Hampton University Top Questions

College is what you make it. People can tell you about their college experieces and the fun they haad but its truly up to you how you spend your years in college. To students finding the right college is very important beacuse thats where your going to be your "home" for the next four years. Sure there is always the option to transferbut some schools may not except your transfer credits. To me choosing the right college is one on the most important choices you will face as to move foward in life. Your school should be where you feel comfortable , somewhere that suits you, from that point it is a representation of you. When it comes to finding a job upon graduation, your school and where you got your college degree will say alot about you. Parents giving your child the opportunity to decide their school is important, I say this because you may feel one way about a certain school and they feel another. Dont pressure them into going to a school they dont like beacuse they will hate every aspect of their college experience and they might even purposely flunk out! And no one wants that.

Visit the school, find someone on the tour to talk to and ask any questions.

There are too many publications available to students and parents offering advice about college. The reason why there are so many is because there is no one right way to go about chosing the right college and the experience greatly depends on what the individual is looking to get out of his or her time at school. My advice can be summed up into one work NETWORK! It is important to get to know as many people as possible whether it is someone at a potential school that can give you a first hand information of what it is really like being a student there or a person that might have the same interests academically or socially. People who are actually experiencing the college are the best resources for accurate information about the school. Students usually do not have a problem being completely honest about every aspect of the school including how to make the most of time there.

Well, only thing that can say is that you have to be open to alo of things, and allow your self not to get to carried away. But always may sure you know why you went to school for a better education. For the parent may sure that your child can end up falling love with, and the best support is the mental. Not ever one will be your friend, and make you make clear and sound decisions for yourself. Last but not least with the good comes the bad but you have to do is stay strong, and have a goal in mind.

Visit the college you're thinking about going to. Keep your options open & don't base your choice off something like how good the cafe food is. Trivial things like that will work themselves out. Look at the acedemics, the campus life, the community surrounding the campus and you'll find the right school. When you get "that feeling" that you're at the right school, you probably are. Everything isn't going to go the exact way you expect it to. You may not get your first choice classes, but as long as you get classes that you need you'll be fine. As far as making friends is concerned, be yourself. At all colleges there are lots of people, some who you aren't going to click with and some that will become your BEST friend. Listen to the upperclassmen, they know what they're talking about. If they tell you not to take a certain proffessor, DON'T. If they tell you a certain party won't be fun, it probably won't be. College is a great choice, but don't do it if you don't want to. It's your life, not your PARENTS!!!!

I advise parents and students to visit schools that the student is interested in attending. Take advantage of being able to visit campuses. Most campuses have tours that are given by students who attend the school. Never be afraid to ask questions of students and/or faculty. Most students who attend the school will give you their honest opinion about the school and the college life. I advise students to enroll in a summer program during the summer of their junior and senior year of high school. Enrolling in a summer program will help students get a feel of the campus and allow them to interact with professors and students. This will help determine if a school is the perfect school to attend. Your college experience will always be what you make of it. I advise students to make college fun and enjoyable while getting your education first. Attend different functions that are held on and off campus such as a play, a concert and yes the occasional party. But believe me, parties will always be there, so don?t make college just about the parties. Find a school that fits who you are and what you want to become.

Make sure you go to a school that fits your budget and be sure to have all scholarships on paper. Do not accept verbal argeements. Also sleep over the college because you will be able to find an unbiased view of campus life from students who are a part of admissions and eat the food that is served don a typical basis. Note that no college is going to fit like a glove without some effort on the part of the student. At first I didn't want to stay at Hampton but once I became more involved and met other studnets I can't see myself leaving.

Parents and prospective students should know that extensive research is key. In this day and age, money is a determining factor seeing as though the economy is at a low point and achieving aid is very difficult. With that being said, it's important that your prospective school not only be one that you can enjoy, but one that you can afford. When I was younger and not fond of the college application process and all that went into it, I thought the hard part was getting accepted into your college or university of choice. Now I see that the importance of affordability almost outweighs. Also, as part of extensive research students should look into every aspect. They need to know if they're looking to go far, out-of-state, socialize, be involved in a variety of extracurriculars, have options of studying abroad,size,major programs offered, and its location. They need to look into what ethnicities or social backgrounds they want to be around-if any preference; and most importantly, they definately need to visit the school and compare it to other choices before making that big decision.

