Texas A & M University-College Station Top Questions

Think about your high school experience. Think hard. What were you involved in? Band, theatre, sports, UIL, debate, not much? Also, were you known throughout your class? Did you enjoy being able to know most of the people that you passed in the hallway or did you feel content staying as part of the crowd and not getting too noticed? If you like just being one of students, fitting in and going with the flow, then a big university will fit your style quite well. But, if you were the social butterfly type and loved being able to share a conversation with anyone that you ran into at school, a smaller university will fit you better. It is hard to feel comfortable at a large school such as Texas A&M when you come from a small high school where you knew everyone and they all knew you. Once you find your appropriate college, start early trying to become involved in organizations that will fit your personality and your acquainance needs. All freshman have a new beginning when they arrive in college, so hit the ground running and become active in a group that you feel strongly about.

Visit the school. I think that is so important to be able to get a feel of what the campus and student are like and to see if it is a fit for you. Also, look into the areas that interest you. For example, I'm really interested in extracurriculars and A&M has a wide variety which really attracted me. Another thing to take into consideration is the quality and atmosphere of education. Like if the class size is too big or too small for you. Talking to students who already attend is a great idea as well!

To students, following your heart and not having others influence your decisions not only finds the best campus and environment for you, it also makes the college experience worthwhile in the end. The heart speaks volumes when its feelings are interpreted by the mind. To parents, happiness for your child, not your personal desires or money, is the key to success. Let your child do what makes them happy, and love them through thick and thin. If you open up to where they want to go in the future, they will open up to you and it will be an experience both parents and students will not forget.

Your initial choice is not always the best one. There is definitely a certain amount of planning that needs to go into this decision. Many students tend to choose the first, easiest and/or safest choice because it is 'comfortable.' A huge part of going off to college is being taken out of your comfort zone and placed in new environments with new interactions. It's important to look for a school that will allow this growth without causing any unnecessary stress. More than just academic prestige should be taken into account when deciding because this is going to be your home for the next four or more years. That means you should consider the distance from home, extracurricular possibilities, and anything that is specifically important to your learning, and living, style. Overall, I think the most important thing to remember while looking for that perfect school is that there are thousands of other people in the same position that want to find themselves and figure out what to do with their lives just as much as you do. So choose a school that will ultimately make you happy with yourself. This is YOUR college experience, no one else's.

I'll try my best to give the most truthful, honest, and humble words i can. To the students. Do not think that your mind can be limited because it cannot. Close your eyes. Focus on the person that you are and the dreams you have for your life. Focus on what you love, what you care about, what you feel in your heart is right. We do not all have the same faith or beleifs, but in this instance i must speak from my own heart and what i beleive. Follow God. Follow God with all your heart, body, mind, and spirit. Let Him call you to where He wants you. Your joys in life will be endless with HIm. There is no college experience like the one you will have with the Lord in your heart. Listen to Him...he will guide you. He will lead you to the place where you will grow the most. I beleive you are my brother/sister even if i have not had the honor to meet you. Friend, whoever you are now and are to become, i pray that God will guide you. Follow your heart...God be with you. Goodbye.

My advice to students finding the right college is to be selective, focus on the pros and cons, with a good understanding of what will help the individual flourish as an adult and become independent choice making individual. A person should be selective about his surrounding. Encouragement to select the right school size that suits his position is a must. The student needs to be comfortable with his surroundings because this will be his environment , his home for approximately four college years. A holistic approach need be considered because school is not all work, every individual that is to be whole must discover his own inner circle of social, spirtual, and emotional support. A student will make the most of the college experience by setting goals and living the dream. The person must have discipline, direction, and courage and humble himself in times of need. Relax, enjoy, and take advantage of this great path of opportunity that others only can dream of!

Make sure you do plenty of research before attending the college of your choice. They might offer more degrees than you are aware of which could be of more interest to you.

Parents and students should visit all the campuses during the fall they are looking to apply to, because just being observant about what goes on on the campus can really make a difference.

