University of Rhode Island Top Questions

college is the best 4 years of your life dont waste it.

I believe it is important for parents to encourage their children to travel to school if they wish and to live on campus if at all possible. Living on campus gives student more opportunities to do well academically, and to make lasting friendships. Though the thought of a child moving away from home may be daunting, it is for the best. As for students, the same is true. Living on campus is an amazing experience that should not be passed up. Also, get involved at your school. Meet new people, and build a network. Someday, when you have graduated, you can call on your network to aid you in your job search. Most of all, enjoy every minute of your college career. It will be the greatest time of your life.

I suggest that the student lives on campus and out of state from where they grew up. This will provide them with independence and the ability to really experience the college life style. Also, choose a college that prides itself in the area that you are interested in. For example, URI has an excellent PharmD program, people interested in Pharmacy, should apply to URI.

When trying to decide where to go to school, take into consideration what type of atmosphere makes you feel most comfortable. College is a time where you get to expand your social circle, and explore different interests that will allow you to figure out what makes you unique. I would highly recommend an interview because it gives you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have, also, during an interview you are usually allowed to take a guided tour of the campus. I found both of these experiences very influential when I decided where to go to school. It can be intiminading going to a new school, but just keep in mind there are a lot of other people in the same position as you. Most people are just as nervous and excited to be there as you are. Have no fears and be the person you want to be, as Thoreau said " Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined"

I would tell the parents and students to find somewhere that has your major and your passion (if they're not the same thing). While some school's are great accademically, if the student who applies there is only goint because of the major, then they're not going to enjoy school nor get a lot out of it. If they have creative, social or atheltic outlets, they're going to be more happy with what they have found. Also, I would say that being happy somewhere is more important then the price. There will always be a way to make the tuition. Go where you feel comfortable, worrry about the money afterwords. And parents, don't let you children feel isolated, the worst feeling is thinking that you can't call home for help. And students, don't be afraid to ask for help, from your parents, friends or people on campus. The worst thing you could do is not reach out and learn things while in college. Learn, explore, have fun, but keep your head.

Ask students, don't always go by what the tourguides say. They are paid to make the school look its best.

make sure you can pay for the expenses

Make sure that its a place you really want to be at . Its where you will be for the next 4 years of your life. Have fun!

Make sure to go to as many open houses as possible and ask alot of questions. Once you go to the school of your choice try to get involved as much as possible, its a great way to meet people who could be fun to hang, study or even help you with other things in life.

Students, I write this mostly to you because finding the right college is one of the hardest decisions you may have to face in this life. What make it so difficult, as I am sure you have found; is not only do you have to focus in on one aspect of the college experience but rather the entire thing. Academic programs, campus sizes, class sizes, housing, and social life: these are just some of what you must study and know like a science, at least that is what everyone else is telling you. My advice to you is to find the campus(es) you like on paper and afterwards visit. Just walk around and take in the scenery. Can you see yourself there? Studying, growing, laughing, and learning for the next four years. If you can envision it, then maybe that is the place you can learn to call your second home. Parents, my advice to you is simple. Do not pressure your children but rather encourage them. This is a time of extreme change for both you and your student. Allow them to make their own decisions. Be supportive, provide guidance, and the right decision will be made.

When you are visiting, and if you know someone try to stay there Friday-Sunday. You need to get a feel of weekend life and classes.

Find a place that offers what you want and if you don't know what you want find a place with lots of opportunites. Schools that have a medium amount of students are good because there aren't too many kids, and there's also enough so that your selection for friends isn't too small. Friends are important, the happier you are the better you'll do in school. Just make sure to keep a good social/work balance and you'll be fine. Partying can be fun... it happens pretty much everywhere, no matter what school you choose. The most important thing is to be yourself and do your own thing. I personally do not drink much yet i still go to a lot of parties. I choose not to drink and i just socialize like i normally would. If your friends are true then it won't matter to them what your doing. Do NOT be superficial... choose REAL people and hang out with them. College is a place full of responsibility and mature decisions so don't just mess around. Just because you're considered an adult you can still have fun with it.

Choosing the school that is best for you or your child is a difficult process. The best advice I can give to incoming freshman, is to stay true to who you are. Choose a school that adheres to your interests, needs, capabilities, and hobbies. Visit different types of schools so you can see which would be the best fit for you. Think about the things you want to accomplish in your life. As far fetched as your long term goals may seem now, the only way to achieve them is to surround yourself with an environment that welcomes your aspirations. No one knows better what you want than you.

Visiting colleges you are interested in is a very big part of choosing the school that is right for you. It gives you a feel of the people who go there and can help you realize if you feel comfortable there or not. Your school should feel like a home and be somewhere you enjoy being so it is important to know if you will feel safe and happy there. In order to make the most of the college experience it is very important to make friends right away. Everyone is in the same boat and looking to make friends at this time, and making new friends is a huge part of college. Also, being involved in different clubs and activites helps you get out and meet more people and have fun. There is time for school work, but there is also time to relax and have fun, and finding a balance early on will really help the experience of college life.

