Roger Williams University Top Questions

Don't base your final decision on only one visit to campus on a formal tour. RWU was originally my third choice out of four colleges even after the formal tours. However, I attended an accepted students day where I was able to interact with current students at all of my intended colleges and RWU quickly moved to first place. Seeing the students in action is the only way to get a true feel of what it will be like to study and live there. Meeting current students can change your mind very quickly either for or against. Take all things into consideration, including distance from home. I orginally wanted Florida because of my major but was able to find something much better without having to deal with airfare. I am extremely happy that I attended accepted students day and ended up where I am. RWU is the best for me!

You need to look at all different schools in all different places. You need to look at colleges in warm places and cold places and you need to look at schools near and far from your home. You also need to look at schools of different sizes small and large.

Visit campuses and talk with students who are NOT employed by the university giving tours to find out what the campus is really like!

To make sure that the program is excellent, that the classes for the major are small so that the student can know their professors and vice versa, and that there are a wide variety of clubs/organizations available to make friends.

Be informed. I think it's important to completely understand the schools you're applying for; academics, surrounding area, clubs/groups, food services, etc. You also have to be realistic as to how comfortable the student is leaving home and changing their life. If they don't seem quite ready, a school smaller and closer to home may be the right choice during the adjustment.

Make sure you know what you are looking for in terms of small or big sized colleges. It can get overwhelming to go to a college with a lot of people as opposed to a smaller college, where there is more attention placed on the individual student.

My advice to parents would be to actively help and support their children find the school which would best fit them academically and socially. Parents should not force the coice of a univiersity based on what they think is best for their child, rather what the child feels is the best for them. Students should take a seperate look at the school to discover what it is that truly interets them. For example-spending an overnight at the school will give the student and opportunity to bond with students already at the unversity and to get a sense of the social scene instead of just the academic scene while touring with parents. I feel that it is most important for the students to discover the social scene more in-depth because if they disocver that outside of the classroom they are unhappy in the enviornment of the university they will be unhappy in general, leading to a potential transfer of schools.

Visit all the schools you appply to. You will know what school is right for you when you are standing in the middle of campus and you feel like it could become your second home. Don't give up and settle for a school just because you are sick of looking. Doing research and traveling was the best thing that I did because it opened my eyes to how different each school really can be. Whether you are a city person, or someone who needs to be by the ocean (like me) the only way you will get to know a school is to experince it through a visit.

Do not decide what college to attend based on financial needs. Colleges (especially private) meet the students financial needs. When you (the prospective student) steps foot on a certain campus, they will know if it is right for them. When looking at the college, it is also good to pay attention to the social groups there. College changes people, and someone wouldn't want to change for the worse.I would ultimately live on campus because it allows the student to grow into a responsible adult -- sleeping on college dorm beds and having a community bathroom is apart of the experience. I would not go to a college where the residence halls do not have a common room becase it allows the students to grow closer together with their community. Don't attend a college where everyone goes home on weekends because that spoils college experiences. Also, don't ever be discouraged by not being able to have cars on campus because it's usually to keep students on campus to give them a richer college experience. Moreover, attend a liberal school because conservative colleges will seem more like boarding school than college.

The best piece of advice that I could give to any student or parent would be to make sure the person attending the college likes the college campus. This is very importatnt part, because if you hate the college campus, chances are you will not enjoy the school. Also, get involved when you get to college, it is a great way to interact and meet new people. Hall council is a fantatic way to meet the people you are living with and to also make changes where you see fit. Get your work done on time, go to class, go out on the weekends and enjoy yourself. College is not only about working hard but it is also about making friends and enjoying yourself. After getting your work done, treat yourself by having fun. There is always something happening on campus, so stay connected and involved and you will never have a dull moment.

Colleges aren't really all that different. Each one has its own quirks, but essentially you get what you want to take from whatever college you attend.

keep a few majors in mind incase one doesn't work out. don't just rely on what they tell you on a college tour about the school, ask students who already go there, they can give you a real and accurate description about the way things work there. also, don't go to college if your number one priority is not learning.

Visit it more than once and talk to the real students not the administration, faculty and tour guides. the real students will give you their honest opinions about the school, which helps you to make a much more informed decision about the school you will be attending. if the college process does not work out the way you hope make the most of it you can be happy anywhere as long as you give it a chance.

make sure that you help your student have a plan and try and help them discover what it is they enjoy doing. that should lead them to a career.

