Montclair State University Top Questions

Have an "idea" of what you realy want to pursue in life befoe you start apllying.

The advice I would give students is to listen to their parents and advisors when choosing a college. I was completely set on only going out of state, and I ended up transferring after only one year. The school was nice, but the area was just not what I was looking for. Visiting a school before you attend is also a great idea. It can be difficult to set up visiting times when the school is further away; however, it is truly imperative to know what kind of school you are getting yourself into. For parents, I would say that even though some of them know more about college than their children do, they should try to let the student make their own decisions while only giving minimal imput until asked. At that age students like to try to make their own choices, especially one this big, so if their parents gets involved too soon or too much, the students may feel they are pressured to make certain choices they may not want.

Pick one not based on what your parents or others want you to do, or on how much money a school is giving you, but pick the school that you feel with be the best fit and make you happy for the next 4+ years of your life.

go where you feel you belong

Pick a school that is affordable and ask every question that comes to mind. Also ask students with similar situations about how they feel about the school.

Get involved. Join a fraternity or sorority, do something. Dont just go to class and go home, or back to your room, because youll have a terrible time at college. Get out and do something, this is the last time in your life where you can have fun and not worry about working at jobs.

Look for a school that is good for your major, has great on campus living experiences and is close to a city because sometimes you want a change of scenery and because NYC is just a train ride away Montclair offers that. The students and staff should be culturally diverse too and accpeting of others. Try not to go a suitcase school unless you plan on going home every weekend.

When looking for the right school, students and parents tend to drown in the sheer number of possibilities; especially when a student is not sure what they want to do when they graduate. To these parents and students, I would say that it's best to find a school with as many options as possible, with a good general education program. When a student has chosen a major, these gen-eds can seem tedious; but for those who do not yet know what they want, it can be the time and experience they need to really decide what's best for them. Personally, it gave me time to know myself and my school, so I could make an informed decision. For those students who have a positive and unchanging understanding of what they want to do, they should obviously find schools that are known for the major that will give them their desired result. Furthermore, a good career-development program should be a factor for consideration at any school. Never take for granted a schools extra resources; the more the better.

Go to open houses for schools that you are interested in. If there are students walking around, stop them and ask them what they like and dislike about the school. They will most likely be happy to answer any questions and it is important to hear from current students. Once you are in college, try to get involved in different activities. It makes it much easier to meet and make new friends. Get your schoolwork done. It's only four years out of your life, and it's very important to do well. Lastly, look out for yourself. Know what you have to do and do it. No one will hold your hand once you get into college. If you have to meet with someone or find out something do it, don't rely on anyone else. And have fun!

What you think you want is not always what you end up wanting\, but the general principal will remain the same.

To parents and/or students who are finding a college, I would strongly advise to find a college that you are comfortable with and are able to focus without being overwhelmed. Think of your own comfort and happiness about the surrounds around you.

Go with your first instinct, and make sure that you visit all the schools first. It is important for an incoming student to really find what place makes them feel most comfortable. Go where your heart tells you.

The best advice I can give to parents that have college-bound teenagers is this: do your research!!! Just like with any other major decision you have to make in your life, making sure you know the facts about the school before you attend it is very important! You and your son/daughter should make a list of about 6 six schools that he/she would like to apply to. One should be a "safety" school, one should be a "dream" school, and the rest should be moderately competitive. Once you have a list of 6 schools, you and your son/daughter should talk about what is unique about each school. Some schools might be far away, some might be too expensive, some private, some public, some big, some small, etc. The last and final step: APPLY, APPLY, APPLY! Make sure teacher reccomendations, SAT scores, and essays are completed. Apply for early action to schools that are most liked. Now that you've been accepted to college, the oppurtunities are endless for you. It's true that your friends and experiences at college will stay with you for a lifetime! At college you can finally discover who you really are!

College is not about fitting in or having fun. It is about which university will give you the best education for your money and at which college will you feel the most comfortable, the safest, and the most relaxed. Remember that every college has alcoholics and alcohol is a problem you're going to have to deal with, but as long as you stay away from it or only use in moderation, it shouldn't interfere with your schoolwork. It's not important what other students do and make of their education, but what you do. College is what you do with it. If you really work hard, you can get the job you want and succeed. This goes for any college you attend- you have to put effort into it. Pick whatever college you think will cultivate your educational spirit the most.

