Howard University Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

Leslie

Parents and students should look for a school that offers a lot of opportunity. If they decide to change the field they want to go into that it is easy. It is better for students to go to a school that is close to a big city, because it is easier to find off campus housing and jobs. Look for a school that has a lot of networking opportunities and a great relationship with their alumni. Attending a school that is very socially active helps students find themselves and makes them more impressionable when applying for grad school, jobs, and internships.

Megan

To all parents and future college students, I encourage you to take time in making the decision of the college you or your child wants to attend. It is important that you look at all aspects of the school including scholarships, location, financial aid (if needed), social activites, and academic status. For the students, college is more than partying and escaping the supervision of your parents. It is a time when you start your journey on adulthood and find what it is you want to do for the rest of your life. That is why choosing the right school for you is so vital to your future. I advise you to visit the college campuses you desire to attend. Get a feel of the environment, because once you choose that school it will be extremely hard to transfer from if you change your mind. Make sure that the school provides all your academic/social needs, along with the community. For the parents, take a trip to the school to find out about the financial part. It is better to go in person than call over the phone. I wish you good luck in finding the shcool that best fist you.

Alyssia

My advice to students about finding the right college and making the most of their college experience, is simple: Stay focused, stay ahead, network, and live your life. Stay focused: Colleges and Universities are full of new opportunities and experiences. These institutions provide for personal as well as academic development. Stay focused academically and personally and you shall reap great rewards. Stay ahead: It is a dog-eat-dog world! I would advise that you stay ahead acedemically. Keeping up with your school work is key, as it only gets tougher and more comprehensive as you matriculate through your institution. Graduating with a high GPA will make you very competitive in the job market. Network. Sometimes it really is about who you know. Faculty and Alumni can be great resources when looking for a career post-graduation. Lastly, Live your Life!!!! This is the most simple of the four. This is a once in a lifetime experience. You will learn more about yourself than ever before and make life-long bonds. College can be one of the best experiences of your life so...ENJOY IT!

Christine

The advice I'd give for parents and/or students about finding the right college and making the most of their college experiences is to make sure the school is where you've ALWAYS wanted to go. A strong desire and passion to attend an institution will play a key role in your excelling academically and socially. Make sure this is the school that your friends, parents, or boyfriend/girlfriend had little to no influence on. Be sure to aim high, and go for your first choice. Choosing the right college for you is an exciting and memorable time. You will be spending the next 4+ years there. Take a look at the past (high school, home schooling..etc) and decide which school with make an impact on your future. Congratulations on your new endeavors and Good Luck!

Jessica

First, I would suggest to all students to research and visit all of their school choices before attending. Many students end up not liking the school they pick because the atmosphere is not what they expected. If the student is not comfortable, chances are they will not be successful at the school. Second, I would encourage the student to consider any school, no matter the cost. There are many scholarships, grants, and loans available for continuing education here in the US as well as abroad. Finances should not hinder a student from attending the institution of their choice. There are many companies that focus on finding financial aid for families, and speaking to one could solve most financial issues. Last, I would let the student know that they should join extracurricular activities because they provide a balanced college experience as well as open many networking doors, which can provide more internship and career opportunities.

Aminat

To parents I would advise to let their child be the one who decides where they choose to go. College is a time for kids to branch off and grow so they can be their own person, so parents should not hinder them. To a students, I would say to research the schools carefully and see which fits more to you and what you want to get out of it. In making the most of the college experience, be open to experience, meet new people, and have fun!

Alicia

When it comes to choosing your college, start early! The longer you wait, the harder it will be. Choosing the college you are interested in can be difficult. The size of the campus and where it's located also have a huge impact on your decision. So it's best to visit the college, and imagine yourself in that setting. Applications can be tedious, so start them early as well. It's important to start looking for you college your freshmen year of highschool. This gives you time to make the best decision for yourself. Always apply to a few safe schools, schools you are certain you will be accepted into, but dont be afraid to apply to the school of your dreams. Paying for school can be difficult, seek out financial awards if you have not been offered any. Persistance with the financial adminstration insures "payoff." Lastly, Prioritize your agenda when you get to college. The social life can be consuming if you let it and it may be hard to stay focused. In general college can be the best or worst experience you've ever had. Make it the best!

