Iowa State University Top Questions

I would tell myself to think solely about my education. I had planned on going to a private university near home because I wanted to stay close to my mom since I lost my dad the year I graduated high school. I went to the orientation of the private university and decided I didn't fit in so I decided to take a shot at Iowa State, even though it was out of state and I would be three hours away from my mom. I wasn't thinking about my education at all when I was applying for schools, I just wanted to stay close to home. It was so difficult when I first moved to Iowa that I didn't join any clubs and went home every weekend. If I could go back I would join a sorority and get involved as much as I could. I think it would have been a much easier transition if I would have met others who were going through the same thing as I was.

If I could travel back in time to my high school senior year, I would tell myself to calm down. Going to college is only a scary process if you let it scare you. The people at the school want to help you, and they will be there for you throughout the entire process. If you ever have questions, you can always contact someone, who will either help you, or point you in the right direction. It is very important to get a good start, and you can do this by taking advantage of campus opportunities. I would advise anyone to research the clubs and organizations they want to join when they get to college. Knowing about these organizations before you arrive on campus helps you to ease into your academic life. After all, academics are the most important part of college!

I'm glad that I came into college with the expectation that it would be new and different, but I would tell myself to be more confident in knowing that there are always new people to meet and new things to try. i would tell myself to be even more outgoing during the first few months than I was, and to take chances doing things, whether it's going on a weekend road trip, accepting a challenging position, asking out a girl that I like, or joining a club that I think might be very time consuming. I would tell myself to make sure to stay grounded in what my parents taught me and to never forget my values and beliefs, but at the same time to challenge them by seeing how other people live their lives. Finally, I woulf tell myself not to let college (school)get in the way of "College."

You'll be heading off to college soon, so spend smart and cherish your time with friends. Have a good time, and make sure your summer is one you'll never forget. You'll meet great new people at college. Make sure you think out all your decisions carefully, these next few years will shape the rest of your life! You know you've always wanted to explore the world and learn new things, so look into majors that can help you to do that. Don't live your life by what other people tell you that you can and cannot do. No one can tell you what to do, so take responsibility for yourself and always give 110 percent. Enjoy your last year in highschool, and ALWAYS be yourself.

Keep your head-up and that there's something in life you can't control. I lost my mom 3 weeks into my first semester. Never realized how quick you can make connections with people so that they'll be there when you need it.

Looking back, if I had to tell myself advise, I would say stay true to yourself. College is a change and change can be good. Never forget where you are from or your purpose. Life can be and is difficult stay strong and positive, you will be able to make it through the challenges by staying focused.

Try and figure out what you want to go to college for. If you wanted to go prepare for a job, then figure out what type of work you like to do. If you really want to just learn, then go to a school that's more academic than career-focused. It'll make you feel out of place if all you want to do is learn while everyone has a career in mind or vice versa. Don't think about college -think about what you want from it to help you after college. That's what matters.

I entered my college experience very well-prepared and ready. I was confident that I would succeed socially and academically. Homesickness was not relevant for me, as I have a twin sister who also attends Iowa State. It's like having a part of home with me. I also got involved in a lot of extra-curricular activities during my freshman year. Between schoolwork and extra-curricular activities: Moda (a fashion club), Dub-H (the hip-hop dance club), and Colleges Against Cancer, my spare time was full. I'm great at multi-tasking and time management, so I was able to maintain a 3.97 GPA. Overall, I feel like my first year went well, and there wouldn't be much advice to give myself. However, if I have to choose something, I would tell myself to be a little more outgoing and meet more people. I teneded to stick with my twin a lot last year, but that has changed this year as I am taking my own advice and doing what I should have done last year. I believe that my transition from high school to college was a smooth one, and I wouldn't change anything.

If I could be a senior all over again before I make the transition to college life I would try to enroll in some of college classes so that I know how college classes will look like, in the process also receiving some college credits. Also since scholarships are improtant for me to pay my way through college I will try to apply as much scholarship as possible si that I do not need to work a lot of hours just to pay my way through college.

Its all about how you feel when you are at the college. Some students are worried about the reputation of the school they are going to and where other people have gone or are going to be it only matters where you feel comfortable because your going to be spending at least 4 years of your life at the school you choose and its going to determine how your future will turn out so you need to make the perfect choice for you. Keep touring colleges until you find the one that feels right and trust me youll the one.

