Purdue University-Main Campus Top Questions

Have an open mind when going to school, experience as much as you can, take advantage of the student organizations, cultures and career centers. Don't be afraid to use the Professors, Counselors and faculty, they work for you. Take acedemics seriously, no one will learn it for you. But have fun too.

To the college seeking students and parents, my advise is to do plenty of research and apply to many schools. Taking campus visits is probably one of the most important things you can do to see if the college is right for you. Be sure to ask random students waking around any questions you might have because the admissions staff just tells you a formulated answer to recruit you. Just because an university is highly ranked does not mean it is the best. What you must do is find the college that is best for you. Look at all of them: private, public, close, and far away. Most of all once you arrive on your first day of college, make new friends--friend for life. They are your key to a successful experience. Remember, these four years will be the best times of your life: a chance to grow as a person, make memories, and prepare for your future.

It is not the college that determines your success, but the individual. Everything that one does, contributes to that person's future. If a person attends an esteemed college, yet does poor , he or she will not succeed. However, if one attends an average college and does well, he or she will achieve success. If you want to make a difference in your life, work hard for it during college. Prove to yourself what you truly are made of.

The best advice I could give to future college students comes from my experience of going down that road myself. It all starts in high school. If you know what you want to study in college, take courses that will better prepare you for that field of study. If you don't know what you want to study, that's ok! Either way, you can prepare in high school by taking advance courses and college credit courses. Even one extra college-credit course could save you lots of time and hardache later. Get started early with the application process. Find out what kind of prerequisites the school you are considering requires. Do your homework on possible schools and make plans to visit campus (with your parents!). This is one of the most helpful things when it comes to choosing the right school for you. Meet with the advisors, talk with students, sit in on a class, and try some of the local food. As you do so, ask yourself if this is where you would like to spend the next 4+ years of your life. Remember that you are, in a sense, choosing your next 'home'.

The greatest bit of advice I can offer is the following: if your child is mature and has a great passion for the multiple disciplines of engineering offered by Purdue, then Purdue is a great school. Let your children in general explore their surroundings and give them the freedom they desire as soon as they are accepted into a school. I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH!!! My parents, under the advice of my older sister, turned a blind eye to many things I was doing in my senior year of high school. Some of these activities were things that fraternity boys would do. Even though this may seem horrible, their concessions in this field prepared me to deal with peer pressure and fraternity situations. IF I DID NOT HAVE EXPERIENCE AND THE LEARNING EXPERIENCES FROM BEFORE ATTENDING COLLEGE, I WOULD MOST LIKELY HAVE ENDED UP IN LOTS OF TROUBLE AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER DURING MY COLLEGE YEARS.

Visit the college you are leaning towards. When you visit do more than just the tours. Spend a day in the classroom. Talk with students on campus. See what they're involved in, their likes and dislikes. Visit around town on a weekend when students are least stressed and see what there is to do around campus. You are choosing this college and you are paying for this colege. Make sure this is really where you want to be.

visit your campus beforehand, talk to the people there about their experiences. make sure you're going to school for the right reasons, and know how to focus without letting social life (partying!) suck you in.

Take a look at several different types of schools and of different sizes. Don't pick a school based on who else is going there.

You really need to visit the campus to get a feel for the school, each campus is different and different kinds of people will like different types of campuses. Other than that, look into any extracurricular programs that you or your child may want to participate in (Sports, ROTC, Theatre etc.). Also look at the quality of the academic school that you are interested in (US News and World Report is a good source for that). And last but not least, look at the cost of the school, in-state is a lot cheaper generally, but there are plenty of scholarships available for out of state at most schools, both for academics and other merits.

