University of Missouri-Columbia Top Questions

Be open to a variety of colleges. Just because one has a certain reputation or friends are there, doesn't mean it's the right place for you. Make a list of the most important aspects you want in school, and rate the ones that you visit.

I would tell them to get involved and talk with people. College is a time in a person's life where they will experience things they have never done before, see and meet people they will never meet again. Its a once in a lifetime experience, and in order to make the most of it, you have to get involved and do something. It will help shape who you are and who you will become later in life.

Choosing a college is a very hard choice for both students and parents. Moving to a new town/state and living on their own can be very scary for young adults. For parents, the choice is also scary for them because they want the best for their children and of course want to always be there for their children. Most parents want their children to be at the college closest to them, but they need to allow their child to make the decision. This is the student's time to grow up and the parent needs to respect this. College can be difficult and stressfull, but it is all a part of the experience. The parent will soon start seeing great results from their child before they know it their child will no longer be their little baby, they will be an independent adult.

I would tell parents and students to make sure that they fully research the university and visit the university before deciding upon attending. I would also encourage potential students and their parents to ask questions about the university and talk to some of the staff and the students (not just the ones who are in charge of admissions).

The best advice I can think of would be to tour as many colleges that you can. Consider everything about a college. Include not only the acedemic aspect of a college but also the home life of a college and the fun. What works best for you. Never chose a college because of the people that you will know there. You can make friends at any college. Chose what is best for you, not anyone else but you.

The best advice i can give is to start looking early and sumbit your applications early.

Being close to home is important. For me, I find myself very busy with work and school and there is simply not much time to visit home. It is essential that you make the most out of those times you do have to go home. YOU HAVE TO GO TO CLASS! For most of my classes simply showing up to every class insures a good grade.

Visit several different places, and ask people you know about the colleges that they went too.

Take your time. Start early, and visit as many campuses as you possibly can. Don't be shy to ask your tour guide questions if it helps you get your feel for the campus. Inquire about sorority/fraternity life if you're interested; these can be very helpful in helping you meet/make new friends during your freshman year who are probably going through the same thing you are. Do research on each school you're considering; find out what each university is known for (i.e. Mizzou is known for their Journalism school). Most importantly, make sure you choose a school that you can see yourself going to; one that fits you, and makes you happy.

Make sure you find a college that not only suits you academic needs, but also your financial and social needs as well. It is important to graduate with a useful degree as well as finding lifetime friends and not coming out of school with $80,000 in student loans. Check out all kinds of universities, big and small, just to get a feel for the differences even if you think you might not be particularly interested in a school. Take your time and work with your school for financial aid. Good Luck!

Put a lot of thought into what you want to do before you select a school. If you don't know then go to school "undeclared." Most colleges will give you two years to declare a major. After your major has been decalred, make sure youkeep your priorities straight. School first, always. School before girls, before drinking, before extra curriculur activites. Maintain focus on the end goal - graduating. Utilize your school's career services office often and early.

save as much money at you can before you go

When choosing the right college, high school seniors are usually worried about cost and whether or not it is a "party" school. There will be parties at every school and the cost should not matter that much because every student will have to pay off college loans after they graduate anyway. It is important that students should pick the school that they feel most comfortable. Students will be better learners and want to try harder in a place that they want to be and feel comfortable. Getting an education is more important than worrying about what you will be paying later. Parents should let their student choose where they want to go. They will get more out of their education- and more out of their money- if they are at the school that makes them happy. After all, it is four years of the students life, so they should be able to choose where they want to spend it.

Apply to all the colleges you feel are right for you and once you find out which schools accepted you, go visit each one of them. I applied to eight colleges and visited all of them to see where I would fit in the best and right when I stepped onto University of Missouri's campus, I knew I would fit in best here and so far I love it. Even if you are unsure about getting into some of the colleges you want to apply to, just apply. You never know if they will accept you or not and there is no harm in trying.

All that matters, when it comes down to it, is finding somewhere where you will be truly happy.

Make sure you go to visit days, and go on your own personal visit with the major you wish to enroll in. Visiting and learning about where you'll be for four years is really important.

I think that the key to finding the right college is to know why it is you really want to go to college. Although college is, first and foremost, a chance to advance your education, that may not be the reason that you really want to go. Some people want to go to experience the life of a college student. For those people, a rigorous 4-year academically challenging university would not be the way to go. Every college has something that's unique and interesting about it. Don't just go for the big name colleges. Find out why it is you truly want to go to college and search for that. The easiest way to adapt to a new situation is for it to be a situation that you enjoy being in. Also, the only way to make the most of your college experience is to get out there and get involved with your college. No matter how scary it may seem, the only way you'll ever get anywhere is to give it a try.

