The College of New Jersey Top Questions

In order to make the most of the college experience, it's essential to find a solid group of friends. I love the relationship I have with my friends, and I know that they'll be my friends for life. We've spent the past few years living together, eating together, going out together, studying together, laughing and crying together, and we've formed an unbreakable bond. Academically, the best advice I could give for a new college student is to become friends with your professors. They are the ones who can help guide students academically through the college years. My advisor has helped me immensely and has given me a direction and endless amounts of knowledge. The professors are an extremely important resource.

Really try to get involved in as many things as possible and not just bury yourself within the academics. Work really hard because the professors expect a lot out of you but they also try to get you to become independent of them and just guide you so taht you can learn to do things on your own. First impressions of schools aren't always the best so try to do as much research about the school and see if you can sit in on a couple of classes or live with a student to really aquaint yourself with both the academic and campus atmosphere.

When thinking about where to attend college, students need to ultimately make their own decisions. They should definitely consider what their friends and family think about prospective colleges, but the student needs to make the final decision. Don't go to a school just because your friends or significant other have decided to go there. I t's scary not knowing anyone at first; I should know--I went to college in a different state from where I grew up! But my college did a great job of getting us to meet many different people duing orientation, and before long, there were several people who I hung out and ate with all the time. Students will really limit themselves if they don't branch out and meet new people. When a student comes to college with their best friend or boyfriend/girlfriend in tow, it sends the message to others that the student is not really interested in meeting others, even thought that may not actually be the case.

Since each student is different, it is important to make sure it is the student's choice and not the parent's. Academics are most important but alot of the college experience is also social. Sports, clubs and Greek life are all factors to be considered in a college choice. Ultimately, the student must be happy and so will the parents.

Stick with what you know. If you are someone that likes to live close to home don't try to be different and go to a college far away, if you like the city stay in a rural area. If you are not 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} sure of your major make sure the college you pick has several majors that you would like.

I would recommend finding a school that meets your needs, whether it be finicial, location, or area of academic study. I also recommend finding a school where you fill belonged or where you feel as if you fit into, it is always best to be comfortable and feel a sense of nessicity to go to that particular college.

First, make sure that you love it. There are countless complaints from friends who HATE their institutions, and they have to deal with it. Also make sure you can pay for it. The stress from funding college compounded with the academic and social stress is sometimes unbearable.

I would advise prospective students to see if their college options have opportunities to spend a weekend with an enrolled student at the particular school. When you spend more than an hour on a tour at a specific school you can get a much better feel for the atmosphere of the campus and genuinely experience what the environment can offer you. It is crucial to visit a school far more than just the initial tour- really get a feel for the college and see how it fits your personality.

Parents and students should work together cohesively when deciding which colleges to apply to and enroll in. It's not about going to the most renowned college but which university is the best fit for the student. Research the universities, specifically look into what characteristics matter and what is affordable. Location, size, price and one or two personal variable characteristics are a fail-safe methodology. If you know what field you wish to major in, look into a school that specializes in that specific degree. If not, look into those colleges that have superb career services and liberal learning education structures. Once you've established those top ten or fifteen serious contenders based on the previous parameters, visit them. A college visit is the easiest and quickest way to narrow the college search. Remember, you are not alone in this process, all around the country students and parents are going through the exact same thing as you, so breathe and relax.

In choosing the right college, it is critical to know your child's capabilities. If they are less motivated and focused, choose a two-year college or a more liberal college to prepare them and get them accustomed to the expectations of college. If the student-to-be is more driven and apt to study and work hard, despite the non-academic distractions of larger colleges, look at four-year universities with programs the student will be able to thrive in. Do not force your child to go anywhere they do not want to, just because you as a parent think it will look more appealing on a resume. Most importantly, to ensure the student will make the most out of the college experience, do not expect perfection- let them make their own mistakes to learn from and find patterns and methods of their own that will allow them to accomplish and succeed to the maximum of their potential.

There is no way to know for sure what school is your school before you jump in and take the plunge. There is always a chance that you may not get it right on the first try, but never be discouraged. College is a time to learn about yourself. No matter what decision you make, you will learn. Visit campuses and picture yourself as a student walking to class in the afternoon. Think about your priorities and whether you value a large community or a small city. What will you do to get involved and have memorable experiences? Does it matter if the professor knows your name? Remember that smaller schools may not have a Theatre major, but instead may have theatre clubs with endless opportunites open to all. A small school may be comforting, but will you get bored and feel confined? Wherever you go, whatever you do, it is about experience and coming into your own. Be brave. Open up. Take risks. Start fresh. Worry about being independent, not about getting that perfect dorm. Have fun. Be safe. Be smart. Be you. Because once you have a strong sense of self, wherever you are will be home.

