Hofstra University Top Questions

Making the most of the college experience is not just about the classes and time spent in the library studying. It is also about finding the college that "fits" you best and becoming engaged in the community. The time spent in college should be ful of learning and embracing new opportunities to stretch your character and challenge yourself. Through this, you will be able to handle life with an edge and embrace adversity; knowing the benefits of perserverance

The advice that I would give is to make sure that you feel most comfortable wherever you are attending school. Make sure that you are as near or as far away from home as you want to be in order to help with the transition and cut down on homesickness, and just make sure that it really does feel comfortable for you. I know that what made me pick Hofstra is that once I saw the campus, it just felt so right. Make sure you visit the campus, and get as much information as you need, and just be well informed about your decision. If you're not sure of something, then ask to get more information so that you can be clear about it. Make sure that the college you choose has all the amenitites that you need, so that you have a good experience.

Keep an open mind. College will likely change your life, so you should stick to your instincts when picking a place that seems familiar and comfortable to you, but don't limit yourself too much. Your major will probably change, what you want to do with your life might, too. Choose somewhere that you like overall rather than somewhere that will get you a good job. Go to college looking for personal fulfillment rather than great career opportunities alone, and you will have a better time adjusting and be happier in the long run.

the experience is what you make of it

To whom it may concern, In order to achieve your goals in life you must work hard. It goes with out saying that hard work pays off in the end. Finance is unfortunately a major part of our society and it is quite difficult for students to go to school without loans and financial aid. Please make sure you take care of all the paperwork necessary and make sure to work hard in high school so that you can receive scholarship funds. It will take pressure off the student if he/she does not have to worry about paying his/her tuition bill in cash. Once you get to college you must purchase a planner, your planner will be your guide, there will be a plethora of appointments, exams, papers, and other assignments that you must keep track of. Maintain a schedule so that you don't find yourself becoming overwhelmed. Most importantly, keep your eye on the prize, work hard and it will pay off. Maintain a GPA of 3.3 or higher and you will do fantastic. Its tough out there, only the hard-workers will get ahead, make sure you are one of them!

I'd advise not to be intimidated by school costs when trying to find a quality education. Also, be sure that the school you choose meets as many of your needs as possible. If you have no idea what you want to study, it may be best to wait a year or two before attending university, perhaps taking some "general" courses at an affordable and accredited community college--to save yourself from spending money on classes you don'e need to take. --Don't feel obligated to only take those classes required for your major and university attendance--take classes that interest you as well--and as many as you want, just be sure that your required classes don't suffer. Don't be afraid of not graduating on-time. A five-year Bachelor's degree is no different from a four-year Bachelor's degree.

its over all a good school, becareful in the parking lots, and bring your food with you campus food it gross, ive found things in it that should not have been there

Anyone can complain about college and blame the University for their experience, but I believe that the college experience is what you make it. If you go to college determined to be involved and pursue the career of your dreams then, inevitably, that is what you are going to do. When looking for a college, I suggest creating a list of the top ten attributes that are important to your college experience, five that are necessary and five that are bonuses, and look for colleges that fit that profile. Don't exclude anything in your list, even if you think it is trivial. A college located by the ocean is just as important to some people as the financial aid package the institution offers and should be factored in when choosing a university. Once you are at school- get involved, talk to your professors, thrust yourself into activities that you love and balance then with new experiences. Forget the high school you and rediscover yourself. Don't play it safe. The more you branch out and join clubs and meet new people,the more successful you will be, not only in college, but in life.