The advice I would give to students searching for the right college would be to decide what type of environment you would enjoy more. Maybe a community college would be best so you could commute and still live at home. Or a private college because the class sizes are generally smaller. Or maybe you like the idea of being in a large school with a big campus and a lot of people. Also, you want to look at your choices available. If activities or classes are not available that you enjoy, you may not want to choose that particular college. And finally, be open minded. Every college is different and you have to let yourself have fun and enjoy the experience while still putting time toward your studies. Learn to balance your priorities. Parents, the best advice I can give you is to take your child to different universities to show them their options and do not pressure them into a choice because it is your favorite or because you liked it when you were a student. Help them, but do not make the decision for them. This process should be fun, not stressful.

Choosing the right college is a major decision for any student, probably one of the biggest decisions that student will make up that point in his/her life. The amount of pressure to find "the right one" is higher than it needs to be. Finding a good school should be fun. My advice is this; First of all, talk to a high school counselor about your interests and possible career choices, and what schools would best prepare you for your future. You should never have your mind set on a specific college before you talk to your counselor, because there's a good chance they will want you to consider one that you've never even thought about. Second, paying for college these days can be near impossible. Make sure you understand everything about financial aid, such as loans, scholarships, and what you and your parents are capable of paying. This could mean the difference between an out of state school, private school, or public school. Talk to a financial advisor about your situation. Lastly, you will want to visit any college you are seriously thinking about. Know what life is like for an average student there.

I would tell parent and prospective students to make sure the campus feels like home. When you visit a college and you can view yourself living there for the years it will take you to get your degree, it is probably the right one for you. As well make sure there is large social scene for you to take advatage of, and not just the usual Fraternities and Sororities. I know college is not all about parties and socializing, but classes can be very rough sometimes and students need to balance their lives between academics and social events. Next I would advise the college of your choice having a good employment and internship office for placement after your degree is fulfilled. Smaller colleges may not have the resources to have this type of office. The last thing I will reccomend is to get to know your professors. They are an excellent tool for networking and getting yourself ahead of the rest of the students. You will have a much greater chance of getting the career you choose. Plus lots of them are just fun and interesting people to talk to .

Find a college that takes pride in their programs and not to be afraid to make new friends and try new things.

Visit, visit, and vist. Once you tour the campus and talk one on one with advisors and students you will get the feeling if it is right for you. I believe that will determine your success both academically and socially. Put academics first, you can't slide buy but arrange your time in a way that your social lfe is important too. It is important to balnce the two.

The advice I would give parents would be to encougage the child in wherever they want to go. Be open minded and start early on finding scholarships and other applications. For students I would tell them to not limit themsevles to the norm. College is about finding out who you are and what you want to do with your life. Also, apply to as many scholarship as you can. You never know what can happen!

When searching for a college make sure to visit the campus several times and interact with the students as much as possible. This will give you a feel for the campus enviorment. Attend their open houses. If at all possible meet a couple of teachers from the field that you are planning on going into. Look at a college for what it has to offer academically and socially. Find out if they have programs in place that help the student adjust to campus life. If at all possible pick a college which is recognize in the commercial/industrial world as being a leader in placement in the field that the student plans to major in.

Visit the schools ahead of time and pick the one that has the best program for your interested major.

If you want to be somewhat close to home, go somewhere that is between 1 and 3 hours away. Make sure the college has a major or majors that interest you. Go somewhere that has a good sports program, attending sporting events is an excellent extra-curricular activity.

Students thinking of moving far from home should really take into consideration all the implications;being ready to not see one's family or friends for a semester or a whole year. Furthermore, there is the challenge to adapt to a new environment and have to start a social life over again. Having to do all tehse things while starting college can be very challenging. The most important factor i would say in chosing a school is the relevance to one's interests. Most other factors will not be as relevant because one knows that they are advancing in their life, that they are attending that specific college for a purpose.

