James Madison University Top Questions

First and foremost, make sure to apply to multiple colleges. There is no way someone can choose the best college for themself if they only have one choice. Secondly, try to visit each school to get a feel for the campus. Most students and parents will be able to tell if they will like the school based on a tour of the campus. It probably would be a good idea to choose a school that isn't really close to home, as it will be too tempting for the student to go home often, resulting in them missing out on a lot of the college experience. It is also important to try and get involved on campus. Whether it's joining a club, a fraternity/sorority, or playing sports, students should always try to find something to get involved in. There is no greater way to meet people and to have memory-making experiences than through getting involved.

When you get that gut feeling that tells you to go for it, listen to it! From day one of filling out applications, I knew I wanted to go to JMU! I spent my last year of high school studying all day every day just to get into the University of my dreams. Now that I'm here, I couldn't ask for more. I work on campus for Residence Life and the working community on campus is closely related and very interactive. All I suggest is to do your best. Only you, student, can decide what college is for you. If you have ANY doubts, talk it over with someone who works for the University, I'm sure they will be of great assistance! Follow your heart, and your dreams will come!

Apply to a lot of places - you never know what a school might give you to get you to come there. Tour a lot of places too because you will be surprised. You have to see many different places to know what you want. if you don't choose the right school, you can always transfer!

Make sure before your senior year of High school that you take the time to visit many different colleges while they are in session. It is important to get a feel for what the environment is like during a busy school day and this allows you to see what the students are like. Also, take the opportunity to go on a school sponsored tour by a student who attends the university. This will allow you to see parts of the campus that you otherwise may not think to explore if you are just walking around with your family. Most importantly, if you know anyone at the school then try to spend a night on the weekend there to see what all is offered for entertainment on the weekend. These will be the best four years of your life, make sure you pick a place that you love!

If you know what you want to do in life, you will succeed better academically at an earlier time than not knowing what you want. Make sure you know what you're getting into in terms of career choices and potential income in the future - be realistic with your goals. Make friends that you would not have made in high school, leave your old self -any doubts, anger, frustration - behind you and be open to new experiences and ideas about yourself, your relationships, and the decisions you make.

Make sure that you feel COMFORTABLE when you visit the campus! Plan for the future too, will there be off campus housing? Is there another major you are interested in if you change your major? Does the school offer clubs and extracurriculars that you may enjoy? Be excited about your decision! THESE ARE THE BEST YEARS OF YOUR LIFE AND THEY WILL BE OVER BEFORE YOU KNOW IT!

If you don't like it once you've adapted, transfer schools.

Visiting the campus before you make your decision is the most helpful advice I can give. I thought I knew where I wanted to go, but after visiting all three of the colleges I applied for, the choice was made for me. I knew that the atmosphere at James Madison University was excatly what I was looking for. Also, check to make sure that the school your looking into has the program your looking for, and has a good reputation for that major. If your undecided, pick a school that is flexible with the types of programs they offer. Ask people in the field of study your looking into to hear their opinions about which school to attend. Overall, pick a school that matches your personality and everything else will fall into place!

Do not look based on the name. Look at places you would not consider; they might turn out to be your favorite.

Parents and student need to choose the right college together, based on financial and academic needs, but also keep in mind the choice of the student. College is the time to find out more about yourself, as well as what you want out of life. So, choosing the right college is very important. Students should not conform to how their other classmates are picking a school, and should also avoid stereoptypes. Students should not be afraid to choose the certain school that they want, that may not be what others would expect. The next four years or so are spent there, so they should choose a university that they will actually enjoy, but not just "fit in." Making the most of the college experience is so important. Students and parents alike both learn so much about themselves during this time. Parents need to remember that they most likely had a time where they needed to branch out and find themselves, and to let their child experience that as well. Communication, and absolute support are very important for parents and students to understand in order for their time in college to be the best that they can experience.

I would advise them to try and visit the campuses of interest, sit and discuss the pros and con's of each one to narrow your selection. To prepare for college with the right frame of mind and attitude. Even though you are not living with your parents rules ,make sure you use what you have learened from them and try to live accordingly at school , don't try to be something you are not.Build on that foundation and become the best adult that you can be. Remember your family is just a phone call away, so stay in touch.

The best advice that I would give parents and students concerning college choice is to be confident. No matter where you go, you're going to have a great time and meet a lot of amazing people that will change your life. Be confident in your choice and don't stress about making sure you made the right decision, you did. I remember applying for colleges and losing countless hours of sleep trying to make the right decision, but in the end I realized I was going to be fine wherever I went. You WILL be fine, you WILL have a great time, and you WILL adjust perfectly. To gain the most out of your college experience I would say to approach everything with an open mind. Join some clubs that you're unsure about. The best decision I made freshman year was joining the Caving Club, when I have never caved before in my life. I met some really awesome people and learned a neat new activity. Don't write things off because you've never tried them before. College is about finding yourself, open up and figure out who you are!

It's not just about academics. The school has to provide an applicant with their own personal needs such as what kind of people they want to surround themselves with, what size school they prefer, what kind of social life there is, and what the school in general has to offer. Visiting schools is a must so you can really get a feel for them. College is hard work but there's a lot of fun that comes out of it too, you just have to have your head on straight and it will be one of the best experiences of your life.

I think the right college for a person is the surroundings around it, and how far away from home it is, and how the student interaction is.

I think it's incredibly important to find a school that works best for you. It's necessary to visit schools before you even apply, and then again visit them a second time once you have gotten into schools. Sometimes the atmosphere is different once you are accepted somewhere. And no matter where your friends go, for example my best friend went to Virginia Tech, in the long-term outlook on life, going to a school that is the better fit for you in more important than going because your best friend went there. It is important to know about the extra-curricular activities, the area surrounding the college, and how you feel about the students and faculty that you have come to know during your visits. It's also wise to look into all the academic fields offered to know if they have the major, or a choice of majors that will suit you best for you to major in! And then once you're there, make sure to become as involved as possible: attending sporting events, participating in clubs, I joined the national honors society and love it, volunteer, and make lifelong friends!!

I definitely would apply to as many colleges as you can but also to visit the campus and go to guided tours to see if the campus is just right for you.

go visit colleges and make a list of what kind of environment you want to go to school in and which schools have the majors you want to major in

If there was any advice to give to the parents I would tell them parents to let their child decide what college/university they would like to go to, because in the long run their child is the one that will have to live and learn in that particular environment. I would also tell the student to try really hard to apply to schools that fit their needs as far as social, academic, as well as financial. I will also advise the student not to be persuaded to go to a particular college/university because of the parties and alcohol that?s practically available to anyone. Finally, I would tell the student to never be afraid to attend clubs and school activities, because it?s a great way to gain new friends and really make the best out of the college experience.

Selecting a college is a big deal. Sure, choosing one based on what you want to do with your life is a big deal, but looking beyond that is so much more. When my parents and I were searching for colleges, we looked outside of trying to find a college with a strong program. We looked at available resources on campus - security, academic, organizations, guidance, health centers - and we looked into similar resources in the surrounding area. You don't want to send your child to a college that has a high crime rate with no health center on campus, do you? Once you choose the right college, making the most of it is what counts. Are you really going to spend every waking moment at the library studying? No way. That gets old. Even the brainiest of bookworms needs an outlet for fun! Getting involved in even one organization can help make the most of your college experience. I've met most of, if not all of, my closest friends through the organizations I'm in, and you're guaranteed to share an interest in something. College is such a great part of your life; make it worth it.