Indiana University-Bloomington Top Questions

While planning ahead is very good and helpful, the unexpected should be expected to happen. The only thing static is change, so if something does not work out as planned, such as choice of major or choice of school, be ready to be flexible and open. Even if it is not how it was planned, things will work out.

I would tell them to choose a school not for its appearance but instead for its academic potential. When the child gets to school, it is very important for them to begin making friends as soon as possible since these are bonds that one may have for the rest of their time at the college/university or for life. Also, try to get involved, whether it is with the Greek system, intramural athletics, or any number of clubs on campus. These things will not only make your college experience more memorable, but they also help to shape the adult one will grow into and they supplement a resume nicely. Enjoy every minute of college because it goes by so fast, but make sure to make your studies a priority! Enjoy!

First of all, when finding the right college the choices must be that of the students. No matter what plans a parent had for their child, they must allow their child to explore their options to find out which school they would feel comfortable with. Of course a parent should be able to give advice on the matter, but in the end the student will be the one living and learning there so they should feel at home at the school. When students are trying to find the right college its important that they think about what carreer direction they are thinking about going and while picking the school they should think about how flexible they would be able to change that direction. Keep your options open. Also think about cost and distance from home. They may not seem as important before you go, but they are extremely important. When you're at school always keep an open mind. Constantly meet new people and always have the mindset that those people might be new friends. You will find out so much about yourself after your first year. Also remember why your there. Study Hard! Make all that money worth it.

Parents and students should choose a college with the most diverse opportunities because incoming freshmen are likely to change their interest several times before deciding upon a major. Therefore, his/her college experience would be maximized if the chosen college has diverse course options to accomodate for any change of interest.

When you look for a college, don't get hung up on size or what size classes there are. Go to the campus, talk to a couple of professors and faculty, take a tour. See how the school handles credit hours and spend a night on campus if you can. I didn't want to go to a big school because I didn't want to get lost in the crowd. I ended up at Indiana University, one of the big ten, and I absolutely love it! I couldn't ask for a better match for me. The key is making sure that you get involved on campus once you're there.

It is important to make sure when you visit the school you feel at home and comfortable. Also it is really important to make sure it had the programs nessecary to succeed in the job you want to purse after college.

Deciding if a large school or a small school is right for them, is one of the biggest questions a senior heading to college needs to consider. I came from a very small high school and had to decide whether I was going to a small private school or a large public school. Although I felt I would have done fine at a small school, I felt it was important for me to prove myself in a large environment, so I made the decision to go to IU. Many people I know decided to transfer schools because they were in too small or to large environment and did not feel comfortable. My advice to future students is to visit the campus, and if possible stay for a day or two and try to get a feel of how life there would be. After visiting a small and large school, pick the one you felt most comfortable in. Many people focus on costs, and ranks of departments at the schools, but most schools will help financially, and as long as you excell in your area of study, you will be recognized by future empoloyers. Comfortability is of the upmost importance.

Find a college that fits you and what you want to become and not what you think you should become. Consider all the changes that you will experience and find the college that will make those transitions easier for you. The ideal college should make you feel like you are at home when you are away from home, lead you to learn things you never thought you would learn, and have experiences that will be with you for the rest of your life. Take the time to do the research, the college fairs, and the college visits. Most importantly, following your instincts is never a bad thing and should strongly be considered when finding the right college and making the most of the college experience.

Before choosing a college(s), think hard about what you really want to be doing with your life. Look into the specific programs that colleges have to offer, and be willing to approach faculty members or send them an e-mail with questions you may have. If you can, visit for a few days to sit in on some classes, speak with students with similar interests, and get the feel for life on the campus. Remember, life outside of home is different and, at times, more difficult with the newfound freedom you get. Look at colleges and programs that you can really "see yourself" in and do what you think will make you happy in life. As with what I'm doing, a career may not make you the richest person, but it doesn't matter as long as you feel fulfilled in the end.