Make sure you feel comfortable at the school!!

I would tell them to visit the school first. Dont go by looks or allow others to persued you to go to a school you are not even considering. Go with a school that fits your personality and believes in what you do.

Visit the school before attending and balance your social and academic life.

As a sophmore now, i look back on the choices I made as far as looking for the "perfect match college." There are several things that I would like to do diferently if I had the oppurtunity. I feel as I write this messge, in a way this is my "do over" oppurtunity, because I can help another student just like me. To be honest there is no perfect college but there is a college that may benifit a student better then the next. First start looking early junior year for the right college. I understand junior year is a critical year, but get all the hard stuff out at one time. Next decide what kind of area you would likelive in. Whether its the city,country or ocean that surrounds you, make sure it is convient to live in. Following this choose a school that has a lot to offer especially if you are undecided as far as a major. The most important of them all double check with schools constantly to make sure they have recived all your paper work. As far as making the most of college, MANGE your time, a new surrounding can be overbearing.

Parents: It takes time so be patient, dont pressure your child, do not try to relive your life through your child. Keep you and your childs best interest at heart while college searching. Since it is hard to let go and you constantly worry the best thing you could do is be your child's supportive factor because that will help them through their college experience. Students: Choose the college that best fits you not just the one that all your friends want to go to. College searching is very important since too many undergraduates drop out of college or transfer because they hate their school. In order to make the most of your experience in college you must be focused and remember why you came to college because college is all about what you make of it. Don't let anyone determine how you will like school because their experiences won't necessarily be yours.

it is so vital that you are educated about each and every aspect of your school. i would say the best option is go and visit perhaps your top three choices. take a look at the social life. visit a class room. when you do go to college its important to BALANCE everything. dont be too caught up in your work where your social life is non exisitent. and dont be too caught with your social life where your grades suffer. college is truly what u make it. and have fun! dont stress, be smart and just be yourself. you'll make friends in college that you will have for LIFE.

When finding the right colege, it is very important to do reseach about the school, you need to know about it academically and culturally. The smallest thing can make or break your colege experience so make sure that you visit the campus, and see the perspective dorms/place you will be staying. Talk to students who aren't your guides, and falculty in your perspective school/department. Ask all the questions you can think of no matter how trivial or small they may seem. When making the most of your college experience, reach out to others, including upperclassmen and especially the falculty and any administration. Kepp a copy of every form, record and reciept so if anything does go wrong you have physical proof to back up your side. Even if you are a morning person don't sechdule any classes before 9am and if you can do don't schedule any classes after 4pm. Treat school like work, devote 7-8 hours to school Mon. - Fri. and you will have a balanced work load and alot more time than your peers for fun. Be active and join as many clubs as you're interested in academic or otherwise.

First of all, make sure the school has the major that your child wants to major in and that school has plenty of extracirricular activities to choose from. Also, it is better if your child gets involved on campus or they might not like the college, so many kids from my University transferred because they did not get involved.

college is the best time of your life, enjoy every minute of it and do what makes you and your family happy.

College is what you make of it! I know the preceding statement sounds clich?, but it is the whole-hearted truth. A student can pick his/her "perfect", however if they choose not to be involved in various extra-curricular activities on campus most likely they will have a miserable college experience. For instance, my freshman year I was not as involved as I should have been. As a result, my freshman year was only okay. In order to have the ideal college experience, one must realize that making the most of one's college experience does not solely depend on selecting the right college but making the best of what you have. Get involved! However, I am not recommending that you overextend yourself by committing to too many activities. If you get involved in too many organizations you may begin to neglect you school work. Remember, the number reason you are attending college is to get a degree. If you trust my advice your freshman year will go more smoothly.

The advice I would give to students about finding the right college is to make sure that the college they choose matches their interests, what they are interested in majoring in,and that they aren't just choosing a college that is popualr or that their friends are going to. They also need to make sure to visit the college of their choice to make sure that is is the right fit for them. The advice I would give to students about making the most of their college experience is to get involved on campus and to be open to meeting new people. They also need to have a good balance of balancing their school work and social life. As a student, they need to be active in class and be in good contact with their professors. They also need to be able to network, so when they graduate they can have better oppotunities for finding jobs and connections.