Look at places that seem the most promising first. Let your kid decide what schools he/she likes best. Don't be set on a school jsut because you like it. Look around at other schools, explore. Check out the programs that you will be involved with right away. If you don't like the program it will save you time, especially if they don't have your intended major. Those are just some of the things that I can remember from when I applied to Hofstra. Hofstra was not even an option when I first started looking. In fact, I got an e-mail about a free application and applied right there. That's how I found out about Hofstra. a freak e-mail. So far, it has been one of the best accidents of my life. I wanted to go to a music school, in fact I was set on Berklee College of Music. Now I realize that Hofstra is the better place for me. I took my time and visited the campus and had a friend show me around with my parents. Take your time to weigh your options. And remember to be open minded!

let kids decide for themselves. parents can't live their kids' life for them-it's their decision so let them decide it

Don't let money stop you. If you find the right school for you, there is always a way to get you there.

Finding the right college can be a very tough and confusing decision, but I think the best way to go about answering that important question is doing research. Every student has a different experience when it comes to college because every student is different. I think it is important to visit the college of your choice and talk to students who are currently attending the college in order to get a truthful answer about what that particular college has to offer. Meeting different people is an experience in which many students enjoy while attending college and it is important to explore many of the programs that college or university has to offer. I think it is important to partipate in extra curricular activities, because that is a great way to meet different people and be apart of something you are passionate about or interested in. Being active makes the college experience worthwhile.

Be sure to visit the school before you decide to attend it. Get involved, its the best way to meet new people, and especially people who have the same interests as you. Enjoy college; work hard but have fun too.

Look for a school with great academics and visit it to make sure that it feels like home. Comfort is a big thing when it comes to colleges. Remember, this is a place where you will spend about 4 or more years of your life.

Really spend time on the campus to see if its a place you feel comfortable. Look at a variety of different schools in different places. Take into consideration the cost, the schools reputation, where you plan on living post-graduate, and what majors are offered. Don't take into consideration where your friends are going or where your parents and other relatives want you to go. This choice is about you as a person and where you can flourish. College can be the place where you make life-long friends and really find your passions in life. It's an important choice and your instincts will be important in that choice.

Make sure that the college is in the area that you feel comfortable in as well as their being a campus that you admire. You may also want to make sure that the academics is in order and that it is a great school to get an education. Another thing to remember is to make sure that you can afford it. Especially with the economy and its downfall recently.

make sure that your chilld has a vague idea of what they want to do, and make sure the school has a good program for it. also see what the child would aslo be interested in and make sure the school would be good to accomodate a change of heart.

As far as finding the right college goes, you should look for one that fits your personality and that will be most helpful in achieving your goals for the future. I know several people that transferred to my college because their old college was too much of a party school, or because their specific major program wasn't good enough at their old school. This is also the case with sports programs; a friend of mine recently transferred because our football program didn't offer the right opportunities for him. This can cost you a lot of extra time and money if you switch colleges because not all credits transfer from school to school. That said, no college can just give you the experience that you're looking for. I've been told so many times that college is only what you make it, and I realize that it's true: if you sit in a room all day and never go out to events or join clubs, or find out what your school has to offer, you won't have a memorable college experience.

The most important piect of advice I would give, is to not be afraid to try new things. College is all about learning who you are, and in order to make the most of that you should take advantage of the course available at your school and take a class in something that you don't know much about. Go to discusssions, and learn about new things, and meet different people. Don't be afraid to leave your comfort zone!

Pick a school where the students take their work seriously instead of one that focuses primarily on socializing.

I believe that college is where you create the basis of learning for your life.

DEFINITELY VISIT

I would recommend that parents and students see college as an opportunity to get away and to learn about the world through their experiences and book work. So many valuable lessons can be learned when mom or dad aren't at the students finger tips. I would suggest that the student have a field they wish to focus on but keep a very open mind towards other fields and topics. A good liberal arts school should require a variety of courses and the student should look at each course as a window into a potential future. If they find something that sparks their interest they should follow it a bit and see if they like where it leads. It is so often the case now that colleges and universities are seen as gateways into a career and future. Both students and parents should see it as that but also for what it truly is; It is a school and it is meant to be an opportunity to learn about everything. One can learn about the world, socializing, maintaing one's health, other cultures, living with a room-mate, about being independant, and finally about how interconnected our world truly is.

