James Madison University Top Questions

When choosing which college to consider, it is best to imagine yourself living there for the next four years. This will be your alma mater--your mother school. You will learn here and futher mature in this established environment. Another thing to consider is the quality of the program of which you seek to gain a degree. Sure, it's easy to look for available majors, but it's also important to look deeper into the study; look at what classes they offer and see if any of them interest you. It is very important to make the most out of your college experience. Yes, you do in fact learn in this environment, but it's important to develop friendships and do a little soul-searching. For most, it's their first time away from their parents; there's a sense of independence that sparks as soon as the student steps out of that car and onto the college steps. Don't mask your true identity from others as well as yourself. Be who you want to be, not because someone expects you to be something, but because you want to. There's always someone wanting to find a connection.

Understanding the opportunities available on a campus is so important; I am so glad that I chose my school because it has literally any option a student could want. Classes are certainly what primarily bring a student body together, being that education is the primary reason for a university's establishment, but these clubs and activities are what allow us to diversify our experience and meet like minded students. Besides the friendships formed through involvement in these organizations, these organizations foster personal growth to match a student's education. Without finding passion, there is little use for education. Therefore, my best advice, which I wish someone had provided for me as a confused high school senior, would be to find a university where you are able to learn, where you will be able to grow as a person. My university is one of those magical places which fosters a balanced growth for students; no matter your interest, there is an outlet to enable students to pursue interests and learn more about themselves.

In order to find your right college you need to visit a few to get an idea of what type of campus you would like to attend. Some campuses are bigger than others with more students and not everyone fits into a large campus. With whatever school you decide fits you best whether is be a big school with large classroom size or a small school with small classroom size, make sure you take advantage of your professors office hours or schedule your own meetings with them. Transitioning from high school to college is a big step, bigger than more freshman realize until you start taking college tests. By taking advantage of one on one time with your professors, they will help you succeed and figure out the right study techniques and how to do well. Along with classes, it is always great to get involved. College is big, even small schools, and it is hard to get to know people, so by getting involved in clubs, sports, or fraternities and sororities, you can find your nitch and your life long friends, as well as have the best college experience you can possibly have!

College is a learning experience, not only academically, but personally as well. Being on your own and leaning how to take care of yourself and live with other people teaches you more than most classes will. Be open to new experiences and people; don?t concentrate solely on class work. While classes are obviously a main priority, college will be miserable if you don?t take the time to make friends and build relationships. Manage your time appropriately and you will succeed in classes and have time to have fun. Don?t load up on classes during your first semester; this will allow for an easier transition to college, and will prevent you from stressing out. Choose a few extracurricular activities and focus on them. This allows you to make friends and really become a part of a group. Trying to become involved in too many programs will be overwhelming and, overall, a waste of time. So, the summer before college, get excited for the coming year; you are about to embark on a totally new experience. Remember to enjoy every single day of it, though, because the time goes by faster than you think.

When I was looking at colleges, I was only deciding between two schools. Yet the decision was just as difficult as if I were deciding between ten. My advice is to take many tours and talk to as many current students as possible, preferably ones who are interested in the same program/s. Ultimately my decision came down to my gut feeling. I felt like I belonged more at one school than the other and today I can?t imagine attending any other school. No matter what school you end up choosing, it can only be as good as you make it! So make it amazing! Get involved in extracurricular activities. I joined and became a leader in many organizations. People in my major were very close knit. This was due in part to the fact that we worked in a studio environment. However, some of the people in my class would work at home instead of collaborating with those of us in the studio. Their work inevitably suffered, as did their relationships with the rest of the class. There are special bonds formed in college. You need to be an active participant to make your college experience a success.

Choosing the right college is very important. When deciding what college you want to go to its always important to be 100 {4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} sure that you want to be there and that it fits who you are. Size is something to really look at when determining what college you want to attend, whether you want a small college where the learning and classroom are very intimate or a large college where there are classrooms of over 200 people. Its important to decide how you like to learn and what works best for you.Also what I believe is important is to look at what the school offers and if those are things you enjoy. I know one thing that pulled JMU towards me was all the programs they had available for minorities which helped to make me feel as if they want to include more minorities and make us feel as if we belong at a majority white school. In order to make the most out of college it is important to feel that you are a valuable part of the college. So take action once you find the college thats right for you and enjoy the time you spend there.

