Miami University-Oxford Top Questions

The most important thing about finding the right college is doing what feels right. This may seem like a cliche, but this statement is incredibly true. If a person visits a college their parents love, but it does not appeal to their own personal liking as a college student, then that person will have a lousy college experience. Finding the right college may, indeed, involve looking at tuition costs and the location of the campus, but it is more important to have that feeling of being "home" when actually away at school. College is a colossal part of a person's life and can change them for the better once they have experienced it. It will build friendships and relationships, as well as promote learning and endless possibilities for one's future. To first have these experiences, however, a person must go with their first instincts of where they know they will be at home for the next four years of their learning career.

College can be a very vital part of your growth as a human being. You want to be sure to pick an environment you feel comfortable in and one you feel like you belong. It might be wise to get in touch with students who currently attend the colleges you are interested in, in order to understand what the classes are like and what the other students are like. It is also important to go to a place that fits you academically. Even if you get accepted to a very competitive and prestigious school, it doesn't mean that you will be happy there. You don't want to struggle through your classes and overwork yourself. Having friends and a social life during college is essential as well because it helps to veer away from the stress of schoolwork at times. It is a good idea to find the balance between challenging and ease. College really does change you. I find that I have definitely grown as a person and learned a lot more about myself. I have experienced, learned, and gained knowledge through my professors and through others. Be wise and choose what feels right.

I would suggest that the best thing to do when finding the right college is to visit the school more than once when students are present. When you are surrounded by a group of people you feel you fit in with, it is not difficult to know that you are making the right decision. Don't limit your choices, apply for schools you may not qualiify academically for, challenge yourself. I would also suggest participating in as many activties as you can for the school (advisor meetings, visits, etc..). As for the college experience, getting involved is the number one thing. I am on a club sports team and in a sorority and they are my life i love them and i still have time to do well academically.

I would say for the students to find an environment that they are most comfortable with. This is most important because there are so many good schools that offer what you want to study. That is the second thing, go to a college that is fairly good at teaching what you want to study and also send in as many applications as possible as well as taking the ACT and SAT. Lastly, when you get to the college, try to get involved. You will make more friends and have a better time if you get involved with activities. To the parents, I would say for them to not force their child to go to a school but rather help their child find a school that they enjoy. Lastly, as at my orientation, try not to be over protective. It stops your child from growing and becoming independent.

Look at the people who are there on your campus tour and see if you can really see yourself being friends with them.

Be sure to visit the department you are interested in. Doing so will help you feel more comfortable when you arrive for the school year. Also, contact advisers within the major or department to talk with them about outside opportunities or programs you should keep in mind for the future. This will help you better-prepare your requirements as well as get you good practice in the field.

Each prospective college student should visit the campus during the class week in the middle of a school semester in order to appreciate the genuine feel of the campus. The visitor should note the behaviors of current students during their free time, as well as the interest of students duringclass. These qualities are the most important for estimating how comfortable he or she will be at that school. How often students study will also be an important guage of the academic demands of the school. In the college experience, organization, preparedness and enthusiasm are key elements for success. Dorm rooms are small, particularly when shared with one or more other student. An organized and peaceful living space is as important as the classrooms themselves, if not more so. Preparedness for class will prevent unnecessary stress during the school year, particularly during the first semester of the first year. Most of all, enthusiasm for the new school, classes, roommates and people will acclimate a new student and welcome the changes college brings.

College is a very important time of the students life. A student needs to find a college that has the major that he or she thinks they want to pursue. Also the college should have the same morals, values and just similar extracurricular activies that apply with the student. Price is also an issure, especially in this hard economic time, so if a school gives the student a lot of money in scholarships, he or she should really look into that, only if the college is suitable for the student. When in school, it is important to both study and enjoy college at the same time. All play and no work can back fire quickly, even ending in failing. All work and no play can also backfire and contribute to the student not being a well-rounded person. A good balance between studying and going out and enjoying college life is essential fo rthe student to realize. The people that the student will meet during his or her time at college is also a very important part of the life. They can make or break how much the student ends up enjoying the college.

