in a teenagers life. It is not attending the hardest school you get accepted into, of the biggest party school, it's about going where you feel you will be able to succeed. College is a once in a life time opportunity, you will remember these days forever. Look into things like does the school have a football team, or what is the greek life like. Is there a big city near by? No matter what school a teenager attends, it is up to them to make the most of it. If you don't get into your number one school, take every positive factor of the secondary school and embrace each one. No college is perfect, and you will get out of it what you put into it.

I would thoroughly encourage all first-time students to completely delve into dorm and campus life as much as possible. Stand your ground and know what you believe, but keep an open mind and an interested heart and encompass what you have chosen and where you have gone for college. Embrace your surroundings while learning from the culture. Take everything in, keep the good and disregard the bad with a positive attitude and outlook toward the experience. Make lasting impressions and lifetime connections. Keep your focus on your studies but never let it overwhelm you. Ask for help, lay down your pride, try something new-a few time. Use your brai. Make memories!!!

Dont attempt to dictate to your children about what career to chose. Utimately its the students choice and they will have to find out what they want out of life and how they want to go about obtaining that goal. Alot of students are miserable and drop out of college because of the pressure to make their parent s happy by graduating with a particular degree or going to med and law schools. College is a time to find out who you really are, mature, and make life long friends.....along with the education, but if youre just going for the education I would suggest a community college or trade school because it cost alot to money to attend college not to enjoy your experience. Youll meet life long friends and prolly never be the same, but thats what makes us who we are. We have to be mature and trusted enough to make the defining moment decisions that will affect the rest of our lives. Enjoy your college experience but stay focused on your purpose for attending college, to get that $30,000 piece of paper that says Im disciplined enough to g o four years without my parents:-)

Apply for colleges early! Don't wait until February to start filling out applications. The earlier, the better! Apply to many different colleges so that you have back-ups. Once a student, get involved in activities, clubs, etc. to find life-long friends. Enjoy your college years and have fun while staying focused on your major at the same time. Balance your social, academic , and work life so that you are not overwhelmed. Remember that the first year may be a little hard to get used to, but it will get better. The friends you make and the things you will get to do in college, you will remember forever.

Finding the right college for you can be a long and tedious process. It is not only about what college will accept you based on grades and academic statue, you have to also choose a college that would fit your intended life style. Parents and students looking at colleges should not only go on a campus tour of a potential university, but I believe that a student should just go to campus one day and talk to the students who already attend the college. The one on one experience with a potential classmate is always a great insight on the university. Making the most out of a college experience for me was to go in with an open mind and heart to have new experiences. College is a place where you will meet many different people and you have many opportunities to get to know people you normally would never meet in your hometown. So branch out and get out of your comfort zone, because in college almost everyone is out of their comfort zone as well.

The atmosphere of the school is very important. I know people that go to great schools but they do not even come close to liking their school as much as I do. Basically, because you do not feel the sense of happiness and fun. College is what you make it, if you have a good GPA you can do alot with your life regardless of which college you go to, unless its Ivy League. The real memories you will take with you are from what you did outside the class. Memories last forever, I wouldnt change a thing about choosing ECU because I have had the time of my life and I will never forget what this school gave to me educationally and recreationally.

If I were to give advice to parents and/or students about finding the right college and making the most of their experience I would first encourage them to seek out whatever school is prominent for their major. If they are unsure about what they want to major in I would encourage them to find a school where their interest is highly recognized. I would encourage anyone interested in going to college to also look at the cost and before applying, find out how much financial aid you would be rewarded and if you are wealthy enough to pay out of pocket if expenses were required. As far as making the most of the experience, I would say have fun but stay focused. I would also mention that it is good to have friends but do not let the people you hang around allow you to forget your purpose for being in school. We live, learn , and life goes on so be mindful of where you choose to attend and remember you can make it the best or worst years of your life.

Make sure to go on tours of every college you might be interested in because sometimes the pictures in college books are very decieving. Sometimes pictures can look beautiful but the campus has issues you may not like such as the city running through campus or only that picture looked nice but the rest of campus is run down. Make sure there is a club or something at that college that you can join to help you meet new people that have similar interests as you.

