University of North Dakota Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

Tyler

Pick a college that is the best for your major and offers the best finacial help to students. Also, pick a college that is close to home, but just far enough to get a new experience. Do not choose a college for friends, pick a college that fits you and your interests best.

Vanessa

As a Tour Guide at the University of North Dakota, I meet with many potenial students and parents every week. I see the nervousness, the excitment and the anxious glances as I show them around my University, one that I am extremely proud of. The advice I give me tours is "Can you really see yourself here at UND?....Can you imagine yourself in these Residents Halls....walking along these streets to class....studying in this Library?" You have to feel extremely comfortable with your decsion. I also tell my tours the best way to make the most out of the college experience is to get involved, meet you people, and try something new you never thought you could see yourself doing. College a time in your life that is all about learning, growning, AND making mistakes.

Amanda

Be sure that your college not only has the major for your career but make sure you feel welcome and they have plenty of thingd for you to get involved in

Heather

The best advice I could give parents and students about finding the right college is to tour the college. The people can make all the difference when choosing a college. When you tour a school, you get a small taste of what it could be like for you in the near future. After reviewing a few different schools, then decided which fits you. Friendly people, beautiful buildings, and great professors can make a huge difference in your educational experience. To make the most out of your college experience, make sure study hard and try your best. Also, set time aside to enjoy life and have fun making lifelong friends

Helene

Take your time. Not only in the application and decision making process, but also after you begin attending your chosen school. Most people think that if they don't completely fit in right away, that the school they chose is not a correct fit for them. It takes time to discover yourself at a school and I have seen way too many people leave a school after only attending it for a semester or a year only to go to another school have the same problem, go to another school and spend all of their time and energy worrying about transfer credits and taking longer in school because they never gave the school enough time to get used to it. Take your time in making your decision and stick it out. Try everything because I am certain that most colleges can be a fit for most people if they want it to be.

josh

I would say look for a campus that you like for a lot of reasons (size, diversity, academics, social scene) and what would fit you best. If you are a very social person dont go to a really small school. If you like sports, dont go to a school that sucks at them. Make sure the school offers involvment opportunities that suit you. Also consider joining a fraternity or sorority. I didnt think i was the fraternity type, but its one of the best decisions ive ever made. i made way more friends than at the dorm and im never bored. theres something going on almost every night. it also helped my academics because the fraternity keeps track of your grades and gives you help with homework.

Eli

By trying to search for the best college that gives the best education

Kylie

Make sure you tour the colleges you are looking at and get a good feel of the campus. Ask alot of questions, and try to talk to students currently enrolled there. Get to know your advisors and professors, they will help you every step of the way. GO TO CLASS (resist the urge to sleep through it!). Get involved on campus, it will make your college experience 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} better! If you went to church at home, find a campus church and keep going. You will meet new people and find more ways to get involved. Don't let the first semester scare you too much. Its usually the worst, and DOES get better (I promise). Set your priorities and stick to your values.....More than anything, HAVE FUN! These are the best days of your life.

Amber

Take a campus visit during the week, to get a feel for how the campus is. Look into options for public transporatation, and drive around the city. Be sure to find out about their honors program, intramurals, band or anything else that you might be interested in. Take a look at their oncampus houseing availabilty and whether you like the dorms. Also, if you will be there on the weekends, see if it is majority commuter or if there are people left on the weekends.

ashley

get involved and know what you want. expect to be there longer then what the school tells you is average

Daniel

Chose wisely.

Kyle

Find one that has a lot of opportunities for either yourself or your kids. Find a school that has well rounded social programs and a faculty that is ready and able to help students get there degrees with good grades.

Evan

Visit visit and visit. Visit all of your schools that you are looking and write down anything questions you have and ask away!!!

Amelia

The right college to me is finding one with many different options. Even if you are sure set on what you want to do in life, find a university that still gives you options to explore is you so desire. Transfering can be extremely difficult and can be avoided if your orginal school choice has options. While attending school, keep in mind that stress is going to happen no matter how great everything may or may not be going. The best advice I can give is to take things one day at a time. Do not be afraid to ask for help. Your college experience is what you make out of it. Try things that you never thought about trying before. Take the opportunties that are given too you and run with them. As important as getting the grade is it is also important to be able to show that you are a well rounded person. If you are a business major do not be afraid to take a photography class that might interest you. Do it while you can so that when the day comes and you are handed your degree you know that you put forth full effort.