Never let money get in the way of what you want. If you have to take out loans, do it. It's worth it to have a good education and an experience of a lifetime. Take advantage of all that college has to offer. There are SO many people from SO many backgrounds. Join a club you never thought you would, or maybe never even heard of and learn something new. You never know how the smallest thing could change your life, so go for it! Life is too short and you deserve to have the time of your life. Every professor has your best interest at heart, so talk to them and ask questions. They would love to see you and love to know that you care about your schoolwork. Don't be afraid to change majors. Who cares if you're in school for an extra year if you are doing what is right for you. Last but not least, make lasting friendships. Seek out the friends you thought you'd never find. They are there if you just look. The diploma is what will get you the job, but the friendships are what will keep you sane.

If I were to give a parent or student advice about finding the right college for them I would tell them to follow their heart. I would also tell them they should visit the school on game days, academic days, go to classrooms, and pay attention to the way people interact with each other. When you are on campus and people smile at you without even knowing your name it makes you feel welcome and at home. The size of the campus is also an issue. I like that Purdue's campus is small and the buildings are close together. I would also tell them to talk to someone who has been here a few years and can tell them of their experiences. I know I have met some amazing people and I have met my best friends here at Purdue. I have also had some amazing teachers and I will never forget them. There is something special in each school and all you need to do is look for it and you will find the perfect school for you. The best decision however would be to BOILER UP!

Finding the right college can be hard, but if you look around, and really research each college that you're interested in, the decision should be easily made. To make the most of your college experience, always enjoy yourself. Do what you want to do with your life. We all know that we need an education to be eligible for a good career. You should definitely enjoy yourself why you are getting your education. Students must remember though, the education should come first. Leave the socializing for after your homework is done. If you work hard and set goals, you'll succeed easily.

The only way for you to find out if a college is the right fit for you, is to go visit and see for yourself. The only way you will know is if you experience the campus first-hand. Take a walk around the block, and visit a few classes or buildings. Your instincts will be able to tell you if that is the right college for you. Don't let other people influence your decision because you are the only that will be attending that University for at least a good 4 years. College is supposed to be the best years of you lives and where you will meet life-long friends. Follow your heart and you will make the right decision for yourself.

The advice i would give to students about choosing the right school is make sure you put your education and type of school in the top priority. I've seen way to many of my highschool friends choose schools based on where their friends/boyfriends were going. Its going to be a new and exciting experience if you look at is as a step foward.

They say don't pick your school for the weather, but I feel it is a big part of your experience at that school. You want to go someplace you can focus, but college is a time of growth and new experiences. If you hate snow and are someplace where most of the time you're at school there's snow on the ground you aren't going to enjoy yourself or be able to study efficiently to get every pennys worth. The exception to this rule is that you shouldn't pick a school's climate just to goof off. If you're going to do that plan accordingly. Try out a 2 year community college first and transfer to another school later. It costs less, many credits transfer, and you can experience your new freedom without wasting too much money in case you forget you're there for school. Otherwise look at the schools' programs. Make sure they have at least 2 that you like, because many freshman change their major and you don't want to be stuck at a school paying a lot of money to not get the education you want.

The most important criteria a student should think about when selecting his/her college of choice would be to not only find a college that has the major he/she wants to study, but also that the college has extracurricular activities that they can get involved in. When a new student arrives at the college of their choice they may feel overwhelmed by the large atmosphere or the amount of ciaos during the first few weeks of classes. This is the best time to get involved in those extracurricular activities of interest. The faster a new student gets involved, the faster he/she will begin to meet other new or current students. The campus will gradually become smaller (in their mind) and feel more like the appropriate home away from home.

Personally look for a larger school, a University that has various colleges of study in case you find you don't want to continue in your major after your first year. Also, look for the location of the school and the surroundings. If you don't like living in a city then stay away from those kinds of schools etc. Also, visit the campus; you can't really get a good feel for a school unless you walk around for at least a few hours. Finally, look at the cost, and think about how much a name is really worth, every state has at least one and usually a few quailty schools and the in-state tuition is a lot less than out of state.

If you do not know what you want to major in right away, choose a school that has a lot of options. Find out what is important to you and do some research. For example, if you are interested in social events, cultural events, athletics, etc. make sure you take those into consideration.