Pick a school that is best for the student because it is hard being away from home for so long. I would also advise the student to think about everything that they do before they do it because several people make mistakes in college that effects them for the rest of their life. I would alos advise getting involved in campus activites but still foucs on school and grades., it is the reason you are in college. Have fun but do not lose focus it is easy to bring you GPA down but harder to bring it up.

Finding the right college for you is a very important process and you need to make time to do it. Figure out if you want to be around a lot of people in a large campus, or if you like more one-on-one attention with a smaller university. Make sure to visit ech college you want to go to. Visiting is important because you may like the pictures but then once you are there it may be something slightly different than you expected. The most important thing is making time; time to visit, think, and talk to students who are already attending the college. Then once you get to the college of your choice, get involved! That is the best advice. There are so many clubs and extra-curricular activities at college. Get involved in things you enjoy doing to make friends outside of the classroom. There are so many opportunites that you should take advantage of. Good luck!

A college experience involves not only the student, but the parent in many cases. However, it is important to remember that this is the student's journey into a new stage of independence and freedom. Always rememeber to let the student explore as many options as they want in order to find the right college fit whether big or small. Make sure to visit the campus and take the time to ask all the questions you can think of whether it be financial, academic, or social inquiries. In order to really take advantage of the college search, take your time on campus, researching the social environment, and meeting the students and professors. You want to find a place that fits all of your needs as well as those of your parents. School is about maturing and finding your independence in an environment where the individual is happy and satisified. So if you can take away one thing, it is to take your time and explore your options. If you don't apply or research you will never know what you missed out on.

Look for a school that focuses on diversity and education. A lot of schools are known for being a party school, but that doesn't necessarilly mean its a bad school. My university is definitely a party school, but still focuses a lot on research, education, diversity, and culture. Also, living in the dorms at least one year is probably the best decision you can make. You really learn to take care of yourself and make a lot more friends. And you have the opportunity to attending more events and get-togethers. Things you would never think of doing on your own!

If you've found the college you truly love, then it's worth finding a way to get there. Find something you enjoy, because that's all that really matters. If you're not doing what you enjoy, then there's no point in spending the money to go to college. Just do what you love, and the rest will work itself out. Keep an open mind. College is never easy, but if you let yourself experience new things, then you may just find something you never expected. It could be the greatest time of your life, you just have to take yourself there. Your future is in your hands, get excited!

Make sure you are choosing a college based on what is best for the student and absolutely make sure that you visit the campus. The atmosphere that the student will find at the college is what they will have to live with for the next four years, so definitely make sure that they can picture theirself living there.

To find the right college, it is important to look at many options and carefully consider finances. I would tell parents and students to take their time looking at colleges. I lucked out after looking at two colleges but I should have looked around more. Also, weigh the costs very carefully. Think about how much you can afford and how much you are willing to pay back later before committing to a school. Some of my friends are bogged down with student loans and say they did not think about the impact these loans would have on them after they graduated. Once you've found the right college, it is important to make the most of your time there. Learn as much as you can from your professors. You are in a unique situation for the next four years in that you are taught by people with doctorates in their fields. Learn as much as you can from your friends. The social aspects of college are what makes people miss it when it is over. Get out there and meet people. Talk to people in your classes. Go to parties occasionally (not all the time though, you need to study).

The very first thing I would tell students looking for a university to attend would be to look at the schools that offer the best programs, and degrees in your interested fields. Never ever just go to a school because your friends are going there or its away from home. At the end of your four years what matters really is that that piece of paper makes you as marketable as you possibly can be. There is something to be said about the experience of your time, but 4 years isn?t even 5 percent of your life. Do not let 5 percent dictate the rest of your life. On that note, you want to make your 4 years bearable. You need to pick a school that fits you both academically and socially. I would then tell parents to let their children have the largest say in where they attend, unless they need to intervene because their children are making a poor choice for reasons I have already mentioned.

If you can try to visit the colleges your interested in! Talk to professors and students ask them about how campus life is. Try to make a little vaction out of it. Obviously, the more you find out the easier your decision making will be! Get involved! Learn about capmus event and activities. Meet knew people make new friends. There are so many different people that if you put yourself out there you'll be able to find friends that will last a lifetime. Be smart! Work when you have to and relax when you have time. Everyone needs to have a good time!