It's hard to pick the right school because high schoolers have no idea what they want in a college because they have never been there. Go somewhere new and try new things, its the last chance you'll get. Ask other people that you know who are in college about sizes and settings, and if you think you want to try a big school in a city, then go for it. If you want the complete opposite, then do that. Even if you get there and it's not what you expected, don't try to leave immediately. Make friends and make the best of whats around, and if you really don't like it after that, you can leave. And don't go too far from home, it gets expensive if you do.

Consider not only the academic power of the college, but also where you would feel most comfortable. Whether this is a small seaside university or a univeristy in the center of a bustling metropolis, the college experience is the synergy of the environment, professors and other students. It is understandable to focus on the academically "correct" school, but in my experience I found the correct school by visiting and confering with the professors on campus. While what you get out of the college is up to you, this is a major choice that you should make on your own and under your own discression.

To find the right college, definitely visit the college. Also, figure out just how far away you are willing to go from home. Take in consideration if you want a big college or a small college. Be aware of the activities the school provides, the clubs/organizations, sports, and the academic majors that are available on campus. Visiting the campus, even for a weekend will help you get a feel of college life. Sit in a classroom if possible. do whatever it takes to help make your decisions. Remember, the college you choose will be your home for the next four years. The friends you make in college WILL be your friends for LIFE. The friends you make will become your FAMILY, you will learn to be there for each other, you will share good times and bad. Just remember to let go of the bad and keep the good. Make smart decisions because sometimes even a small decision can change your life.

Go and visit the universities and ask alot of questions even ones that you think you know the answer to.

Get involved! I came to RWU knowing no one, and I was placed in a "forced single" living arangement. I was scared I would make no friends and hate college. Getting involved was the best thing I could have done. It helped me socially and academically. Getting involved opens so many doors for you! I went from being involved in nothing to be coming: a Hawks Herald Campus Newspaper Staffwriter, Student Programs & Leadership Program Assistant, Orientation Advisor, Hawks Pride Council Co-chair, Hollerin' Hawks Vice President, SOAR Participant, and a WQRI Campus Radio DJ. I met so many amazing, life-long friends, and it helps keep me focused on academics. There is really nothing I could say is more helpful. Watching my orientees has even confirmed this. My orientees that are becoming more involved are seemingly happier and are doing better academically. I've noticed my uninvolved orientees have been indulging in more binge drinking and party scenes. Becoming involved on campus has helped me balance my social and academic life, and has just eliminated stress in general.

Look for scholarship money months in advance of EACH semester, never assume that tuition fees listed in material from the school is a final total; always budget several hundred dollars more per semester, for necessary expenses(this does not consider food, rent, entertainment)

make sure the school has the major your child wants, and make sure they are not jsut going to the school because it is beautiful. College is about learning as much partying as there is, one needs to learn to balance the two out, and if you cannot you could find yourself in trouble come Finals Week

the college expirence is about haveing the time of your life in a comfortable environment. One is supposed to be outside the comfort zone and try new things that were previously not tried because they were affraid of what the parents may say. College is a time to spread wings and be the person you want to be and if thats not who you are then change, all the while studing to better yourself in the real world. It is a time to learn how to mannage your private life with work, at first it will be hard but you will get the hang of it and it will become easyer. In other words college is a time to be who you are and better yourself and your future, but have fun doing so.

Go with your first instinct, trust me, you won't regret it.

I suggest to look within yourselves to see what you need for your education, not what you want. Do you need to expand your mind and ideas? Do you need to branch out and try new and different things, to diversify your life? If you do, pick a college that does that. Do not pick a college because it is safe, or because it is close to home, or it resembles where ou went to highschool. Pick a place different, because that will be the best education of all, learning from people that are completely different than you. Yes, money, location is very important, but in the end, the education, and things you take away from college that you don't learn in the classroom is actually the most important. Anyone can study Anthropology, Science, Languages, but not many can say I lived a life completely different than I lived the last 18 years of my life in highschoo?

I would tell students to sit down and think about what they want in a college. Think about everything from academics, to extra-curricular activities. Apply to every school that you are interested in and definitely visit those schools. I truly believe that you can tell if you belong somewhere from the first time you visit the campus. If you think you are not good enough for a school, still apply. I have been told that many schools could fill their classrooms with valedictorians but choose not to because they want a diverse and interesting student body. You could be that person who stands out! Choose your school based on more than one reason. Do not just look for the school with the best academic ratings and think that is the only way you can succeed. Every school offers different opportunities and not everyone belongs at the number one party school or Ivy League!! All in all follow your heart, never settle for the school you think your ?supposed? to go to, and have an amazing time exploring your opportunities. My advice to parents?.let your children explore every option and try not to place many limits on their future!