Don't attend a university because you think it is what your parents want you to do, and don't base your choice on how many of your friends are planning to attend the same university. Spend a day with a student who is currently studying the major you are interested in before deciding to attend to experience how the classes and academic atmosphere are. Don't always hang around people you knew before college when you get there, and be honest in your opinions. Do what you want to do, not what you believe others want you to do, and don't decide what to study based on how much money you could make from it. Study what interests you, even if it's not what you are best at, then you won't become bored with it and be disappointed with your choice.

Go to a school that has good academics and a good football/basketball team.

The advice that i would give parents is to let their kid actually make the decision on where they want to go to college and not the parent. Although the parent may be giving financial help, the student is the one that actually has to live their and go to classes and if the student is not enthused and actually like the environment most likely they will do poorly because they dont want to be there. So to really get your money's worth choose the school that not only has a good price but what your child is attracted to also.

Choose what is best for you, not your parents, friends, or boyfriend/girlfriend.

I would say search for a college based on your major and location. I have seen students, including friends i have gone to high school with choose a school based on where they would have the most fun. I always say go based on your major, you can have a great social life anywhere. Also, if you really want to get away from home go for it, just be sure it won't take forever for your family to reach you. In other owrds, look at schools in states where you have relatives. Last , but not least, enjoy your college experience becauseit goes by quick.

It's hard to know what kind of person you are when you graduate from high school. Many people don't want to be separated from their best friends. I know that the main reason I came to Purdue was to be with my friends. Little did I know that many of my friends left Purdue after the first year and the ones that did stay, I hardly ever speak to anymore. I would be sure to go to the school that feels right for you, even if you are the only person from your high school to go to that college or university. You always make friends in college anyway. Don't waste four years somewhere where you will be unhappy. College is supposed to be the best time of your life and the time to learn who you are. Don't be afraid to branch out and try new things, that's what its all about.

Save your money. Try to participate in extra-curricular activities on campus. Volunteer while you are in high school - it looks good on your application. Plan how you are going to pay for extras like books (buy used!), lab fees, etc.

Finding the right college is more about the student's personality than the parents' wants/desires for that student. If the student is not comfortable in their surroundings (i.e. the campus is so large they are overwhelmed, so small they are bored etc.) they will not do as well in their studies. They will find excuses why they can't make it to class or don't need to etc. Also, take the weather into consideration when you decide on what college to attend and where to live. If the weather is going to be harsh for say winter or the rainy season make sure you live close so you can get to classes that won't be cancelled when the weather is so bad you can barely drive there if at all. Lastly, take finances into consideration because having to work to pay for school and rent and all that takes a significant portion of your time and it puts more stress than you think on your studies. You should be able to spend your time at internships and jobs that will give you experience in your proposed field.

When trying to find the right school or college, always visit the campus. I know the looks of a campus is not something you really focus on, but sonetimes you get to campus and you feel weird or uncomfortable (its happened to me) even though it has academically everything you wanted. There is always more than one school who will fit your academic needs that will also have that feeling of belonging.

After spending almost four disappointing years here at Purdue University, I can absolutely say that the right college makes all the difference toward maximizing one's college experience. While one can certainly make the most of any given college, whether they fit in with the social norms or are outcast into the outside cliques, time spent in finding the right college atmosphere may be the most important aspect of insuring an amazing college experience. Even though large colleges, such as Purdue, claim diversity in numbers, a majority of campus behaves according to the stereotype, in this case extremely conservative, which is difficult to overlook. Find the college that makes you happy. Find the college where you fit in. Find the college that feels like home. Only then will you have the foundation to make the most of your college career.