Make sure you go where you want and check out all school before deciding on one. Don't let someone else pick the school in which you should attend. Its all about the choice you make because this will have alot of affect on the rest of your life. Also make sure you are happy and in an enviroment in which you know you will succeed.

To parents i would say that its best to try and not to limit your children too much. Having a set affordability is reasonable but when it comes to other aspects of college life such as in state and out of state schooling; as well public or private schooling, its best to give input but in the end make sure your children make the decision thats best for them and not just you. To students, be sure to discuss all of your interest with your parents and dont be afraid to start searching and deciding early. The earlier you start the better. Be sure to weigh all the pro's and con's of the schools your most interested in and visit as many campuses as you possibly can so that you can get a feel for the atmospheres. Also dont be afraid to talk to your school counselors about your interests because they can be helpful when it comes to filling out college applications and finding grants and scholarships that you may be eligible for.

I would advise any students to think realistically about whether their parents can afford the school of their choice. I have a lot of friends who were forced to transfer because they realized that their family could no longer foot the bill of college. Also, parents should stay on top of finances and other important deadlines at school.Mail often gets delivered late at schools so expecting the students to handle parental business is unfair

The best advice I could provide for families seeking to choose the right university is to be compromising and opportunistic. When I first set out to choose a University for Fall 2007, I had four schools to pick from and my number one school was way out of the price range for my family. The school I am at now was my second choice and the last two my mother-- not I; had her heart set on. Ultimately now I love my school but before making any final decisions, I talked constantly with upperclassmen at both schools with my intended major using various social networks and visiting the campuses personally. When choosing the right school, know exactly what you are getting into academically, socially, and financially. For students that aren't the best academically, choose a school with smaller classes and accessible facilities to get the help you need. If you are a people person, be sure that the campus is diverse and there are activities that interest you. Be confident about who you are and know that if your current situation isn't the ideal one be willing to make the best of it. I know I have.

Know how to balance your class schedule with your social life. The biggest mistake that I see my fellow students make is to party too much.

Look at everything you want in a university. Academically, sportswise, socially; If you're looking for Greek Life, make sure they have it. Make sure that the campus is in a place that you are comfortable with. Take into account distance and ability to return home for emergencies. ALWAYS VISIT the campus if at all possible. If not, do virtual tours. But visiting the campus itself gives a different feeling than simply touring online. You don't want to realize as a freshman that this school is not right for you, and have to transfer. Make the right decision the first time.

You should most definitely take a visit to the schools you are applying to before you make your final decision. Look at the campus and student body. Is it too big or too small? Look at the classroom size. Is that too big or too small. Then talk to some of the students about the school. Look into the extra curricular activities and sports. Ask about religious affiliations if you are religious. Take a look at the dorms and other on campus housing. Check out the cafeteria and the meal plan options. Can you see yourself eating that everyday? If you drive find out about student parking. If you don't drive find out what kind of public transportation is available. Tour the surrounding neighborhood for drug stores, banks, shopping, etc. Most importantly ask about the carrer development opportunities that are available.

If I had to give advice to parents whose children are attending college and/or teens who are graduating high school, I would tell them to to start the application process early. Make sure theat you have many references from their teachers and that they apply to at least five different schools just in case they do not get accepted to their first choice. I would also tell the student that they should register early for the classes that they want to be in for the fall semester. Classes fill up very fast and if you want your choice in days/times register as soon as possible. Lastly,I wouls suggest always staying on top of their work. It is too hard to play catch up during the school year.

When applying to colleges make sure to addvocate a ligitimate amount of research about the schools being considered. If a student is aware of the major they want to take part in; research to find out how well the program is, as compared to other schools. Learn about the campus life so you can have a good college experience.; all work and no play is never a good idea. Make sure activities that you're interested in are offered at the school. Determine the cost and try to get the best tution prices. If you are interested in any sports or band learn about the organization and see if they can offer you anything, such as payed tuition. The most important thing is to make sure you pick a school that will prepare you best for internships, jobs, and careers. With all these things in mind you are sure to end up at the right school, even if its not your first choice.