Don't, don't, DON'T go somewhere to a) follow a boyfriend/girlfriend or best friend, b) because your dad/mom/grandpa went there, c) because the sports are good (unless you're playing them), d) because you got a free ride, or e) for any reason that has something to do with partying, sororities/fraternities, non-academia, good on-campus housing or food or other related folly. College is for learning; as lame as that sounds, it's true. All those other things should come second, third, and fourth. Let the extra-curricular things enhance your experience once on campus, not impact the decision on where to go. Don't follow friends; you'll make new ones. Don't follow a boyfriend/girlfriend; allow yourself to miss and be missed. (They'd just be a distraction anyway.) Learn. Throw yourself into studies. College means being a full-time student. It's a four-year occupation, odd in the sense that you pay to have this job, but appropriate nonetheless considering tuition is just a downpayment on a future.

I believe that no matter what college a student gets into, their college experience will come from what the student puts into it. That being said, I would advice parents and students to visit different colleges and look for the one that "feels" right. Instinct is a strong clue as to where a student will find the best experience and be comfortable. Look for a college that combines strong academic standards, a variety of extracurriculars, strong school spirit and pride, and most important, a college that won't cause too many financial constraints. College is an experience that comes from not only the school you choose but also from living and growing daily. It is the perfect opportunity to learn about yourself, to think about what you want for the future, and to set the goals to get there.

Don't be afraid. Go where you want to go and try everything that you're interested in. You never know where your fit will be, and the most important thing is finding your happiness.

When one begins to search for the university that is right for him or her, several facets should be taken under consideration. The first of these is, what kind of education do I value? The main division here is between liberal and practical education. Liberal education is a mix of several different disciplines, meant to allow a student to explore their own personal interests and abilities. This exploration can often help students discover new subjects that interest them and talents previously unknown, creating a more well-rounded and overall educated student. However, this sort of exercise in character building has become more expensive and taken criticism, giving way to the practical method of education. In my view, practical education is simply an expensive intensive job training program. For instance, students of Mizzou's School of Journalism waive their liberal study of a foreign language in order to study more journalism classes. This type of system justifies the cost of school through its practical application to a career later in life, not in its benefits to one's character or overall skillset. Whether mastering many subjects or just one, the most important part of college is participating in it. Study hard.

Visit! Attend football games, walk around campus, observe the students. Are they happy? Friendly? Go with your instincts when choosing a college; you're going to be eating, sleeping and breathing this school and the town it's in for the next 4+ years. Once you get there, let go of your fears and open up to the world around you. Work on campus, make friends with people that dress and think differently than you do, and surround yourself with those that will support you and your endeavors. My personal favorite - study abroad with your best friend. Open your eyes, ears, and heart to fully absorb the culture (and take tons of pictures! :) And above all, take time for yourself every now and then. Don't sweat the small stuff, and when classes get tough, remember that "this too, shall pass."

Definitely weigh the options you are considering and make sure you visit each college you are considering! You never know what may stick out to you at a particular university until you step foot on the campus and see it for yourself!

choose and out of state school and go somewhere that challenges you physically and mentally

A person just knows when he or she has found the right college. You feel it when you step on the campus. You see the energy and spirit in the students and know that you want to be part of that. I think visiting colleges is extremely important. You can get a better sense if you will feel comfotable in that environment by visiting. I think this was most helpful for me. After visiting my school, I knew that it was where I wanted to be. There more I learned about it the more intersted I became and couldn't wait to start my time here.

I would say that it is important to attend a college that is not only academically challenging, but also socially challenging. Going away to college is a great experience in its own. When kids stay too close to their parents it's easy to run home instead of learning to deal with their problems on their own. These kinds of experiences help to mold and shape the way kids will handle their problems in the future. My advice is don't be opposed to sending your kid far away; it may be the best thing for them!

Change is a wonderful thing! Although it's great to come into college with an idea of what you'd like to become after your 4 years, it's a tremendous growth experience when you alter your plans. Learning to accomodate new information and take advantage of educational opportunities is a pivotal experience and will open countless doors. College is a fantastic opportunity to test the waters in areas that you're interested in. Change your mind while you have the freedom! Take advantage of classes that interest you, but always lean toward the ones that also present a challenge, therein lies your best chance to learn while enjoying yourself. Any campus where you, as a student, feel as though you could grow as a person and seek your perfect education is the campus that is meant for you.

Look at a lot of schools and talk to actual students that attend them!