For the parents, I would ask them to be supportive of their student's choice of college/major, because it is a big decision that will affect their future. For the students I would ask them to consider everything there is when choosing a school in, for example the size of the school and what degrees and programs they offer. Once you find the right school you should do everything you can to become a part of it. Get involved in organizations and clubs, go to as many events as possible, and make sure to always do your work. The way to meet great friends is by participating in different events. Try to experience as many different things as possible because this is probably the only chance you have to do so. It is preparing you for your future so don't get carried away with having fun. The work is just as, if not more important than your social life.

It is important that you find a school that really fits your personality. I loved my school because it had a pretty campus, but after being here for a long time I feel very distant from the rest of my student body. I don't really fit in with them because they are, for the most part, spoiled and catty. It's important that you make good friends early on and recognize the friends who are a bad influence or fake. Spend your time at college finding out who you are and don't be the stereotypical freshman that "goes crazy". You'll regret it.

You really need to visit the school and see what its like. Understand how many people go there and the teacher to student ratio. The way you learn really effects what school you want to be in. Don't go for a huge school if you don't like lectures and you would rather have hands on activities and discussions. The location is a huge part of the school you attend. If you are not happy in the location you will not be happy at the school. Visiting is a key. If you know what you want to do then go for a school that is really focused in that area. If you are not suere you should pick a school that has a lot of general majors and a lot to choose from. You want to make sure you have options if you decide you change your mind about the major. Really look into the social life of the school and see if it fits you; college is not just about learning but getting to know people and having fun. Who you meet really effects if you enjoy going to the school you chose. Remember to have fun!

College is going to be part of the best years of your life. Start early; look at as many colleges as you want until you find the right fit for you. Take advantage of all the college of your choice has to offer; whether it be the arts, extra curricular activities, sports, residential life etc. also be sure to check if the school has those opportunities or the ones you want. Go to class? you pay for them but its OK to skip every once and a while. The social aspect of college is as equally as important as the academic. Make friends and don?t be afraid to let college help shape the person you are becoming. You've got four years to live a completely different lifestyle then you have been and will be living in the future. My biggest piece of advice to you is...Make every second count!

Remember that you will grow and change, and it isn't the end of the world if you switch schools later. In picking a school determine what is most important to you, meaning your values and morals. Find a place where you think you will find others you can relate to, or at least where you will find accepting individuals.

I would say go out and make friends. My friends are the one thing that keep me going. Study hard, but don't over work yourself. I would give the advice that you need to balance your friends and your school work and to not be afraid to put yourself out there. You get what you give when it comes to school and the more effort you put in the greater reward you'll feel at the end of the year. I'd tell them to pick a major they enjoy learning about and to never be afraid to ask questions. You'll never know the answer if you don't ask the question!

Advice I would give parents and/or students about finding the right college and making the most out of the college experience is that they have to sit down, brainstorm, and list all of the different variables that colleges have to offer. They must decide whether they want a college that has a large population or a small campus with people you will get to know and see everyday. Do they want to live far from home, or will they feel more comfortable being closer to their parents. They must decide if they want to live in the city, a rural area, or go to school in the suburbs. Then they must decide what they want to pursue academically which they will then turn into a career. Lastly, they must decide if they are going to join a club, play a sport, or participate in extraciriculary activities and find out if the particular school they are looking into offers these activities.

If you have to think too hard about the decision, then the school is not right for you.

Parents- Your child will know exactally what school he/she will fit into after seeing the pospected peers and the campus itself. Find a campus that suits their needs not yours. If they are comfotable in a large upbeet setting, then the city might suit them better than in a rural or rustic community. In order to make the most of the college experience, i would recommend to advise your child to involve themselves in an activity or hobby they enjoy from home. It will give them a sense of home-life while interacting with students that enjoy the same type of interest. Students- There is a perfect school for everyone. Don't be nervous that you might be making a bad choice if you go to one school rather than another. Do not choose your school through influences of other friends from high school, because there are so many new people to meet and should not only stay with high school peers. You will know exactally what school fits you when you take a step on the campus grounds. Getting involved and meeting new diverse people will change your life and your outlook on what the college experience is.

I believe that you need to choose a school based on where you are comfortable. For me the ocean relaxes me and makes my problems fade away, therefore going to a school on the ocean made me feel like I was at home. If you have a school that makes you feel like you belong you need to go there. As for getting the most out of the college experience, I'm convinced that getting involved is the best thing. You meet new people and you always have something to do. I am apart of the Inter-Resident Hall Association, Community Connections Volunteering, the Career Center as a Career Assistant, and the Health and Wellness Education program. Through all of these extra-curriculars I have really found my niche.