The University of Montana Top Questions

It is important to let the student decide where they will be the happiest. Although it is very easy for parents to become overinvolved in the process and want the final decision regarding where their child will continue their education, this is the time where children grow and become their own person. If a student feels pressured into selecting a particular school for reasons other then their own, the overall experience will not be as enjoyable. When a student is given the opportunity to research, visit, apply, and attend a certain institution they immediately develop a much stronger connection and sense of pride in their college. Attending a school in which one is proud to attend will also lead to the student performing well in the classroom, creating more friendships along the way, and becoming more involved both on campus and throughout the community. In regards to a student selecting a particular school, it is important to fully investigate the areas of academic interest, professor and student relationships, as well as the University as a whole. College is a very expensive investment and you must be sure that you will be receiveing the best education possible.

Do not limit your options just because you think you know exactly what you want to do and where you want to go. I thought for sure I would be going out of state for school, but the scholarship opportunities, world-class education, and natural beauty attracted me to the University of Montanan, an in-state school for me. Make sure your school offers a variety of degree programs in case, which is highly likelyl, you change your major. Look for schools that are multi-faceted in ways that fit your interests. If you enjoy being active in a variety of clubs, check to see if your school choices have an active student body. Look for an overall life experience, because that is what college is meant to be for you. It's not just tests and finals, there's a lot of living, experiencing, and learning going on outside the classsroom.

Look for the college that best fits your person interests, look at the surroundings, talk to the staff there if you can, and above all else make sure you will feel comfrontable going there

You CAN have do all of the fun things you want to experience like skiing, starting a band, partying, etc. But you MUST have time management. Instead of procrastinating for twenty five mintutes before dinner or class, STUDY! Every minute counts for studying and those odd minutes add up fast! Study for five minutes while you are waiting for coffee. Do frequent, short study sessions, you will be more alert and involved with your studies compared to cramming all night before a test. I wish I realized that when I started college but I had to learn it for myself the hard way. Also, hang out with the person from your class even if your friend doesn't really like them. They could be cool. And its good to meet new people and try out new things.

I think the best advice I could give would be to get started as soon as possible. Take all the advanced placement classes you can and make sure you get college credit for finishing them. With that I would place special emphasis on college level math and english skills because, if you are further along in these subjects you will finsh quicker and have an easier time with materials presented to you. Its also important to get started thinking ahead. College moves fast and rewards those who are prepared for the challenges ahead. Make sure to find a major you can stick with for the long haul, if you start thinking about it now you may even be able to find a school housing your doctorate program. These are key movements to making a successful college career work for you. You may not always get the grades you want, the financial aid you need, or things just might take longer than you expected but, a little planning ahead now will go a long way in the future.

As you look for the right college or university to attend, be sure not only to look at the school but the community as well. I think it says a lot about a school if its community shows unyielding support. Remember that college isn't just about the socializing, but setting yourself up to have a successful future. It is important that if you know the area of study you want to go into, speak with alumni and department heads in that area at the school to see what kind of experience you would have academically. College in itself is an amazing experience and if you can walk away knowing you received a degree where you were really part of the program and not just a "blip" on the screen, it makes that experience even better. Find a college that speaks to who you are as a person. Colleges have their own individual personalities and you should know stepping onto the campus that you belong there. Think about whether that school would motivate you to learn new things and take opportunities you might not have considered before and expand your knowledge of life.

I believe more than anything, a student needs to find a place that makes them happy and comfortable. Money matters, school size, and amount of diversity are all important, but at the end of the day if you arent completely comfortable in your surrounding then none of the other things really seem to matter. Don't worry about whether or not the school is in too close to your home town or across the US, because no matter where your at, its the school itself that will be your home and comfort zone. I believe that academics are very important, but I also know that a student can not thrive in a place they doesn't quite feel like themselves. I guess what I am really saying is to make sure that as a student you can really see and feel yourself as a part of that community. Once that happens, then look at all the other details to decide if the school really is a perfect fit.