Visit every campus that you are interested in and take career consuling test before you decide your major

no point in going to the hardest school you can get into, you want to do WELL in college. An A from your state school and an A from a "better" school still give you a 4.0 and you want a HIGH gpa....if you can get a 4.0 from your state school but only a 3.5 from your "better" prospective school, go with the 4.0. Go to a school near the place you want to get a job. employers go searching for people near the places their located, they also try not to move people very far from home (then they'd have to give more and longer vacations and hear the employer complain about how much better home is) visit the school and make sure you like the atmosphere. city schools sound trendy, but they aren't for everyone, and you may not realize that until you've been on campus without mom and dad for a day or two.

I would suggest visiting different colleges and finding one that feels right and has a variety of majors in case your child decides to switch their major which happens quite frequently. Some people enjoy being on a large campus and others like a smaller one. It all depends on your student. You also need to take into consideration where the college is located. In state colleges are typically cheaper and allow your student to come home more often.

First and foremost, students and parents need to look at colleges that provide the field of study that best meets the student's interests. They almost must consider the atmosphere that would best encourage the best possible study habits for that student. I believe it is important for students to be around diverse groups of people as well, and that needs to be something that is considered before deciding where the best place for the student to learn would be. It is important to be around a variety of people in order to learn about different cultures and beliefs. This is benefical for the future as the students will probably be working with a diversity of different groups. It will help to develop further social skills in life.

Try to visit if possible; several times if the campus is high on your list. Talk to as many current and former students as possible. Make sure that you feel like you'll fit in socially, intellectually, and all the other ways that matter to you. Always pick the one that seems the best fit. That's what I did and I'm glad.

Dont picka major that is too hard. Enjoy your life.

pay attention to student to student relationships. In my experience, this is very important in the classroom; even more so than student to professor relationship. Make sure the college or university allows the student to get involved early in internships, research, and clubs. Almost any undergraduate college is the same, but reputation of the school is a big factor after graduation.

In finding the right college, look at your high school and decide what you like and don't like about it. Use those opinions in finding the college that's right for you. Definitely visit the colleges you are looking at and talk to students that currently attend it while you are there. Try to keep from talking to the people that are coached on what to say to you to get you to go to their college. They are told what to say about the college, not necessarily what they really feel. And just use your instincts. If you visit a campus and something just doesn't feel right, don't go there.

I complained about location in my previous responses, but it's really a moot point. Most students will only be at the school for four years, after which, if you went to the right school, you can live wherever you want. I would advise a new student to pick the school that has what they want to do as the most important feature. If you don't know what you want to do, then I would say go to a big school. A school like Purdue has pretty much everything, so life-changing academic decisions aren't all that difficult to make. Also, I would recommend a larger school simply for the experience. You will meet people from all over the world and have opportunities to try all kinds of new things. Secondly, reputation is very important, especially if you plan to go to graduate school. Make sure the school is known for what you want to do, and make sure you work hard and do well. Getting off to a good start your first year will make all the difference in getting internships and just enjoying life as an upperclassman.

As far as finding the right college is concerned, I would say that each person needs to evaluate what he loves. Not what he kind-of likes, or thinks would make the most money, but what he is really passionate about. Once a person knows what he is truly passionate about, he needs to select a school that is known to be a power in that area, and that will be appropriately priced, or will be able to provide sufficient financial aid. To make the most of the experience, I would say that a person needs to experience a little bit of everything -- working while taking classes, not working while taking classes, few credit hours and many activities (intramural sports and a technological users' group for example), and many credit hours with few extra-curricular activities. If a student will put forth the effort to try each of these things, he will meet plenty of new friends from all walks of life andunderstand how to develop a strong work ethic. If a person will do these things, he will be a much more well-rounded person overall than otherwise, and will be able to deal with almost anything in life.

n

Students: Have fun and experience as much as you can, but remember that you're there for a degree. Also, remember to get enough rest. Parents: Don't worry about the 'party school' label because every school has it and it's easy to find. Focus more on the respectabilitiy of the degree and the opportunities the school provides. Also, keep in touch, but try not to hold on too tightly.