University of Missouri-Columbia Top Questions

Visiting the college is the only way to understand the feel of the campus. The way people interact with each other, the way they dress, and how happy they are are all important qualities to new students. Once you get there, remember the great qualities you saw on your visit, and don't take them for granted. Remember really liking the dining hall where you ate during the tour? Go there for lunch sometimes with your high school friends to stay in touch. Were you really impressed with the athletic facilities? Don't forget all the special features your tour guide told you about. And at the beginning of every school year, the campus and each dorm offer all kinds of activities for new students to meet each other. This may feel silly, but it really does work. Be willing to try new things and meet new people; they could become really important for the rest of your life.

Make sure you do your research, and definitely visit the college. Visiting the college is crucial, so try to visit more than once in various times of the year. This will help you get a real life feel for the campus that no flyer could tell you. It is important to keep in mind your child's major, and also any other majors they might possibly be interested in, and focus on those areas of the college when you visit. If they are a business major, don't get carried away by the science research facilities if the business college doesn't inspire as much interest. Also, try to get in touch with students in your child's field of study to talk about the specifics of the courses offered and classroom structure. To make the most of college, definitely get involved, but limit your involvement to one or two organizations that really interest you. Don't let your studies fall behind because of over-involvement. I would definitely recommend living in the dorms to get to know other students. Many colleges separate dorms according to interest groups, which helps iting to know people. And most importantly, enjoy it all!

My advice is directed to high school students who are considering playing college sports. First, choose the college based on academics and your personal goals for after college. Many student-athletes find themselves in a major that their coach picked for them because it is easy and does not conflict with practices and games. Yet, most athletes do not go professional so after four years playing in college, they graduate with a useless degree without any job prospects. Especially for women in sports, we are not going to make the millions of dollars men do playing in the MLB or NFL, so we need to work hard academically in order to succeed after graduation. In addition, my experience playing on a college softball team was that many of my teammates were not happy and not enjoying college. They simply stuck around for the scholarship. My advice is if you are not happy, the scholarship is not a reason to stay on the team. For the amount of hours you put into the team, you can get a job that will pay enough for you to pay for school. You only get one college experience, make the most of it!

My advice to students is to actually search for a college, which includes campus visits. Don't wait on your parents, teachers, or counselors to do it for you. While yet in high school or even grade school, find something that you?re really passion about and go with it. Find that school that comes close or does meet YOUR requirements and apply. Don't worry about how much tuition is. Always remember: what better to invest in than yourself, your own future. After getting into college, you must give it your all. Work hard and truly allow yourself to experience the college life. Get involved in organizations. College is networking. Most times it's not about what you know, it's who you know. As for the parents, I would say, just supported your child. It makes a big difference, socially and academically, when they know you?ve got their back! Sometimes parents already have a vision of what school that child will go to and what will be their major, but if you look inside your son or daughter you'll see that they have dreams of their own. Help them make those dreams and goals a reality.

I would tell parents to be understanding because choosing a college can be very stressful. I would also encourage parents not to try to push their kids to go to the school they went to if their kid doesn't want to. College is all about making decisions and discovering things on your own, and this is so much more enjoyable if you're at the college you want to be at. I would tell students who are trying to find the right college to do some research. Make a list of what you want out of your college and be sure that it's going to be able to offer you all of these things. Talk to other students who go there, not just people who work for the college because of course they're going to make it sound great. The best thing you can do is ask questions. My advice to making the most of your college experience is to get involved. The more involed you are, the more people you'll meet and the more fun times you'll have. I feel like you can have fun at any college if you're involved.

Start looking early and plan ahead.

I would tell students to visit all the colleges they wanted to visit and see if they would fit in well with the people that attend that college i would also tell them to do the research on the school as well so that they can see what the school is all about. feelinf relaxed at a college can make a huge difference on alot of factors at college.

The most important thing when choosing the college that is right for you or your child is to look for a place where you can be comfortable and learn as much as possible. It is important to learn lessons both in the classroom and out of it, so it is good to look for a place where you can get a good education, as well as live in a good environment. Attending a school that is going to cause you to be stressed out all the time is not the purpose of college, but it is also important to find a place where you will learn as much as possible about your chosen field so that you can have a successful career upon graduation. The most important thing is to look for a place where you will be able to learn and be happy. Both of those qualities are necessary for a fulfiling college experience. There is more to college than just books and tests, but only having a good time will not prepare a student enough for a successful career. The key is to find balance.