My advice to parents about finding the right college would be to look for colleges that are noticed for certain areas that the student is interested in. For example, if a university has an excellent pre-med program, learn about the university and see if it would appeal to your student. My advice to students about finding the right college would be to look for colleges all over the United States. Don't set your sights on a college just because it is easy to get into. Try and really look into what the colleges have to offer, especially if they are known for a field that you are interested in. To make the most of your college experience, get involved in anything and everything. Go to football games, concerts, plays, anything that lets you experience the college and what it provides through all different types of academics. If your a shy person such as myself, try a sorority or fraternity to help get you out of your shell. Sometimes getting encouragement from others in your position can help you interact with the college on a new level. They are not for just cheerleaders and football players anymore.

As a student who has attended three different colleges or universities, I strongly advise prospective students to make their decisions based on what is important to you. While thinking about where you want to go, keep in mind how far away from your family you will be, if the school is well-qualified in your potential area of study, and what extra-curricular activities do they offer. Once I was able to sort through these questions, I finally found my home here at the University of Montana.

The most important aspect to factor in to your college decision is whether the student will feel comfortable in the environment. Are the people friendly, are there abundant activities that the student would enjoy, is there accessible assistance for any issue the student might have? College is an important step and can be a difficult transition but if the student feels comfortable in their decision a lot of stress can be aleviated. Since college is a big transition, it is important for parents to stay involved in the student's life. The student is transistioning to becoming an independent adult and that can be scary. A lot of students check their mail several times a day, with the hope of correspondance from family or friends they no longer see regularly. I strongly suggest to parents to use the mail for communication as well . I encouage new students to meet new people and give themselves some slack in relation to grades. The first year is going to be tough in respect to organizing your time. My advice is to focus on getting through the first few semesters before focusing on grades too heavily. The stress is not worth it.

In finding a college, make sure it is where you feel your heart is. Make use of a college that offers you a career opportunity inside and outside of school. It should be a place where you could also call home and not just a structured insitution of learning - a place where a mixture of fun and learning blends really well. Choose a path and a place that you know will bring out the best of your abilities and potential as a person. You're already in college, show what you want to become in the near future and don't be afraid to express yourself now more than ever.

Finding the right college can be a challenging process, but it should not overwhelm students or parents. Some high school students may have a rough idea of what they want to do for a living, but once they get to college, things can really change. It is difficult to know how to make the most out of the college experience until one begins taking classes. So I think it is important for students pursuing post-secondary education to seek a school that has values that are similar to those of the student. When choosing a college, it is best to get to know the community that houses the University. This is the best way to guess what the campus is like if it is not an option to visit the campus. Students should also consider enrolling as an ?undecided? major. It gives students the chance to understand what they enjoy learning about the most, without wasting finances. As a freshman, I was very decided on elementary education. But after a semester of classes, I realized I was more interested in other studies. Ultimately, leaving room for changes and getting involved on campus is crucial for an extraordinary college experience.

Go to the school and hang out to see if you fit the culture.

Finding the right college is all about be comfortable in the environment. If you feel at ease on campus, in the classroom, and in the dorms, chances are you will be a good fit for that school. Also, look closely at activities you enjoy and see if they offer those in the community. It's important to get out of study-mode and take some time to do things for yourself. To make the most of the college experience, I think the most important thing is to make sure you remain true to yourself. There are a lot of social and academic pressures associated with attending college. As long as you don't compromise who you are, your experience will be a good one. Finally, soak it up! Enjoy being in a new environment, meeting new people, and learning.

I would recommend parents and students to take their time in chosing a university. I would also highly recommend to go and visit potential schools and really listen to your gut feeling that you get from being on the campus and take time and really research and ask questions. Last, I would tell them to keep money and costs out of the decision, because if you feel confident in that school, there are ways to budget and pay for school.

make the most of it

The college you chose does not make the experiences happen for you. It is all about your personal outlook on life. If you study hard and maintain your goals, any college or university will be able to set you up for success. The university only enhances your future, so you must be the one to create it.