Paul

My advice to parents and or prospectice collegfe students would be to first. visit the school/s that you're looking to attend to make sure that you are familiar with the environment and to see if you fit in that atmosphere. Parents I encourage you to support your child in their choices. Don't force your ideas and or thoughts upon them. Let them make the decision for themselves, especially if they're going out of town. They will already be scared so you putting extra pressure on them is not the best thing to do. The ultimate advice I would give to the student is, stay focused on the task at hand.

Kate

Choosing your undergraduate college is very important for one's growth and development. Things that one must consider are the cost of tuition and room and board, the availability of dorms for upper classmen, the availability of your major, retention rates, etc. Aside from the logistics, a student should talk to someone who went to the school to get a better understanding of the social life. They should visit the school, preferably with a current student, to see what the school is like on any given day. The student should also look into the social clubs that may interest them. Parents should be concerned about the surrounding area the campus is in, the safety of the dormitories and campus buildings, the campus police department, they should also look into transportation for the students and the campus' proximity to home.

Morgan

Make sure that your child lives away from home so that they become more responsibly and emersed into their society without the interference of parental control. Allowing them to travel to attend college will prepare them for the future. Also let them choose their school of choice. Following your parent's footsteps is enough pressure.

Ashley

When it is finally time to select what college will be attended, you realize the vast amount of availablities across the United States and the world for higher education attendance. However, even with all of these options available, the very first thing to take into consideration is where you want to go in life, for it is in the knowledge of what you want your future career to be that you are able to narrow down what your top college choices should be. If you don't know what you want to do, it is then best to pick a school that has a strong reputation in all of the courses of study it offers. Once you arrive to the school you pick, always be willing to open up your comfort zone to people different than yourself. Network, because not only is it important in college, it is the way the world operates outside of school. Take advantage of social and community service organizations at your school, but in doing so, don't forget what you're there for: an education! Once you learn to balance your time, you will experience the most fulfillment out of your college life.

Nicole

Choose based on statistics and research, not emotion.

Jonathan

Plan out what you want in a college surrounding and use collegesearches on-line to find a college that supports the most of your personalities. In making the most of your college experience, handle school work first because parties and campus activities are never ending.

Tiara

The advice that I would give to parents and students when looking for the right college or university is to go where you feel most at home. Who cares about the prestige of the institution, if you hate every waking moment there. I would also say be pro-active. Students and parents need to go beyond the campus tours and sit in on a class, delve into the heart of the institution, its students. Getting real perspectives that haven't been screened are more beneficial than anything on the college or university's web page.s

Nikita

Educate yourself about the process, the cost, and everything else. Use your resources and do not be afraid to ask for help.

Cordenay

You can make a wonderful college experience ANYWHERE. Go where the money is. If you are offered scholarships-take them.

Elyshe

Visiting each and every college or university that you are interested in or that you get accepted to is probably the best advice that I can give. You may think that you, or your child, have already made the decision, but until you go and experience the school for yourself you will never truely know. Make sure that when you attend you can see EVERYTHING that this school will be offering you, from the classroom settings to the social activities to the Support Services offered and Administrative offices. Make sure that you talk to students other than the people who are giving the tour; these students always give a biased opinion of what the school really is like to attract you. Make sure you are getting the full story first before you make this life changing decision. Finally make sure you ask questions. This is a place where you, or your child, will spend the next four years and everyone needs to know what they are getting into before they sign on the dotted line.

Anthony

Research various institutions intensely before making a decision. When choosing a major take the time to understand the type of course work you would be expected to do before making your final choice. Contact the University or college about what is required for the major and based upon your high school course work are you ready to pursue it. Students need to be very mindful of how much money their parents have and what colleges they can afford. Sometimes out of state schools aren't the best choice unless you are getting substantial financial aid. Visiting the Universities you are curious about is a must before making any type of decision. Getting to know student life, faculty, administration, and various of campus extra-curricular activities will greater benefit you as you make the transition into college. Keeping your faith and never losing your passion while attending school will help during rough times. Never forget the main reason why you chose your institute is to obtain a degree and become active in your neighborhood and the global community. Help is always there, so never be afraid to ask for it.