For students: When considering colleges you need to know what is important to you. For some, size is very important, for others housing is important, and for others social life is very important, and if the school they end up attending doesn't meet their needs or desires they may be unhappy and end up struggling socially and academically and may end up transfering. The best thing to be both realistic and truthful to yourself in what what you would like to get out of your college experience. Finding the school that is right for you is a very personal thing, so don't let others influence or make a decision for you about where you want to go and it will make college a wonderful experience. For parents: Be supportive and understanding about where your student wants to go. As stressful as it may seem for you, your student is most likely more stressed about this life changing decision. If you listen to them, they will be happier with their choice and you may even learn something new about your child.

When choosing the right college you have to weigh out your options. You have to think about what kind of education you are looking for, location, expenses, and so on. To me I believe that it is important to find a good balance of all of these things. No matter what, make sure that you choose a school that you believe you will be happiest attending. If you go to an amazing school for academics but the social aspects are not good, you will most likely not find happiness. If you attend a school that is less expensive but is not academically up to par, you probably have less success later in life. There are always scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid if you are willing to look. When it comes to where you well be spending the beginning years of your adult life, choose wisely and always follow your heart.

Finding the right college is a difficult process. I suggest having an advisor help you find a good undergraduate school. I have learned that no matter where you end up, if you are positive enough, you can make the most of your college experience no matter what. Get involved, try things you never would try, and be outgoing. I know it all sounds cliche, but I tried all of those things when I was an undergrad and it truly made my college experience amazing. My only regret is not trying MORE things, and getting involved even more. Go see shows, plays, sporting events, attend guest lectures, movies, festivals, outdoor events, club call-out meetings, rallies and anything else your school offers. You will have lasting memories and make lifelong friends. Oh yeah, and don't forget to go to class, do your reading, and study for exams (seriously, you need to balance social and academic life - it's not as hard as they say!)

In finding the right college and making the most of the college experience, students should first look at what their career goals are upon completion of their education. Then, seek out a college that would have course work that would meet those goals. Students should seek colleges that will meet the social, ethnic , religious and educational aspects of their lives , but at the same not limit those aspects of their lives. We live in a very diverse world, and a good place to start experiencing lifes diversity would be by attending a college that provided a multi-tiered education , thus rendering multiple career paths.

Trust yourself and go with what feels right.

I will tell parents that they should make sure that the decision is made by their child and that they should be happy with whatever the decision is. In order for their child to seperate successful from the parental/child bond it is essential that first you allow the decision to be thiers, but secondly, and more importantly, that they know that you support them no matter what choices they make in life. For the student, I would tell them that these are going to be the first few years of your life that you are by yourself and without constant contact with your parents. It is important then to pick a school that the child feels comfortable with both academically and socially as both will allow you to become a successful in the global market come time to graduate. College is interesting because it has so many things to do in a variety of situations, so it is important to find a college that suits your needs and that you feel will make you a better person and allow you to grow. Which ever college you pick will become your new home, so make it feel like it is.

Students should begin the college selection process approximately two years prior to when they plan on attending; for many students , this will be their junior year of high school. Make a list of traits that are important to you both academically and socially that you wish to see while you're at your college. After you identify your areas of interest, make a list of colleges that satisfy your needs. College visits are your next step--this is the most exciting part! Make an appointment with an academic and financial advisor to make sure each college is right for you and take the time to walk around campus to recognize whether you could see yourself in that setting. If you have taken the time to identify the best college for you, your life will be changed forever by new experiences and unpredictible life events. Steve prefontaine once said, "To give less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." In other words, you do not want to walk away from your experience disappointed. Get know your professors, work in groups with peers, attend campus events, join a social club such as an intramural team, philanthropic group, or fraternity.

Apply for scholarships! You don't have to get loans these days.

As a senior in high school my first suggestion is to visit the campus and shadow a current freshman. Ask questions about availability of classes, housing and social events. Get involved right away! Student activities are a great way to meet new people. Still not sure, make a second visit.

