Miami University-Oxford Top Questions

Visit colleges, walk around not only the campus but the town around it. Find a place where you truely feel like you fit in and feel a connection with the people. If this school has the programs you are looking for then you have found the place for you.

My adivice would be to strongly consider what kind of student, academically and socially, one is before choosing the college. A school's reputation should also be factored into the decision process. Academics and a beautiful campus can be important but if you don't want to go to a party school, don't attend one with that reputation. Do some serious digging on the school. Find good reviews but also bad ones too. Every school has positive aspects and students who love it. But you also need to find out the bad traits and hear from the students who transferred or who didn't like their college experience. The last piece of advice I would suggest is that once you choose a college and later discover its not what you thought it would be, don't be afriad to transfer out. For sometimes the university does grow on you over time but sometimes you find yourself wanting to transfer out your junior or senior year when it might be even harder. Choose the university that makes you happy, not anyone else.

Explore many different options.

1. Choosing the best fit is by far the most important thing. A university will be your home for 4 years and you want to be comfortable. If a highly ranked academic institution is a place you will be miserable - Don't Go! 2. Know what works best for you. If you work better with personal attention from professors, avoid schools with large classes. If you want to do research, look for programs that encourage undergraduates to conduct their own studies. 3. Look at where the most recent graduates are going to work or school. What companies are they working for? Is there a high placement rate into graduate school? Medical school? Law school? 4. Try something new. You won't have time to do every out-of-class activity, but get involved in something you didn't do in high school - maybe broomball, volunteering, or studying abroad. You won't have nearly as many opportunities immediately available to you after graduation. 5. Learn to balance everything. Work, but not too much. Play, but not too hard. No matter what have a great time and take lots of pictures!!

spend a few days there, go to a few classes, and be there on a weekend.

When picking a college go with your gut. Take advantage of the great extracurricular activities your college has to offer- there really is something for everyone!

simply, have an open mind.

I would say that simply visiting the university does not give the applicant a great idea of what your going to get at the university. In some cases I learned the most by doing an overnight with a student and sometimes the administration helps facilitate this process. In other cases I tried to find anyone that I knew at the respective school I was visiting and contact them. As for making the most of the college experience, I would say do anything to get involved. Greek life, college sports, volunteer clubs, intramurals, there are countless things to do on campus and if you get involved you will structure your life and meet many different people. Study abroad is another thing that will enhance your college experience .

Get involved, find out what you believe, and stick to it. Stay true to yourself.

You'll know when you visit the college that is the one for you. It's where you feel the most comfortable and it'll feel like finding your glass slipper once you find your college. Study hard, but have fun too! it's your first time living on your own away from home (usually) and it really is a maturing experience.

With the economy as it is right now, education is very important. But, it's not only important to get an education but you need to be efficient and get what you pay for. It has to be worth it. A lot of research needs to be done about various schools and definitely what the student wants to do or needs. Personally, I believe that it is good to come into school with a major picked out after a lot of research because I feel that when students come in undecided they don't get as much advising attention. You can still continue to take other classes and may even change your major. You have to be happy in your school, or as happy as you can be, because when you are in the right mindset to learn, it comes a lot easier and you absorb a lot more when you are enjoying your studies. Friends are important too and college is a good time to meet people, learn how to balance your life, and to grow up. Always be yourself and don't let others dictate your life. College is not high school, it's a lifestyle.

Parents: Trust your son/daugher with their decisions. If they are making the choice to attend college, they already have a good head on their shoulders. There will always be bumps in the road. Don't get too worried about the small ones. They are just experiencing life. Students: The above applies to you, as well. Also, don't waste a day of your years at college. They go by even faster than high school. Work hard, have fun, meet a lot of people. You will never get these years back. Next step is the real world. Don't have too much fun your freshman year! If you dig yourself a hole, you will NEVER be able to get out of it. College is not easy, and it doesn't matter how smart you were in high school. Adjusting to a new lifestyle can throw you all out of whack. Just realize everyone else is going through the same thing you are and talk to the tons of friends you have made! There are more people there to help and guide you through the experience than you realize.

Take your time, weigh your options, live in the moment.

When looking for colleges, aesthetics are not all that matter. Talk to the people, observe the people, talk to others that are similar to you that have any afiliation with the school, talk to professors, and if they are not open or welcoming or excited about what they do, that is a red flag. Look at the demographics of those attending the school, if looking for diversity this is important. Is the college in an environment that would help you stay focused and make you happy being there (e.g. if you don't like cold weather or a school that is isolated in rural areas- then stay away from conservative, predominantly white, midwest based universities). Is this a place that will encourage you to grow and think outside of your normal views, or is this a place that is very close minded and does not welcome diversity or "outside the box" mentality? DO NOT go based on your first impression, really talk to people and visit the university a couple of times to get a real feel for it, because you are going to be there for a minimum of the next 4 years of your life!

