University of Toledo Top Questions

First off the right college is where it all begins. If you don't have the right college for you then your experience will not be as good as you hope it could be. Make sure your college is the right size for you. If you were the most popular of your highschool remember that when you get to college it will be like your freshman year of highschool when nobody knew you. The best advice I can give is from experience. My freshman year I lived in an all freshman dorm. I always recommend this to incoming freshman if they have the choice because in this dorm nobody knows anybody so everyone is looking to find new friends and people they get along with. All of my current roomates and I lived on the same floor of that dorm our freshman year. Don't be afraid to talk to anybody, you may find out you have something in common with someone that doesn't look like you would. And my last piece of advice would be to remember that grades are important but so is having fun. Remember you only get the college experience once, so make it count.

Look at lots of schools. Not just the ones in your area. I looked at multiple schools in Ohio... and came to the conclusion about where I wanted to go. Once you do decide on where you want to go, and once you get there, don't go home the first weekend, that's when you make the most friends and yes you will be homesick but keep your room door open (when you are in there) so you can meet people.

Parents/students should consider their educational goals when beginning the process of selecting a college. Start by asking, does the student have a consistent, feesable, and career specific goal in mind? If so, then look for colleges with a well credited program in that field. Keep in mind however, tuition costs can become staggering depending on the school location, and the programs offered. If the student does not have a clear goal in mind, a community college may be the way to go. They may offer more affordable education while the student can begin his or her search for a career goal. Some schools/programs require testing and GPA requirements, so be aware of specifications. After selecting a college, housing may be the next issue. If the student may have trouble focusing on coursework, commuting from home may be the best option. Although, if the student can maintain responsibility with social living conditions, this may be a healthy step towards building responsibility and prioritization. Most colleges offer many clubs extracurricular activities, and many exciting opportunities. Enjoy these eventful and fun times, but kepp in mind the real goal for the "college experience"- on the road to success.

If I could do it all over again, I would have looked at more choices of colleges. Students need to look at the program they're thinking about and see if it seems right for you.

One of the first indicators that one has found a sufficient college is the responsiveness of individuals that assist you in attending that particular institution. Is the initial encounter cold and impersonal or are there individuals available who embrace the opportunity to help you? This observation will give you a sample of the culture of the college and you want to pick one that has helpful personnel at the introduction of your acedemic career. When I first enrolled in the University of Toledo people were there to assist me throughout the entire process and down the line some of those same people still assist me when I need the help. College is a step toward responsible adulthood and what I've found is that complicated situations arise that require thorough attention. A part of being a responsible adult is obtaining the right advice and resources to solve problems. My theory is ; if they're with you in the beginning they tend to become similar to family and find a way to help whenever possible. The college experience is a part of life and we all need help at times so remember to take note of that first impression.

The best advise that i can give to students getting ready to go to college is that you have to know what you want to do and then you have to get out there and do research about which colleges or universities offer that program and then you have to go and visit that campus if available. After you find the college that you want to go to and get accepted, to make the most of your experience, then while grades is by far the most important thing to keep up and in mind, you have to get involved with things on campus like clubs and sporting events and gatherings. After all you are in college and after you graduate then you have to work for the next like 40 years so have fun while you dont have to and all you have to worry about is yourself at thhe moment!

Make sure that the College offers programs and activities that are of interest to the student. Don;t be swayed because a college is close to home or because your friends are going there. College will more or less determine the rest of your life, so dream big, and don't let anyone stand in your way. Talk to people who are attending the college and who have graduated to see what they liked and disliked about the college. Also, if you are intereseted in receiving financial aid, talk with an advisor and see what they can offer you for all four years. I received a full ride with financial aid my freshman year and this year (my senior year) I received zero dollars (except for loan offers!) All in all, be sure that the campus is a friendly place and is where you want to go! Good luck.

Think about the affordability and access to resources you/your child will be getting for the price. Look into the student services, the strength of the programs offered, and don't be afraid to contact faculty/current students to get the inside scoop. A student's major will probably change a few times over the course of his or her education, so keep in mind other important factors such as career placement, student activities and organizations, and opportunities for alternative learning experiences. Make sure that the college also is the right geographical fit; research the location of the school in relation to other places (cities, stores, restaurants, parks, etc.), especially any places a student wishes to frequent while attending the school.

I would consider all options and every aspect of the school before choosing to go there. I originally went 13 hours away to school mainly because of its location on the east coast. I didn't think too much about how often I would be able to come home or how homesick I would get. Base your choice on every aspect of you.

i think the college you choose should bring out the best qualities in you. The campus environment needs to not necessarily inspire you in the cheesiest way but it needs to suit your personality.

Make sure to take care of everything yourself because this university will do almost nothing for you

My best advice is to make a list of what you specifically know you need from the University and keep to that as your guideline. Remember important things like class size, location, and how well you fit into the school. I know that Ivy League schools sometimes deny 4.00 students because they do not feel that the student will mesh well in the high class atmosphere. That seems horrible but as bad as it seems, feeling comfortable is one of the most important things that ensures your success. I only gave myself three choices in colleges, and I am confident that I made the right decision because of this: In highschool I never felt like it was MY school, it was everyone else's school and I was just there for a few years. But here at Toledo, I feel for the first time like this is MY school. Get involved in the campus activities. Run for student government, join hall council, visit your professors' office hours, and go to the sports events. Take advantage of your new freedom and oppertunities and step a little out of your comfort zone. You'll learn alot about yourself.

I would advise taking a tour with someone who isn't there to sell you the college, I personally felt better when I had someone that was willing to share the bad things about the school as well as the good things. The people who are paid to lead the tours will not do that and I think that it is unfortunate because students have a first impression of the school, and then they find out that some of their notions about the school are not very accurate. I would also encourage the parents to ask questions to other personnel besides the admissions office. I cannot stress enough that a college education is an investment in the student's future and therefore the investor should be informed about the risks and rewards of a particular college before they make a decision. Students should also have a plan for the hidden expenses of college and be prepared to spend extra money on things they hadn't planed for. I would say that the college selection process rewards those who put the most effort into it and those who ask the most questions.

See as many colleges as you possibly can to get an array of different atmospheres. I saw Ohio State, Youngstown State, University of Toledo, Bowling Green, Case Western, and John Carroll, all of them completely different from one another (private v. public, large v. small, city v. rural). I settled on Toledo, due to the fact that it wasn't completely in the city but close enough to visit the city, I also felt like I belong there.