Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Top Questions

The choice should be yours (the student), and no one else's. Financially, there will most likely be assistance, so try not to base your final decision on dollars and cents. Live in a haystack but have the grades, scores, and wit of a genius? Apply to YOUR dream school, and don't hold anything back. Or, if you're not sure what your future holds, then do research. Don't rely on just word of mouth. I didn't know whether I wanted to be the next small business owner or a teacher or a banker, so I applied and attended a university that was so well-rounded; I found my niche within a year or two, and it was perfect. Keep it classy, and make it your own.

Listen up, high school juniors. It's time to start thinking about colleges if you haven't already. Public or private? Big or small? Those are the first two points that should be addressed. Private schools with religious affiliation are nice, but public schools often have religious groups to join, too. Small schools have that "home-y" atmosphere, but in reality a big school can be made as small as you want by sitting in the front of lecture halls and scheduling smaller classes. Don't be afraid to go on lots of tours of both types of schools if possible--find the best fit for you. Once you're accepted, find your niche to make the most of it! Do you love art? Conserving the environment? Harry Potter? Join a club or organization. Getting involved with all that your school has to offer is the best way to make friends who share common interests and values and to get the most out of your college experience. Don't be afraid to try new things. Make friends with people from all different backgrounds--you'll learn a lot from each other. Most of all, have fun and be safe!

There are a lot of things to consider when selecting a college. The main points that haunt every prospective student include cost and housing. However, one must consider beyond these two points to the larger picture. Although the college experience should consist of hard-working, academic endeavours, there is a necessity for a social life. One cannot simply wallow away forever in the dark corner of a library, buried beneath mathematic books and various works of literature. Select a college based on what feels right to you. Before you even apply to the college, visit it. Take a walk around the campus. Get a feel for the air around you, the environment. Ask yourself one serious question: Do I feel comfortable here? That is, perhaps, the most important component of the college experience. Beyong learning, beyond preparing for your future, you must look to the enjoyability of your surrounding area. Of course, strive for academic achievement, but don't smother yourself by it. College is a defining point in your life; a point that should be memorable.

Parents need to understand that the best school for their child is the one that fits the best academically and socially. Money should be a point of consideration but not a major obstacle. The best education for one's child can be achieved through hard work. Fit is important for one's child, and anyone who has the determination can succeed anywhere.

Listen to your kids. Let them find something that fits them. Don't assume that a college is bad because you hear of some criminal incidents. Don't assume that a college is good because it's a private, well-esteemed college. Let you child find what fits them and help them ask about things they might not think about like safety, recreation, social clubs, etc.

Visit a lot of colleges and find what fits best for you and what you want to do.

Make sure the college has everything necessary for a successful college career and be sure money and time management are a large priority.

Buy rainboots. It may sound absurd, but if you'd really like to make the most of collegiate life, especially if you're doing so at Penn State, please heed this advice. At first glance, these words warrant skepticism -- but my rubber-soled knee-highs, in fact, were much more than fashion. Mid-may campus tours and admissions brochures alike will fool you into believing that of your life as a co-ed will always be that dreamy. Indeed, only two of the nine months you'll spend there will look like that. The other seven will be full of heaping snow, slushy puddles, and very dreary rainshowers. You'll learn quickly enough that staying in bed is far more enticing than the cold, damp feet and salt-stained jeans that you'll get trudging to class. You'll be slipping under the covers -- and before long, your GPA will be slipping too. The real lesson here is to make going to class as easy as possible for yourself. You'll be finding reasons not to go, and it will quickly catch up to you. And besides, undergraduate is not meant to be experienced with damp socks. Please buy rainboots.

College education is a holistic experience; both academic and social. It is designed to provide an individual with formal skills that will help him undertake a career while broadening his social perspective by exposing him to people with diverse backgrounds through his interaction with his lecturers and fellow students. The lessons learnt through living in close proximity to people of diverse cultures and personalities are unwritten, but are an invaluable preparation for the working world. In selecting a college he must first study the university prospectus to see whether the degree programs offered cater for his career of preference. Sometimes identifying a single degree program will be sufficient and other times it may require a combination of parts of two or more programs. Secondly the student must consider the acclaim of the faculty that he would be enrolled under as each faculty carries different national weighting. These are an indication of the quality of instruction he would receive. Thirdly an athlete may be willing to make adjustments to, or overide the first two choices above to accomodate an interest or desire to excel at a particular sport.