My recommendation for students with limited financial opportunity is to attend a local community college for at least the first year. This is an economical way to acclimate to the college environment. It also protects the student from destroying their GPA if they were to struggle the first year. One consideration when attending a college is to determine which career you want. Then, research which schools specialize in degrees for that career option. A campus community is another important factor. Most colleges offer plenty of extra curricular activities, but if you are interested in one in particular, find out if it is offered. Selecting the right college is just as important as determining which major you will pursue. Do not select a college based on where your friends are going or where your parents went. The college has to be a good fit for you. Look into the satisfaction of current students. Evaluate the professors and classrooms.

Collegeboard.com is your friend. Come up with a general are in the United States where you would like to go to school and then research the schools in that area. Then get a good list of 3-7 schools and tour each one. If you're able to do this while school is still in session, you'll get a better idea of how things actually are at the college or university that you're touring. Either way, pay attention to the reactions of the students as they see someone new. Do they look eiger to meet a new friend, judgemental, curious, or do they seem like their space is being invaded? Also, pay attention to the facilities and the history. If a school is rich in history and traditions, its an obvious sign that it has been doing something right.

College is definitely a time to grow, so it's okay if the college you get into isn't the exact one you wanted. You'll face difficult situations (and probably difficult roommates) but it's important to remember you're learning as much or more from your day-to-day life as you are learning in your college classes. Research your options, be sure about what you don't want to compromise on, and be optimistic about your experiences at whatever school it is you end up going to. Focus on your school work, but not to the point where you aren't able to experience the other activities of college. Hiring companies are just as interested in what you learned outside the classroom as what you learned in it. Relax and enjoy. It's a fast 4 years.

Be sure to visit all potential schools before making a choice of where to attend. Find an institution that offers a wide variety of fields to study. Most importantly, choose a schools that's right for you, not your parents or friends.

do your research

Find a good local church before signing off to a school; otherwise you might find yourself in a spiritual situation you regret.

Apply to more than a few schools, and once accepted, visit the campuses of your top few picks. Talk to friends, friends' older siblings or family members, and ask questions. College is not only an important learning experience, it is invaluable to your social relationships. You will meet so many people that affect your life in so many amazing ways. Take advantage of that.

Don't sweat the small stuff ! Go visit the campus and see which one you feel most at home. You will know it right when you step foot on the campus and meet your first new friend.

Don't pick a college based on the social life. You can find something to do or people to befriend anywhere you go. That is what is great about college. No one will judge you for who you are. For the most part, people have more important things to worry about than their, or your social status. This is a good thing, because it shows that you are surrounded by adults that want to better themselves, and make friends for life. Also have a good idea of what type of field you are interested in. You don't have to know exactly what you want to do, but it is a good idea to have some path picked out for yourself. If you have no clue, take an aptitude test. You don't want to switch majors every year. Also, don't be in a hurry to graduate. Enjoy your time in college. You will never be exposed to so much diversity, excitement, or opportunity ever again. The real world will hit you, and occasionally, you will wish you were back. I loved my college and will never forget my time there. Good luck, study hard, and have fun!!!

Visit the campus! Go with your parents, but also try to spend a weekend there without your parents seeing what the community is really like. Ask freshmen from all the places you apply how they feel about their freshman year and take note of trends in terms of universities where freshmen seem especially happy and well-adjusted. Ultimately, you'll know, and if you end up transferring, it's not the end of the world.

For the parents I would say just to let your child go to the college they wish to attend. If the student is unhappy or disappointed, they will not function in the collegiate setting. Also, be supportive of your child no matter what they choose to be their major, who they hang out with, or how much money they ask for (of course, there's always a limit!). Knowing you are there for them will help more than anything you could ever send them, buy them, or do for them. For the students I would just say to really get involved and make friends. Don't let studying cause you to miss out on college. Degrees give you jobs, but networking and friends gets you the promotion and the career. Take advantage of things on-campus like tutoring services, counseling services, writing centers, computer labs, clinics, and legal services. Basically, if it's free take advantage of it: it won't be free later in life.