When looking for the right college it is really important that students take into account their needs. If a student feels comfortable on a small campus he should concentrate on the campus's size and student body. If a student wants to participate in extracurricular activities, he or she should concentrate on what the campus has to offer. If the student is worried about the cost he should concentrate on financial aid opportunites and tuition. Decisions like this will really help a student find a school that he or she will feel comfortable at, and that is important because if a student is uncomfortable he will not do well in school. Parents should concentrate on all of these things as well, but most importantly they should listen to what their children want, and they should support their children's decisions. That is the most helpful thing a parent can do in this situation, and it will make the whole application process much easier and much more satisfying.

Don't always believe everything the tour tells you. Stray away from the beaten path and ask actual students about things. For the most part students are pretty helpful, if it's not in the middle of a test week and everyone is stressed out. Also, make sure you're happy with the way the campus is layed, as well as the quality of your major's building, because you will be spending a lot of time there.

I would say don't limit a child to what is cheap or affordable because that is more likely to limit what they get out of their schooling. If you want your child to get the most out of college allow them to reach a little higher than what anybody thinks is possible.

Being in college everyone has one thing in common. They are broke. Becky May from the University of Missouri- Columbia will give some "helpful" tips on how to save every penny.

Go to the college campus in person and ask students about their experience and learn about their programs there. Get the feel for the campus to see you can see yourself living there for four or more years and see if they have a program that fits you.

As a college student, my biggest challenge was figuring out what I wanted to major in. My advice to a college student is to take your time declaring a major. You don't want to be stuck in a major that you aren't sure you want to pursue. Make sure that when you DO declare a major, it's because you are passionate about it. Don't let your peers, parents, or friends pressure you into doing something you don't want to do or feel uneasy doing, academically related or not. My advice to parents would be for them to try and be understanding and compassionate during the college search and college experience. It is not an easy experience but most certainly a memorable one; you want your child to have fond memories of these years. If your child changes their majors 18 times before they are sophomores, let them. Any mistakes they make, let them know that you are there for them. After all, they can learn from their mistakes and they are only human.

Spend most of your junior and senior years in high school researching career fields and the schools that excel in those fields, and determine what you want to go to school for long before you actually attend college.

deciding which college to attend for yourself (the potential student) is more than just picking a location to study and rest at, it is a career decision and lifestyle adjustment. Some schools perform better at specific areas than other schools: if you want to play football you might attend USC, or if you want to be a journalist you might attend the University of Missouri (MU), or if you want to be a filmmaker you might attend NYU, etc... My point is, whatever college you decide to attend (the potential student), you should research and consider carefully where you decide to learn, making sure the school you pick not only will prepare you the best for the career you decide to choose but also condone a healthy environment for learning and fits the lifestyle you lead. I say lifestyle because regions, areas, and cultures are different. People in New York might be different than people attending Texas University, and some schools get the title of "party school". with that said, school is an experience, so have fun and soak it all in, but it is a means to an end, so always study, your school work is above all else.

First they need to have the major you want. Dont let college romurs affect where you go. Visist the campus during the school year to get an idea aout how many people are on campus. The most imporant to make the most of colege experience is to get involed with clubs.

I would tell them to check out the campus before you accept and while your in school try all the activities your interested in your freshman year.

LOOK AROUND! Don't go with the first collage you visit or the ones all your friends are going too

My advice for anyone planning to attend this university is this. The university of Missouri is a great school that offers a high quality of education filled with excellent chances and opportunities to succeed academically (especially with regard to the biomedical fields) while at the same time offering the personal freedom and social outlets needed for a student to discover who they are and blossom into the person they want to be.