When parents give students guidelines about schools to apply to and they say money isn't an option, make sure it isn't. My parents said I had a <5 hour drive time to my school limit, but said money didn't completely matter, but now I have to transfer because I don't have enough money to continue going to ISU. Also, keep searching through freshman year for scholarships because it's never too late to get free money that will help you later. And even if you have money for a few years of school, if you're going to need loans ever, get some the first year so you don't have to pay as much each year - space them out and pay them back with better payments.

When deciding on a college, make sure you have found enough of the wrong ones. While students may be set on one school, you never know what is out there if you do not go out and look. Visit colleges of every type, some in campus towns, in big cities, small, large, awesome sports, schools that do not focus on sports. Never make a decision before you have seen all of your options. While visiting a variety of colleges will direct you in a certain direction, you will never know whether you like a school without actually trying it out. Any college can be a wonderful experience, most have very similar aspects to them. Always remember to have an open mind and think positively about your school. When you get too caught up in seeing all the negative aspects of a school, you will never be able to find the positive parts of those same aspects. Just as life is what you make of it, your college experience is too.

I would suggest to students that they go to the campus and take a good look at it. You want to find something that just has that, "this feels right," feeling to it. Also I would suggest that if you know what major you are going to be pursuing, look at colleges that are know for that major. Aim for the best. As for making the most out of college, get involved. You are going to hear that a hundred thousand times between when you go to orientation and actually get to school. The reason you hear it so often is because they are right. Find a club that you would like to get involved in and get involved in it. You won't regret it.

The advise I would give to parents and/or students for finding the right college would be dont rush things. When looking for schools students and their parent should sit down and take time looking at colleges. They should also plan and go on college visits together. Parents and students should visit more than one school because they could possibly find another school that interests them. Also it is good have a few backup schools just in case their number one school choice does not accept them. Advise i would give students about making the most of their college experience is to first live in a dorm, because that is a great place to make new friends and possibly lifelong friends. Another way of making the most out a students college experience is to join clubs. When joining a club the student is surrounded by people with their same interests. Along with doing what the student enjoys, he and/or she is also making new friends. These are the advise I would give parents and students about finding the right college and making the most of their college experience.

My advice to both parents and students is to visit a lot of colleges to see them in person. Then narrow the list down and do the events that they have there for prospective students to make the choice easier and learn more about the college/university. My advice about making the most of the college experience is to join a learning community or some kind of organization to get to know people in your major. My advice to students would be to not go home every weekend but to have parents come up some weekends to hang out with the student in their new home/community.

The most important advice I can give is to pick a school that is right for the students needs academically and socially. Find a school that has the combination of best program for the major, the right size, and activities offered. college is an experience for the student. Although parents can/do play a role in the college life, its about what the student wants. I strongly feel that students should be able to live their college life away from the home life. This doesn't mean they have to be across the country. I ended up only 45 minutes away, but as a college student I live my own life. Also, college experience is about the EXPERIENCE! The most important advice I can give is try new things. Yes, you will be scared, but you will benefit and learn from each new experience. Campuses offer many opportunities on campus and away. I ended up living a summer in JAPAN while earning college credit. The opportunities are amazing. If you look, sometimes it finds you, the right opportunity will be there for you. EXPERIENCE AND LEARN EVERYTHING - your college years are the BEST time to figure out who you are!

The big dollar Schools aren't always the ones to go after. Also, college is an opportunity for a child to become an adult. Parents should do what they think best for the child, but now is the time for the children to become adults, make their own decisions, handle their own finances, plan their own lives. Let them take that leap of faith, if they believe it they can fly.

I would advise them to find a college where they can feel at home. If you are happy on campus, you are more likely to succeed because you are content in your enviroment. For making the most of their college experience, I would first suggest to get involved with their residence hall or sorority/fraternity. Take the time to get to know your professors because they can be some of the best resources even after graduation. Also, take time to get involved with the community around your campus and get to know the surrounding area. Finally, when you are studying, find a place on campus that you feel comfortable and can study. If you study where you are most comfortable, you are more likely to stay studying and make the most of your time.

When you're looking for a college make sure to look at both benefits and drawbacks, both things that you want and things that you don't want. If both colleges have the program you want then you can look for things such as event or people that you wouldn't be interested in to eliminate a choice. If both colleges are expensive then look at which dorm has more space or a friendlier environment. Any school at which people look will have things that they don't like and that they do like so make sure to compare both to find the college/ university that will give the overall best life experience and an environment where one can learn and have fun (and sleep and eat).