While the colorful brochures and the impressive sounding statistics may seem convincing, universities excel at selling good qualities while hiding bad ones. After evaluating and narrowing down your list of potential choices, plan a visit to each campus. Although touring the campus and asking questions can be helpful, pay attention to how you feel while there. Try to find a college that you can see yourself enjoying through the good times and the bad for the next four to five years. More than anything else, your environment will have the greatest effect on your success and could very well determine whether your graduate or drop out.

Finding the right college for students is all about feel. Take your time, look at some different colleges and ask questions to get a feel for what college will be like on an everyday basis. Once you have made your decision and leave for college be open. By being open you will make the most of your college experience and that starts with dorm rooms. Leave your door open when you are there, because it promotes interaction with many people who will become your friends by semester's end. Getting to know people in your dorm develops friendships that will last a life time. Following that continue to balance your social and academic life by getting involved with other campus groups. This will help you make the best of your college experience, and by being open and getting involved you will make life long friends that will be there for the rest of your life.

Visit the campus, talk to the faculty and students that currently enrolled. Make sure its an environment that you are going to like, both socially and the outdoor scene. Also, check out the curriculum and make sure they offer classes that you are interseted in, even make sure they offer your second and third major or minor choices, cause you never know when you might change your mind.

I would advise parents to ask their kids what they like to do with their free time. A campus should facilate a student's desired extra curricular activities. It is important for a campus to have the academic resources a student needs to be successful in their chosen career but one of biggest reasons I didn't fit with my first college was the lack of activities they had. Nothing stimulated me when I was away from school and I ended up transfering schools just to be happy all around. The environment in and off campus is crucial to students being happy with their choice of school.

My advice is to make sure you find a campus that you know you will have social things that you will enjoy too. Make sure you check and see if they off what you want to major in, or how far you can go. Make sure you pick a campus with fun things to do outside of the education part. Have gyms, clubs, ski mountians, pools, anything that you want to do or always wanted to try. If you like the outdoors pick a college that has a great outdoor scene. Make sure you go somewhere you know you can be happy or find something to make you happy.

Listen to your intuition when you experience a campus for the first time. Simply close your eyes, envision your favorite place on the premises and think about yourself being there. If it feels right, consider the university as a whole. Don't settle for anything you don't feel great about! The right campus is out there for you, YOU JUST HAVE TO FIND IT! Take your time to find the campus most likely to help you become successful in the long run and one that is well known and praised for the department of your preferred major. Above all, utilize your resources. Speak with campus counselors and faculty in your department so you can ask them lots of questions. Last but not least, make sure you visit during a week that should have a more realistic view of campus life, such as a few weeks after homecoming or just before Thanksgiving. And have fun!

Pick somewhere that you will feel comfortable in when you get there, not when you leave. Its somewhere that will become your home and you want to be able to have fun with the kind of people who attend and in the culture of the town. Check out as many schools as you can and the right one will feel the best. Study something you have a passion for and pick an area of study before you pick a school, not the other way around.

If I had one piece of advice to give college freshmen or applying high school seniors, it would be: get involved. I have an on campus job that allows me to interact with students on a daily basis and do things like work with suicide prevention efforts, help people quit smoking and help students eat healthier. I am part of a positive change on my campus and I find it very rewarding. Not only am I meeting new people but I?m getting experience in my field that I couldn?t have gotten anywhere else. I?ve formed lasting bonds in my community that will help me after I graduate and made lifelong friends through getting involved on my campus.