My best advice to parents and students is to start looking for colleges early in high school. Narrow it down to a few colleges based on academics. Go on visits for a day or a weekend to a handful of them to better understand the social aspect of the schools because reading about the social activities is nothing like actually being able to experience them. Let the prospective student make the decision as to which college they felt the most comfortable with because they are the ones that have to spend the next 2-4 years there. Advice to parents: be actively supportive of your child's choices. Also be involved in their academics like asking about homework, tests, and grades. Tell them how proud you are of their academic successes which is motivation to keep their grades up. Advise for students: get to know the other students in your dorm because alot of them will be in your classes and study buddies help when test time comes! Go to sporting events to support your school. And always keep in touch with your parents, because they love to hear all the stories about your new, unique experiences!

Tour more than once. Attend a class or two. Really get into it and see if it "fits".

Find the college that best suits you. Don't be a follower; just because all your friends go somewhere, doesn't mean it's the right school for you.

The most important thing to consider when choosing a school is whether or not the student is going to be happy there. An unhappy student is unsuccessful, unfocused, and will not enjoy his or her college experience--something that I think would be a terrible waste. A lot of factors go into deciding whether or not the school will make a student happy--what the dorms and food are like, how close (or far) away from home it is, what courses and degrees are available, and of course, the social life. I think its important to consider each of these things individually, but ultimately it falls to the student to decide which gains precedence over the others. Parents should try to guide students towards the place that is best suited for them, but should also try to ensure their child's academic success by picking a school where they will be likeliest to come out with a degree. Simply put though, happiness should always be the deciding factor. The school with the highest chance of making the student happy should be the one that student decides to attend.

I would tell students who are looking for the right school for them to make sure they are thinking as selfishly as possible. Think about your needs, your interests, your aspirations, and your goals. Close your eyes at the heart of campus and see how you feel. Are you out of place? Do you feel anxious? Are you relaxed? Do you see yourself sitting on a bench between classes chatting up a new friend? I think it is really easy to tell how you feel in an environment because our bodies have a type of intuition about our safety and happiness. Think about how you feel and interact with the university and try to really picture yourself there. Also, don't forget that this is an important process for your parents too. Seeing you grow up, move out, and be on your own is, well, terrifying for them. Be patient with them and help them see how you would be comfortable, safe, and happy (considering this is the core of what they are worried about). Once you are at school, get involved! It can make or break how you enjoy your college years. Be safe, Be Smart, Be you. Live.

I think that you should focus on the degree or area that you are interested in. Go to the school that offers the best program for that degree, and then look at the location and see what is going on in the area. If I didn't live in a liberal college town with a lot to do socially, I wouldn't have enjoyed my college career as much. I'm not just talking about drinking and going out, but community festivals and other fun, safe activities also. Academics should always come first, but a social life is important too. I think people worry too much about what college to go to when really college is what you make of it. As long as you are going to a reputable, accredited school and you work hard, then you should have no problem getting a job after graduation. As far as the enjoyment of going to that school, that is all based on what you choose to do there.

My best advice would be to tour the school. The whole reason I chose the University of Missouri-Columbia is because of its beautiful campus and great history and traditions. Both of my parents went to southern schools and they have their own traditions so I thought that going to a different school with its own traditions would give me the great experience that they had and that is exactly what has happened. With the tour I learned that UMC created Homecoming, and have a great history and traditions that, as a greek, I got to experience first-hand. I also got to see every bit of the campus and its great scenery. That is the best advice that anyone can get for making this tough decision.

Choosing a college is a difficult desicion for any family. In order for you to make a wise and informed desicion on what university to attend, I would recommend visiting the college for a weekend. Hopefully, you will know someone who attends the university, but if not, a lot of universities have students willing to show a prospective student around for a while. Go on friday, explore the campus and pop into a few classes. This will give you an idea of what it would be like on a typical school day. If you have time, I would also recommend speaking with some advisors about coursework in whatever major you might be interested in. That night go out and socialize. Try to get a feel for what the students are like at the college and what the nightlife can hold. On saturday, there is no better way to get to know a school then to attend a football game or some other type of sporting event. Once you have returned you will either have fallen in love with the school or you will know it is not for you. Happy hunting!

If you get bored easily, do not go to a small school where you will fall out of interest. If you get easily distracted by partying or social life, do not go to a big school where it is likely that you will not do well.

First and foremost, consider what you want out of the college experience. It's important to pick a college based on what you want to study but it is also important to think about what you want to get out of your four years or more at a school. This means picking faculty you can work on research projects with, a campus you love, a college with a ton of opportunity to get involved. Parents, listen to your child's wants and needs out of a school; don't just consider how prestigious it is; think about whether or not your son/daughter will be happy there. Students, think about your future not about which school has the best football team. You're going to college to get an education and you want it to be a GREAT education. Visit as many schools as you can and really do your homework because you are making an investment. Try to find the biggest bang for your buck in terms of a great school for an affordable price; you can go anywhere and get an awesome education; don't think that you need a massive school to facilitate a degree that counts.