Do not look at the school because of its name. Make your decision based on the way you feel when you step foot on the campus.

The advice I give is not to take your education for granted. There are many colleges and universities that have resources available for students and working people who want earn a better education. Communicate with your professors. Show them that you are interested in learning and that you care about school. When time comes, when you need help, your professors will be there for you. Communicate with them, do not take anything for granted!

Determining the right college is hard, but not impossible. It is incredibly difficult to know if the place where you start when you are 18 is the same place you should be when you are 22. My best advice would be to look into the future and discover what kind of life you want for yourself LATER. Most young people choose based on their current friends and feelings about life -- those will change so drastically. What job do you want? Where in the country or world do you want to end up? What kinds of connections and impacts do you want your classmates to have on your life? Once you decide what college to go to, you should constantly assess whether or not you're on track for your goals. Making the most of the college experience does not mean you should party hard and barely study, as some believe. College is for discovering yourself and becoming the best you that you can be. Take advantage of the growing minds around you and the successes and words of your professors. Those are the amazing things that you will miss when you leave.

Make sure that the school has several degree programs that you are interested in so that if you change your mind, you don't have to change schools. Also look for a school that has extracarricular activities and the type of social life that already enjoy from home. Its nice to have something to remind you of home! Pick a school that will allow you to study undistracted and offers academic help if needed.

Make sure to find a balance between school and fun right away. College is not like high school, in the sense that you have to study much harder and be self motivated and focused. No one is looking over your shoulder, so you have to want to do well. To parents, I would say back off and give your student a chance to do well, before being overbearing. I was not the best student in high school and now am an A student, so give your kid a chance.

Find a college that has a good background in the feild that your looking into. Also make sure that you like the campus and how it is set up. Lastly college is a great chance to meet new, interesting people, and a chance to make friends that will last a life time. Stay focused on academics and have fun.

Parents need to realize that as soon as the student is let loose they are going to go wild to try it out and see what they thought they were missing, but most come back from that and start to settle after the first semester. No matter what school, besides a church related one, students will be like that. For the students, its very important to know what you want to do or perhaps what you might want to do when you are done with school. Find programs at schools that best fits and go check it out. Don't forget to tour a potential school, that is very important because some schools have very large campuses and it might be inconvient to some.

When trying to find the right college be sure to take the time to visit each college that you are interested in. You should also talk to someone that attend each school and get their opinion about it. You should also pay attention to the city and surrounding areas of the college because that can have a big influence on your experiences while attending that particular school. Be sure that the school actually offers a major that you are interested in. Most importantly just be focused and take it seriously with whatever school that you choose.

Dear Parent/Student, Choosing a college is hard enough, but keeping up with your schedule is much more important. Go to your classes and make the best of every situation. Meeting people is always important because you never know what to expect from strangers. Talk to people and get a feel for what you want and where you want to be, and who you want to become. College is a growing experience and you will enjoy it. Get the best out of your education and find a great job that makes you happy. I wish you the best of luck and always enjoy life. Sincerly, Lauren M Dickson

VISIT THE CAMPUS!!! The most important thing in deciding where to go is to get your own "feel" for the campus and the only way to do that is to visit!

You know when you have chosen the right school, and as each year goes by, you realize it when you notice the growth in your child. in college, each student identitfies with who they truly are to become, and take each lesson learned with them into the real world. Each student realizes as the years in college go by, that after college it 's the real world, and once you enter the real world, trust me....there is no turning back. Each student should want to look back on their years in college, and be able to say that they made the most out of those years....there are irreplaceable friendships made and lessons learned...both shall hopefully remain solid for years to come in each student's life!

Advice that I would give to a parent and/or studetn about finding the right college would be to find a school that best fit your future goals. Is the college accredited, will this school prepare me for the best jobs in my field of study, what kind of support will this school give to someone who is just starting, or for someone who is the non-traditional study? These are some of the questions that need to be explored before enrolling into a college or univeristy. The college expereince should be one that is geared to hard work, but not only hard work because there must be time for recreations. Burnout can be easily obtained when there is too much studying and not enought time for relaxation. The mind and body must be stimulated but there must be times when the body and mind must rest. I would encourage a student to enjoy their time in college, and at the same time enjoy life.