Selecting which college or university to attend is one of the most important decisions a student will make entering their adult, and professional life. I believe it is important to know the general career path the student intends to follow when considering a university. Countless hours and thousands of dollars can be wasted if their direction is unknown. Spending the first one to two years of a college education at a local community college is a great option for undecided students. I believe making the most of a college experience includes; student organization involvement, leadership experiences, and taking advantage of available academic resources. Student organizations like sororities, intramural sports, and clubs allow students to make friends with diverse backrounds and experiences while on campus. Becoming a leader on campus was on of the best decisions I made beyond choosing the school I attended. It allowed me to meet administrators, and influential people in the community. It even helped me obtain an invaluable internship experience which lead me to my first career. Finally, taking advantage of available academic resources including reaching out to faculty, visiting academic success centers, and career centers when available is crutial to many student's success.

Visiting the prospective University's campus is important. It gives the student an idea of what the campus is like as well as the students that attend the school. Everything from housing and food to transportation can be observed or even tested. If the atmsphere is not something the student will enjoy, it does not matter how good the academic reputation is. The student can only enjoy their time in college if they enjoy the atmosphere of the school.

Finding the right college can be a very personal experience. Its the place where you are now on your own sometimes away from family and and friends so it is very important to find a school thats just right for you. Those lloking into colleges should think of the career path they would like to go into. Choosing a school that has a very good program in your selected field can be very benifical becuase it allows you to contact and make connections with professionals. It should be a place where you picture yourself attending for years. Another factor to consider in choosing a college is the financial cost. Make sure you feel the cost of the school fits the type of education you want. Also think of things you enjoy doing. Many schools offer clubs and sports. Look into those activites because it can creat ways of meeting new people and allows for breaks in between classes and studying. Its important to know what you are looking to get out of college and if you dont know college is a great place to learn more about yourself and the world around you.

Picking a university or college at times can be a real headache. For me, I wasn't at all sure what I wanted to go to school for at first, so picking a school was especially hard. It wasn't just the programs that I was looking at. I was looking at costs, location, and extracurricular activities too. My parents could afford to send me to college, so I needed to be able to put myself through college, so affording it was a main priority. My best advice to parents and students alike looking for a school is this: Find a college that has everything that interests you, whether that be athletics, greek life or the academic programs. That way, if you change your mind, there is a possibility to successfully change it. Keep in mind, financial aid is always available, no matter where you go. Pick someplace safe with a strong community that keeps the students and parents well informed.

Parents: I know that its difficult, but you've got to let your son/daughter go. College is a time for learning, which includes: doing laundry, cleaning, dating, managing finances, finding jobs, etc. If you continue to do some or all of these things for your child, they will never learn the important life skills necessary for the world in which they will be living. Students: First of all, don't fret about finding the "right college" for you. It's all about the people and the facilities. Look at an institutions facilities and make sure that they are top notch in your program of study. If the resources at the university are acceptable to you, apply/enroll, and get out there and meet people. Make friends, network, try new things, do things for yourself, learn as much as you can from your experiences, and most importantly, enjoy your experience.

Finding the right college doesnt have to be a hard process. There are plenty of websites that help you figure out the college for you. Also many colleges offer tours and visiting hours so you can see and interact with the campus for yourself. And to make the most of your college experience, HAVE FUN. Rember that you are a student and have academic responsibilites. Get involved on campus or in your dorm government, join clubs, make friends, and remeber to study and prepare yourself. College is hard just dont let it bring you down.

Talk to other people attending the college to get tips on housing, meal plans and classes and how teachers and classes are rated but the students. Have fun!

For students, when you're making your choice think about your future, where you want to be after graduation and whether the school can help you get there. If you choose a school based upon social events, or bar scene then chances are your not going to pick the right school to help you succeed.

Take the time to explore all options. Look at many different schools and choose one that is right for you. This isnt just a place to go to school, its where you will learn and grow for many years. Take that into consideration when choosing a college or university.

When you are choosing a college look at what is important to you. Don't assume that accodemics are all you need to worry about. Look at clubs, sports, students, location and anything else that you are interested in. Concider what you enjoy and things you want to experience. Most important of all, if you end up at a college that you don't like, look for something else. Learn from your mistakes and never settle.