Lauren

The biggest thing that parents and students need to do is research. Go to the college websites, and on college tours to make sure that the college you choose is best for you. I've had many friends that choose colleges because they were party schools or because it was the only school they thought they could get into and now they arent happy, or not doing well. Parents need to continue playing an active role when their children start looking at colleges, giving them advice and making sure the school that is chosen is a school that will accommodate that persons major and career goals. As for the college experience its whatever you make of it, you just have to find a balance between work and play. Its possible to have a social life and still get good grades you just have to buckle down when the time is right and let loose otherwise.

Brittany

There are many things to look for when determining which university one should attend. Many people start looking at things like location, financial aid, demographic (class size, racial makeup, etc). Which are all important, however the advice I am going to give is slightly different. The advice I would give to parents and or students about finding the right college is find one that you think would best suits your beliefs, goals, and interests. Many schools have many different majors and concentrations of study, however if you are not interested in those particular ones, then chances are you will not have the motivation to continue with it. Also, along the lines of interests, one of the best ways to meet new people is through extracurricular activities on campus. You should take note of some of the organizations and compare them with your interests. The purpose of college is to escalate you in all areas of your life including the social and academic areas. Those should be the basis of your searching.

Lily

Do a campus tour. Shadow a current student. Talk in length with the Financial Aid office and Career Placement Service representatives. Research the schools rank especially in perspective to your desired major.

Monique

Follow your heart. I started at one school and transfered to Howard because I was not happy. I love Howard. I may have to stay in school longer, but being at Howard has helped to determine where I want to be in the future. I believe Howard has prepared me to enter the world and make a major difference. To the students, do not get involved too socially, remember that you are there for school and you can party later. I am not saying do not have fun, but keep your priorities straight. Make some good friends and be there for each other because being away from home can be tough. To the parents, let your kids grow and develop into adults. You did a good job raising them know let them be free. They will probably make some mistakes, and change their major a few times, or maybe even transfer but do not give up them. Give them the freedom to fall and to get back up again. I know that I would not have made it through my first two and half years of school if it was not for my supportive family.

Jeamice

Visiting a campus is extremely important to see if you can envision yourself being at the school. Talk to other students, ask questions. Try to sit in a class if possible or speak with faculty or heads of department. First and foremost, do your research, a simple search on the internet will answer most of your basic questions.

George

Know the school well before you decide to attend even if that means you have to visit the campus more than once.

Courtney

the best advice that I could ever give any student who is in the process of choosing a college is to never settle for the first school that accepts you, also, never let money get in the way of you going to your dream school! Make sure that you are choosing a school where you are comfortable. Always choose a major that fits you, and not something that will simply sound good to the rest of the world. Lastly, dont be afraid to leave your comfort zone (i.e. home) college the time for a person to explore many different possibilities, and find their true inner beings.

Darriah

Visit all of the higher learning institutes that u may possibly apply to. Ask questions and do your research to find financial aid assistance. It is there. Use your on-campus sources, administartive offices amd such. Be open-minded and friendly, while cautious and realistic. Enjoy yourself, but remember that education is first.

Shontay

Make sure you plan in advance

Naa

To find the right college one has to focus on what they want to gain from their college experience. They also need to learn more about the schools that they are applying to in order to see if any relate to them as a person. If a person is interested in being exposed to politics then it makes sense to go to a school that is in Washington DC and has a great Political Science program. For myself, I wanted to go to a school that I knew would motivate me to be successfull and intelligent. This was Howard University. I looked at its founding and history and found some relation to me and my life. Making the most of your college experience involves putting yourself out there to learn and enjoy new things. College is a very diverse world, and one has to be able to accept people of different backgrounds and cultures. Also it is important not to dwell on the problems of the school. It is best to make new friends and join a club at the school. There, it is certain that a person will find their niche and feel more comfortable in the school environment.