Even though money matters, its more about the experience you leave with, and a career is awesome, but nothing can take you as far as the life lessons you learn. I have a little trouble keeping up with tuition and my rent and bills, but in the end when I have a successful career and all of these great memories to look back on, a little bit of debt is well worth it. I am making great friends and experiencing things even my friends from home are jealous of. I think the top things to consider when picking out a university would be the cost and opportunities, but also what kind of experience the school will give you. It's important that you come out as proud as you can be and not just satisfied. As for making the most out of a college experience... pick Penn State, everything else will be taken care of once you get there.

There are significant differences between some schools. Differences stem from size, educational focus, region, religion, cost, competitiveness, political leaning, urban/rural location, etc. It is essential to find a school where the student will feel comfrortable and be able to succeed. However, the most important thing is to take advantage of the opportunities provided at whatever college you choose. At most schools, students will be able to find a place to fit in and make the experience their own.

Don't just go to a college because your friends are going there or because thats what everyone from your high school does. Don't pick a school because it looks good on paper. Visit the colleges you are considereing. Pick the place that is right for YOU. Don't let anyone, including your parents, tell you where to attend college. You will be spending your time there, not theirs. I got stuck going to a school that I thought was a good choice, but now that I attend there I don't like it. Make the decision for you. For what you want.

Look at some of the books that are based on both the experience of past students as well as the financial and published data on the school. Talk to students that go there now and definitely go see the school. How the school treats the prospective student is a very good sign as to how the school will treat you when you are there. Dont decide on what kind of school you want Isize, location, reoutation) until you have visited a few of each type. Dont feel like you need to know what you want to do with the rest of your life before you decide. Almost no one does and it takes the pressure off knowing that. Make sure whatever you do, you remember what my grandfather told my father and my father told me. Never let your schoolwork interfere with your education.

The advice I would give about finding the right college is to never give up on a school that you really believe you can attend. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something. This is what happened to me...I was told by a previous advisor that I was not good enough to attend Penn State, and I am attending there now! Plus, don't let anyone influence you on where to go. It is your choice, and if you get accepted, go for it. Another thing I would say too is that to make the most of the college experience, balance everything that you do. Workload is always going to be there, and there will always be people edging you to go out and party. What I'm saying is, make a safe balance between the two, and I promise college will be the best years of your life!

Students and parents should visit the campus that they are interested in attending. Try to take a tour of the campus while classes are in, it will help you judge the atmosphere of both the campus and the students who attend. If you are unsure of what you want to do going into school, try to find a school that has a variety of options. It will be easier to stay in the same school rather than transferring. Most campus's will offer freshman or new student orientation or seminars. I found this to be a great help in finding your way around, getting questions answered, and most importantly, meeting new people. By the time college comes around, many students, including myself, are ready to be out and on your own. Try not to get too wrapped up in getting an apartment or house to yourself the first year, living in the dorms gives you a great opportunity to meet new people and life long friends. Be outgoing, meet new people, it is the best way to make your time at college enjoyable and memorable.

A lot of things are important to consider, but I made my decision based purely on how I felt just walking on campus. You have to be comfortable where you are reglardless of how prestigous your program is or how many fraternities and sororities are a part of the greek community.

Do what makes you happy if your happy it doesnt matter how hard things get as long as you can appreciate yourself for trying.

If your child show strong signs of discipline and are not easily peer pressured, then this school will do him/her good. Also if your child lack global vision as well as diversity in their lives then this school is definitely an eye opener. Penn State has so much to offer both academicly and globally. All the teachers teach with an open mind and brings to the class the bigger picture of things.

I would tell them not to stress. They are going to end up where they are supposed to end up, and they are going to love it!

Make sure that you choose a school where you will be able to succeed both socially and academically. When you visit, don?t just take a tour of the campus buildings. Spend a school day with a student, and sit in on some lectures, so that you know what it will be like. Also, visit on a weekend so that you can experience the social scene and experience what students typically do for fun. Don?t just choose a school for its academic prestige, sports programs, or its reputation for great parties. Make sure that you find the right school for you.