Start with finding a school that fits your academic needs. Preferably a school that has a strong reputation in your major of choice. Narrow it down to campuses that compliment your personal style. Big or small, liberal vs. conservative, rural or urban,...consider it all and choose a campus that makes you feel comfortable. Also consider campus lifestyle and the amount of financial aid you would receive. Once you find the right school for you, don't drop the ball when you get there! Time management is crucial and learning how to balance your school work and social life can be hard at first. Especially since you are enjoying a lot of new freedoms. But with those freedoms come more responsibility. First and foremost, you are there to go to school and get a degree. Remember to get involved, you'll make more friends and meet people with similar interests. Don't forget to make time for yourself. Stress and school go hand in hand- don't let it get the best of you. College is certainly an experience, but it's completely up to you to make it the experience of a lifetime.

Finding the right college is much harder than it originally appears, and I believe that many factors should be considered when deciding. Parents and students alike should consider the academic strength of a college/university, but not solely rely on it. Having a fun, beneficial college experience goes beyond academics, the culture and "vibe" of a university impacts students' lives greatly (and helps shape individuals during an important phase of life). My parents stressed academics to a fault, and while I thank them for that, I wish they would have encouraged me to participate in other non-academic activities during my time in primary and high school. Making the most out of the college experience means taking risks and trying out new things, there are too many opportunities available to not take them. I regret not being more involved during my first two years of college, but now I am making an effort to amend for lost time and take some risks.

So maybe the dream school has been set since kindergarten or the perfect major since first grade, but it is important to be open to that fact that you still have options. You may not realize that another school could be that dream school if only given a chance or a major you never knew existed could be that perfect major. Being open-minded is the first key to a successful college experience. It is rare that anything will be exactly what was expected (even those dream schools and dream majors). Things run their course and sometimes that new course offers a new direction. Welcome the ability to step outside your comfort zone and try something new; that is when some of the most exciting things can happen. The number one thing to look for in a school is that it gives the student the ability to connect with the community, including accessible professors, helpful Resident Assistants and a plethora of academic resources. Also look for the ability to get involved in extra-curricular activities and jobs. Experience outside of the classroom can change the resume that might have gone into the trash into the resume that gets an interview.

Visit the college before you commit to it. Don't pick a college by looking at it through a book or course catalogue. Get involved in things that you like and there you will find others with the same interests and then you will make real friends rather than acquaintences. Work hard and don't waste your money.

Students and parents must work together in selecting the right college fit. Parents should be open about their finances with their children to help them understand the money available for college and help them make the right financial choice. In addition, vititing perspective colleges is an absolute must. It is impossibe to get a true feeling from marketing materials. The students should visit, sit in on lectures and ask many questions of the college administration and their perspective school. Use web resources as well to read student reviews of the campus they attend and when perspective students are on campus visiting they should try and talk to real students to hear their viewpoints about the campus, social, and academic atmosphere at the school. If it is possible and you know someone who attends the school, see if you can stay with them for a night and experance what it is really like to be a student without the parents around, this will give you a real feel for student life.

Make the dream a reality?research, visit, and by no means settle. This is an enormous financial, emotional, and academic commitment; all parties involved should be satisfied and excited. When considering a college, be assertive, visiting as many schools as possible. Wasted time punishes the student, not the institution. If academic establishment s do not meet personal par, if tension ensues regarding course loads or subject matter, do not fear or give up. Start early, taking time to find the university that fits the student?s niche, and taking care not to be daunted by the multitude of choices and decisions that accompany. The most important thing is that nothing feels forced and the student actually wants to learn, to commit to the field, the campus, the life. Also, investigate outside requirements such as studying abroad, an expensive but life changing, educational, and paramount investment?the world is growing ever smaller. Remember too that attending university is not in everyone?s best interest. Often, prospective students simply need time to discover their interests and goals before signing away four years of life. When the time is right, be confident, dogmatic, and never say never to a brighter future.

Make sure that when visiting the school it seems right to you. For me I chose the school that it feels fit me the best. While at college make the most of your experience by getting involved with everything you can. The only regret that I have is not getting more involved. One of my most positive experiences in college was studying abroad, I would reccommend the experience to anybody and it truly allowed me to learn more about myself than any other experience.