Paige

I would advise students and parents to make sure to look at all the choices and don't just settle on a school because of a sports team or boyfriends/girlfriends. Make sure that it is the school you want to go to and don't let anyone influence your decision. After finding the right school for you, make sure you get out there and get involved. That is how I have made most of my friends here in college. There are always plenty of things going on all over campus and you are bound to like one of them. Don't just sit in your room whenever you aren't in class. Get out and socialize with anyone in your dorm, apartment, or classes. Those will be the friends you will have for life so don't be afraid to go out and have a good time plus get a great education at the school you chose.

Brandon

Make sure that both the student and his parents visit the college of choice together and meet with the advisor in the interested field of study. Ask current students about the activities and other things that the student is interested in. Look at the little things like dining centers, housing, sports facilities, community, access to parking or bus shuttles, and other things that might be a deciding factor. Be honest with yourself.

Mike

This is a great school if you want to learn about life. It can be an easy transition or a very painful one. UND gives you the opportunity to take chances and make mistakes but you can take it easy and not chance it if you can't afford to. College is all about meeting people and trying your hardest. Its about learning how to fail and get over it. I think its safe to say it really doesn't matter where you are going to college, if it isn't an Ivy league school, because as long as you can afford to go, you will always end up broke and living with your parents at the end, but at least you will have the expirience.

Danny

Look at the town the college is in. That will be your new home for at least the next 4 years. Can you stand only shopping at a Walmart? Can you stand horrendous rush hour traffic? Do you need a car to live there? Find someplace that fits your lifestyle.

Austin

Find what suits you... academically, socially... don't worry about prestige or what others claim is better about one school or another. If the school fits you and you like being there, go for it. It's not what college you go to, it's what you put into college.

Kelly

Go visit the schools and experience the day and night life.

Kevin

If you know what you want to be after college, find a college that is known for that. If you don't know what you want to be, start small and cheap. Go to a community college. Take a variety of classes that are totally unrelated, and see what one grabs your attention. Once you have decided what to be, talk to people in that field and see how they got there. In my case, the University of North Dakota is world famous for its aviation program. Since I knew what I wanted to be already, it was an easy choice for me. Ask yourself questions. Do you need to be close to home? How much does each college that you are considering cost? What kind of climate do you like? What will you do when you're not studying? When you have answers for these questions, find the college that satisfies the answers to the most questions. Then go visit it and make sure it's as good as the brochure makes it look.

Adessa

You will be spending the next 2 to 8 years at the college you choose so it's extremely important to find the right one. I believe that you need to picture yourself in a couple years at each place you tour and see which one fits your personality the best. You college becomes your second home so it's important to know that you will be getting along with the students and teachers there. Without this connection, your experience could be hindered. Allow make sure to ask lots about the program and career you desire to persue. Many college offer different things that will greatly help you suceed in life. Most of all have fun with your decision!

Brittany

Visit the schools. See what it's like to live on/off-campus. Interview a few current students. Find out what kind of people/events happen on campus. The more you get the feel of several different schools, the more you will know which one is for you. Find a school with students who are interested in what you are interested in! Find a school that is balanced in schoolwork and social life; what is a college experience without meeting new people? Parents: help your child find a school that is accepting of his or her lifestyle. Be open to whatever field your child wants to go into because this is most likely his or her first time being able to really choose where he or she wants to go in life! When the decision is made, student, go out and meet new people. Take your studies seriously but at the same time, have the time of your life. You're only here once.

Jordan

I would say to those families that this is a big step in all of their lives, and that they should not take this decision lightly. You need to make time to explore different schools and find out what they offer. Even if you don't know what you want to study, find a school that you feel comfortable at, after all, this decision will affect you for the rest of your life. Look for schools that have many options when it comes to extracurricular activities. School can be overwhelming at times, so you need a place you can go to relax and have some fun. I personally was not a sports fan when I began my college experience in the fall of 2006, but as soon as I arrived, I knew I was going to love hockey. Our school is a big hockey school, and when you are at the games and everyone is cheering, you can't help but feel like you fit in. I would like to leave you with one last piece of advise, listen to your parents. They often are looking at this from different perspectives and can offer excellent advise from their own experiences.