Focus on what you want out of a school and then look for those things in choosing a school. When you get there, don't forget who you are or sacrifice yourself for anyone else.

I would suggest everyone go and attend college fairs and go to the colleges you are looking at and tour the campus. While you are touring the campus make sure you talk to the students out walking around. This will give you a really great impression of the school itself, only the students can really give you a good idea of what things are like there. Do not believe everything you hear or read, go out and find out the truth first hand from the students that would be your peers and your own observations. Many times things you hear and read are misleading. Good luck with your search and I hope you make a decision that you will be happy with.

For students, make sure you stay focused and have a balance because it's very easy to get thrown off track, and hard to get back on.

ECU has wonderful opportunities. The art school is great. Teaching and Nursing are the biggest programs, and criminal justice is pretty big too. The job out of school rate is incredibly good, and internships are required for almost every major. You definately leave prepared for the working world right out of ECU.

I would advice parents and students to find a college that fits them; much research should go into their selection of a school.

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The advise I would give parents is to guide their child in making the right decision. Do not make the decison for them. Help them weigh out the positives and negatives of each school. I would advise students to visit every school you are seriously considering. Try to decide what campus setting is right for you. Also consider the size of the university, and how far it is from home. The main thing is to make sure the school is right for you. Not your friend or your parents. Make sure it fits your needs. This will ensure you are at the right school which is the begining to getting the most out of your college experieince. Once you are at the right school it is up to you to make the most out of your time while you are there. My advise would be to talk to as many people as possible your first week there. Step outside your comfort zone and make as many friends as possible. Everyone is in the same boat and needs friends. I would also say get involved in extra curricular activites. Finally, go to class! Study and have fun.

Choose your college based on what will fit you best, not on where everyone else may be going and apply for as many scholarships available.

First, find a college that has more than one program you are interested in. Finding more than one is very important because many students come to college believeing that they will pursue a certain career and after they get to college that plan can change very fast. Also, be sure to look into the social experiences offered at the college to make sure at least some of them appeal to you. Location is very important as well when choosing a college. This is the town you are most likely going to spend four years in so it is essential to look up information about the community that could help in your decision. Finally, do not attend a college just because your friend or significan other is attending, most colleges have a huge population so making new friends usually is not going to be a problem!

I would tell students to go to a college that best suits them. Not what their parents want, but somewhere where they will enjoy these critical times of life. College is suppose to be for you not your parents. When you find the right university you will know it in your heart.

Work hard. Keep striving its going to get better

In order to find the right school for yourself or your child do plenty of resource. Figure out what is best for the student from their wants and needs to their likes and dislikes. Calculate what it will cost to attend and what you can afford and look at the many grants and scholarships the college has to offer. To make the best of the college experience, make sure play time does not exceed study time. There will be plenty of time to play after college, but if you don't work hard while in college, then you will wind up working hard your entire life. Meet people, make connections, and seek every opportunity given whether it be something fun and exciting or something academically. I know it will be hard but stay positive and it will work out for you in the end.

Just follow your heart and it wont lead you in the wrong direction. Also college can be a challenge so make sure you are majoring in something you enjoy and not just doing it because your parents are paying or want you to do that major.

The best way to find out if a school is right for you, is to go visit more than once. It is best to go during students events, just to make sure the atmosphere of the school is right for you. It is always important to consider the strong points of the University. Always look up what the university is known for, what majors and programs are career oriented and well known. The most important thing to consider is if the school fits you. It is important to know who you are and what you can handle. Sometimes a large school is too much, while a smaller school is better fit. Which school has activities that you want to partake in and that you want to experience.

Find the right campus for the attending student! Parents sometimes want to influence their kids with their own personal choice but it has to be right for the student. I fell in love with ECU's campus! It felt friendly, clean and safe. Meeting with the Admissions office and talking to people on campus greatly influenced my decision. GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR COLLEGE. I am very involved with the campus acitivites, campus spirit and community service. This leads to meeting new people that become part of your study groups and ultimately your life long friends. It's fulfilling.