Entering college is a huge transformation from high school. It requires knowledge and ability to succeed. Choosing the right college may become difficult. I would advise parents and students to create a list of interest of the students. This will give the students the ability to search specific Colleges and universities that fits his/her needs and interest. Speaking on interest, studens should look into activities and organizations to become involve in. It will help develop leadership skills as well as initiating plans and solutionss. Also, parents should look for a school that will allow the students to succeed and will have a great chance of job opportunities after college. Attending the right school is important and requires great considerations.

My best advice would be to consider the given circumstances of your financial well being as well as what you realy want to do with your life. I would check out as many scholarships as possible and do your best to make yourself stand out in excellence compared to other potential students. If that means volunteer more or do more extra-curricular activites, then DO IT. Doing these things will make you a better person and also help you to be able to say that you've accomplished something great. Also, it's okay to follow your gut when you're trying to choose a college. Most of all, go to college for what you want to go to college for. Don't go to please anyone else but yourself. And of course, believe in yourself.

To find a suitable college, students and parents need to go and visit the campus and surrounding areas. How a campus looks and feels can influence the student's attitude toward their schooling and their college life. They also need to know what is important to them in a school. Would they be more comfortable if it was in a city or a small town? Are they interested in learning about different types of cultures? What sort of activities are they interested in? Also the distance the college is away from their hometown and family needs to be taken into consideration. While touring the school, they should meet current students asking them questions about campus and academic life. Feeling a sense of belonging either from the academics or social life, is important to having a positive college experience. There are so many opportunities in college and students should look into different extracurricular and volunteer programs. They should know that college is a place to learn from academics, but it's also a time to learn by living on their own, making new friends, and working with people who hold different beliefs and values from thier own.

Find a place that pertains to your career interests. If you do not know, but understand you want the most out of your college experience, then consider schools with a great social life as well as academic achievement recognition. In doing so, you will come away satisfied with your college experience.

Do everything possible that the university offers. Do not ever just stay in your dorm room. Get out and meet people and your experience will be unforgetable.

Visit campuses and try to sit in on classes as much as you can in high school to find the right fit. You cannot be shy; you have to find what you want and take it. Initiative will get you anything you want in this world, so take it and explore college campuses and see what will work best for you. That much will get you to the college you want. Once you are there, you cannot take any class or any professor for granted; you must make the most out of your college experience by getting to know professors and students in your program and not slacking off with classes. Never miss classes, because even if you miss just one class, it might be the lecture that really opens your eyes about what you want to do with your life. Even when the classes get tough and the papers get longer, you can't give up; you have to work harder than you ever thought you could, but in the end, you won't regret a moment of it. Throughout it all, you have to remember that everyone else is in the same boat, so help each other succeed.

It's not about a lot of options, it's about the right options. It's not about what's there, it's about what's not there. There is a large amount of factors that go into school decision making, but ultimately you're going to want to be confident and secure with your choice. You might always look back and then be dis-content if you aren't confident. Sometimes it takes time to be confident and realize the nature and place of education the history and experience of our lives.

When you are trying to find a place to obtain the next level of education try not to base your decision on what everyone else is doing. Usually when you find the right place you will feel very comfortable while there. When I came to Bloomington for the first time I felt a sense of ease. There was no rush and everyone was very nice, no one looked like they were in a bad mood and the campus was beautiful. Make sure you don't step out of your moral or financial zone. For students; do not base your decision on just putting distance away from your parents. My campus is 45 minutes away from my home town and I think that is the perfect amount. It is close enough to take a trip home for emergencies and far enough that my parents aren't here all the time and I didn't feel pressure to go home when I was a freshman. Also, dorms are wonderful. You meet so many differnet and wonderful people and it helps having people around who are in the same new situation as you!