Stephanie

Finding the right college can be a difficult task. I would recommend that the future student start planning early on in their high school career. They should consider their likes and dislikes, as well as their strengths and weaknesses. For example, if someone needs extra help, they should ensure their college of choice has tutoring programs available. School tours are also vital, to determine whether the school and community are somewhere the student would feel comfortable attending. Asking the right questions is perhaps the most important: does the student health clinic accept their insurance? Do the professors have time to talk individually with students? Are academic buildings accessible by foot? Once a student has chosen a college or university, their own involvement will largely determine how valuable their experience will be. The more you put in, the more you get out. For incoming freshman, I would encourage them to become involved, but not to overextend themselves. College is a different environment, and can be much more challenging than high school. The bottom line would be to step out of your comfort zone. Some of the best opportunities come when you aren't afraid to try new things.

Rachel

Make sure that there is a program at the school that their child is interested in. Don't be afraid to go out of your comfort zone; especially when first arriving on campus for your freshman year. Get involved and take chances but still be true to yourself. Have fun!

McKayla

Visit more than one college.

Jean

I think that choosing a college seems like one of the most daunting decisions that a teenager is faced with. However, I believe that for most people, there is more than one good fit, that is, some people are going to be happy just about anyhere, while others might never be happy wherever they go. Putting much thought into this decision is important, but agonizing over it is not likely to be incredibly helpful. There are so many good schools, and you ultimately need to take the plunge and choose one. Your own attitude will affect your college experience more than anything.

Erica

Keep looking, dont give up. Do not pay for anything that promises grants thats info should be free, that is someone you should look out for, scams do that.

Cara

If you haven't already, go to the campus and get a tour it helps with understanding how the campus works and it helps one get a feel for it.

Trevor

I would suggest to anyone looking at any college that you find a person that you can go to and ask questions to. I think that that was the best thing that I did. I found a person on campus that I can go to and ask any questions, this made it a lot better for me. If you find a place or person that does that you will have a much better time at college.

Cameron

vist many different schools and then let you child pick the school that they seem to like the best. they are going to be living there and going to school there so it should be the students choice.

Katie

Take the time to tour the campus during the school year while class is in session. Not only does this give you a better chance of seeing what the university is really like, but you have a chance to talk to professors, students, and clubs which you may be interested in.

Amanda

Pick a college that you like personally. Pick it not because your friends are going there but pick it for yourself. You'll get more out of it that way. When you get to college try to be as involved as you can, but still focus on academics.

Ashley

Take time to schedule a campus visit, and be prepared for a lot of reading.

Cassandra

The advice that I would give students when they are looking for a college is to first evaluate what you would like to pursue for a major. Once this has been done a preliminary list of colleges can be made to include those that have your major. The second item would be to determine what size of college and how far from home you are most comfortable. If you are looking for something a little more personal then the number of students at that university needs to be taken into account. If you enjoy going home for visits then the distance becomes a factor. Once these three items have been evaluated and the list of prospective colleges narrowed down, then you can look at other factors such as housing, greek life, employement opportunities etc. Making the right match will greatly increase your chances for success.

Emily

The best advice I would give to students about finding the right college is to go where you know you're going to be happy. If you're unsure about what you want to study, or about being too far from home, I would strongly suggest a community college. With tuition as high as it is, there's absolutely no shame in going to a community college to complete your generals. Also, doing this would greatly help you discover which degree program you want to pursue. In order to make the most out of your college experience, I would say only two words: get involved! The more people you meet, the more experiences you make - simple as that. Not only will you be making lasting memories, but you will also be gaining friendships for life. Also, expanding your social network can help you when it comes to your studies. Having more resources that you know and trust can, potentially, help you succeed in school. More study groups are always a plus! Above all, choosing a college where you know you're going to flourish and truly enjoy yourself is my best advice for prospective students.

Kaylein

Your children are safe here and they will make life long friends here.

Tyler

take a tour and where it goes from there.