I would recommend staying overnight with a host or hostess to get a good feel of what the university/college is like. I did this when investigating schools and I got to eat in the dining hall, go to a few classes, and walk around the campus.

Visit the school more the once and ask a lot of questions, and when you ask questions, ask the students that go there and not just the faculty. You need to make sure that the school is really one in which it harbors its students' needs before anything else. Also, make sure to visit frequently, at various times, during different seasons, and specifically look at different parts of the campus in detail.

Although I am only a Sophmore, when i look back on my senior year i wished that i had an idea in what i wanted to pursue. I am still an undecided major and feel like i am wasting my time taking some classes. So definatly go in wiith a perspective major. When you reach college get out there! Go to all the events, bingo, movie night, or chocolate appreciation day, what ever it is go and you will have a blast, meeting new people and making contacts is so valuable in your future college career.

Do what you want to do. If you don't then what is the point in going to college at all?

Look at as many schools as possible and talk to people that go there. Never rely on the admissions directors who's job it is to pursuade you to go to their school. It is never as good as they say, and in the case of Montclair, it is an absolute terror.

go visit the school, you know if you are supposed to be there

My best advice about finding the right college is to open yourself up to the full college experience at that school BEFORE you get there. Make a list of all the schools that interest you and do some online research. Taking this step ensures that you can learn the basics of a school before deciding to visit it. When you do decide to visit a school, take in the whole "college experience." Eat on campus, sit in on a class, talk to students, and go into the local areas to really get a feel for how you will be spending the next four years of your life. Once you find the schools that you would be comfortable with, beging listing the pros and cons of each. It is at this point that all of those details from your "experience" visits will stick out in your mind. Listen to your heart and trust yourself...you won't be disappointed.

Visit the school before going there.

LIfe at college truely is what you want to make of it. If you come to college looking for fun activities and good grades to jump right at you, then you are in for a rude awakening. You have to work hard and take an initiative in your education and your life. One of the most important things I have learned in college is that you can not expect anyone to do anything for you and just sit back and wait for it to happen. Whether it be with financial aid, class registration, or the requirements for your major, you have to stay on top of your game at all times. For example, instead of just dropping off paperwork at financial aid and waiting for a phone call, you have to drop that paper off and return to check on it everyday until you get the information that you need. Instead of missing class and asking the professor what happened next week, get to know your peers so you can call one if you ever need to. Always visit a college before you apply. Find the one that is just right, and when you do, be responsible and have fun!

Make sure you visit the campus before you decide to go there. Also, the location is always a key factor.

You can't just pick a college by reading their pamplets or listening to what other people think. It is imperative that you visit the campus, more than once if possible to see if you would feel comfortable there. Remember, you will probably be spending at least 4 years there so this is so important. If you already know what feild you want to major in, take advantage of visiting on a day that that field is being highlighted such as "Dance Day" or "Communications Day". If possible, sit in on a class, talk with counselors and teachers when you make your visit. Check out the living quarters, transportation availability and student center. Find out how many students get jobs in their field of study and if the school has a placement service. And finally, be open to new experiences, be friendly and participate, study and work hard but find time to relax and re-examine your choices. After all, it's hard to know at the age of 17 or 18 what you want to do for the rest of your life.

The advice I would give about finding the right college would be several. First I would tell to make you know what you are going for, and if you don't know at least have chooses, then find the school that has the program for what you choose. Second would be to make sure you know that school and where it is. That is important because the school will be your home for the next four years and if you don't like then you will be miserable. Third, make sure you sign up for finacial aid as soon as possible and get the proper forms to the school. Lastly, make sure that you are 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} sure this is where you want to be because remember you will be attending and possibly living there to and this is where you will be getting your education. Getting the college experience is important but at times can be a bit overwhelming. I suggest to join clubs that interest you and that you believe in. That is the best way to meet friends that like the same stuff you do. My advice is to get out there and don't be scared.