Start early! Visit all the colleges on your list! Apply everywhere!

Take your time and look at all the options. Meet faculty and students before you decide. Just because eveyone in your family or all your friends are going to a certain school doesn't mean it is right for you. Make a list of what you want in a college or university and what goals you have for your colleg career. Once you are there take the time to get involved and meet new people. Explore the town and surrounding area. After you are settled in you will have time to study, just don't forget to do it. And don't forget to call home. Set goals and make plans, but leave room to flexible and spontanious too. People will have advice and expectaions for you, but be sure to do what is in your best interest becuase sometimes it will effect the rest of your life and not the life of the person giving the advice. Let college be a time prepare for the future both in the classroom and outside of it. Don't work too hard or play too hard. Find a good balence.

First of all, I would convince students to make their decision based on their own standards and desires. Ultimately, the school they choose will be a place where they grow in their education as well as their individual maturity. Therefore, you must set these standards ahead of time. If tuition cost or student population are high priorities on your list, strive for those. In the end, it is your choice and you want to feel a peace about it once it is made. God will open the right doors as long as you are looking in the right places. For parents, I would encourage them to be in on the process of deciding what is best for their child. These parents will have wisdom from their own college experiences to offer. However, allow your son/daughter to be the one to make the final decision from your guidance. The day a decision is made should be an exciting, joyous day. Celebrate together and don't look back. A bright future for the student and parents awaits!!

I would suggest finding the school that best fits your academic goals, preferred school atmosphere, and financial limits. If you don't find the school that best works out with the major structure you want, then you waste time doing something you don't need. If you don't like the school's social atmosphere, you'll hate the time you spend there which will in turn affect your grades and overall college experience. Finding a social atmosphere that fits your personality also allows you the opportunity to meet more people, have fun, and truly learn from your surroundings. A good atmosphere allows you to better relieve stress and fosters your growth as in individual because you will be more excited about being there and open yourself up to the new experiences that are such a big part of college life. You also need to find a school that has a lot of opportunity for financial aid or suits your financial straits because you don't want to add the burden of financial issues on top of the normal stress of tests, projects, etc. You also don't want to be in a world of debt when you graduate.

Spend time visiting college campuses and asking a lot of questions. Also, start early looking for financial aid. When I say early, start as a junior in high school. See what all the college has to offer and definitely consider the expense.

One of the best ways to choose the right college is to simply visit the college. Parents and students can gain invaluable insight into a college or university by walking around campus, taking tours of the campus, and meeting local students to learn of the atmosphere and academics on campus. Tours also provide a great way for students to make an intuitive decision on whether they may feel comfortable at a certain college. My decision to attend Texas A&M came largely from meeting local students and professors who were very personable and dedicated to creating a smooth transition for incoming freshmen. Parents and students can also gain insight into the college experience by examining the city in which the college is located. It is important to remember that much of your time will be spent studying at your apartment or dorm room, and if you're uncomfortable in a certain setting (i.e. urban, rural, etc.), then your college experience will likely not be a good one. So, always visit your prospective college before blindly accepting, and never forget to "feel out" the city in which your college is located to make sure you will be comfortable.

I would encourage prospective students to pick the campus where they feel most at home. This can be accomplished by talking to current and former students about their experiences at the school. After enrolling in the best school, I would strongly encourage freshmen to get involved in a leadership organization and one organization that corresponds with their chosen major. These activities will be good resume boosters, but will also allow them to make friends with others that have similar interests and classes.

Make sure that the campus fits you as an individual. There are so many choices out there but as long as you find the one thats right for you, you will make the most of your college experience.