Definitely look at all the factors before you choose. Look at size, personal attention, what majors the school focuses on, if they treat you like a person or a number, if you want to be close to your family or in a smaller town setting, whether its a big party school or somewhere you can balance your social and academic life. I chose the completely wrong school for me based on partying and where my friends were going, but after really looking at what I needed, transferring to Iowa State was the best decision because it was a perfect fit for the person I was becoming, not the naive teenager I was. In the long run, my parent's were right in telling me to stay closer to home and to find a school to focus on studying, not partying. It was the best decision I ever made to listen to my parents advice.

When you are looking at colleges, do not just pick any college based on a catalog, or what your friends have said! Make sure that you go visit! I would also recommend going for longer than a few hours, try to visit for a weekend! Really try to get to know the campus and a feel for the people that go to school there! I would even try to sit in on a class and see how you like the style of teaching. Also, meet with advisors/professors in your projected major. Once you are in school, really try to step out of the box! Try new things that you normally would not. I try to always remind myself "when will i EVER get the opportunity to do this again?". This mantra has helped me make the best out of my college experience. I joined a sorority and I am involved in several different clubs and organizations that relate to my major and interests. College is the best place to find people with your interests, so even if you're nervous about something--try it, someone else will most likely be there too! LEAVE COLLEGE WITH NO REGRETS! :)

To the parents I would say to let your child go where he/she wants to go to college. Don't try to keep them at home because then they will just want to go farther away. To the student I would say that no matter what follow your dreams. You only get this one life and finding what makes you happy is so important. Sometimes it doesn't seem possible to follow your dreams because of finances or other obstacles, but if your dreams are what will really make you happy you should try your hardest to reach them. Pick a college that allows you to do this, one that offers you the ability to reach your dreams. How you make the most of your college experience is really up to you and what you like to do. Find things, people, or places that make you happy. Finding your happiness will not only allow you to make the most out of your college experience, but you will also allow you to make the most out of life.

Go with the college that best equips you for the life you see in your future. Work hard at doing well in your studies, but make sure you spend some time on yourself, otherwise you'll get too stressed out. Always remember to ask questions. The professors are being paid by you, so they don't mind when you ask for help! Make sure to experience the community around the college you choose. Volunteer somewhere nearby and get to know the locals--they are a wealth of information. Stay on top of your finances. Borrowing money is convenient for the time being, but will eat you alive later on. Keep in touch with your family and friends from back home. Experience the thrills of an international internship or study abroad program. The world is becoming smaller every day! Overall, relax and enjoy the process of getting a quality education!!

Shop around and take the time to research the schools that you're interested in. If you're not sure about what you want to study, take advantage of campus visits and reach out to student coordinators and staff to get the information you're seeking. Ask questions, and you'll get answers. In your first year of school, take advantage of joining student organizations to meet new people, no matter how shy you may be. There will always be something for you, and you will definitely not regret it. Stay focused, ask for help when you need it, and don't be afraid to make mistakes- it happens to everyone. Employ all your academic resources and really tap into your ambitions; you'll never fail.

Go with your gut feeling, and do what YOU want, not what others want, or say you should do. If you are going to succeed at something, it has to be something you love!

Do what you love. Doesn't matter the cost, follow your heart.

College is one of the greatest opportunities we have in this country. It is an opportunity for us to see what we are made of, what we are capable of, and what we can do. The college experience shapes lives for the future. The incredible thing is that this experience is not a set path, but has infinite possibilities. When choosing a college, you should ask yourself questions such as "What is my purpose in going to college?" "What are my goals?" "What do I want in life?" If you can answer these questions, it will help you define a path to reach those goals. If you know what you want and have a plan, go for it, even if it costs a good deal of money. Admittedly, sometimes common sense must be used (with respect to pricing), but there is truly no better investment thajn investment in yourself and others. Think of the returns!

Seek out a university or college with diversity. Diversity in people. Diversity in activities. Diversity in professors. Diversity in academic options. You may enter college having your whole life planned out, but life changes. Your world view changes. Your college or university should enrich you in a way that makes you understand more about what you think and why you think that to be true. Be challenged by listening to speakers, seeing performances, meeting with professors at the top of their fields, befriending an international student. Be challenged by the students in your classes. Seek out a university or college with many options to expand your opportunities. Check out their programs for study abroad and internships. Don't settle for something that seems to fit just for "people like you", but let college be a time to shape who you will become. Don't become something simply because you didn't see other options or have diverse experiences. Experience it all and then decide fully who you are and what you believe.