Money is the most important. I chose the school that gave me the best financial aid package, and every day I am satisfied not only with my school but my financial aid. College is very expensive, and I love not having the sense of dread that other students do about future debts, because I will have few, if any, when I am out of Miami University.

Be open to new ideas, new areas, and places that would be outside of your comfort zone. College is a time to experiment so you can experience things that you would otherwise never have the opportunity to do. Studying abroad, I think, is a crucial part of a college experience. It gives a global perspective during this time of globalization and opens your eyes to other cultures and languages. Study a language other than your first - being bilingual is going to be crucial and if you dont you'll wish you had. Take advantage of oppotunities given by professors or around campus. Do things or at least check out things that seem of interest to you even if your roommate or best friend doesnt want to - youll meet more friends there. Most importantly, have fun! Best years of your life!

The best advice that I can give parents and students on the college search is to visit the schools you are considering. I remember very clearly walking onto the campus of my first choice school and knowing immediately that I didn't belong there, and I also remember the joy of walking onto the campus where I belonged. I can't imagine how different my life would be if I hadn't had the opportunity to make college visits. I am almost certain that I would have gone to my first choice school, been miserable, and subsequently transfered. I know that its not easy to find the time and money to travel, especially with the economy as it is, but in the long run, I think it is essential to choosing the correct school. My advice is to do whatever you can to make college visits, I think it is worth it so that you can make a choice you're willing to stick with for four years.

Be sure to talk to current students as well as graduates. The people in charge of most tours are there to make money. You will get a truthful response from students, and they actually have first hand experience.

live it up

My best piece of advice would be to make sure you can see yourself at the campus and that you feel comfortable there. Before picking your college, you should visit the school. Stay with a friend or sign up for a program that allows you to really experience the college life. It will give you a better feel for the school and whether or not you will be comfortable there. You also should pick you school for yourself. Do not go somewhere just because your best friend is, or your brother/sister, or because your parents want you to go there. You have to pick for yourself and go somewhere where you feel truly comfortable and fit in. Then once you are in school you need to get involved in order to make the most of your experience. Put yourself out there. Try new things and make a lot of friends!

I'll be the first to admit, this will sound cheezy, but it's true-you will know you found the right college when you are taking the tour. If you are able to remember everything your tour guide said, plus other things you saw, you know that you should go there. Making the most out of the college experience is essential. Get involved, plain and simple. There are organizations, clubs, and sports for any interest at my school, and if someone didn't see something they wanted to do, they can easily start it up. Get involved, go to class, and when you live in a dorm keep your door open because that is how you will meet a TON of people.

As a prospective college student, I visited dozens of institutions, asking the same questions about meal plans, dorm rooms, academic schedules, and financial aid, but I still found myself confused about which school was right for me and my future goals. How can you choose where to spend the next four years of your life when you've never been away from home longer than summer camp? Fortunately, there is an easy answer. You already know. You already know what feels right in your heart, where you feel most comfortable, and where you are excited to visit for a second, third, and even fourth time. If you listen closely, if you put the nagging worries about credit hours and community bathrooms aside, you've already chosen a school in your heart. Trust yourself. If you are comfortable in your new college environment, your positive energy will allow you to thrive and meet your fullest potential. You already know where you will succeed. All that is left to do is merely trust yourself.

College is all about making your own choices and experiencing life in a totally different way then you even thought possible. Every day is really what you make of it--whether to go to class, how long to study, when to socialize, etc. There is a lot of focus today on finding the perfect college. But ultimately, I would probably be happy at many schools and maybe there isn't just one "perfect college". At the end of the day, I would strongly advise parents to support their child through their college experience and the decision process. I would advise students to do whatever they can to succeed in college--maybe that means staying in to study, trying to seek advice from teachers, using your resources, joining groups, and stepping outside of your comfort zone. It makes so much of a difference when you have a strong support system and can accomplish your goals and contribute positively to society. College is a one time experience, and I challenge parents and students to make the best of it in whatever way possible!

Get involved.

I would chose a college whose campus is something that appeals to you, and also find a school that known for what you intend to major in. I know many students on my campus who hate it because the weather gets so cold in the winter, or because we are so far out in the country and you have to drive at least 30 minutes to get to decent shopping. But my school is also a great one for Business and Education majors, so there is a big draw there. But if you are an Art major, you would not want to go to Miami University, there arn't as many classes available, and (not that the teaching staff isn't good) there just arn't as many professors in the Arts department.