Make sure to visit the school beforehand and explore all aspects of education, housing, and financial aid.

Environment is important. Many people might consider the quality of the campus secondary, but, if you think about it, school is going to be your second home. A drab, uninviting campus could really get you down. And vice-versa; a green, comfortable campus can be calming and inviting. It will also probably inspire much more outdoor actvity--a great way to be active or get to know new people (a vital part of college life).

For parents, aid your children in deciding but don't force them into going to a school because it has a better reputation or costs too much. There is always a way to receive funds when going to school. For students, visit every campus you get accepted to, and see if they offer a program that allows you to spend one night with a college student so you can see how life is on campus. Also, if you're nervous that on weekends everyone is going to be gone and you'll be stuck on campus, then make sure you go and visit the school on a weekend. If the school just doesn't fit all your expectations, don't accept because you'll become unhappy quickly. Also, test out the cafeteria food and check out the dorms!

This advice is for the student... You have to choose what you think is right because in the end you're the one who lives with the consequences and the rewards. It's always nice to get advice and opinions but utimately you can't let others decide your future.

college is not only a learning and maturing experience, but one that lasts a lifetime! pick the one that you think is best for you and do not worry about making the wrong descision. it is ok to not know what you want to major in, most people don't! But that is part of the learning experience and it helps you to find the person you are and will become. this is your chance to make yourself into the person you want to be, no matter what that is! And if you thought high school was fun...college is 10 times better!

Take everything into consideration about the school. Make sure it is the right fit for you out of the schools that you got accepted into. Do NOT stress about it too much. Transferring is not the WORST thing in the world. If you do not have a good first year, sophomore year will be better if you focus in more on a major. Have fun, don't let the time fly by...

Don't let the cost make you feel disinclined to go to an expensive school; follow a four-year plan of study, save extra classes for the end.

I advise that prospective students and their parents get as much information from the students that are actually attending the college/ university the student is applying to. It's best to hear from students of all spectrums as they are the ones that are actually dealing with the good and bad of the university. I also advise to research as much as possible about the school and find out all the avenues of getting financial help. To make the most out of your college experience, I advise that the student surround his/her self with a good variety of people with different backgrounds but also good similarities. People who have the same ambitious goals as yourself will help you to make the most of your college experience. However all work and no play makes one dull, so try to have fun as much as you can without losing sight of one's goals. Always keep in touch with familly for good support and use your school's resources to their maximum availability.

I would say to find the right college you have to find yourself. Decide what you want in your university and then go out and find it. Do you want to stay local or go away? Live in dorms or live at home? Big school or little school? Would you like to be at a private or public insitution? What would you like to study? Do you want to go to school with members of the opposite sex? Once you answer these simple questions the search comes down to a few key schools, and most of the time the choice you make is a perfect fit. To make the most of your college experience never let a single moment pass you by. Life is too short and there are too many great opportunities out their to sit in your dorm room. Get involved in a organization that you are passionate about and dive in. It is a great way to meet people, make life long friends and take your mind off all of the stresses that come with school. Most importantly, in either case, decide what you are going to do and do it. No second guessing.

Ask students on campus what their perception of the average person at that school is.

you have to visit the college.... being there gives you a true feeling of the atmoshere.. visiting hofstra allowed me to make the right choice. if it wasnt for my parents io would have been somewhere else. in addition a good balance bvetween academics and a social life and guidance wil assure success

Stay focused and have an amazing experience!

Choose a college closer to home because you don't realize how much you will miss it. Try to experience and make new friends as much as possible.

The best advice I can give to students is to not listen to anyone else! Go an visit the campus, and get a true feel for daily life. Go on the tours, but it is also important to make an inpromptu visit and see if people are just as friendly as when you took the scheduled tour. Remember, college is a business, so you must fight for everything because free handouts are not a common issuance.