When I graduated, I didn't know where I wanted to attended. I ended up selecting the school were I had the most scholarship money. The school was fine, but it wasn't a great fit for me. During my freshmen year I decided to transfer to Iowa State and I love college now. It is important to select a school where you enjoy the atmosphere and will love spending your time. Make sure the university has a strong program for the area you are studying, but that's not the only thing that matters. Think about what you enjoy doing and see if the colleges you are looking at provide opportunities for you to explore those interests. Also, so if the overall campus values are a good fit for you -- if you're very liberal you may not enjoy attending a very conservative school or vice-versa. You'll be in college for at least four years. So, pick somewhere that is strong academically and will help you achieve your future career goals but also choose a school that supports your personal interests and values so that your next four years are happy ones.

The best advice for new college students and their parents is to be pro-active. The best way to ensure a positive college experience is to get involved in student activites, ask questions, and step outside the comfort zone. Engage professors in conversation, both in and out of the classroom. Talk to academic and financial advisors as they often know more opportunities for the student than a student may realize. Get involved in student activities on and off campus; This creates lasting relationships and life-long friends. Don't wait for things to happen. Rather, go out and do; It is only in this way that a student can reach their full potential in any educational institution.

The most important thing in choosing a college is how much you're going to get out of the overall experience. Academics is only one area of your college life. You need to look for things that could feed your hobbies because, for me, my hobby that I was doing here became my major and my life goal. You will never know how things will change in a single semester like they did for me. You also have to look for how your life is going to be outside of school work. Doing school work all the time will drive you to insanity and you'll miss out on the most important things about college. What fun things are there to do? Does there seem to be good community between students? What clubs can I join that I would enjoy? Sometimes I think that future students never look past the academics and end up in a very depressing or stale environment and get nothing more than head knowledge out of their potentially life changing college experience.

talk to other current students and ask a lot of questions go on campus tours and college visits

Focus on where would be best for your intended major first, but make sure the prospective school is well-rounded, too. Strongly consider going to a state university, and focus lastly on price. If every place you want to go is too expensive, look at the community colleges that transfer over most of their courses to the universities. They're just as good for first and second year courses and cost very little in comparison.

I think that it is important to think about how values vary from state to state. Just wanting get away from your parents isn't a good reason to jump states for college. I think that college experiences as far as people that you relate to and how well you get along with friends is better if you remain in the same state or a state with similar values. It is also important to decide on a major that you are interested in and not one that will make you a lot of money when you graduate. Also, remember that you're going to school to learn and not to party and drink your four years away.

Parents, encourage students to go where they see fit all the while helping them to make the right decision. Most headstrong students fresh from high school are going to the college they want to attend, so don't initiate a war of interest with your son/daughter. Make sure the financial situation is understood and planned for. College is a huge investment and most students in college have little spending money on account of heavy workloads and low paying part-time jobs. Do some solid research when you're getting ready for school students. Understand that it's going to take some effort and sacrafices to become predominent in your field. Academics always come first! First semester freshmen year is almost the most important semester, so don't get discouraged if you can't seem to manage your time. Most upperclassmen haven't even honed their schedules yet, especially if there are different things that change outside of class from week to week. On top of the academics be sure to meet new people; because afterall, no one is going to know who you are if you close yourself up in your room. The friends you make are lasting!

just find what interests you most and what is most accomidating for what you would like to learn

I would suggest looking at the career fairs and internship availability. These are very important tools throughout college and as you leave.

Your main purpose for going to college is to earn an education. You first need to find a college that offers the majors that will allow you to excel in your desired career. Next, you need to find a campus that you could call home. You will be at this school for four years, so you need to find a college that feels like a community and a place you enjoy living at. The third thing you should look for in a college is the extracurricular opportunities. You need to find a college that can provide you with the life experience needed to be successful. You need to be at a college that can allow you to participate in many activities including service learning, studying abroad, leadership organizations. An exceptional college has achieved a balance between academic and extracurricular opportunities. Once you have selected a college, the most important thing you can do is get involved. Find something you are passionate about and be a part of it. In doing this, you will meet people with the same interests as you, and you can form strong friendships which is a key part to a successful college experience.

Make sure that you can afford it unless you have a scholarshop, i think it's important to not have to owe too much money once you graduate and are looking for a job. But also make sure you feel at home on your campus and it offers the degree you're looking for

To find the right college, one must really know his or herself. Before going on all of those campus tours, filling out applications and choosing your home for the next few years, take a moment for yourself. Even though life is hectic right now, it is crucial to decipher what values are most important to you. This will lead you to the school that is most compatible to you and your goals. Which will make your journey most enjoyable and help you achieve your most successful future.