I would advise parents and students to ask questions because you really want to get to know the place you would be spending the next four years. Also, research the city and surrounding areas to find out about safety and crime rates in the city. I looked personally wanted something close to home, so that should be a determining factor as well. My biggest advice to any person entering college would be to set up a set schedule because you have no rules or regulations, to a certain extent. I would set up a regular workout routine, study routine, and a sleep routine, so you are well rested, healthy, and excelling in all of your classes. which is the most important part of college. Lastly, I would say don't be afraid to approach people chances are they are looking to make friends, or trying to find a friendly face. Most of all have fun and enjoy you without getting caught up in the constant partying and drinking that comes with most Universities. The first semester is the time you need to exercise some self control towards peer-pressure.

Do your research and know what you want to do and what you like in a school. Go to the school that offers the biggest challenge to you intellectually.

I would say to never settle for the first school that accepts you. Be sure to search around at other schools to be sure that your making the best decision for your school. Remember you have to make a big move so you want to make sure that its the right choice for your situation. As far as college experiece goes, try and meet some people who have the same major as you and stick with them for the duration of your time at A&M. This allows you to be able to have a study partner for test as well as someone who you can compare and contrast your class schedules with for the next 4 or 5 years.

You have to visit the campus that you show interest in; your surrounding plays a big role in how successful you are. Research the available activities and majors offered so that you know where you fit. Do not attend a school that is off base of what you plan to make as a career. If you feel uncomfortable when visiting, you may feel uncomfortable when you begin classes. Always feel confident in who you are and make the best decision for yourself. Get involved on and off campus so that you make friends with similar goals to your own. Always network, it will come in handy to know as many people as possible when looking for a job or for fundraising opportunities. If you have the chance to love on campus, do it for at least a year. By living on campus you are able to have all necessary options in walking distance, you will always be connected to ongoing festivities, and you will meet more people your freshman year. Go out and make the best of what you have and be yourself!

You want to make sure the college is for you. Dont settle with looking at just one, two or three colleges. Go out and look and 10 or 20. Once you have found three or four you like then start looking deeper into them. See which is best suited for you academically, fincially and socially. College is a huge step in life and can be fun. Make the most of it. Make friends. Join Clubs. It is not all that bad if you learn to balance your time out between hittingthe books and having fun.

The advice I would, and have given in the past, is a little cleche but nonetheless important: follow your heart. That is truly the only way a prospective student should make a choice in determining which university he/she will attend. There will be several influences and factors such as financial aid, school and city population, reputation, traditions, etc. but the student will know based on his/her expectations where he/she should settle. If students look inside themselves and discover what makes them happy, they should commit to that happiness for as long as possible, especially during college years because these are the years where you are able to make something out of yourself and establish solid, life-lasting friendships, not to mention establishing a steady career. Once a student determines the university of his choice, he should be willing to try new things and be open to anything. I like to call it a "try-it-once" mentality (good judgment is not provided, but essentially necessary in several situations). It's college. You're away from your parents. Make the most of it, and yourself because you only get to do this once, so love it.

There are so many choices to consider when selecting a college that is right for you, and so many other factors to take into account as well. You have so many options to choose from and so many concerns, like where will I live, how will I pay for it, does it have a good academic program, can I get involved? All these things are very important and you should visit colleges first and get all the answers to these questions. You want a college that has a good reputation and good academics that fit into your degree program. College is very important and if you are worried financially don't let that stop you because there are so many options for paying for college and you should do some research on your available options first. College is such a rewarding experience. I encourage you to get involved because you will meet so many incredible people that will become your close friends. Don't stress out too much about things because you will be overwhelmed at times, but it always works out. Study hard and at the same time have fun and make the most of your experince.

Choosing the right college is undoubtedly complex. There are money issues, desires of the parents, desires of the students, and other external factors that have to be weighed. There are a few things that can help you find a good fit for your goals, personality, and specific desires. Social environment and extracurricular activities available can make an enormous impact on picking the right college. If you know you want to be involved in the Greek community, try to visit a few sorority or fraternity houses both during the week and on the weekends to get a feel of what everyday life will be like. If you are interested in being abroad, seek out schools that support and encourage these endeavors. College is about finding a balance between mind, body, and spirit. Find a college that can support you in cultivating all three. Look at where the graduates of their school end up, but also realize that nothing is going to be handed on a platter to you when you graduate. The future depends on the hard work you put in in college, the relationships you make, and your initiative.