Pick the right school for you. Having an award winning business program will do no good if you already know that the size/distance/religious orientation/mascot will make you too depressed to take advantage of it. Now you?ve picked the right school, packed enough possessions to ensure your parents are driving home with a full car because fitting all that stuff into that small dorm room that couldn?t possibly be meant for two, is a matter of physical impossibility, and now you?re alone and terrified. Everybody else feels the exact same way and are also looking for friends. You?ll never have an easier time making them than the first week. A sense of impending doom every time you sign up for a class is not a good thing. If the thought of completing your major and getting a corresponding career depresses you, maybe its time to change your major. This is not a sign of weakness; this is evolution on your journey of self-discovery. That ballroom dancing class that won?t contribute to completing your major and in no way will help your GPA or to get a job. Yeah, that one; take it.

Choosing a college that?s right for you can be quite daunting. Hopefully, my advice will make your decision a little bit easier. To avoid making a potentially regretful decision, listen to your inner voice, trust yourself and follow your heart. Your instincts will serve as your guide to a compatible school. By listening to yourself, you will find the school at which you feel most comfortable. You are setting up the foundation for a great college experience when you select a college where you feel content and welcome. The process of transitioning and integrating into college life will then be an easy one. Get involved in school events, sports, and student organizations, all of which will contribute to a better college experience. Your college life will be enriched by engaging in discussions with students about academics, career goals, common life experiences, and cultural differences. Its also important to stay organized, be on time, and whatever you do, don?t procrastinate. Find a happy medium between your academic and social life. Don?t get carried away with one aspect of college life. Finally, remember to enjoy your college days because they cannot be relived and are too precious to forego.

When selecting the right school you have to most definately trust your instincts. I firmly believe that every student has a corresponding school that best fits their personality and goals. The most important aspect is being able to determine it and follow through with it. When someone steps on a campus you will know its the right fit if you feel like it could be your home away from home and can invision yourself spending the next four years of your life there.

Think about the values and beliefs that you have grown up with. Integrate those values into your decision for a major considering the career fields you think you will go into after graduating. Once you have made it into college be sure to get involved. The more people you meet, and contacts you make, the more successful you can be in the future. Getting to know the people around you is one of the most important aspects of college life becuase you're building communications skills that you will be using for the rest of your life. Parents, don't pressure your kids to go to the school you want them to go to or have the career you want them to have because in the long run they will work harder torwards a goal, and be more successful, if it's something that truely interests them.

While going through the aplication process make sure to take your time and find out the most information you can about your college and what it has to offer. Make sure to visit the schools you are interested in because when you see the schools you will know which one fits your personality and academic goals the best. Parents should be very supportive of their children. This is a large step for an eighteen year old, young adult, so be supportive with guidance and positive attitudes.

The advice that I would give to prospective college students and their parents is to make sure that they visit the universities that their child wants to attend. When looking for a university you have to remember that this university will be your new home for the next 4 years, you have to make sure that you feel at home at the univeristy. Make sure that you will fit in with the people at the university by just being yourself and not having to conform to the others around you. To make the best of your college experience, set goals for yourself and aim for the stars, get involved in residential life, and make life long friends. But I will warn you don't let college change you, if anything you should make a change to the college with your attendance at the university, make the difference don't allow the university to change who you are. Stick to your morals and beliefs and follow your heart and do what is right, get involved and stay focused and you will have the best college experience possible.

Visit the campus and talk to as many students as you can. Decide if you feel comfortable on the campus. Ask a lot of questions about what students think of their school and the activities offered. Arrange to meet with the department head of your intended major. Ask them a lot about the requirements of the major and get the paperwork involved from them. Ask about job placement and internships. Finally, go with your first instincts - the impression you had when you first arrived. For example, if the campus is too large then you probably won't feel comfortable at any large school.

in regards to finding the right college, you should definitely go on campus tours and expand your options. You may think a small school is what you want, but a bigger school may be in a better fit for you classes wise and socially. Don't limit your options. To make the most of your college experience you should try and make friends with different groups of people so you can always be doing something different and learning something new.