Brooke

Don't let peer pressure, legacy, or climate dictate where you choose to attend school. Alot of students stay in-state because half their high school went there. Don't be afraid to look at other less popular schools. You propably won't keep 90{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the friends you made in high school. College is a very different world. Make sure you do your reseearch into any organizations you want to get involved in. And always remember your education comes first. It's what your paying for. Treat every homework assignment and project as if you're getting paid for it. It'll help you stand out in the crowd later on.

Jynell

Visit the campus before you attend because being comfortable is very important when you are living on your own. Also find out what kinds of resources the college or university offers.

Lauren

Visit the college because that could really help you in your decision. If you can, go on a tour and sit in on some classes because, especially if you will be staying on campus, you want to be comfortable with the surroundings you will be in because that is where you will be spending the next ten months of your colligate career. You want to enjoy where you are staying and know that the college that you attend is a home away from home.

Domonique

In order to find the right college, the student must find out what type of environment he or she would like to immerse themselves into. Whether it be a university contains a tremendous amount of students with different political views, or an institution in which the arts are prevalent amongst the student body. For myself Howard University in Washington D.C. was the best choice. The rich history of the city is what first attracted to travel outside of my home state to further my education. The divergent cultures that emerged themselves from the predominant ethnicity within the university is what made me grow to love my school, and the knowledge presented from this type of environment. To make the most of the experience it is wise to enroll in a school that exposes a person to something that goes against the norm of the city from which one is indigenous. It is then that the exposure to different cultural backgrounds and diverse ways of life assist in cultivating the person that one is destined to be.

Tiffany

Trust your child. As usual, push them to where they are going to be successful. But, also, listen to them. Let them visit places and find the right fit for them. Many schools look great on paper, but aren't the perfect fit for every person. Allow your son or daughter the room to decide what they want to do. But guide them toward schools that line up with their interests, their intended course of study. Also, be mindful of the location of the college, and its size. These have to be agreeable with your students in order for them to be successful. Ultimately, you need to be there to support them in this decision making process.

Kiara

I would advise them to start early! If at all possible meet some students who currently attend the school of intrest or have within the past five years. Talk with them and listen to their raves and rants. It is also a great idea to visit the campus and factor in costs and save up just in case financial aid and scholarships don't cover the bill. Also look at what jobs alumni of the school have and find out if the school helped out at all. Once a school is chosen and the semester starts, apply yourself from the beginning. Don't slack off and make it to every party, it will only hurt you in the long run. I have told myself to treat my classes and my school work like the biggest event on campus. Make sure you're there and leave a great impression. If everyone put as much effort into their grades as they do in preparing for a ball or party a 4.0 would come almost naturally.

Anastasia

Make sure you visit the college you plan to attend before making your final decision. Once you have chosen your college and enrolled, GET INVOLVED, MAKE LOTS OF FRIENDS, DON'T STRESS TOO MUCH!!

Kwamena

Do your research.

Daniella

My advice would be to visit all of your choice schools before sending in the application because you may find out that you don't really like the campus. That saves alot of money. Also get involved in whatever activities you like to do and choose the major that is best for you and that you can see yourself doing for the rest of your life.

Doretta

Visit the college during the school year so that you get a chance to see it in full swing.

Dinah

First pick many institutions that you might be interested in. Then narrow down that list with things that you prefer (city/urban, big/small, athletics, research, finanical aid). After you made this list, visit the campus and check what you liked and disliked. This will help form a smaller list. Then apply to your schools.

Stephen

Dear Parents: I know that you are considering sending your students off to college and are consulting some of the best and brightest resources out there; in your opinion. However, please consider strongly the words that I now pen. I left suburban California for a prestigious school on the east coast. I could have gone to school in one of CA's many state universities but I wanted to go to the best school possible. What I didn't know (neither did my parents) was that as soon as I set foot on campus, I'd begin piling on a mountain of debt. I assumed that everyone took out student loans and that the loans were as easy to pay back as they were to get. I was wrong. I am in the hole. School is necessary but it is also expensive. IF you DON'T have the means, consider an alternative. Your son or daughter's transition into adulthood will be less burdensome. If they are adamant about going off to a school you can't afford, assure your kid has the grades and dicipline to find an alternative to outrageous loans. They WILL thank you in four years.