Take your time. This is a big decision and requires a lot of time, energy, finances. I like to think of it it like finding a partner. You need to find a place to commit to, to click with. And remember, this is not a temporary decision. You live with that decision for, in most cases, atleast four years, and you have to consider what you want today and what you want for yourself in the long-run. For many, this may not seem feasible but if you spend time pondering within yourself, you will find that you know more about yourself than you realize.

The key to picking a good college is finding a place where you know you will be happy and comfortable. This will then allow you to excel in your school work and social life.

Just do your research and go with what you think is best.

I hate research. Always have, and probably always will. But when it comes to choosing where to spend your college years, it's one of those necessary evils. All I cared about when choosing the right school for me was what would cause the least financial burden on me and my parents. I was disappointed because I felt the "cheaper" school, had to be the one for me. I ended up wasting my first year of college at an institution that turned out to be the complete opposite of everything I wanted. After doing some research, I reapplied to schools that better fit my personality, learning style, and potential career options. I found that there are schools that cost less and still had everything I wanted. Taking time to research made all the difference for me. Transferring was the right decision and has allowed me to thrive. Even though it took me a little longer, I'm now able to make the most of my college experience because I'm attending a school I feel fits me... AND my wallet! My advice: When looking for the right college, explore all your options and don't take any opportunity for granted.

The advice that I would give parents and/or students about finding the right college is to visit a lot of schools (both in-state and out-of-state schools) so that they can see everything that's out there. I would also advise students to apply to a school early so that they can receive schloarships. Students should also be active on campus so that they can make the most of their college experience. They can be active by joining clubs, joining a sports team or just attending events hosted by different organizations. I would also recommend that students live on campus their first year so that they can meet new people. College is definitely more fun when you have friends to share it with.

Find a college that you can get to know the students of the college very easily. Friendship is key for any college student's experience. Academia is very important but the atmosphere of being able to fit in and seeing yourself at the school is what matters. Have your child stay over a night at the school and see if they enjoy it. And make sure they have the major that the student wants to pursue for his/her career.

No matter what, in the end, your instinct will kick in and you WILL know the right place to go.

Make sure you determine what type of classroom you learn best in and find colleges that offer those type of classes. For example, if you do better with more individual attention, attend a smaller school. Also, make sure you determine what type of social life you want at school. If you want to go out to clubs and bars attend a school in a metropolitan area or if you prefer a house party with kegs then maybe consider smaller to mid-sized schools in more suburban settings. In addition, look into the type of students who attend the college. Go to schools where people you will get along with best, for example a tru jersey girl would want to attend a college where many people from New Jersey go so they can have late night discussions about which shore is best and North Jersey vs. South Jersey. Finally, choose the school that feels right. When you visit a school and everything feels right, it is usually for a good reason.

Don't enter me in the drawing for the scholarship; however, you may use my answers to the previous questions. I would tell students not to listen to what anyone else had to say. They should choose a school on their own, by their standards. Your parents may tell you to apply somewhere else, and it doesn't hurt to do so, but don't let anyone tell you where you have to go. If you let someone tell you where to go, as soon as you run into difficulty you will want to get out of that school as soon as possible. Other than that, I would say apply to as many schools as you can afford, as well as look into the common application in order to see if the schools to which you want apply accept them. Parents, be supportive of your children; it's a very stressful time for them. If you give advice, make it sound like advice rather than a lecture. People respond better when they are addressed as an equal rather than a subordinate.

The advice I would give is that in the end you will never know if you picked the best college. One thing that you can do, is research the colleges well enough to minimize the risk of going to a college that you or your child will not be happy at. Just make sure to visit and see if there are multiple majors that you are interested in.