The college experience is certainly unpredictable however; there are a few tips I have learned that will guarantee success through those four magnificent years after high school. The first step is choosing the right college for you. Ask yourself the following questions; Can I see myself here? How far is it from home? Would I be happy here? Do I like the campus size, sex ratio, architecture, and on-campus housing? Consider all the aspects of the college you choose because this will determine more than the next four years, it will determine your entire future. The second piece of advice is the most important. As a college student, I face an everyday struggle of low financial funds. With the cost of books, tuition, room and board, furniture, and many everyday expenses, I find myself worrying everyday about how I am going to pay for everything. This brings an extreme problem to my life considering I am already stressed about academic issues. I would strongly recommend parents and students think ahead of time by starting out a college fund for the child immediately. This way everything could be paid for, placing less stress on the student.

I would tell students and their parents to start their research early. While the student is in tenth grade at the latest. They need to try to decide what the student will go to school for, and whether they will go in or out of state to a big or small school. That way the student will pick the college where they will be most comfortable. They should also visit different campuses to see how the student feels at each place. In order to make the most of the college experience, the student should get involved in the school as much as possible. Making friends and doing well in their classes will make the experience wonderful. It is only four years long! So each student should make the most of the four years by trying different sports and clubs, maybe even a sorority or a fraternity. College is supposed to be the best time of a person's life. As long as the student is open to change and trying new things, and doing well in school, they should do great.

In order to find the right college, you need to weigh the following factor's pros and cons: cost, financial aid received, distance from home, what majors they are most known for, and extra curriculars offered. To make the most of your college experience, take your freshman year to take general classes in several topics so that by sophomore year, you have a good idea of which type of career you would like to pursue. Also, while it is important to have a social life and make new friends, it is also important to set aside time to get reading and work done because it is easy to fall behind. It is also easy to fall into the party scene so it is vital that you discover what is really best for you and academic career and be confident in your skin; think- "Is what I'm doing now really going to help me in the future or matter at all then?"

I would consider myself an expert on college. I have attended three different schools and changed my major at least five times. I am 22 years old. My college experience has been a long and very often frustrating road. I was never the child that knew I wanted to be a teacher, or a pilot, or an engineer from 10 years old. I never felt as if I'd found my niche. I'm sure many other teens feel the same way. At 18 we are expected to have figured out the rest of our natural lives. For me, that prospect was overwhelming. And so, five years later and $50,000 in debt, the best advice I can offer is patience. Understand that learning is a process, and there are no wrong decisions, just lessons learned. Be patient with yourself, and accept each experience as an opportunity to grow. Learn to take responsibility and know that you alone determine your success. It will seem difficult at times, but if you remember to always learn from your experiences, always grow in wisdom, and most importantly, always trust yourself you will undoubtedly have a rewarding college experience.

Just hope for the best. you really can't tell what you are getting into and youll always have doubts after the fact.

Be sure you visit the univeristy or college and take a tour that is provided by the university. Choose a school that has a profile which you believe best fits you and your lifestyle. When you go to visit, sit in on classes, talk to current students, meet with financial aid, check out the buildings, speak/meet professors, etc...find out as much information you can from hands on encounters as opposed to just reading information. Be sure to check out the town and surrounding area to the school to make sure that it is somethink you could see yourself enjoying. Visit career planning and check out the majors and programs that are provided as well. Overall, make sure it is somewhere you could see yourself being comfortable and consider factors like distance from home, demographics, etc.

I would say to visit as many colleges as possible before making any final decisions. It is important to know what you are looking for, so you are satisfied with your choice. Do research, visit schools, get advice from college students, explore the school's location, and apply to schools in state as well as out of state. Be open-minded, and don't be afraid to go too far from home. Attending college has been the best experience of my life so far, so no matter where you choose to go to school, enjoy it, and meet as many people as you can, get involved with extra curricular activities, and take classes to simply learn about an interesting subject, not just because you have to take the class. It is your time to explore, so take advantage of this amazing opportunity, and learn something new about yourself and others around you. You will gain a new perspective of the world, life-long friends, an education, and the experience of a lifetime!

The best advice is to visit the school if possible. You can learn a lot about the school from taking a trip to the campus and getting the "vibe." It also helps if you can take multiple trips to the school. The traditional campus tour given by student ambassadors is very informative and can provide a lot of information about logisitical and technical parts of the school like building locations, dining services, dormitories, and financial aid, however, if possible, the student should talk to other students attending the campus and get their opinion. They are more willing to talk about classes and their experience, and are not obligated by the university like the student ambassadors would be to only talk about certain aspects of the school. Also, the college students are more often than not going to be able to answer a lot of questions about the area around the school, like the town and what things there are to do. They are probably more willing to give their advice about what to do before enrolling and will let you know any mistakes they made or should have done. By talking to more students, you can get the true vibe.