Going back to the Fall of my senior year of High School when I was visiting colleges, It was unfortunate that my parents were unable to set the time out to see the places where I would like to pursue a higher education. Due to the fact that my parents own their own business, time to visit campuses during the week was very difficult for them to come out with me. It was up to me to get in my car and drive out the necessary miles to see where will be new home. Making the decision of what college I wanted to enroll in was a very difficult decision, especially when I had to forward the information on the different colleges that I visited that Fall, because my parents were not available to experience first hand. My message to those parents of "college-students-to-be", make the time and effort to visit those campuses with your son/daughter. And support your child's every step through the transition.

Definitely check out different types of campuses like city and country and definitely check out different sized schools.

I would recommend that the student applies to every place that interests them. Don't worry about all the application fees, it will all be worth it in the end. Make sure that you ask real students about the school, and really look into the surrounding area. Look at things that might not affect you right away, however it will down the road. College is a big deal because you will live there and it will become your new home. It is a very important decision and your college career will go a lot better if you pick the right school to start off with and don't need to transfer.

College is a great experience. It's fun and allows you to really become an independant person. It is easy however to lose sight of the most important part of college, which is your education. Being able to balance the work with your social life is critical. A student must be able to discipline themselves enough to remove factors that will cause them to fall behind in school, whether it be drugs, alcohol, or even people who are a bad influence.

Go and look at all the school you plan on applying to

Make sure you research the school. Make sure you visit the school. I can understand not visiting before you are accepted but difnitely do so once you are. It is very common for someone to ignore this, even when everyone is telling you to heavily research the school you are interested in, but the work will pay off when you realize how happy you are wherever you end up.

Make sure that a car is not needed on campus if you are not planning on bringing one. Without a car in a suburban enviornment you will be totally bored in your free time and unable to do much. I suggest visiting the campus at least twice once on a weekday and once on a weekend so you can see how active the campus is on the weekend. Also make sure that you will fit in with the student population and that campus life is not geared to those who live in the area where the college is.

Don't pick a school without visiting it.

Balance partying and schoolwork.

The best advice that I can give to students about finding the right college is that they don't have to attend a prestigious college or an ivy league college in order to have a great and amazing college experience. Many times at ivy league and well-known colleges students don't have a great experience at all but rather a difficult and stressful one. When chosing the right college, a student should pay attention to things such a tuition costs, location, faculty, the student population, educational programs, and the overall environment of the campus. Can you see yourself interacting with faculty members? Can you see yourself interacting with the student body in positive ways? Do you feel that you will be able to grow and learn while being on campus? My school was not my first choice at all because hardly anyone thought it was a prestigious university. However, after visiting the campus, it seemed like a very calm and beautiful place to learn and study. This did not however mean that everyone would find it the same way. The point is, for me, it turned out to be the best place, and that is the most important thing.

Definately visit the campus of the school before commiting to it.

It is very hard to select the best college for you because it is a decision that largely impacts the future you. Its easy to know whats best for us presently but hard to try and place yourself in the long term. For those that are not positive of what direction they want their life to go, I suggust a larger school with a good co-op program. These types of schools allow new students to discover who they want their future selves to be, while still graduating on time. I attend a small university and feel trapped, and at twenty years old thats wrong.

College is a complete learning experience. College gets you prepared for life while still allowing you to experience it and have fun. Choosing where you want to spend two, four, or more years is very important. Making a list of the most important factors is key. Location, Size, Major availability, Job placement/Internship Programs, and Financial aid/Affordability are some big factors that can help choose, and definately help eliminate schools. Sometimes finances can play a big role in your decision, considering the price of schools (private school vs. public school). After narrowing it down to a handful, it is a PRIORITY to visit the campuses! It would be best to visit during classes, even if it is curing summer or winter classes. After all this is done, you should have a really strong feeling about where you might want to go. Even if your first choice is not there after this process, I'm sure that your gut feeling along with the preperation will help you choose an excellent place to achieve greatness and make some great friends along the way. GOOD LUCK!