TAKE YOUR TIME!! DONT RUSH IT. This is an important step in your life, and you want to make sure that the school you select fits you in a variety of ways. Dont go becuase someone expects to attened that school, or because your friends are going there too, because your real friends will always be there no matter what. You have to make this selection for your, because this is the building block for the rest of your life!

I would tell them to live life to the absolute fullest. These are four years of your life where you have very little responsibility other then keeping grades. You're finally on your own, and you should go somewhere where you can discover who you really are. Also, don't be afraid to pursue your own desires. This is your time to make yourself into the person you want to be, a fresh start. You are going to college to benefit yourself, so major in something that makes you happy, something you want to do for the rest of your life. I would recommend entering college with an open mind, and be willing to try anything and everything. There are so many things to discover, especially if you are away from home for the first time. Your social game lies entirely in your own hands, make the most of it. It is college where you may meet your friends that will be around forever, and you may even meet your future spouse. If your not open minded, these things may pass you by. Just remember that this is your time, your moment. No one can take that away.

Do not panic about test scores and GPA's.

I would advise parents and students to talke about what the student expects out of the college experience. Parents and students need to have real conversation about the cost of education and where that money will come from. This real expectation will help define what type of college is affordable and best sited to the students wishes. Both parent and student need to honestly evaluate the home sickness factor and just how far away is far enough. To sum it up real communication and expectations on both parent and students part.

I would advise parents and/or students to be actively engaged at their college. Typically the students who do not seek social events, communicate with faculty members, or other students will not fulfill their college experience. As long as the student makes sure he or/she is committed to their studies and is giving back to their community, they will be successful. In addition the student should know they need to balance their social and academic life. If they are able to go out with friends and have fun while still performing at a high level in the classroom and remain committed to their committments everything will be fine.

Parents and Students should look at ALL aspects of the college. There is more to a college then majors, cost of attendance, and distance from home. People forget to think about the people that go there. Are they artsy, sorority girls, atheletes, nerds, or binge drinkers? Students can ultimately be unhappy no matter what school, because the school doesn't fit them. It is not about being the best student for that school, but about the school being the best for the student.

The advice I would give to parents/and or students when making the choice for the right college is to actually visit the campus. There is a great deal of research that you need to to before you whittle your choices down. It's important to think about your own lifestyle and your family closeness. This determines how far away you feel you can live. Once you have your choices, it's vital to visit the campus during a group tour. Every campus has it's own feel and personality. You will get to know it as you walk around the campus. By the end of the tour you will know if the college fits you or not. Along those lines, it's important to look at the types of extra curriculars that are offered to see if they are compatible with your interests. Besides studying and keeping your grades up, it's important to get out and get involved in those extra curriculars. College is about meeting people and making connections as much as it is about curriculum. These are friends you could have for the rest of your life! Make the most of everything offered outside of classes!

My first part of advice is the most important: ultimately it has to be the student's decision, because otherwise there is almost no chance of success in terms of "finding the right college". Beyond that I think it is crucial to consider three aspects of the school you could possibly attend: location, size and atmosphere. Location because if you are looking to stay close to home (whether to mooch off of mom's food or to enjoy family company) then flying halfway across the country and isolating yourself is definitely not a good choice. Conversely, if you are dying for some true freedom and independence, then a few hundred miles can be a great bonus. Size is also important because generally campus size and class size correlate. So if you want a lot of contact with professors, I recommend looking toward smaller schools. And finally atmosphere. You have to decide if you are looking for a college in a big city where there is lots to do but everything is expensive, or a more rural experience, where life is only on the campus itself. All these considered, all you need to make the most of college is self motivation.

Within reason, go with your instincts

Invest the time and effort to totally understand the college experience offered; the academic expectations/fit. How comfortable will you be at this school - shared interests with other students? Do not be misled to attend a certain school simply because it may be the "right thing" to do. Feel good about your choice that you make, and be an involved citizen! The college experience will only get better and better - imploring success!