I would recomment that the students choose the school that they feel is most suitable for them. Parents should not choose the schools because they are not the ones who will be attending the school. The school for the student should make the student feel like he or she belongs to the school and that he or she is able to express his or herself. With all of that being taken care of, achieving the requirements for graduation should be attainable. Also, the college that the student chooses should have a good program for the major that the student wants to persue.

Make sure to explore any campus you are interested in. Don't hesitate to travel to the college of your choice and take a tour. This is the only way one can get a feel for the life of that college and somewhat experience its campus. I would not recommend chosing a college you have never visited before in person. Once you have choosen a few colleges to apply to, keep an opened mind and write your essays from true experiences that stand out and make you, you. You need to tell the college why your an important asset to their campus, and what you will do to be an important asset to their college community. Once you have been accepted, be open and willing to try new things. Dorms will be strange at first, but there you will meet some of your life long friends. Make sure you get to know your professors, for they are the ones that can direct you towards internship oppurtunities and job oppurtunities. Don't hesitate to join clubs, they're fun ways to meet new people outside of your dorm, and give you a nice break from studying. Most importantly, have fun!

I would suggest that students do their best to not only pay attention during school tours, but also be aware of the student body (both in person as well as demographics). School size can be more important than one might think. Weigh out the pros and cons of each possible school, and do not make snap judgements.

Make sure you visit the school first and that when your there you KNOW your at the school you just cant be without. Make sure you also research financial aid and know what kind of loans you qualify for. Also, if you live in a state with decent schools seriously consider them since they will be less expensive; but if you LOVE a school out of state then go for it you shouldn't feel OBLIGATED to go to an in-state school just because its cheaper. Also, know that if you want to go to a school that is on the expensive side that you go for it -- anything can be done and if you really want it you can get it, don't let the cost of tuition be the decision factor; don't let it ruin your dreams. Good luck!

I believe that the best way to determine the right fit is to physically visit as many campuses as possible. Lots of schools look nice online, but you must visit them in person to get a good perspective. Also, in order to make the most out of your college experience, try everything the school offers/has available. Go to fun guest lectures, concerts, sporting events, do community service, get involved with campus organizations and most importantly, just be open-minded.

It helps to get a feel for the social scene by spending an overnight at your college of choice.

When choosing a school first make sure the size it right for you. Also, visit the campus and make sure you like the atmosphere and that the people you meet are friendly and helpful. Although you may want to make life easier, find out from students whether the classes and workload are challenging. If they aren't you'll end up bored and feel like your either not learning anything or wasting your time. Find out housing availability on and off campus- you will spend most of your down time either in a dorm or apartment, so finding a comfortable living situation is very important. Advice: get involved in clubs, intramurals, etc- it's a great way to meet people, as well as a comfort zone for new students. Also, try to meet as many people as you can and try not to write anyone off too quickly. And most important follow my motto: Work hard play hard- after all college is supposed to be fun!!!

I would say to make sure you really check into the financial aid department. See if they give freshman MUCH BIGGER packages than every other class. Also, make sure your student is happy there. These days money really isn't an issue. You can always borrow more. If the student is forced to go somewhere they feel miserable then chances are they won't last long, so make sure the college is the right fit for them. Make sure to visit each college you are considering too. They always feel different than they do on paper so once you are somewhere you feel you belong, you will know you found the right place.

look at the variety of programs offered for your interest, the staff and LOCATION. Find the best scores among these three variables for the school that suilts you. Remember that the choice of classes that you want to take freshman year is FAR from permanant. The # 1 thin to remember is you only get 4 years (sometimes 2) to learn about anything. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS

I would recommend that you visit each of the schools that you apply to; take a good look at the students surrounding you. Ask yourself if you could see yourself as one of those students passing by. Ask yourself if you can see yourself on the said campus. That is one of the first things that attracted me to JMU, as soon as I set foot on campus I felt at home. And home is exactly what it is going to be for the next year, so it is really important to feel like you can fit in there. Once you have made a decison, I would recommend looking into various organizations and clubs. Get involved! The more active you are in the school, the more the school can do for you!