The advice I would give parents and/or students about finding the right college and making the most out of their college experience is that they should ask themselves what exactly do they want out of a school? Are they looking for an enriching social life or a commuter school just to get a relatively inexpensive education? Do they want to go away from home, how far, and what type of environment? Are they willing to take out loans and if so, how much? Do they know what they want to major in and if so, do they want to go to a school that specializes in that? Does the school have activities that they enjoy and want to become involved in? If a student has disabilities does the school have signifigant resources to help them? If a student needs health insurance, how good is the plan that the school offers? Perhaps joining the military/peacecore, a trade school, or even taking time off to work, travel, or teach english overseeas is appropiete to gain persepective for them so they find themselves and develope the maturity necessary before making such an important, life altering decision.

In discovering which college is the right fit for you, one of the most important things a prospective student can do is visit as many campuses as possible. There is nothing that can replace the feeling of stepping on to a campus and immediately feeling at home. No matter how far away a college may be, it is always worth the trip to see how you might feel fitting in on campus. Meet as many students as possible. Talk to the faculty. Sit in on a class, two classes, three. Eat on campus. Don't be afraid to ask questions. This is your future, and this school will be your home for the next 2-4 years. Don't rely on the website to tell you everything you need to know - the only people who really, truly know about being students on campus are the students on campus! Find the students in your prospective major and shoot them an email - introduce yourself and a whole world of information will open up to you. The only way to know if you've found the right place is to put yourself there and test the waters. It's fun! Best of luck!

I feel that students should really look into what type of schools they want to attend before jumping to make a decision. Of course I love Montclair State University and I am so happy to be at this university. However, I feel that I wish I would have really checked out the other 7 schools that I applied to before making this decision. You need to feel safe and comfortable at the college you choose, so take into consideration the area that is around the school as well as the campus itself. The experience you will receive during college is probably one of the best experiences one will ever get. You need to get involved, you can not just sit back and take everything in, get out there, get involved in different activities. I feel the best way to make the most out of your college experience is to live at college. This is the best experience because you get away from home, and it forces you to grow up and take responsibility. You do not have your parents waking you up and making you dinner, you need to go out and do these things on your own.

I would say just go where ever your heart tells you to go and it's the best experience in the world.

Above all, the best way to find out about a college is to talk to someone who goes there. Unfortunately, not everyone always has the luxury of knowing someone who went to each and every school they apply to. In lieu of that, one must take many different things into consideration: weigh how much the school costs with the quality of education. Also, remember just because a school is expensive, does not mean its good; all colleges provide, to a certain extent, the same kind of education; do not be duped into spending $50,000 dollars a year on a school with a reputation when the quality of education is the same as a cheaper alternative. Try to visit the schools and spend some time walking around. Pay attention to the type of people that go there and the overall campus environment; try to imagine if you would be happy living there for 4-5 years. Also, try to have an idea of what major you want to pursue when going into school; it makes picking the school based on the program much easier and allows you more time to complete all of your requirements.

Going to the best school possible is important. However, I also learned that finding a school that fits your personality is also important. I feel that I have found a school that makes me feel comfortable and want to learn. In return if you do well then that make that school the best school you or your child can go to. Ivy league schools are great for students that are ambitious enough that they can overcome the competitiveness and cut-throatness of their environment. If however, you or your child does not have that kind of personality, I feel that even if it is a good school I do not think that you will succeed.

Finding the right college will require a lot of research and comparison. Don't bother with that. Just send them to Montclair State University. Make sure that your child becomes actively involved in a club on campus.

Life is all about being happy. Give something a try. If you dont like it, do your hardest to fix that problem. You learn alot about yourself in college.

start looking ahead of time atleast a year or two. Do not do things last minute. Write out a pro and cons list on what your dream school would be like, and when your looking for schools do not settle for anything less than your dream school. Do not let the amount of the college inferiorate you. There are ways to pay for college, loans, grants, scholarships, etc.

In life the second step in your life is college. Its always good to stay at one school grow adapted to your surroundings and get involved and feel at home. In making your decision for your school I suggest to you and your family that you search around and check out the clubs that are offered, the social life on campus, the internship availability and the amount of help the college/university gives to their graduates for job placement. Once you walk onto that campus thats right for you, You will automatically feel it. Good luck and best of wishes.

Investigate your financial options. Don't be afraid of expensive schools. Most costly colleges are aware that they are more expensive and the majority of them will be more understanding about financial aid. Also, don't expect a full scholarship, the trick to suriving the huge financial commitment is by fractioning up the costs over a variety of methods through combinations of scholarships, loans, aid, and workstudy. One final note, don't be afraid to bargian about your financial aid packet, sometimes you can get a LITTLE more.