College is all about what you make it. You don't have to go away to a fancy or expensive university of have an amazing experience. Definitely take into consideration what you can afford, because although student loans are helpful, all too often students find themselves swimming in debt. I guarantee you can find a school that matches what you want, and accomodates your financial situation. Always apply for scholarships. A lot of times students think that they don't qualify for aid or scholarships based on their financial status, ethnicity, age, etc., but you can always find scholarships... you might just have to search for them. Also, make sure you feel comfortable at your school. Visit the campus before you make a decision. That school is going to be your home for the next four years (give or take a few) and you don't want to feel like you don't belong there. And just have fun. Definitely make sure you keep up with your academics, but go out and make friends, too. Join clubs. Play sports. Do whatever makes you happy, because otherwise your experience won't be worth much at all.

You must reasearch your college. Visit your college of choice find programs to intergrate you with people attending or about to attend that college. Make friends and form strong bonds for support when you are away from home it helps. Find out if they have organizations that fit you. Make the time to learn all about your future college.

Don't pick a college based on one factor. One University might be the best place for a certain program, but if you hate the town or the school is smaller than you what you are looking for or its too expensive, it's not worth it! You need to weigh every factor equally. Many schools will be appropiate for you program of interest. Find one that is about the right size, a desirable distance from home, and offers you some sort of financial aid. Also, do not base your decision on what your friends or family want you to do. They're not the ones who will be living there for four years. It's all about YOU.

I have already had this opportunity. When my good friend, mentor, and scout leader, and his son asked me about advice on college, and how to choose I told them this.. I love Mizzou, I have a lot of fun, but it is tough. You have to visit the campus to see what you are getting into. BeforeI first visted Mizzou, I had no intentions of attending here. After my visit, I was almost certian that I would come here. I recieved no scholarships from Mizzou, or any financial aid. With that being said, I recieved an offer, or an undisclosed ammount from a university in Texas for swimming. I always planned on attending school in Texas, but Mizzou just seemed like the right thing. I dont regret anything about my decision to come here. I have a lot of fun, and my friends i have met here (in my classes, not at parties) we have become real close. We study during the week, and then go out on the weekends. All you have to do to succed is try! Surround yourself with people like you, know your limits, and go out and meet people. Your life depends on it.

Make sure you choose a college where you can learn what you want to learn. Dont be tempted to choose a major because you can make alot of money or that your friends are in. Do something you love and don't settle for anything less. Have fun and party but not too much. Study hard and get good grades. Don't slack off the first year because it will be harder to get your gpa back up. Be a kid but learn to grow up a little too. Be smart with your money and learn what loans are and interest rates! Go to a school that you can call your home. When it seems to get too hard, study more and party less! Have FUN!

Remember that the quality of the education recieved is not based only on the college which you attend, but also the amount of effort you, yourself put into your education. Picking an expensive school because it is private and more well known does not gaurantee success. Likewise, choosing a large state school does not prohibit success. If you strive to recieve a good education, you will be able to succeed at whatever institution you choose. Even at large schools, in large lectures, meeting with professors one on one is commonplace (and very helpful) as long as YOU initiate the communication. Instead, when you search for a school, think of how often you want to return home, how comfortable you think you will be without your high school friends and family, how big of a school you would be comfortable at, or use this choice as a way to explore some area of the world you have never seen before. In my choice, I decided that it was important for me to stay near home and with my friends (I'm quite shy), but I know the quality of my education has not at all been diminished by my choice.

do what makes sense to you.. not someone else

When choosing a college, their education programs is not the only factor to look into. Although it is important to find the right and best program for you, you should look into other factors like how involved you would like to be on campus and if the school has enough extracurricular activities for you. Perhaps you are interested in the town locally and want to learn more about the surrounding community. Maybe you may like a small college compared to a university. Fact is each student is looking for different things that interest them in the school. It's most important to visit the school and get a feel if it's a right fit for you. If you can envision yourself at the school and love the education program you are in, everything will fall into place. There is usually a place for every type of student at most colleges. It is what you make of the experience once you choose the college that will determine if you have made it right for yourself.

I never visited the campus before I decided to attend Mizzou. I lucked out, because I love Mizzou. But, in the case of most, it is probably best to visit the campus before agreeing to attend it. Most colleges are going to be the same way, anyway. You get out of it what you put into it. For example, if you want to have a studious 4 years, you can do so by finding quiet places to study on a regular basis. If you want a crazy time, then there will be other people who share your desire for a good time.