Make sure to do your research and find out what programs the school offers, how the professors are viewed by academic experts in their field and be practical about the distance from home, costs and programs offered. If any of these things don't meet your expecatations, you would be better off picking another school.

Figure out what aspects of a university are the most important to the student, be it academic reputation, financial aid availability, Greek life, etc. Research schools and evaluate them using these criteria. Visit some of your top choices when students are on campus and ask them questions about their experience at the school. Once you start college, it is very important to keep an open mind! You will encounter all types of different people, and you may miss out on a good friend if you adhere to a pre-conceived notion about the person.

Choose the school that you feel the most comfortable at because the first year is a rough one and in order for you to succeed you should be the most comfortable you can be.

The one piece of advice I would give would be to not only research the college or university but also the possible major. From personal experience, I fould an amazing school but when I learned more about my major, I realized that I didn't like the program and the way it was set up. It is important to research everything possible because the more you know the easier it will be to narrow down the list of colleges to find the perfect match. As much as research may not be fun, it will be completely worth it!

First of all, I would not recommend going to a school that you have not visited thoroughly. And by visit, I don't just mean go there for part of a day and take the one-hour orientation (though you should do that too), I mean exploring the campus on your own, talking to students there, and DEFINITELY visit while school is in session--you can't get the feel for a school when the students are gone. Second, research, and do it well. There are so many resources out there now, especially with the internet, and tons of great books about colleges that compare them. Third, make a list of what YOU want in a college, and once you have narrowed down a decent sized list, make negatives/positives comparison charts for them. Once in college, explore extracurriculars as much as you can; take every opportunity possible to expand your network of friends and meet new people. Be active in utilizing any resources your college has, especially along the lines of advising, internships, and career services. College is what you make of it--and an amazing, holistic college experience is not just going to fall into your lap.

Look for people friendly schools. Places that don't treat you like you're part of the herd. Places with great staff and faculty and if you know what you're major is going to be look for places that have a strong department for that. There's a lot to think about and look over when applying to schools so college visits are a must, also so is a gut feeling. If you see the school and fall in love there's a good chance it's the one for you. There are going to be problems with every school but you have to know what you're still willing to compromise on and what you are not. If I had to do this again with my family I would be asking them to go through everything with me and break down the school itself and the community surrounding it. And don't overdo anything, find a middle ground and build from there it's better to make mistakes and learn from them then wandering around with your head in the clouds. College is a time to learn and grow let your kids stand on their own feet.

Students who want to explore the possibilites of varying career options, choose a school focused on liberal education. If a career path isn't figured out going into school, jut declare undecided. No one has it all figured out. Explore, explore, explore! Walk the world like you own it, go abroad. I have learened that taking big risks can lead to big rewards. Remember, college is a "clean slate" start, consider it a second chance. No one knows of your past, so make these 4 years a wonderful memory you'll never forget. Every college has drinkers, druggies, geeks, etc. , pick your friends carefully. What you do here will reflect on your career and lifestyle as you prepare yourself to step out into the real world. Get involved. It will help you destress and stay active. Remember, play hard and work hard! Parents, they will make mistakes, but let them fix it. Continue being supportive /involved in their life. They will still need you when things fall apart. There is no comfort like a mother's/father's hug. Just don't over do it. I know what I say isn't new, but sometimes it helps to be reminded.

The right college is somewhere you feel safe and accepted, and may not be where you expect. I visited Miami's campus, and immediately felt at home. Since being here, I have gotten involved with several clubs, got a job on campus, and have lived on campus for the past two years. I attend hockey games religiously, and try to go to other sports and culutural events as well. I didn't join a sorority, but several of my friends went Greek, as it was a good fit for them. I definitely made the right choice coming to Miami University of Ohio.

Always look for what fits your best interest. Do not be afraid to make the tough decisions and if you need some advice contact me. I can always give you some interesting things to consider.