Choose a school that you will be the most well-rounded at, including activities you can participate in, classes you take, and one that you feel most comfortable at. This will make your college experience the best and most successful.

To find the right college isn't about statistics ,its about the correct fit. If you don't get along with the people at the school, no matter how great the program is, it just isn't worth it. I went to Pace Universtity my first year of college and although the program was perfect for me, the students and I didn't get along. College is more then a school with a great program, its an experiance. Without the experiance theres no point to go to college. As a parent or prospective student you should be looking at all aspects of the school. Look at the students, talk to the students, see what the students say about the program. The students wont lie, the faculty might. To make the most of your college experiance you should join clubs that intrest you so you dont feel alone. If you know people who like the same things as you, they can relate to you, and in turn they can become great friends!

educate yourself on your options. look at the surounddings of your campus to see if opertunities for your major exist there. dont be afraid to try new things, get involved with something you have a great passion for.

Parents, take time to explore your kids' college choices. It's important to visit colleges and do as much research as possible, because that's where he or she will gain the skills to lead a successful life. Even though it's tough to be away from your kids, definitely allow them at least a month without visits home to get adjusted to college life. Students, make sure that the colleges you consider have a few of your potential majors or interests. It's always better to have to switch your major than transfer schools, unless you're truly unhappy there. Also, get involved with on-campus clubs and organizations within your first year. Being busy helps you stay on top of your workload, because it makes you budget your time. Don't be afraid to try new things, because it's how you meet the people who might be your friends for life. Most of all, enjoy each moment, because college life truly flies!

Don't rush the decision. Chosing a college is the single most important decision that a teenager has to make. Once the decision is made there are still so many things that need to be done before arriving on campus. Just make sure that the parent and the child are on the same track. It's important for the parent to at least one time remind the student that college is extremely important and to take it as serious as possible and enjoy yourself at the same time.

I would say that it is to find a college that is the best at keeping the student focused. College can be a great experience but a lot of students end up lowering grades or flunking out, not because of parties or drinking, but because when classes become too demanding, students drop the ball and rethink their ambitions. Whether it be going to a small campus or qualified teachers, it is important for students and their parents to search for a good school that will keep them motivated.

The right school should make you feel comfortable and brave. You should feel comfortable that the university will support your needs. You should feel brave knowing that you will be challenged at the school in every capacity that you can stand to grow.

Before choosing a college, I would highly recommend visiting all potential choices. Reading about and seeing the campus are two totally different things. Making the most of college is simple: go in with an open, positive mind. Reach out to make friends. Don't feel rushed to make a career choice on day 1. Be ready for change.

My favorite quote is: "If you want to do something, find someone who does it and ask them how they did it." My best advice to parents and students is to ask people who have gone to schools you are considering and/or are in a field the student is interested in to find out what their experiences were. As a dancer I had my dreams set on one particular school. After talking to a professional Broadway dancer who had gone there, he brought to my attention that about a million other dancers like me had the same idea and that getting lost in the crowd would be very easy at that school, a large factor contributing to what school I attend now. It is also very important to visit any school before you permiatly attend. You do want to see what is inside the buildings for yourself to make sure you will be able to adjust easily.

Visit any and all colleges that your thinking about attending! Nothing beats seeing the campus, dorms, and classrooms better then seeing them in person, online pictures can be deciving! Be sure to make friends! Introduce youself to the people in your classes or on your floor (if your dorming). Most people are very ready to make new friends, don't be shy. Try and keep a positive attitude in everything you do. If you have the mind set that something is going to be to hard, or take to long, it probably will. Don't procrastinate! College gets busy and if you leave one thing behind, everything that comes after will be behind too. Watch what you eat, the freshman 15 is no joke! Take advatage of the recreation center on campus if you have one. Keep intouch with friends and family back home. It's easy to get caught up in your new life away from home. Attend events on campus, they give away a lot of free stuff. Balance studying and partying. And make sure you leave one day free of classes, (if possible) to comit to work. It could take a whole day to write a paper.

Get involved. It makes the college experience that much better especially on a campus that is mainly full of commuters.

Go to the best school not the easiest or cheapest.