Make sure your child has the right focus in life and in academics. Do not let them wander through college aimlessly wasting their time and money by partying all the time. Penn State can chew up and spit out kids like it is nothing, I have seen it happen all to often. Future student need to take their careers seriously and graduate in as little time as possible. Come to PSU because it is the best school in the country. LET'S GO STATE

When you first get to college you will have a lot more freedom and social opportunities than you did at home. Have fun, but don't get carried away. If you have a test, study for the test and party a different night. You have your entire college experience ahead of you, so make the most of it.

Pick a school based in personal fit, not price or status.

Go and visit the university and talk to people about what field you would like to major in. Make sure you'll be happy at the campus because you will be there for 4 years. Look up schools on the internet and compair your favorite ones. Use sites such as petersons.com as a search engine for schools.

Remember that there is a lot more to college than just classes. Ask someone questions about the school that is not an administrator or a tourguide. Keep in mind that you may like the snow or rain at home, but in college you have to walk everywhere, so it's not as much fun. Try something new, but don't go so far outside your comfort zone that your mom has to pick you up the second week of school. Go to a school that is strong in your academic interests, but remember that it is 99.999999999{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} likely that you will switch majors to a completely different field... pick a well rounded school. Go to a school with a lot of spirit. Go to a forward thinking school, so you can get in on that action. Big schools end up seeming small, and remember that big schools often equal big names, like alumni, speakers and performers. Lastly, keep in mind that you will want to visit home and your friends outside of breaks. And when you get to school, keep all the doors open, literally and figuratively!

Do not rely on your friends. they are not going to be there for you when you go to your first class, first test or when you graduate. You have to worry about yourself first. College is a learning experience. You grow to figure out who you are and what you are capable of doing. ONLY YOU CAN JUDGE YOURSELF.

Let your kid/kids make most of the decisions. Do not forget, this is their life not yours. Make sure they look at good academic schools that also are willing and able to help them with anything they need. I would also go with a school with a big alumni. The more alumni, the better chance your kid will have finding a job. Many graduates like to stick together, in terms of hiring other workers from the same college. Also look at Penn State it is a great school with amazing staff, faculty and students.

Look into your college choices very carefully. Make sure you decide that the college you would like to attend has everything you are looking for such as majors and activities that you will be interested in joinging and participating in. Visiting the college of choice is a must and talk with students and faculty while you are there at your visit.

You get what you give when it comes to your college experience. If you go to college with the intention of having fun and learning, then you will. Do not be afraid, there is something for everyone.

I would tell students to really make an effor to visit each campus, and to get in touch with actual students on the campus to get a small sample of what campus life is really like. Also, make use of the campus websites to get student testimonials, and the numbers of school counselors that can answer any questions you may have about the campus. It is also very important to make a list of the things you need in a college experience to make it successful in your mind. Take this list to each information session and make sure you address all of the things you have decided are important to you as an individual. It is very important to get a feel for the true atmosphere of the college to see if it fits the lifestyle you are accustomed to living, and campus life will be condusive to your learning style.

The general factors in choosing a college include academics and college atmosphere. Do research about student activities available and find those relevant to you. In terms of academics, if you have a general idea of what kind of careers you are pursuing, pick a few majors that you may take and check online where the college of that major stands amongst other schools. Visiting the campuses you're considering is extremely important. When visiting, take into account the social atmosphere as well as environment in general. Make sure you can see yourself as a student at the campus before choosing to attend it.

Come to Penn State.

Have your children look at as many schools as possible. Talk to students who go there, who remind you of your child. Everyone has different personalities, and some personalities do not fit in certain environments.

Follow your heart, not money or friends.

Look for a school that fits your personality, one school that you will feel comforted and safe in. But also pick a school that challenges your thought and personal opinions.

If they like home, find somthing close to home or with friends from home. If they don't like home, let them explore colleges far from home.

Find the best overall place and make your decision based on distance, money, interests, and campus location and quality of living there. Above all, do what you love doing, and make the best of wherever you go to school.

Make sure that you know what type of environment you want to be in, whether it be rural or urban. This is very important to how much you will enjoy college. Also make sure you know what types of transportation are available to you when you have to go home for breaks. Think about types of clubs you want to join, and also think about the diversity of the campus you want to attend, and how much this means to you.