First off, choose a school for its education. No matter how much you love the surrounding atmosphere, college is a place to learn, and you need good teachers and classroom environment to do that. Definitely choose a place where you can be involved in extracurriculars as well - finding a group that you love, be it a sport, literary club, or Spanish club, really helps in the adjustment process because those friends become your family away from home. Also, look into the social scene. Parties and dancing sound fun, but when there's nothing to do on the weekends but drink, you may end up regretting that college choice (now or later). Don't obsess over things - do well academically, physically, and socially, but don't get bogged down by a B or not making the soccer team. BE HAPPY. Expect the unexpected.

Visit each school and stay over a night or two!

Take what most universities say with a grain of salt. Whereas the school probably does most of the things it promises, when you're visiting, they're mainly tring to get you into their university. Things change drastically once you actually attend that school. Read the fine print carefully. Consider all the options, not just a few attractive ones. Most of all, though, start out strong academically. There is almost no going back if you do poorly in the first couple of semesters. Have fun, but remember, the focus is school. And this comes from someone who isn't exactly a bookworm. Good luck and best wishes.

I would encourage students and parents to look for the college that is their best fit both academically, socially, and physically (i.e. location). I would inform parents and students that college is the place where you really find your niche and in the right environment you will be presented with the amazing opportunity to do whatever you find most exciting and interesting. I would also tell parents and students that college is foremost about academics but in order to truly get the most out of college you have to explore everything the University you attend has to offer. It is important to be open minded about new people, new experience, and different ways of life. Lastly, I would tell students to never put a limit on the things they are willing to learn, people they are willing to friend, and life paths they are willing to explore.

To find the right college, make sure your academic needs will be met but also that your student feels at home. The campus will become that students home for 4 years, so make sure it is what they want. To get the best out of the college experience - be adventurous and open to new ideas. Make new friends and get involved on campus.

My advice for parents and students looking for the perfect college is to visit the school more than once. Sometimes when I see a group tour on a rainy day, I hope that they like it. Someone who visits on a rainy day might have a different perspective than someone visiting on a beautiful 75 degree afternoon. A tour guide can also skew the opinion of a school. I believe it is first important to visit once, but visiting twice is the most valuable perspective. This might bring about a different opinion and outlook of the school. I encourage students to talk to admission counselors and to try to speak to students who are at the school to get their feedback and personal experience.

Visit all of the colleges you have in mind, talk to both professors and students, and decide based on what feels right to you! Don't make money or external influences your deciding factor!

When trying to look decide where to go my best advice would be to look at the students. If the students there seem like people who you would get along with then look more into the school, if not, look somewhere else. To make the most of the college experience I would recommend going outside of your comfort zone and trying new things. I was weary of rushing a sorority but it turned out to be the best thing I could have done and I made friends I know I will have for the rest of my life.

I feel like the best way to find the right college for you is to check out the average gpa and SAT scores. If the campus is close to where you live, then go visit and just walk around and see what the atmosphere is like. You are going to want to feel relaxed and at home at college, so going to a school that is filled with 4.0 students if you're only 3.0 may not be the best.

You should definitely visit the college first. Even if you have already decided where you want to go, keep your options open. Visit at least three schools so you can get a taste for the atmosphere and the culture of each particular school. Ask around about your potential schools. Maybe an alumni from your high-school has some advise on their school. Also it isn't wise to choose a school based on your major (...like I did) because, most likely, your major will change...several times. Good luck!

Choose the college that gives you the best deal for your money.

I would tell students to go visit the schools over night and take a tour. I would also recommend looking at schools of all different sizes and not sticking to a school that he/she knows his/her friends are going there. The best thing to do is to look at as many different schools as possible and go where you want, he./she cannot not let money discourage him/her. If he/she wants it bad enough, it will be worth the extra work it takes to go!