For parents make sure you can afford the college your child wants to go to. Also parents make sure you visit the college your child want to attend. Its important you are comfortable with the school. Students make sure you fully research your school. Make sure your school has everything your looking for academically and socially. When it comes to your major, alot of student change it more than once, that is common. You may change your mind just be sure to keep up with your credits and courses. College is a wonderfully experiance enjoy it!!!!!!

Find a school that you feel comfortable with that will offer a good career based life for the students and parents.

Overall I would say reccommend that the student goes to the school for the right reasons. Don't go to a college because it has a "party" reputation. Go to a college where you know that your money is being put to good use. At the end of the day, enjoy it because it will fly by fast and before you know it you will be walking across the stage. Make sure you take full advantage of the scholarships out there because they will be beneficial when it comes to paying for your books, tuition, room and board, ect. Have fun, but don't forget why you are there.

As someone who has been through the college search experience once and is about to embark again, I believe I have valuable insight in what it takes to make the most of the college experience. Most importantly, it is imperative to choose a college that fits a student's unique needs. One thing that I wish I did more as a high school student was take college tours. It is impossible to get a clear picture of what a college is like simply from websites and brochures. It is important to talk with faculty and current students (especially those in a major that the student is interested in) about campus life and what to expect. Also, once one has been accepted into college, it is important to make the most of the college experience. Remember, you never know who people know or become and thus it is important to network and join clubs and get really involved on campus. Ask yourself, when I leave this school, will anyone ever know that I was here? Also, build relationships with professors. They can be your greatest assest when you find yourself in trouble or neededing that last minute recommendation.

I would tell them to research, research, research! First, make a list of all the things that you want in a school: weather, location, cost, student body makeup, etc. Afterwards, find a school that matches your list. Be sure to visit and make sure you get a good vibe! After that, make your choice. When enrolled, focus on academics the first semester. Declare a major, and take the core courses. Make sure to get a solid g.p.a. that first semester. Afterwards, find some activities that you would like to participate in, and join! Be active, socially and academically and in the community. Make the most of your four years...and I emphasize 4 years! College is a great time for fun and to meet friends...but don't spend too much time there! Get a good education, some internships in the summer and be prepared for the real world upon graduation. Best of luck!

i honestly have a very strong opinion about this school. They have a day here for the high school students to come and see the campus, it's called high school day and it's always on a friday. on thoes days leading up to friday, the staff cleans more, puts up new decorations all over campus and we really give this false vibe of the school to lure in more student body simply for their cash. if you ever decide to visit a college campus i would advise talking to a variety of people. i know it seems akward to just walk up to random people and begin asking questions, but it'll really help you narrow things down. in my honest opinion, you could probably go to a better school and save more money.

College is a huge investment to make. For students, I say to you be focused. Know what your purpose is and dont forget it once you get "in". Work closely with your major department and proffesors to get any help you need. There are so many reasources on campus that go unused.(i.e) Authors of your class text books, doctors of every proffesion are usually the proffesors of your classes. Parents no matter how far or close your child is, know that you have reared your children and even if they strey they will always remember what you taught them. Know that although they are adults you still have to keep that love and connection that you had when they were younger. Make sure your expenses are not going to waste. Keep them intune with whats expected and how to acheive these things. As a 1st generation college student, and teen parent I understand things from both sides. Enjoy the experience but make sure you get a quality EDUCATION FOR LIFE. To go along with it!

Choose the right school by the choosing best program for your major and your preference of the type of environment you wish to be in. Make the most of your experience by being involved with your school such as going to games, joining clubs and other ativities, and going to events.

The advice that I would give to parents and/or students about finding the right college is to consider the campus environment , their intended major, and their parents financial situation. In order for a student to adjust to campus life a student to succeed in college they must feel comfortable with their surroundings. Some students prefer campuses in the cities and others prefer a smaller campus with less distraction. A students chosen major can also help a student narrow their college choices, but if a student does not have a declared major do not worry many students enter college without a major in mind until later in their college career. Furthermore, to reduce the stress of many parents; students should consider attending college in state in order to avoid high tuition payments and stressed out parents. College is a great experience alone, but to enhance your college experience a student should consider joining both social clubs and athletic teams. You can make friends for life and share your memories with other people. In closing college is a wonderful experience to learn, network, and make friends for life so don't allow the experience to pass you by.