Get involved. I know everyone hears it all of the time and it gets old, but do it! There are hundreds of organizations on campus and that's how people meet other people like them. It makes you smart with your time, is a good way to boost your resume, and is fun! There is something for everyone.

Visit lots of potential colleges so you have something to compare. Think about what you want to do when you graduate but you don't have to make any definite decisions right away. You will grow a lot in your first year at college because you will be meeting so many new people and having a lot of new experiences. Things will probably change a lot and maybe your thinking about "what you want to be" will change and you may want to change your field of study. When looking at a college, I would look for variety in just about everything: student body, after class activities, athletics, even the campus itself. When you're visiting, take a step back from the standard campus tour and expore on your own. Can you picture yourself there? Do you feel comfortable, at home, safe? Take your time making your decision because once you choose a school, you'll be very excited to take the next step in your education and in your life.

Finding the right college is a challenging task; however one you will feel it when you have found the right one. It feels as though you could fit in right away, and you can see yourself as a student attending class and meeting other students. Also it is important that the particular school has many opportunities to help you when finding a job after you graduate as well as programs within the school that can help you make future career connections for potential employment or internships. Another important factor is the town surrounding a university. A community who supports the university in their town is one who has many businesses that are geared towards college students, as well as more readily available resources that are close to campus. It is tedious when visiting the many colleges that are available to you, but it is a very important to make the right decision for you based on what you are looking for in a university, the best way of learning for you, and what it has to offer you to help you succeed.

I would recommend them to check out more than one college before jumping to conclusions. Also, check out every aspect, including academics, safety, housing, etc.

During the students junior year of high school they should go visit as many colleges as possible, and they should have as many options to choose from. Apply to all the college even if you think you might not make it in you never know you could. Also never aim low always aim high.

If you have a dream follow it and cater your education around that dream. Make the world amrch to the beat of your drum not the other way around. Only you can decide what is right and prudent for you; so you do what makes you happy.

First, I would advise students and their parents to look for schools that have the academic programs they are looking for. For example, I was searching for a school that had an excellent journalism program, and I found the University of Missouri. Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, I would suggest the student and his or her family visit the campuses they have chosen. Just looking at brochures and reading about a school on the internet is nothing like the real thing! One must visit, talk to professors, talk to current students, maybe meet with an adviser, and walk around to see what the place is really like in order to narrow down his or her choices. The town that the school is located in makes a big difference in the overall feel of the campus. Once the student attends the school of his or her choice, it is important to get involved and comfortable where he or she is living. I know that at the University of MIssouri, there are plenty of opportunities to meet peers and get involved in campus organizations. Taking advantage of what a school has to offer is the best thing for your college experience!

College is a great experience to have. You meet life long friends, go through life changing experiences and it is a fun place to spend four years of your life. I do not party but there are a lot of fun things to do instead. One thing I do feel is important for you to know is that so far I do not feel like I am getting my money's worth at MU. The majority of my professors so far have been virtually useless in my learning experience. I like going to school here but I do not think it is worth the money.

Go and visit as many schools as possible, and ask LOTS of questions, because you never know until you ask. Make sure to have the financial plans in order, it is frustrating to get behind. Rush fraternities, or sororities, even if you don't join, it gives you a unique social net work, outside of the people on your floor in the dorms. Don't settle for any school, make sure its the one you want.

Do a lot of research and visit all the colleges you are thinking about. It is easier see how things are going to be when you visit in person, rather than looking at pictures online.

When you're looking for a school focus on your major and the size of the school, and if the schools you're looking at have a unique system of some sort, focus on that as well. Keep in mind, once you choose your school, it is what you make it. Be sure to go to a school that has extra curriculars that you're interested and your major, then after that, it's up to you! Go in with an open mind, get involved in what interests you and you should be in for a fabulous and helpful four years. Be sure to choose a school that has a balance of academics and social activities that fit you and will help you in the long run.

I advise students to do what they love. It's so difficult to get into college, and succeed once you get there, that the hassle is only worth it if you're pursing your dreams. It's easy to let your parents or your friends tell you what you would be skilled at doing, but you have to follow your heart, and balance what you dream of doing with what you know you're capable of doing. When you decide that path, find a school that has a great program for it. There are a lot of reasons to choose a school, but you're there to learn what you love, so find a place that does the best job of preparing people for the degree you choose. As far as your college experience, now is the time to get out of your safety zone. College is the time where you start to learn who you really are, apart from your family, your childhood friends and everything you knew before. Meet new people, and do new things. Live and learn passionately. There is a reason college is the most formative time of your life, take advantage of it.