I would tell students and/or parents to choose a college based on (most importantly) whether or not it offers majors that the student will be interested in. Secondly, people should pick a college based on what types of sports, and/or activities that are available for students to participate in to take the edge off all the reading you have to do. Of course, after picking a college, be involved with events outside of the classroom, and get to know your advisors (if declared major). If you're serious about planning your future, your advisor will be more than happy to help. Being involved with things that are happening on campus will help students transition, make friends, get to know the atmosphere of the place and feel more welcome. Lastly, get to know people in positions that will be able to offer help throughout your college career (internship services, tutoring services, job placement services, and professors in your chosen major). It's all about connections and being involved.

Travel, live, and love. Take some time to see and expeirience the world so you can develop your sense of self. By doing this you can find out what it is that you want to do with your life and career path. I think blindly following the mold of highschool, college, career is severly limiting. It rarely offers you a chance to live. Before you decide on a school, decide on life and what it is you want to get out of it and give back to it. Once you decide on a school, if that is what you choose to do, commit to it. Be involved with the oppurtunities that abound on campus and in the community. Work in your field as much as possible while in school so that when you graduate you will not only have a degree but valuable expeirience as well. And take it seriously, yes college is a fantastic social outlet, but don't let the people and the parties deter you from your bigger picture - your ultimate goal. Finally and most importantly - have fun, relax and enjoy the learning process, because before you know it you'll be working for the man.

Good teachers exist in every college. In my experience the name of the college is not as important as what you want to get out of your university. If you learn well in small class sizes, or are interested in extracurricular activities, these will help you be satsfied with the university you have chosen. College is also about understanding more about yourself, so location, political views, and extracurricular activities offered at the school should be considered.

Visit the campus! See if the college you are looking at feels right because you will be spending a lot of time here!

Choose a college that you immediatly feel welcome in. If it feels like an unfriendly place, it is.

Take you time, but in the end make the decision where you will feel more at home because after a while you want to be able to call your school home.

There's no such thing as the wrong decision in the choice of a school. It's all about what you make of it.

Look at all the options and take campus tours. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there because everyone is feeling the same way you are. Once you're in the scene it's easy to make friends.

If it feels right, go for it!

When looking for the right college look for a college that appeals to you both as an academic student and a young adult. When looking don't just pick a school based on its academics, find one that suits your personality as well. Finding a college thats suits your personality will help you make the most of your college years. Whether or not you join a soroity/fraternity introduce yourself to as many people as you can. The people you meet in college can become lasting friends or networks for later in life. Parents should give there children rules when they go off to college, however let your children experience life. Just remeber you don't have to be a party animal in college to have a good time. Do what makes you feel comfortable and make your experience what you want it to be.

Spend a little bit of time in the city or area that you are considering attending school in. You will most likely be spending a lot of time in and around the community, and it is important to feel comfortable and compatible with your surroundings. Find out what recreational activities there are around the area, because all of your time will not be spent in classes. Visit the school during the active semesters and sit in on a few classes, especially those pertaining to your interests or fields of study. Those professors will most likely be your future teachers. Attend a sporting event, and club meetings that pertain to your interests. If possible, stay in campus housing, to see if you like the living arrangements. It is very important to "try on" a school before you invest thousands of dollars and your future in it. I grew up close to my current university and had been there many times before I actually enrolled. I was, and am, comfortable with the vibe of the school and the communtiy, because it matched me. School is a big commitment, and I think that one should do everything possible NOT to commit blindly.

This should be fun! Going to college is a very exciting transition in your life. Yes, it can be stressful and scary at times, but it's still always exciting! This is the time to discover who you truly are and to build the person you will become, so embrace it! When college hunting, first listen to the word of mouth, what colleges have you heard good things about? Then use your school resources. Find schools that counselors and teachers recommend and check out the brochures your school has on them. If you like something, check out its webpage. Now, narrow your search down to your top five and try to visit, in person, as many of them as you can. Figure out what you're looking for in a school and which one fits you best. (Don't be afraid if its an instate college, they're usually cooler than you think they'll be!) When you find the right school: read all the flyers on the walls for things to do and be prepared to step a little outside your comfort zone- you have to with anything new. But it'll be worth it in the end!