My best advice to students and parents that are going through the college search is to RELAX! The college search process is usually one of the most difficult and stressful times of a students life. A lot of times we feel so much pressure and get so overwhelmed that we tend to make decisions that we know just aren't right for us. Students need to stay calm and really think long and hard about WHO they are and WHAT they really want out of their college experience. Everyone wants something different in a college, that is why there are so many options! Really take your time and explore as much as you can before making your final decision, it is never something a student should feel rushed or pressured into by their parents, friends, teachers, etc... Ultimately it should be YOUR choice because the decision you make will play a large role in mapping out youre future and your happiness as a person and as a student. College should be one of the greatest experiences of your life, so do everything in your power to ensure that it will be!

So the saying goes, "You can't judge a book by its' cover." This is very important in choosing the right college. I can remember when I was picking, I had absolutely no idea where to go. And what was worse is that I wanted to pick my school based on its' name and stature. However, it does not matter what anyone else says. What means the most is how you feel when you step onto that campus. When I went on the tour at the University of Rhode Island I knew that was where I belonged. I fell in love with every aspect. I did not listen to what I heard about it, I took it in as if I had never been there or heard anything about it before. As cliche as it sounds, follow your heart when you are choosing your college. You must go with your first instinct because believe it or not, you know what is best for you. Choose where you want to go because of you and noone else. And be sure to visit every college that you are considering, because as I said, "You can not judge a book by its' cover."

Find a school that best fits your lifestyle and personality. If one enjoys cities, pick a school in the city. Or if like a laid back type of atmosphere find a school that is located in a state like Florida for example. I also have figured out that its okay if you don't have a major yet. If that is the case its important to pick a college that offers a broad range of coarses offered to experience different areas of interest.

Be careful when deciding where you want to go.

The biggest piece of advice I have for parents and students is that it is up to the student to make the most of their academic career. In any setting, people will find the types of relationships they need, and people don't understand this concept. Someone can go to an Ivy League school and not learn as much as if they went to a community college if the focus to study isn't there. I have learned this through my experience at URI. I used to hate going to school because I couldn't relate to any of the students, but now I realize that I don't have to be able to relate to anyone to have a fruitful academic career. My focus is to study and succeed and any college gives students the resources needed to do this.

Make sure that you feel at home when you choose a college. Money is a large factor, yes, but so is the importance of feeling safe and comfortable.

Although college is meant to prepare you for the rest of your life, the college life itself needs to be approached to the fullest extent for the student. The first thing I would say about finding the right college is asking the prospective student "What are you looking for in your ideal college campus?" While answers to this question will differ, there are some priorities to keep in mind for the student(s) and parent(s). Does the student want to be in a rural or urban setting? Do they want a big school or small school? What's the student's intended major? Which school best fits that major? How is the local economy? Are there jobs available? Public or private school? What is the cost? In-state or out of state? What is the campus involvement situation like? How about the extra-curricular activities? My suggestion to prospective students and parents is to answer these questions to the best of their ability, and then prioritize the questions and answers. Finally, search for the school(s) that best fits those responses, and begin narrowing the choices down. If I could do this process again, I'd follow this routine.

I would tell students to choose a college that feels right. Find a passion in life; even if you think it's a silly childhood dream; go for it. FInd a school that will be able to help you make that dream come true and compliment that passion. Location is also important, but don't choose a college simply for the location. Make sure everything about the college fits who you are. Also think in terms of traveling costs. If you want to go somewhere far away but cannot afford travel expenses, there is always study abroad! Once you find a college that makes you feel a little bit at home; you'll know. You want a college that can fit your personality and open your eyes to knowledge and experience. And parents; don't push your kids to go to a college you think is right for them. You may be their parents and think you know best, but no one knows best what is good for your child than your child. Trust them to make choices; making choices is a part of growing up and learning responsability.

First, I would tell future college students and parents to apply to really look at your options and decide what type of school they want to attend. Do they want a large school, a small school, a private school or a public school? Do they want to play varsity sports at the school or are they going to play the club teams? All of these things factor into which school to attend. Next, I would tell them to try to find a school that fits their personalities so it will be a comfortable place for them to be. If they are not a city person, then don't apply to only places in the city. Find a place that fits you and where you will have the most fun. Also, if you are undecided, then go to a place with lots of options so changing your major won't be a big problem. Once you find the right school, try to make the most out of your college experience. Stay focused but still go out and have a good time with your new friends. College is a great time and it becomes what you make of it. So have fun.

Make sure you spend some time actually at the campus. Enjoy the night life before deciding