In the persuit of college, look for one with high educational standards. Universities with a party rumor are not prospective. JMU is a big party school with a known party bus that transports the students off campus and around town for free. If I went this University I know that my GPA would be the minimum of a 2.0 due to the distractions.

Atmosphere is severything. Surronding everything like sports will embodie greatness. Acell in the basic programs.

Apply for as many scholarships as possible! It's not fun being poor. Also, explore new things and don't be afraid to talk to people. College is a time to do things you never thought you would, so take a chance.

There are three main points to be looked at and considered when choosing the right school. What does the school have to offer academically, Demographic of school, Location of campus. The most important point is to make sure that whatever school you or your child chooses has an excellent and challenging program for your child's field of study. Learning and education is a top priority, and then everything else comes next. Secondly, how big is the school? what type of people attend the school? how many people graduate per year? how many people find jobs after graduation? Demographic information about the school is important. Lastly, look at where the school is located to make sure that it is a safe area. Joining groups, oragnizations and becoming heavily involved are factors which help to broaden and better the college experience. Although I never have, staying on campus for at least the first year will help your child to make many more friends, become more independent and learn social, as well as negotiation skills.

trust your child

Do some research on the school and visit

I would advise students to take time to research schools before applying. They should do their best to determine if the location, student body, and attendance costs are right for them. In fact, it could be very helpful to go visit the school prior to making a final decision about deciding to attend. Most importantly, students should remember that the school they choose to attend will be the place they will spend up to 4 years of their life and the educational istitution that will prepare them for their future career.

The child should sit down with his/her parents and discuss what they are looking for in a college. This includes location, cost, your major and the size of the school. This will allow the parents to know what the child wants and maybe they can come to a compromise about what to do if they parents want to keep the child close to home. The child should also express to their parents how bac they want an education and how they would like to attend the school of their choice so maybe the parents will allow them to go where they want. Once the child is at their respective school, they should get involved in activities and sports which will allow them to meet other people. Do not join too many extracurricular activities to the point where in interferes with your school work but you dod not want to sit and your room and do nothing but go to class. The child should make friends with people in their dorms as well as in their major.

The selection of a post-secondary institution for a son/daughter is one of the most challenging decisions a parent must help their young adult make It is imperative that the ultimate decision is made by the impending student. The student should not feel pressured to attend a specific institution that his/her mother, father, or sibling attended unless the institution ?fits? the student?s priorities. The student should drive his/her post-secondary selections and allow the parents to take a back-seat by making recommendations or suggestions. The ultimate decsion should be made by the student with overall agreement among the student and his/her parents.

For anyone looking to select a college for themselves or their child they should begin by looking at what they want or their child does. The college should fit the personality and help develop them educationally. Looking at colleges location, visiting the college, the college population, the certification of the major desired, and extra curricular activites should all be looked at highly. Tutuion is also something that should be looked at when trying to find the right college. Choosing a college is a very difficult decision, but when looking at all the different areas it should help narrow down the choices. By selecting a college carefully it will help with making a wonderful college experience.

It is imperative to remember that this is an investment in your future. As the cost of higher education continues to increase, the principle amount needed for your investment increases. However do not let the price tag deter you from your dream institution. If the college or university of your dreams cost quite a bit of money, but you believe it will put you where you want to be in 5 or 10 years, make the investment. If you don't have the money, be aggressive and find scholarships, grants, and loans. The money for your college education is out there. You just have to take the initiative and look for it. Once you get into college, maximize and make the most of that experience. Tap into all the available resources and get a return on your investment. Attend the workshops, seminars and network. It will behoove you to establish new relationships that can potentially help to advance your career in the future.

visit the campus and talk to the students to get the real inside scoop.

When your son or daughter knows what he or she wants to do, just let them give it a try!