Jessica

Be sure to visit the college and not only take the tour but find students to talk to and see how they feel. I would figure out what area each University specializes in and go to a college geared toward what you would like to do, go to departments your interested in and talk to professors, look in on some of the classes to see class sizes and how active discussions are. Ask professors if they will allow you to sit in on a class so you can get a fill for how it is run. It is also very important to get a good idea of the financial aid available and what is typically given. Instead of trusting the school talk to students and see what their experiences are with financial aid because just because a school says that offer a lot of financial doesn?t mean they actually do and many schools have a lot of problems with financial aid and students are left struggling to get by from semester to semester. But overall I would say to just find a nice safe location where you feel comfortable and let your heart guide you to the right school.

Ashley

Make sure that the prospective student vists the campus on a "normal" day not just around exciting times like homecoming. Visit the dorms, walk around the campus to get a feel of what the student will be experiencing. Check out the surrounding areas and neighborhoods and the distance to grocery stores and places like Target or CVS. Check out the cafeteria and see where the student will be eating and if possible what kinds of foods are served on a daily basis. Know about security issues and dangers or common situations that occur in the area. Make sure the field that the student wants to go in has a good program and offers things like a dual degree program if wanted.

chrisitna

The most mportant advice that I could give to students and parents that are trying to make the right decision as to which college or university they should attend is to think about how you want to live out your college exoerience, what do you want people to think about when they find out that you attended a certain college or university. I would also say that someone looking for a college or university to attend should really think about what they love to do and not what they think they should do to make money butwhat they love to do and then choose a school that will most help you to do that thing that you love as well as find innovative ways to survive in this capitalistic society. that is the key to geting a real education and starting a career you have to really believe in the things that you love to do and go after them so taht you can find a way to share it with the world.

Kia

Visit the school and talk to underclassmen there about their experiences.

Doce

Decide base on your future career choice also attend campus tours to get a feel for the campus and its students.

Makeia

Go with a will to learn and improve. Stay open to new things and new people, make the choices you think are best for yourself and be careful of your surroundings esp when you may be new or uncomfortable. College is suppose to be a fun learning experience and if you stay open and try to get all that you can out of it , it can be one of the best and most life changing experineces you'll have.

Jazmyn

Visit the school before deciding to attend and make sure its providing the best enviornment for the student to succeed in their studies.

Corrine

Before beginning your research, it is very important for the parents and/or student to determine his/her career field of interest. If the student isn't sure about what they want to study, determine their interests, what academic, social, and extra-curricular opportunities they would like to be available at the school, and financial aid opportunities. After these have been determined, begin researching schools that meet these criteria. It's important to find a school that fits the student versus making the student fit the school. In order to make the most of the college experience, I would suggest that students give their best in all they do. Be active participants in school activities, don't be a passive student who's only involvement with the school is attending class. Be sure and befriend people and establish a group of people you can call on for anything. Focus on the work you're doing in school, all the while keeping your future goals in mind, which will motivate you to do that much better. Remember that school doesn't have to be all work and no play, so make time for fun and relieve some of the school stress.

korey

FIrst i would have to say, find and visit the top three schools a student/adult would like to atend. Second, what ever his/her major is, make sure they have it. Third, also make sure the have a large networking program that comes to the school. Last but not least, make sure you interact with students and make friends to really get the whole college experience.

Whitnie

From previous experience, I would first tell parents/students to defintely visit ALL the schools that are most interested in, and get accepted to, so they can make sure the school fits them. Second, do tons of research on your major at the college to make sure your department of your major is accrediated. Third, make sure the college has flexiable finaicial aids services within loans, grants, and scholarships. With making the most and best experience is college, I would have to say is to always remember what you are there for in college; which I mean always stay focused and keep above a 3.00 g.p.a. Also have fun, socialize, experience new things, and network with organizations. Don't be ashamed if you have to do college for 5 years instead of 4 years, because the percentage is low for students that actually go to college and finish in four years. Last, dont rush college it only comes once, and will be the best of your 4-5 years!