Students, these four years truly are the best of your lives. Make the most of them. This is the time in your lives when you become more independent and your choices can affect your future. When choosing a college, do your research. Do not worry if you are unsure of your future career because I guarantee that many others are too. If you do have an idea, search the schools that excel in your field of interest. Also, look into the clubs and activities that are offered. You want a selection because college is the time to expand your mind and expose yourself to ideas you have never thought of. Once you are in a school, remember that this experience is for you? and only you. Your future depends on the education you receive, how seriously you take your work, the different experiences you try, and the new friends you make. Never doubt yourself. You have made it this far, and you will make it further. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, ?The reward of a thing well done is to have done it.? My advice is to do it. Do what you feel because this is your life.

visiting is key

The college experience is made so much more valuable when you invest yourself not only in your studies, but also the opportunities around you. No matter where you choose to go, there will be internships, volunteering and, arguably just as crucial if not more so, organizations and groups of people that share common interests and talents, and it's truly worth your while to be involved in a few of them. Doing so keeps you energized, and you make incredible lasting friendships. Of course, it's important to strike a balance between social and academic pursuits, but they definitely go hand in hand. Regardless of where you go, you have complete control of your success and failure, so it's imperative to find that balance. Another factor to consider, especially in today's society, is whether or not the academic program of interest will set you on a path to a successful career and will cultivate your skillset to appeal to employers. At the end of school, undergraduate or graduate, you'll want to have established a solid foundation to be able to support yourself.

There are many aspects to consider when choosing the right college and making the most of your experience. The most important things to keep in mind are comfort and satisfaction. It is very difficult to succeed in a place where one does not feel comfortable. When choosing a college or university the applicant should not settle for anything less than what they want. They need to be satisfied with the decisions that they have made and the school must meet their standards. When making the most of your college experience, it may be difficult at first because it is a very unfamiliar environment than most are used to. The most important thing to remember is to get involved. It is important not to sit locked in your room all day. Get out and do something, join some clubs, meet some people and most importantly be optimistic!

Do not pick a college based on just the pictures and it's reputation. Do your best to get there and walk around to make sure it feels right and try to talk to current students. Not just the ones that work for the school but the ones that are walking around.

Visit the colleges that you plan on applying to. If they have an overnight program attend it, make sure that you can not only see yourself at the school but see yourself excelling at this school. Make sure that you get your applications in early depending on your high school GPA and SAT scores you could be offered a scholarship and the earlier you apply the higher your chances of getting the most money you can. Also make sure that you balance the importance of cost, learning style and quality of education in your education. Once on campus make sure you go to the activity fairs, get involved on campus there are many opportunities and great people you could miss out on if you choose not get involved. Club activities and organizations are a great way to continue an interest or a passion. Through activities you can broaden your perspectives, views and interests as well as possibly better yourself as a human being.

When someone asked me if I had found the right college my answer was usually, I don't know. I wasn't trying to avoid the question, i truly didn't know. I believe that each individual needs to make thier college the right one for them. Even if it was not your first choice, the college student needs to decide what they want to make of the college experience. If you choose to stay in your dorm room and study all day and night and go home on the weekends, that is your perogative. But, you must understand that you do not have the right to pass judgement on what you have not experienced ot taken part of. If you decide to go out every night and fail out because you are too tired to go to class, you have no right to say that the academic aspect of the college was unfair to you. The college student must be able to balance academics and social/extracirricular activities to be succseful. Then and only then will they know if they choose the right college, as I have come to find out at The College of New Jersey.

Visit each and every college, see which feels right. When I came to TCNJ, walking around campus just made me feel like this is where I am meant to spend 4 years of my life and I have never questioned that observation. Also, don't feel like the school's criteria for acceptance is above your realm; you never know until you apply. As for making the most of your college experience - have a ton of fun, work hard, open your mind to new things/new people, embrace your classes, don't be afraid of your professors (they are there for you) and be smart about your decisions. Don't go home all time time, stay and mingle with your friends on weekends, explore the campus and community surrounding it and make the most out of the four best years of your life!

The college choice has to be left to the student. They are the ones who will have to attend that college for four years of their life. Financially, most colleges will work with you. Students will know right when they step onto the campus which is the college for them. To make the most of your college experience get involved. Students have to learn that education has to come first. There needs to be a balance between one's social life and school work. Never let going out be a priority to your school work. Time management is the best skill you can learn because it will make you life less stressful.