I would advise parents to really take an active role in helping their son or daughter finding the right college. Be willing to take them to visit different colleges and universities, be willing to help them ask questions that they may not be aware of in order to make their college experience the best for their needs and wants. I would also advise parents to encourage their son or daughter to work diligently in high school, and to strive for high marks on their SAT's and ACT's, because this can open doors for scholarships. For students that are pursuing the idea of college, i would advise them to take an even more active role than the parents to explore different colleges in different areas or differents states. Develop a plan, write down pros and cons for each college, and pick the college that will best suit your needs and expectations. Also look for scholarships, theres money out there! After you pick the best college for you, take one day at a time and work hard. Spread your wings, meet new people, help somebody, help your community, land an internship, do anything you can to better yourself and others.

I would advise anyone looking at college to let the decision be the students. They will be attending there not the parents, so they need to feel comfortable with their choice. I would advice students to visit the campus, its one of the best things you can do. Visiting the school gives you a feel for the campus you might be walking on everyday and if you do not like the look or feel, you will not be content there. Research the criteria for getting in and make sure you have what they need, if not start working on getting it. I think it is important for students and parents to discuss in state versus out of state, tuition costs, and the distance. The student needs to decide whether they want a school close to home or far enough away that they can visit home if they want but still feel far enough away. I would also recommend that you somewhat have an idea what you want to do so you can make sure your school choices have your possible major. Once you have done some research look at what activities they have compared to what you like to do.

It really helps to know what you want to do with your life.

Visit colleges during the sophmore and junior year in high school. Do a mix of state and private applications. Do not count in the scholarships into the budget because the student could loose the scholarhip. Make sure the school has good advisors to help the student focus on a major.

Make sure to visit the college campus. Talk to students on campus and find out what it is really like. How friendly are the professors? how competitive are the students? do TAs teach most of the classes or do professors? Is extra help available if you need it through tutoring centers? what are the grading policys like? Sit in on a class that you would have to take for what you are interested in to see if you like the teaching styles.

I believe that there are a couple of secrets to succeeding in college . One of these secrets is what you put in to your University is what you will get out of it. I know many students come to college and expect to have automatic friends, to feel apart of the campus or to overall just fell welcomed by the school. My Freshman year, I learned that if I wanted to have friends, I needed to be willing to open up to people and get involved on campus. I learned that to feel apart of the campus, I needed to give to the campus. In order to do this I began volunteering for events on campus and looking for opportunities to learn more about my school and serve it. The second secret I learned is to show up. Showing up to class, opportunities offered by the campus, football games, tutoring sessions and more. Showing up to all the things that the campus and the community offers. I learned that doing these things helped me to have a wonderful Freshman year and have friends that will last a life time and an unforgettable college experience.

Look at a lot of schools and really walk around campus and get to know teachers and others on campus. Make sure you visit the school plenty of times to make sure you really like it. Possibly even sit in on a class just to get the feel for it.

Live in a dorm for atleast a year! You will find so many friends there!

Make sure they dont just research about the acdemics and sports but dont research about the finanicial aid cause ours is the worst.

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Find something within in a three hour drive home. Find a school that has your major and is known for offering great programs in that major. Make sure the school is affordable. Finacial aid dosent always come through. Dont choose a school because your best friend is going there. Weight all your options. There is alot more to school than academics. Theres academics, the social life, extra curricular, dorm life, etc.

Have fun stay focused at the same time

Talk to students enrolled in college currently and ask their opinion.

Finding the right college is a life experience itself. Take advantage of every opportunity you are given. This includes the opportunity to attend a university and everything it has to offer. While at college you can never have too many friends. You can never study too hard. You can never have too much fun, however sometimes you can stay out too late. Thank your parents for helping you to get to where you are today, they deserve that pat on the back and will appriciate a call from you more often than less. College is the most important transition into adulthood. You will only get out of class what you put into it. Don't fool yourself, YOU DO HAVE TO GO TO CLASS. Have a blast and enjoy yourself. When stressing out just remember that no matter how bad you have it, someone has it worse. Do all that you are capable of and college will be the best years of your life!