Mississippi State University Top Questions

Find a place where you are comfortable and you can be yourself. Also, keep academics in mind not all fun.

Choosing a college takes opening up your mind to new beginnings and wellinginess to experience new things. College is where students will learn things everyday, its where your child might meet there future spouses, and long term friends. Colleges is the beginning point in your kids life when they feel like they are actually grown up and become kind of independent.

There will be good people to be friends with any where you go. But do check on how large Greek Life is and the party life. If you don't like partying then don't go to a school with a large Greek Life. But don't worry, what ever you pick will be fine. Just turn in your scholarship applications now.

Dont choose a college simply on academics. Make sure the environment of social activities and surrounding city/town are a good fit.

The harder the college is means the more your degree is worth when you gradute and the easier your job will be.

The more you put into the school the more you will get out of it.

Parents and students need to start looking into colleges when the student begins High School. The things to consider is if the student wants to attend a college in their own state. After that decision is made the student needs to decide on a Junior College or a four year college. Both have advantages and disadvantges. The finances are important. The student needs to consider finacial aid. They need to apply for grants, scholarships and loans. I have found that my parents make too much money for assistance. The college costs are rising each year. It is hard for a middle class families to meet the costs. The extra costs are sometimes hidden. Books each semester have been an average of $500. per semester. Parents and students who do not receive financial aid need to plan ahead on the costs so it will not hit them so hard. I have found that most middle class students have to have jobs to make ends meet. Most jobs on campus require the students to be eligilbe for financial aid. The middle class students therefore have to go off campus to find a job. Good financial planning is a must!

Don't be hasty in choosing a particular college just because it seems cool at the time. I thought I wanted to be different than everyone and go to a university straight out of high school, but, because I can be easily distracted from school work, it would have been better for me to go to a junior college to prepare me for a university academically. Don't pick your college according to how fun it seems either. Pick your college according to what you want to do with your life. If you want to be a pre-law student, pick a school that is known for its law programs. I'm in wildlife, so I picked a school known for its wildlife departments.

I would advise students to take standardized tests very seriously, they can open up doors like nothing else can. I advise students to visit the colleges they think they are interested in to see what the atmosphere is really like. To make the most of the college experience, students should get involved, not being afraid to try new things. Once you find the things you like, focus on gaining leadership roles in a few of these organizations while keeping your grades up. College is all about balance. Having a great social life and being involved is what college is all about, but taking care of yourself, getting at least some sleep, and keeping your grades up are also critical.

College is a very invigorating experience for students. My advice for those students and their parents is to live life, specifically college life to its fullest. Coming from a poor community i almost missed the chance to experience college. I wouldnt trade my experiences for anything in the world. Now, because i pushed myself to work hard and trudge through the obstacles i will graduate with a bachelors degree in animal and dairy sciences and hopefully attend MSU college of veterinary medicine. So for upcoming college students, live, laugh, love, and learn!!!because oppurtunities like these come once in a lifetime.

Do all the research you can and talk to current students.

Advice I would get to students is to find a college where you feel comfortable and that feels like home to you. Make the effort to get out there on campus to find students with similar interests or hobbies. Don't follow the high school crowd and go to the same college as everyone else, you'll grow more as a person and as a student to go to a college you want to go because it fits YOU best, and you'll make a whole new group of friends who will be in your life forever. To parents: Know that you kid's going to mess up and make some mistakes. Just be there to be their biggest cheerleader and to let them learn from their mistakes. It'll make them a stronger human being and a better student in the end.

When chosing a college always apply to all the colleges you're looking at. You never know what oppertunities you may run into with different colleges. And when chosing a college, find one that fits what it is you are wanting to do. If you want have a specific career in mind, if you want to be close to family, if you want a particular oppertunity that the city where the college is located may offer, etc... After you chose a college, and begin college life, keep your priorities straight. Studies should come before any extra activities the college may provide. Don't spread your time out too thin, but stay active. The first year its especially easy to get caught up in everything going on around campus, but not everything is something you need to be a part of. Figure out how much time you need to spend on your studies, then allow yourself a certain amount of time each week to go out and have fun. Extra activities are great ways to meet friends who you'll know forever, and who can help you get through those rought college times, such as finals weeks.

Make sure you visit the campus in person and if able try to find someone there that you know and so the future student could spend a weekend with them to see what the campus is really like.

Let your kids make their own decisions. Mine did!

Look for the best fit for the student. You will know the right one when you find it.

Visit the college and let the student see it for themselves instead of allowing parents to because the STUDENT is the one that's going for the term not them.

I believe that parents and student should both sit down and talk about where the student wants to attend. I believe that it should be a joint decision about the college. The parents should be involved in the students college life and support them.

Look for financial aid really early.

Select a college that has a good school for your selected major. Study alot, when you think you have studied enough....study more. Friends will come with time and with classes so don't sweat it if it takes a little while.

Choose a college with many majors. It is common to change your major upon entering college so make sure there are many choices. Make sure the college it not too far from home but far enough that the student can fell like they are on their own.

Find the place that you feel most comfortable, and has the best program for your major.

Research and make sure you are happy with your choice and then seize the time.. it goes by quickly

Make sure to visit the campus and experience first had how wonderful the University is.

Find the college with the right major for you don't worry about the teams.

I will advise them to start searching for the best schools and financial aid early as they can. It is very important to know your interest and how far will the individual take his/her education. The individual need to know will this be a career choice or a new insight to another career. Also ask does the school have a tour for them to make a choice. Make sure if there are any disabilities that the school can meet all their needs.