Andrea

There are so many contributing factors in choosing the right college for an individual. I strongly believe that each person needs to find a particular college that is the right fit for them. It should include relevant academic programs, a suitable location, as well as socially fitting activities. I think it is extremely important to have a variety of programs at an institution. It is nice going into college with a premeditated plan, but I would strongly encourage anyone to have a backup plan. A school will prove to be effective if it can accommodate to one's needs in case an individual changes majors. Location is also something to consider when searching for the perfect college. If an individual is independent and open to new experiences, maybe that person would benefit from choosing a college further from home and vice versa. Also, find activities near a college that are relevant to one's interests. Lastly, I would encourage individuals to base their college decision on what is the best fit for them, not their friends. College is an incredible experience; it only happens once, so live it and enjoy it by one's own standards, not someone else?s.

Jaimie

I truly believe in order to find the college that is right for each student is by visiting the campuses. Asking as many questions as you can. I think it would be really beneficial if the student as older peers there they could stay with them over a weekend to get a glimpse of college life too. In order to make the most of your college experience is by putting yourself out there. College students will feel the need to get out in order to meet people and to want to have things to do. I truly feel that there is a right campus fit for everyone and if the student does not get that vibe right away, keep looking!

Dillon

Entering college can be a very scary experience, especially for those peopel who don't have parents or relatives that have already experienced it. It is easy to apply for a school and get accepted, however, is that school right for you? That's something you need to ask yourself as you are applying for different colleges. It is important to keep in mind your values, interests and goals when you are deciding on a college. I believe that campus visits are the best way to experience a campus without having to commit to it. They give you a perfect example of what the school is about and what your everyday life will be at that university. Once you decide on which school you will attend and you begin unpacking on move in day, thats when your real college experience begins. College is about highering your education, but it is also about broading your horizons and meeting new people. My advice to you would be to meet as many people as you can and try as many different thing as you can, because that way you will have the college experience of a life time.

Adrienne

To find the right college, you have to be true to yourself and think of what you want out of the experience and why you are attending college. Visit the campuses you are interested in to get a sense of the college and how you will fit in there. To get the most out of your college experience try to attend as many different experiences you can. Remember that when you go to college, there are several maybe even thousands of other freshman in the same boat; be willing to make new friends and try new things. College is a time to develop yourself and explore your options.

Jonathan

Do you research. That is crucial in developing a list of potential schools that you think will fit you, and even more crucial in making the final decision as to which school to attend. I have also found that during my high school years, my counselor was very instrumental in my college application process, as well as helping me make some important decisions as to which college I felt was the best fit for me. Use your high school counselor as much as you can, because they are there for you, and they want to help you and see you succeed. In addition to talking on a regular basis with your high school counselor, don't be afraid to call up a university and speak to someone there about the school and ask them questions about their university, and what it has to offer. Another thing that is helpful is to go to the universities web pages and check out their sites, and what all information they have about their school on there. The key to picking the school that you feel is best "fit" for you is do your research. Never be uninformed.

Alicia

Don't worry if you are not sure what you want to major in right away. Take a few classes the first year that you want to take and take your time making a decision.

thomas

Take college seriouse and get good grades, but to get stressed, and have a good time.

Justin

Study hard

Stephen

I would make sure to research schools on the internet and to utilize social networking sites such as Facebook to ask students what a college is really like, rather than relying on University tours or the "company line." Based on those answers from students I would create a list of 5 or so colleges that I would visit. When I visited I would make sure to visit classrooms, dorms, etc. but I would also make sure to visit other places around campus to see what the social atmosphere is like. After all, choosing a right college is important academically, but it is also an important social choice.

Andrew

To parents or students who have concerns in finding the right college to attend it takes a lot of hard work in where you want to go. You have to decide if you want to stay around your home area or if you want to get out and be on your own. Never worry that you will not suceed because there are so many places on campus to get help. Go and visit as many colleges you can and get the experience of walking around campus and get to know what it feels like. To have the best college experience you have to get involved with many school organizations, because you get to meet so many people and make many friendships. You also make friends for life and are willing to help you with any struggles that you may bear. Through your classes get to know your Professors because they can help you if you have any questions and don't be afraid to contact them. They want to see you succeed and have a fun college experience. Do not consider that you can't suceed, but anyone who puts the time and effort in to class you will prevail.

Aaron

Search out what you want in a higher level education facility. How much it will cost, where it is located, what programs it offers, what the student body is like, and living options for upper classmen. Try to find an institution that has a good balance of these and plan a tour of the campus, eat lunch at one of the dining centers, and maybe go to an event such as a sports game.