I would advise students to focus on the level of involvement they want to have in the school outside of class. In a small (isolated) school, there is little else to do besides volunteer work, studying, frequenting productions, and partying. In more exposed schools the diversity seems to be more prominent and it is easier to become involved off campus (work, concerts, socializing). To make the most out of your experience make sure you go in with the right attitude. Going to college because it's there won't push you to do your work, you must want to achieve a higher understanding in your field of interest. Also, make sure to expand on your interests and try new things. Go to plays, listen to guest speakers, join a club. Education is a privilege and should be taken seriously, but make sure to have fun with it and pursue your dreams. Parents, make sure you allow your child to learn whatever it is they wish, because in order for them to grow they need to make their own decisions. A lot of encouragement and support can go a long way in helping your child to succeed.

Enjoy yourself and go in with an open mind!

To parents: I know you want the absolute best for your kids, and you have much wiser thinking them. But, I would make sure that your child is absolutely happy with their decision and they feel like they made that decision by themselves. (Maybe with the slight guidance of their parents.) To high school students and others: Best of luck, and balance is the key. Find the happy medium to everything. Work hard and play hard. Use your time wisely and plan out your days, weeks, semester and future. However, be flexible if there are bumps in the road and plans happen to change. Everything happens for a reason, you may not know it, and the bumps in the road may be insanely sucky, but there's is a silver lining to every cloud. Boy do I know it.

Choose the place that feels best to you, and has a good program in what you think you might want to pursue as a career. Don't just go by the stereotypes you've heard about what a college is like. Take the time to get to know different people on campus and hear more than one opinion about what the school is like.

Figure out who you are before you try to pick a school. Don't worry about jobs or going to a school everyone recognizes, focus on finding some place you'll fit in at. No one will care what school you went to when you graduate but the friendships you make will last.

Look for one that feels right, when you walk onto the campus it should feel like home.

The most important criteria for choosing a college is finding one that suits the personality of the person that will be attending. Make sure that you visit several different types of colleges and see waht the atmosphere and students are like. You also need to make sure that you go to a school that emphasizes academics as much as you want them to be. See what colleges will accept you, some people are surprised at the quality of school that they can get into. No matter what decision you make, I feel that there are people on that campus that can you can become friends for life with. To make the most of college while you are there it is important to try and be social and get to know people so that you will have a good time. However, do not lose sight of why you are there, which should be to get a quality education that will help you for the rest of your life. The education that most people think about is in academics, but you will also learn many life lessons that you will take with you and be a better person because of them.

Make sure to spend more than just one day on campus to get a real feel for how the students are and what activities go on.

Look at many different kinds of schools to find out what makes you feel the most welcome and comfortable. Make a list of what is important to you, and rank your schools based on those things. Never be afraid to ask questions- ask a lot of questions. These years are some of the best and most challenging of your life- they should be worth it!

Take your time, get to know people on and around the campus. Know what you want out of a school. If you are a very social person and there isn't much to do around the school, you probably won't like it. Don't jump to a decision because it is late.

When looking for the right college besides the setting and education the atmosphere is also very important. One way to look at this is by the diversity which can be found posted on college surveys if not opening disclosed by a school. Another way is to look at the people on campus and talk to students there. Also their organizations. For instance a school where everyone dresses alike, acts alike, and say has a large amount of anorexic people studying there may not be everyone's first choice. Of course the ultimate goal is getting a job after your time there so knowing what services a school offers to help you find one and advice given on how to obtain them is good. Also how well respected that school is by the industry you're planning on going into helps. Also in our globalizing world a school that has abundant study abroad opportunities available is always a jewel!

No matter what school you choose, your education is less about the appearance of the campus, and more about how motivated you are as a student to make it worthwhile. It is important to remember that as students we are customers. It would be unacceptable to be served spoiled food at a restaurant, just as it would be unacceptable to receive a lukewarm education. If at all possible, leave your campus and enter the surrounding community. This one sounds easy, but it is easy to get caught up in campus activities and academics. By volunteering at a homeless shelter that was 1hour away from my campus, I was able to get a weekly dose of reality. Once you start volunteering regularly, your professors and classmates alike start to notice... and they will be interested, and sometimes join you. My personal volunteer work lead me to write my senior thesis on Service-Learning, because I came to the realization that I was learning more from the people I met while serving in the community... than from my peers or professors.

Work before play, but don't forget to enjoy your time here. Go somewhere you love for all of the right reasons, academics and the environment, don't make any sacrifices when choosing where to go to school, somewhere there's a campus just right for you. Be open to new things when you arrive, at least give everything a shot once, it's a time to learn and mature, so come out of your shell, meet as many people as you possibly can, do what sounds fun, take care of all your schoolwork, pick a major that will keep you happy and secure, and don't look back.

The advice I would give parents and or students is make sure you pick the right for the student. Go and visit schools make sure the school has what you are looking for in academics and socially. Please do not pick a college blindly it will be bad for the student they won't like and the parents because the parents will be wasting money. So make sure its a school that parents and student can agree on. Happy hunting!