Selecting a college to attend may appear to be one of the most influential decisions of your life. I'm not going to dispute this statement, because college offeres a period of growth and expectation of learner outcomes. You gain maturity, knowledge, experience, friendships, and begin to discover who you really are and what direction you wish to take in life. Therefore, it is imperative that you experience this opporunity in a conducive environment that can attribute to this growth. Choosing a college matches your expectations and allows you to be YOURSELF, is essential to learning more about yourself and not societies expectations. It is imperative that each individual in society brings their own characteristics, thoughts, and ideas to the table, and becomes more accepting of others, to create a more diverse and culturally sensitive world! I believe the best way of knowing is doing., thus the only way you can truly feel the energy and focus within a college or university is to visit outside of the tour . This allows you to gain an unbiased, unscripted opinion and truely see if the institution offers exactly what you need and is a place that can be yourself. Good Luck!

Let your child go where they want to be, no restrictions. Students: make sure you major in something you enjoy; remeber, your major. doesn't have to be permanent. Work hard, play hard. If you can find a good balance, you will have a great time. Too much of one, you're in for a rough ride. Keep an open mind, and keep in touch with good professors, they are invaluable!

In addition to finding a program that will put you where you want to be after graduation, find a campus that you love. Academics should be the basis of your decision, but in the same breath, you will not do as well if you are on a campus you hate. Do your research for programs and narrow your choices down to 4 or 5, then visit, visit, visit. Request meetings with people in the program you are looking to be a part of. If your program is competitive, getting as much face time with the people who make the dicision can only help you. Be sure you feel safe on your campus of choice. When you get to University, get involved. Whether you get involved with one organization or twenty, find a club where you fit in and have fun. Treat your schoolwork as a job. Work hard during the week. Be a student from 8am to 8pm then take time for yourself each day. Allow yourself to have weekends. Keep up on your studies, but have fun as well. If you create balence between your social life and your academic life, you will get the most out of college.

look at the school's eviornment, population, course catalog, professors, and activities before making a choice

Choose the school that fits you not only academically, but your personality as well

I would tell them to visit the campus while class is in session and see if the campus "feels" right. Can you see yourself spending four years of your life here? Get involved early on and be friendly was the absolute best advice I ever received. Be yourself, that way you the people you make friends will like and accept you for the person you are!

Make sure that you visit every college that you are interested in in order to see how you fit in in the environment of the school. Talk to a few upperclass students about what the academic and social scenes are like in order to get a real understanding of the atmosphere. Also, if you know what field you want to go into be sure that the school you select has a wide variety of ways to help you achieve your goals, such as research oppertunities, co-op's, and internships. Most importantly though, once you have chosen your school, GET INVOLVED! This is the best way to meet people with similar interests to make your experiance that much better, and to boost your resume for graduate schools or job interviews!

I would tell them to visit the schools that they apply to. It is important to get a real physical experience of the campus because when you know it's the right school, you'll feel it. Be sure to research study abroad programs because travel is a big opporunity that college offers. Also, look into campus activities like intramural sports and greek life. Being involved sets up great social networking and helps establish life long friendships. It is also important to look into study spaces such as libraries so that you know you will be able to remove yourself from the social scene in order to get work done, this helps create a balance between work and play. When you visit, observe the people because if they appear to fit your style and values then it will be a good fit. In addition, apply for as many scholarships as possible and research on campus job opportunities.

Go off of the feel you get when you first visit the school. If you don't feel like it's the place for you then you'll never feel at home there. Also the size of the school is very important. If you don't mind classes that will never have less than 100 people then go to a big college, or if you want to be able to get to know the people in your classes and your professors than go to a medium or small college. Price is important to consider but don't let it be your deciding factor.

Know all the facts and find them out through taking campus visits and getting to know some people on campus before deciding.

Go into everything with an open mind, just because a school may not have a big name or be your first choice doesn't mean it won't be an amazing experience. Be open to meeting new people and making friends with people you may not normally talk to. College is a time to explore and grow as a person as well as a student and it's important to keep an open mind from the very beginning so that you can make the most of it. Your mind is like a parachute, it only works when it's open!