When looking for the right college, I would tell the student to make sure the college can get you on your path to what you really want to do. Always look for extra curricular activities that allow you to be involved at school. Make sure you have the money to spend or can get the loans because colleges are expensive everywhere and they want there money. Strong tradtion is always a great part of college. It offers the oppurtunity to learn about the past and the accomplishments the people before you made. Make sure that the college invironment is what you are looking for, where its not to big or too small. You want it just right for yourself so you can learn to the best of your ability. There are always people around willing to help. Do not be afraid to ask those willing to give you information, because it could be a deciding factor for you. All in all the the college a student chooses impacts the rest of there life and career, so make a good one you, not anyone else, will always be happy with. Its your life and your future.

The advice I would give to parents would be to allow your student to choose their schools. You can give your own input and help them with applying for the schools and financial aid but let the decision be their own. Push them to try as hard as they can in High School and in College, and push them to finish the applications and those dreaded essays. Continue talking to them because although they are on their own now and want their own independence they still love and miss you and want to talk to you. Expect high things, but realize college is harder than you remember and unfortunately your student needs to face problems and figure out themselves. Students this is the time of your life. You will have friends with you forver. Be involved on campus, no matter where you go. There will be some sort of club to join. Be social. You dont tell stories about studying when you are 40 you tell it about hanging out. But still study. If you have to not go out to study do it. College is harder than you think, but if you actually study you will be just fine

Find a college that will not only meet your needs financially and academically, but one that will also make you feel at home, and is friendly. No matter how good you are at studying or focusing, without a little fun and friends now and then, you will not succeed.

When it comes to finding the right college, go for what will help you excell in the degree or carreer you are pursuing. Don't settle for less than what you know you can do just because a lot of your high school friends are going to a different school. Most of your lifelong friends are going to be the ones you meet in college anyway. For making the most of your college experience, GET INVOLVED!!! There shouldn't be any problem finding a student organization or club, or even a few of them, that interests you. Try and live on campus your first year if possible because it is the best way to get to know people and know about all of the activities going on on campus. Have fun but try and keep it in moderation. There are definitely students who get caught up in all of the fun and forget how to balance school work with fun and end up flunking out and ruining their lives just for a few extra "fun" nights. Overall, JUST BE YOURSELF!! People will admire you for exactly who you are.

Finding the right college is simple. Go to different campuses and read up on their histories and traditions, then pick the one that makes you feel most at home. Making the most of your college experience is a little harder. I would say study often and stay caught up with your schoolwork, otherwise you get exhausted trying to catch up and are left with no free time. Enjoy the time you have, and don't be afriad to meet new people. Introduce yourself, the worst that can happen is they decide not to be your friend. Try to go to campus activities. You may not get another chance, and you may regret it. I was homeschooled for the last half of highschool, and the only thing I regret are the activities that I was unable to participate in. If you can help it, don't miss the things that you won't get back.

Look at every school possible. I had my mind kind of set as to where I thought I wanted to go, and it turned out I was not even close. In fact, I was not even in the correct geographical region of the country! So, if there is a school that seems to hard, or too expensive, still give it a look because it probably is not as intimidating as it appears. If you work hard enough, you can go to school anywhere you want.

I would like to give parents and students the same advice I wish someone would have given me and my family. To the parents, realize that college is the place your child will be for the next 4 years, and their major is one that they are stuck with for life. Let them choose. I know you want the best for your child, but they're old enough to make decisions for themselves now. To the students, don't take school too seriously. I know it's the most important thing in your life currently, but after these 4 years, you are going to want to be able to say you networked and made some meaningful relationships with people. If you feel overwhelmed with studying, take a day off and have some fun time. It will keep you from losing your mind. Good Luck and STUDY!