The more colleges you look at the better. Also, don't just take the campus tour, if possible, stay on the weekends or after school hours to get a true feel for what the campus is really like.

Make sure you do a lot of research

Finding the right college is not always a promised thing. It takes time and effort. I suggest always visiting the campus and taking a guided tour. Tour guides will give you information that you won't find online, and you can always ask a question that you would personally like to know. The right college won't always smack you in the face, but when going on the tours, note which campus you feel the most comfortable on...the one you don't feel like you have to change to impress people. Look at class sizes, town population, sports ranks, party atmosphere, study atmosphere and anything else you may be interested in. The most important thing is making the best of college. No matter what campus you choose, YOU are the one that decides whether the years spent there will be memory-filled and amazing or the worst time ever. Dive in to the activites you like and don't be afraid to take chances. Study hard, because it does pay off. Even if the first couple of months you feel homesick, try your hardest, make friends and be positive.

While you are deciding which college to attend, it's important to visit the college campus and have an open mind. Take a campus tour and ask students questions about their likes and dislikes about the school and what they're involved in. While on the tour, try and picture yourself as a student. Think about your priorities in a college. Consider the size of the school, greek influence, on /off-campus housing availability, student activities, gender ratio, religion, competitiveness, tuition/financial aid, what majors the school is known for, etc. If you are unsure of what you want to study, you should to look into a liberal arts college. They emphasize a well-rounded education and offer resources to help you choose a major. If you have time on your visit, eat lunch at a campus dining hall to see how students interract. Once you move in, get out there! Don't be shy, everyone is the "new guy." Study hard right from the start and keep an open mind when meeting people. Be yourself. Look at your club/organization options and join slowly. You don't want to spread yourself thin, but you do want to be involved.

My advice would be to visit the schools as much as possible before making a decision. I would recommend spending a couple nights there which would allow you to see how the dorms are, how the meal plans work and just give an overall feel for campus that isn't the one they present to you on special visitor days. Sometimes the schools put on a show for these special days and it gives a different impression than if you visited yourself. I also suggest visiting some classes so you get an idea of how things are conducted in the classroom. I would talk to people other than your friends who go there because they might just show you the good aspects of the school if they want you to go there. Plus, people who are different from you might offer a different perspective on the school completely. One last thing I would do is see what the surrounding area has to offer. You will more than likely move off campus eventually and want to know the area around you.

Visit as many campuses as you can. When you find the right school, you'll know it. Just follow your heart and whats best for you. Your college experience is what you make it. Have fun and do everything you want because most likely you will never get the chance to do it again.

Research financial options because schools do not take into account all of the expenses associated with going to college. Find an upperclassman in the major you are interesed in at the schools that you are researching and see if you can shadow them for a day or two and see how their life is. Branch out from what you are used to. If you grew up in a big city, attend college in a small town--its only four years and who knows, you may like it. The same applies for those that grew up in small towns, attend college in a larger city. Lastly, move away from your parents and grow from your independence. No matter how much you learn in college, without having to rely on yourself and respond to daily life issues, you haven't learned what is important.

Let their kid decide in the end and make sure that the school is a good fit for his/her personality.

Look at your financial situation so that you will be able to attend all four years if you want to. Make sure you learn really good study skills in high school because it will make a huge difference in your success at college. Don't judge a book by its cover, look deeper into what you really want from a college and is it a good fit for you. Actually look at the kind of person you are within your family, don't just think you want to go away from home to get away from your parents, because if you really are close to your family and you pick a school far away the college experience could be negative because you are so homesick. Try and think about the things that make you happy and think about those things when making your decision to attend a school. Talk to the students that already attend the school and get honest feedback. Try to get involved in something at the school so that you feel you fit in better . Work to your full potential in school because it makes a difference in the colleges that select you for admissions.

You should definitley go and visit all of the schools that you think you might be interested in. Set up some meetings with the professors in the field you are seeking a degree in and also see if there are any other students available to talk to in your field. It's worthwhile to get a feel for the college life to make sure whatever school you pick fits your mold. You should feel at home there seeing as it will be your home during your the years you spend there.