If you are socially backward make sure you attend a school where its required to live in the dorms your first year and have social activites you would enjoy. Also research the majors you are potentially looking into and see your colleges rankings on those majors because transfering is hard, not all credits are transferrable and many times its very difficult to find a new social circle. Try to get into the introductory courses for your potentional majors your first year so you can make sure it is something you are truly interested in. Join organizations related to your major if possible, most of these only week a few times a month and score huge points with employers. Don't take classes that are difficult your first semester, its better to wait till your second semester. By waiting you can hear stories about teaching styles of professors and how they grade and allows to you time to adjust to college. Don't take on too much work if you take 18 credits your first semester and do poorly it can take many semesters to bring your GPA back up, its better to take 12 credits and get an excellent GPA.

To parents I would offer the following advice: Let you children decide where they want to attend. Don't push them into a situation that could potentially end with them unhappy. It's their life, they will find the right fit for themselves. Encourage them to do their best but never push too hard for academic success at the expense of happiness. Be there when the fail and when they succeed. Love them and let them know it. Show them support. To students: Never turn down a possibility. Explore your options and visit all of the schools on your lists. Apply everywhere you want to attend. The worst they can do is tell you no. As for making the most of the experience; never give up on yourselves. You're doing this for you not your parents or anyone else. Follow your dreams and do what is right for you. Never turn down an opportunity to learn new things and expand your knowledge. You never know it might just be the one course that you never thought you'd take turns out to be your true calling.

You have to remeber that this choice will affect the rest of your life so it is a very big decision. Also, you'll have to live there for 4+ years so you might as well make it at a place where you'll enjoy yourself.

I would AND do tell parents and other students to start early looking at prospective schools. Visit the campus MORE then once if you can and talk to the students you see on the campus, workers, administration, security. Randomly talk to people. Once you narrow down your choices, do the same again. Be very sure you the college your are choosing will fulfill your needs and requirements. Do not have so many expectations that the school fails to meet most of them. Always keep in mind that you are choosing a college to advance your education and NOT your personal or social life. Although those are a very important part of the calculation, you must realize that you are no longer in Kansas, meaning you are past the high school level and on your way to being an adult and dependent upon yourself more then ever before. You will be 1 or thousands instead of 1 in hundreds. Surround yourself with people that have the same expectations and similar goals and stay focused on your purpose...YOUR EDUCATION.

Save money! The biggest mistake that I am dealing with is not being financially stable and able to pay for my education. Start early and find out a plan to pay for college, especially now that it is starting to cost more. Education is more important than it was decades ago and not being able to have the knowledge because of finance is not good.

start to search as soon as their children have an idea of what they want!

Don't make that big of a deal out of finding the right place. Chances are you will come to love wherever go as long as you let yourself enjoy it and have an open mind.

The best advice I could give is that every college bound student needs to discover their passion. What makes you happy is conducive to having fun and being successful. Utilizing resources such as parents, friends, family and current students in college when deciding what school you want to apply to and/or attend is extremely helpful. In addition, traveling to these institutions that you are interested in attending is vital because it gives you a feel of what campus is like and what the students are like. You do not have to choose a career before entering college but choosing the college or university that best accommodates your interests will inevitably point you in the right direction of choosing that desired career.

My advice to parents and students trying to find the right college is to research any and all schools that you are interested in. They should definetly make plans to visit their colleges of interest and should not be afraid to ask questions about anything that has to do with the school. In order to make the most of the college experience, I recommend being open to trying new things and don't be afraid to introduce yourself to the person sitting next to you in class. I also recommend keeping yourself very organized. Being organized proves to be quite helpful when the end of the semester is close.

When it comes to choosing a college I believe that students should go to where they believe they will have the most fulfilling experience. While I realize that details such as ranking and prestige are important I believe that someone should choose the school that they think suits them best based on the whole package that the school offers and what they are looking for as a student. A variety of personal issues may arise such as financial difficulties but I think that aside from this a student should go to the school that they see fit, and while I acknowledge that parents should have a say in the school their child attends I believe that as young adults we students should be allowed to go our own way because that is what college is all about; growing up and forging our own paths. While this may all sound a tad bit clich? I think it is entirely true, if it means moving across the country or even out of the country to have the best experience one should go for it. I personally flew across the Atlantic Ocean to go to school and I think it was worth it.

don't do a campus tour. just set up a meeting with someone from the students interested major department. then spend time in the town. see what people do, what the town has to offer, etc.

What ever college gives you that weird vibe, that's where you should hink about going.