The main reason people go to college is to become a more skilled individual to get better jobs. When you look at universities and their alumni networks, compare them to that of Texas A&M. The Aggie ring is a relic and is one of the most powerful bands to be worn on anyones hand. I have friends who have had entire hotel bills covered while on a study abroad in Europe when and Old Ag saw her ring and talked to her. The Aggie Network is the largest of its kind and will connect you to anyone or any job you could ever want!

Dare to dream. Don't limit yourself. If you have a dream school don't be afraid to go for it, even if it's out of your financial ability. There are tons of scholarships and grants available for you, you sometimes just have to be willing to take time to find them. Even if you have to take out loans don't worry, because in the end after you graduate and get the job you always wanted, you will see that it was all well worth it. While you're in school, get involved! Try something new! This time could be your only opportunity in life to do that certain something you've always been curious about or interested in. Step out of your comfort zone and meet new people, let experiences teach you to be well rounded and cultural. College only lasts a few years so take advantage of the time and all of the resources you are offered as a student. "When I grow up I want to be..." is not just a fantasy, it can become real!

Go with your gut. Visit colleges and talk to random people to see what they think. Look at rankings and job placements and how your specific major stacks up

In regards to finding the right college, my advice would be to choose a school that has degrees related to your interests. Many people follow their high school friends, significant others, or allow their parents to determine what college they chose. Think about what you want to do, what interests you, and make the decision thats best for your future. To make the most of your college experience I advise to balance school and extracurriculars. Get involved in organizations, meet people, and don't forget to go to class. Moderation and Balance! Never let fun get in the way of school, and never let school ruin your fun! If you choose the right major, the people in your classes will become your friends because of your shared interests. School then becomes a lot of fun! Eventually the line between "play" and "school" becomes blurred, and class becomes another way to spend time with your friends. College is about growing and learning; be sure to allow yourself to grow and learn both intellectually and in life in general.

Look for schools that offer programs that you're interested in and can make a career of. After you've narrowed those down, look at alumni networks, this is where your jobs are going to be. Alumni want to hire people from their alma maters. Look at what you'll be doing in your free time. Does this school have a lot of organizations to get involved in? Does it have atheltic events to attend? Once you've narrowed down your choices to a few schools, visit the campus and make your decision based on how welcome you feel there. You'll know when you get there. Once you start classes, get involved! You'll make a lot of friends and learn how to budget time between school and outside activities. Go to athletic events! You are filled with a sense of pride and you know that you're part of something so much bigger than yourself. It is absolutely incredible! Have fun, study, and enjoy your time in college. You'll never have this experience again so make the most of it!

Pick the college that will set you up for success. You want to surround yourself with the type of people that you want to be like. You also want a school that has a strong network of alumni. In this world everything is about relationships. You will learn as much in college as you want no matter where you go to school. The same thing can be said for relationships but some schools just have much greater oppurtunities than most. Don't let money be a factor. A college education is something that no one can take from you. You can pay on student loans forever if you have to. More important than where you go is what you do once you get there. Make the most of it.

1. Avoid the bandwaggon affect, go where you think you will fit in best as a person. 2. It will make it much more enjoyable if you align your personal views with the common views of the other students at the school 3. If you plan on taking 15 hours, sign up for 18 and after the first week drop the class that seems least likely for you to succeed in, no need suffering for a whole semester. 4. Find a professor each semester in a class you are enjoying and doing well in and take some time to get to know them, ask questions, and you could have an awesome reference when you are jobhunting. 5. Don't think that in college you will be any better at waking up for an 8 am class if it was already a struggle in high school 6. Join a group, being involved is the best way to meet people with similar likes and interests and to keep you busy. 7. Study abroad, there are so many different programs to choose from and the opportunity only comes once in a lifetime. 8. Study - overstudying is never a bad thing, ever.

Don't pressure your children into choosing what you think is best for them. Odds are they know better of what suits them in a college than you do. Oh, and don't buy meal plans. They're out to cheat you of your money, and your children won't go hungry without them, as there is plenty of food around campus for them to eat.