I would advise parents to visit the schools of interest before deciding to attend school there. Talk with current students so you can find out the advantages and disadvantages with that particular school. Also, visit many schools. There is no way of knowing what school fits best for a student until they have had several choices to compare against each other. It also helps to know what general field the student plans to focus on in school so they can meet potential teachers and aquire connections early on. This is particularly true for smaller colleges

Finding the right college is not about where your parents went or what expectations your friends and families have for you. Finding the right college is solely your decision, and frankly one of your biggest decisions. When deciding where I wanted to go to college I tried to keep an open mind and steer clear of bias. I ended up attending a university that is nine hours away and I didn't know a single sole. I chose this school because it is the best school for my major and it felt right upon visiting. It is key that you visit the schools that you are interested in. You are going to be spending four, if not more, years at the school so you better check to see if the campus fits you. When it comes down to it most people will be fine at most universities. Schools today are accommodating to all and have a big enough populace to include everybody. But you don't want to be fine. You want to make sure the school is RIGHT FOR YOU. So follow what feels right, and enjoy it. College is the best time of your life!!

I would advise parents and students to research, visit and compare schools together. It is important to visit the campus and talk to faculty and students, if available. Take the time to apply and consider all of your options, and don't forget to consider the distance from home and the ease of travel to and from school and your parents home. Consider what the school is credited for and the area of focus; if you are undecided try to choose a school with a wide variety of majors for a chance to explore different career options. After the student begins school, make sure to study hard and stay focused. Use your resources; talk to your professors, meet new people, and if you need it, ask for help. Try not to visit home too much in the begging because this will help the student gain the independence necessary to suceed in school and in the future. Study hard for a solid GPA but don't forget to have fun, it is a good stress reliever. Then, most important is to have fun, you have the rest of your life to work!

Visit a lot of colleges and apply to at least one school that might seem out of reach. Also, don't overload your self with classes and try to not get too involved on campus that you never have time to just hang out with friends and relax. Finally, for students that have parents that went to college, listen to them; no matter how long ago they went, they still might be able to make suggestions so you don't have to learn things the hard way when they already have.

The right college should always be based on where you're going to succeed academically and where you can learn the most in the time you are there. If equal opportunities arise, you should choose the one that has the best campus spirit and sense of community to where you can make relationships to last a lifetime. Mizzou offers just that, and I love every minute of it.

get involved, it's easy and if you don't you'll really be missing out. To parents: Don't smother your kids with rules before college, because it's easy for them to go wild at college (like any other) and they can mess up fast if they're not used to having freedom.

Start by searching based on your major or area you think you are going to go into. Second, think about what region of the country you want to go to, particularly how far from home you are willing or able to go. I first began my search looking far away, but then realized I didn't want to be so far from my younger siblings. Third, and most important, visit the schools to see where you feel comfortable. I changed my first choice based on the atmosphere I felt during a visit that made me feel welcome and belonging.

From my experience, I think it is very important to look into a student's personal interests, future career goals, as well as accredidation of their degree or progam they are interested in pursuing. For parents, I think it is very important for them to take into consideration the needs of their child. But also, they need to look into the financial aid the school provides, and the overall value the college or university is providing. And to make the most of your college experience, you must be open to new ideas and things, because college is a place where many people discover things they never knew about and find out they love. If you try not to stay in those cliques that were formed in high school, you can get to know people from many different cultures and backgrounds. It will make you a more worldly and well rounded person, which will make you a better candidate for any job field in this growing global society.

To find the right college I would look at location first and then which academic program you want to go into to and whether or not it's an accredited program. Make the most out of your college experience by getting involved! There are tons of clubs for anyone's interests and their are many people just like YOU who will make your college experience AMAZING! My best advice to offer any college student is to GO TO CLASS, don't be afraid to ask your professors/classmates for help, try new things, attend sporting events, get involved inside your dorm (it's the best way to meet the people you live with), and RELAX. Every student started off in your shoes as a freshman in a new place. Just have a positive attitude and your college experience will become one of the best times of your life to look back on and smile at all the memories.