College is what YOU make of it and the best advice I could give someone is go somewhere that is different from what you are used to so you can experience new surroundings and people. The more experiences you open yourself up to, the more satisfied you will be with your college adventure. When you look back on these 4 years, you will remember the things you did that opened you up to new things, ideas and cultures. Try as many things as you can, rush a sorority or fraternity, even if you think you wouldn't like it. Make friends with someone you would not have been friends with in high school. Attend as many theatrical performances and join clubs. Through my college experience, I am not sure if there is one "right" college. Once you choose the one that you think would fit you best, then go with it and don't look back.

Don't stick to your comfort zone... step outside of it, you will be surprised what you might find.

Look for a place that will allow them to express themselves and find people with similar interests. It's not ALL about academics and the best professors or the highest graduation rates. It's all about the best time of your life. Just look for that. =)

Upon my decision to decide where I would attend school, my biggest decision came to which school's education program would allow me to become successfu in the classroom. Coming from the inner city I know what it is like to have teachers who pass students along because they do not want to deal with the "problem". I wanted to know that the education that I was going to receive would allow me to give my future students the tools needed to get out of the bad situations and make better lives for themselves. The advice that I would give would be to definately choose a school that will give you the tools in whatever field of interest that you love and and that will allow you to make a difference in someones life because you never know what kind of impact you may have on someone. College only comes once to most students so truly take advantage of all of the different cutures and learn so much about as many peoples cultures as you can. Diversity is what makes this country so beautiful and the knowedge that people can hold can overshadow the ignorance that some may have.

To be quite honest, parents and students need to go visit the schools they want to apply to. They should visit the dorms, walk the campus, take a look into some of the classrooms, and interact with some current students. This is the best way to see if the campus will fit you. When you are a visiting a school during an active fall or spring semester, you can put yourself in the shoes of a student who is enrolled at that college. If you can see yourself making friends there, having fun, and getting the education you want, than it is the school for you. To make the most of a college experience, a student should find a balance between studying and having a good time. College for me has been an amazing experience because I have pretty good grades and I have a lot of good friends in my Fraternity who will be some of my closest friends until the day I die. Thank you very much for the opportuinity to express my feelings about Indiana University.

Finding the right college will involve finding what the student feels within about the institution he/she wants to continue their education at. In my opinion finding the best fit for college is the most important decision that students will make in their life, because college can totally change people from the time when they come in, to the time when they leave. I chose Indiana University because of it's size and interaction with people. Connections that you make while you are in college can help you out a lot after you graduate and step into a real life. That would be the reason why I think that going to a big school, which is highly ranked on something that you are going to be majoring in, can help you built strong bonds with people that are going to be successful and could help you out in the future. If you are incoming freshman, you should surround yourself with people that are not only there for you when it is a party time, but the ones that are going to benefit you in the future and can still be called "real friends" after you graduate.

I would answer this question in four simple words: Be True To Yourself. Searching for a college that is a perfect fit, can be very challenging. Parents might encourage their children to go to a well recognized school, or might want their child to pursue a certain field of study, but the student must be true to themselves and look into schools because they have the desire to attend them one day, not because they ?should? apply, or are ?forced? to apply to them. Secondly, I would most definitely recommend that parents support the aspirations of their child during the time of finding a college and pursing a further education. The majority of students entering college are simultaneously entering adulthood, and because of this, pressure to conform to certain careers, jobs, and activities are prevalent among this age group. Therefore, I come back to my original answer to the question regarding my advice for finding the right college and making the most out of a college experience: be true to yourself. If you know what you love, what you desire, and what you want to pursue in life, a student entering college will be off to a great start.

I would tell parents and students that it is very important to do plenty of research concerning any school that a student might be interested in attending. To narrow down what schools might be best for you, first try to figure out what you are interested in majoring in, or at least narrowing it down to a few possibilities. Then, find out what schools have the best programs in those areas of interest. After that, then determine various school characteristics you like, such as school size, proximity to home, number of students, and other such characteristics. Hopefully all of these aspects combined would help a student make the best overall decision. Also, if a student has absolutely no idea as to what to do for a major, then find out which schools are most inviting to students entering undecided, or schools that have the most options for majors. By using all of these criteria and characteristics of schools in the decision-making process, I am very optimistic that a student would quite easily be able to find the best school for them.