There are so many things to take into consideration when applying and going away to college. I could tell parents and future students to do their research and really know each institution to which they are applying, but that seems obvious. I could say that it is important to know what you are looking for in a school before you start your search, but on many occassions few prospective students really have a clear idea of what they want. I could advise that it is important to maintain an appropriate balance between going out and doing schoolwork, but that is absolutely something that every future student hears from their parents every day until the moment they move into their new school. Any of these would be appropriate and helpful pieces of advice, i'm sure, however the best advice I can give is to make the most out of your experience and HAVE FUN! You only get one chance to choose a college and the process should be as stress-free as possible. It should be a collaborative effort between student and parent that works to bring them together in order to make a cohesive decision which will appease everyone.

Do it early. Ask around.

make sure to visit the college. every college has an atmosphere about it and you can tell the moment you get there. it sounds stupid, but its true, my college, TCNJ has a very warn and friendly atmosphere and i fely right at home the moment i walked onto campus. As far as making the most out of your experience, get involved. got out and meet people. you get as mych from your college as you put into it,

The most important thing to do when trying to pick a college is to visit the school. A college can look perfect on paper but you have to actually live there for 4 years and you can tell immediately upon visiting the school if it's a place you will be happy for four years. Also, look for diverse schools because no matter how much you may think you know what you want to major in, untill you actually take the classes you have no idea what it's really going to be like and you'd be surprised how many people chance their minds. Once you get to the school the best thing to do is to get involved with as many activities as you're interested in. It helps you meet so many new and interesting people and it helps you to really feel like part of the school and not just another faceless student. It also often helps you to decide what you are really interested in and what you really want to do once you graduate. It gives you experience getting involved with communities that are not strictly academic and may be more 'real world' oriented.

To find the right college, I suggest visiting the campus and participating in overnight visits if provided. Going to classes and asking enrolled students of their experience usually gives insight on college life at that particular school. Once choices are narrowed, visit the colleges one more time for a final impression before making a decision.

Eat lunch in the cafeteria, stay over for a night before choosing, when you get there, GET INVOLVED!

Find a college that you like. Try to have a major in mind and make sure the school has what you want to study,as well as some back up options just in case. Don't go too far from home, because that makes moving a hassle. Visit your school a few times (try to make them as varied as possible. for example different times of the week or different weather/seasons.) Talk to the people who go to school there. Look at the dorms and try the food a few times. Make sure you can afford to go there. No matter where you wind up, try to make the best of it. Enjoy yourself because you only get to do it once.

When searching for the college that is the "perfect match," my best advice would be to only go if you truly love it and see yourself going to that specific school and the idea that its not a bad thing to stay closer to home. When I first came to TCNJ, I was not at all interested in coming here simply because it was an in-state school and I wanted to go far from my home and my parents. However, I now realize that I probably would not get very far if I did go to that school far away. My college is luckily close enough to my home, yet far enough away that I am not forced to see my parents often, however, when I want to see them or need to go home, it is not that far away. As for making the most of the college experience, I would strongly suggest the student to go out and meet new people and interact with people from their classes and other activities. Since it is a new place, it is a new start for the student; a time for them to become the person they want to be.

The advice I always give parents and students when they come to visit The College of New Jersey is that no matter where they decide to attend school, the most important thing is to get involved in as much as possible on campus. I encourage them to explore different sports, greek life, volunteering opportunities, student government, etc. because I believe that this is the quickest and easiest way to meet people with similar interests while having fun at the same time. Getting involved with on-campus activities has provided me with so many opportunities, so I do my best to emphasize to prospective students the importance of trying new things and staying open-minded.

Remember that seeds grow where they're planted. If you don't get into your first choice institution, don't dwell on it. Look at the institutions to which you were accepted and try to find the best fit among them. Looking back at the two years of college experience under my belt, I don't think I could have been happier at any other school. Your college experience is entirely what you make of it. In the worst case scenario, you can transfer -- but try your best to make it work where you are. Soak in every moment of college -- you'll never regret doing so.

I would tell them to start as early as possible and to always keep an open mind. The most expensive colleges don't necessarily offer the best education and experiences. And most importantly, if cost is a factor, this shouldn't deter your decision to go to college because there is lots of financial aid out there.

find a school that fits you. look at all the activities they offer so that you can find something you'll enjoy, somewhere for you to meet people with similar interests.

I think a student will get the most out of his/her college experince by getting involved as much as possible. For some students that will be easier at a small, very intimate school and for others at a larger school.

The advice i would give to parents and/or students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is to go and visit the campuses. Stay overnight if they have a program. You must also be very outgoing and talk to other students. Introduce yourself to everyone you can because you will never know who can and/or will help you in the future.