Pick a college where you are going to be challenged academically. Friends are important though, and this aspect should not be neglected. Decide how big of a college you want, and whether you like a small town feel, or the big city atmosphere. There are a lot of things to consider when making this decision. If you get there and don't like it, tough it out for a semester or two. Usually it just takes some time to adjust to big changes like this. And if it still doesn't work out, transfer somewhere else, but no matter what you do, keep on going. Take some time off if you need to, but do it with the intent of getting back on the horse, and only if you know you really will. College is a time meant to be enjoy, not JUST buried in books 24/7. Go out and enjoy life. That's the important part: doing what you love.

Pick a school that you think you will feel comfortable with. You want to be able to do everything that you want so look to see what they offer and what relates to you.

My advice would be to look at all aspects of the college such as class size, greek life, extracurriculars, majors offered, as well as distance away from home. When choosing a college make sure to also look at what the college has to offer in terms of services and what off-campus life is like as well. You won't spend all your time on campus so you need to like the town. Make the most of your college experience by being yourself. College is a time to discover who you are and persue your dreams. You can't do that by being someone that you are not. Also, don't be afraid to talk to people and try new things! Even though it seems like it will take you forever to finish your degree, time flies! This is should be the happiest time of your life and my advice for that is to find a college where you can work hard and play hard.

I would advise paernts/students to choose the school that is most affordable and caters to the specifications of what you are looking for in terms of your education.

Parents: Don't rush to choose a school. Also, visit each perspetive campus!! It's not enough to just look through fancy brochures. Each college is going to give you impressive photographs. High school is important, but just because your son or daughter had an ACT score of a 35 doesn't mean they are going to wake up and go to that 8 am class or study enough the night before. College takes a good amount of self-discipline and time management. Sure, it can be tons of fun and hopefully the best time of your life, but if your son or daughter goes to college thinking it's going to be all fun and little work than they will be back by Thanksgiving. Students: You should look forward to college and all of the posibilities it presents you, but go in your first semester with a hard-working mentality like you would your carrer. If you learn to only get by in school than that pattern of laziness will go on and follow you the rest of your life.

Make sure you visit the school you want to attend before enrolling in classes.

Do not be afraid to consider a larger college. It is true, the class sizes will be larger; but there will always be someone to work with on your homework or to help with the late night sessions right before the big test. There will always be people to comiserate with over horrible dining hall food and crazy professors. You will meet a diverse group of people and make some of the best friends you will ever have. That is what you are going to college for. It is not just about getting an education in the classroom; it is also about growing and learning as a person.

College is a large financial and time consuming endeavor. This is a decision that should not be taken lightly. Students, you should think about interests that you enjoy, not just a career and major in which you will make a large sum of money. If you are not happy, the money is not going to be of much comfort. Parents, this is a trying time for you and your student. Be encouraging and enthusiastic with this experience and be their for support. Your children might not have the same goals and ideals as you, so step back and consider this and be their to assist them along the way. Post-secondary education of some kind is imperative in today's global and ever changing economy, so make the decision to pursue this education for your welfare. Good luck and have fun with this, it will be an experience to remember!

Visit the school. Students, don't let your parents control your decision. It is the next four+ years of your life. You need to make the decision. Parents, don't freak out. Let them make their own decisions, not only when it comes to which school, but let them move on to the next chapter in their lives. Do not baby them. You raised them for all these years, it is time for them to grow up and make their own choices, and learn from those choices. Students, don't only focus on school. Find a balance of social life and classes. Get involved. Do anything that intrests you. Don't let money determine where you'll go. Make sure you will be happy with your decision and don't let anything stand in your way!

Love this time in your life!

The first piece of advice that I could give students about finding the right college is not to let anything hold you back. Don't let friends convince you to follow their path: you can make friends where ever you go, and your high school friends will still be there when you graduate. Don't let parents keep you in your hometown if you crave a new scene. Don't let financial concerns overshadow your dreams of attending the perfect university: student loans, scholarships, and part-time jobs are the keys to financial survival, and hey, eventually the college you love will lead you to a career you love so you'll be able to pay off those loans. Next, do everything in your power to be as active on campus as your schedule will allow. Sitting at home watching reruns of Seinfeld isn't nearly as fulfilling as learning from all of the different backgrounds on college campuses. Finally, study abroad. Enough said. Most of us were stuck in our little bubble until college, but there are a billion people and places to discover outside of the United States, and studying abroad is the perfect way to realize that.

Dont make the decision based souly on money. Go where your heart is pulling you.