I think that the best way to find the right college is to go to as many schools as you can, and just walk around and relax. Not a campus tour, but try to get the feeling of the school for yourself. Also go during the school year and try to talk to some of the students about their experiences there and try to sit in on a class. I would also look at the courses that they offer and make sure that they have exactally what you are looking for and not something kinda like what you want to do. And the last piece of advice i would give, is to go with your gut. You want to get to the right school the first time around. Transfering is not so much fun. It's like starting all over again. As for making the most out of your experience there, it's not about how many clubs you're in, or if you were class president, find a tight group of friends and have the greatest time of your life with them.

I would advise students to choose a school that offers a wide variety of acedemic programs. There are few students that come to college and know exactly what they want. If you attend a university with a wide range of majors to choose from there is more flexibility when you decide what career path to take. Your college years are some of the most important in your life, so dont let money and distance stop you! College holds so much oppertunity and will impact the person you become, therefore the dynamic of the school is also very important. I find so much joy in the community and school spirit that my university brings. There is a great balance at JMU between students acedemic life and social life. I would advise all prospective families to seek this balance, it gives students freedom to be creative and use their interests in many differnt avenues. My last bit of advise would be to take into consideration the size of the school. The larger universities sometimes have larger classes and can be overwhelming at first while smaller schools will be more intimiate, but its all up to you! Happy Deciding!

Definitely put a lot of thought and effort into choosing the college that is right for you. Make sure you visit several campuses, sign up for a campus tour, sit in on a class, and make an effort to speak with students and faculty. You want to make sure that you can get a feel for the atmosphere that each college has to offer. Stop and think if you can see yourself fitting in there, spending the next four years of your life wandering around that particular campus, and interacting with the people there. Consider your personal values and interests and evaluate whether those particular aspects of your life will be fulfilled at this school. If you come away with a positive experience and optimistic answers to these questions, then chances are that you've found the college where you belong. Once you accept their offer of admission and you move in the next fall, just make sure to be yourself. Keep an open mind and be respectful of others who may be quite different from you, but don't compromise the values and beliefs that make you who you are. Stay true to yourself and have a great time!

First, I would say don't always chose a college because they have the major you want. I know I personally, and at least half of my peers, have ended up changing their major at some point. Find a college that suits your identity and meets your needs. You should be proud of the college you attend and since you have to be there (as most jobs these days require a college education), you might as well enjoy it. Take the time and visit schools to check them out for yourself and evaluate if you can see yourself there. When you do decide on a school, definately live on campus for freshman year. I know I personally hated how small the dorms were and I spent many nights bitterly awake from my roommate's snoring. However, it was honestly the time of my life. You meet so many new people and gain experiences that will be with you forever. Maximize your college experience by putting your maximum effort into succeeding in your academics because that's why your there in the first place. Participate in activities that interest you and be fearless in meeting new people. Lastly, enjoy the ride!

I think it's really important to visit a college. Don't worry about prestige or sports teams or anything superficial like that. The most important thing about finding the right college is finding where you feel happy and where you think you will be most comfortable. I could have gone to more prestigious schools, but chose not to because I didn't think I would be able to really enjoy my college experience. Grades are important, but it's the experience you're really paying for and that you're really going to remember. To take advantage of your experience, I would recommend staying in dorms; you meet more people and it is a more traditional college experience. Try and have fun, and take advantage of the college counseling centers. They are an underused resource and are there for a reason!

Try not to get lost in the social life that JMU offers. It's extremely active every single weekend of the year and you can get lost in it faster than you would believe.

I would tell parents and/or students that they should actually go to the school so they can see for themselves what type of atmosphere the school is in. I would tell the student to check on-line for reviews of different colleges, so they can find out whether it has a big Greek population or how much diversity is really there. Making friends on social networking sites from different schools, and asking them about the schools is also something that would be smart to do. To make the most out of your college experience, I definitely say particiapte in all the extra-curricular activities you can. That is where you will meet new people and learn more about yourself.

Finding the right college for you or your child is probably the most important decision you will have to make for the next four years. Make sure you look into what majors are offered, financial aid availability, extracurricular activities offered, housing availability, facilities and of course... cost! Just because a school isn't ranked number one by others does not mean that it couldn't be number one for you. Every school has different ups and downs and it is important to decide before you apply what you need and want in a college/university. Talk to students that go to the school and go on a tour. Reading from websites and books can't even begin to explain what a college is all about.