Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Top Questions

The best advice I could offer to students embarking upon the college search process is this: Take your time! Deciding where to apply, as well as which school to attend is a big decision, and you want to ensure that you'll be happy with your final decision. So, weigh your likes and dislikes of every school before you decide. Know what makes you happy, whether it is a small teacher/student ratio, the opportunity for extracurricular activities, or the availability of off-campus resources. Doing the proper research will help you to make the most out of your college experience. Don't pick a college just because a friend is going there, or because the dorms are air-conditioned. Sure, compromises will have to be made in regards to something, but just make sure that the college you choose is going to make you happy, and allow you to rise to your full potential.

Research what you really want to do and above all plan a budget that you can live with.

In looking for the proper college atmosphere, an applicant should determine if they want a college in a city or out away by itself, then decide if they want a large collge (more than 15,000) or a smaller college. Sports (the varsity sport I participate in and football) and other extra-cirricular activities were a very large determination for where I chose to go to school. Another big determining factor when I chose my school was how affordable both location and kind of school I was going to choose. In-state or out-of-state schools have a huge amount to do if the applicant wants to travel home for breaks, it also may help make a decision based on tuition. I love the connection I have with everyone here in addition to the growing alumni community that is located all over the country. I will never be afraid to say that I graduated from Virginia Tech when I meet someone new or apply for a new job or career. Enjoy your time in college, so make friends and have a good time, but remember, classes could help you out for the rest of your life so try hard!

Don't let the orientation boards of any school get you too pumped up about the school. Some colleges have very well planned out advertising and then do not diliver half of what they say they do. Do your research before hand and talk to students who go to or have gone to the school, they will only have bias if they have had a good experience or a bad one. The people on the orientation board are usually paid to say what they do. Basically, do your research first and dont be afraid to ask as many questions as you need. College is a big thing not to get your moneys worth out of. In addition, once you pick a college, one of my professors told me "while highschool is a time to fit in, college is the time to stand out" and I've never heard a truer word spoken. College is what you make it, and it is you, not your teachers or your parents that desides if you will get anything out of college or not. Stand out from the croud and strive to become who you were born to be.

Try your best to find a family member or friend who attends or attended your prospective school. There's nothing better than talking to a student who experienced a college first hand. As parents, definitely do not pressure your child in a certain direction. Obviously give them support, but having them find their own way with your guidance you can be certain they will find what THEY want and this will allow for the highest probability of their happiness. Be there as a sounding board for your children to bounce ideas off of and to vent to if they're struggling or stressed. Even if they don't say it they will definitely appreciate it and they'll feel comfortable knowing you're there if they can't turn to anyone else. Teenagers have friends to turn to for certain things and parents for other things. Make sure you know your boundaries and help them when you can, don't force it. For incoming freshman: everyone's a stranger at first so do your best to reach out as much as possible as soon as possible because these are the friends you'll most likely make for life.

To find the right college, definately visit websites that have actual students describe the university or talk to actual students of universities. Its the best way to get an idea of how much you might be able to get out of your college experience. Also, as a student, if you happen to know what kind of career you'd like to pursue, check to make sure the college you want to attend supplys the right major to get you there. How does one make the most out of their college experience? Be friendly! Remember, everyone is in the same boat as you, and are looking to fit in, and make friends just like you are. Check out the college webpage for different clubs that might intrest you, its a good way to meet people. And, acedemically, go to class, and save partying for the weekends only.

Don't just go look at the school, make sure to look at all the opportunities that each school has to offer and make sure that the school you choose has a variety of majors that you are interested because chances are you'll change your major many times before you finally settle with a specific major. I personally have changed my major 3 times from chemistry to biology and pre-pharmacy then to psychology and now to psychology and communication. As for the college experience, enjoy it, but make sure that your school work still comes before your social life because you won't have much of a college experience if you party too much

When you're a high school senior, college sounds pretty scary. Even mastering the terminology (public vs. private, greek life, FAFSA, undergraduate research, SATs, course request, resident advising) is an arduous task, and you're not even in class yet. But it's really not that bad once you learn the big secret: The key to both choosing a college and to succeeding once you get there is to just ask questions. Lots of them. Visit campus, take the tour without your parents, and ask a school rep about the campus and its history. Then ask some students what they actually think. Attend a lecture of a subject you think you might like, and talk to the professor afterwards about their program (I promise you're allowed to do that). Talk to the Financial Aid office, even if you don't think you're eligible. Ask graduates what they would have done differently. Do these things for every school you might attend. So you got in? Great job! But no surprise, since your questions meant you knew what the school was looking for. Now just keep asking questions for the next four years and you'll be just fine.

Finding the right college is about finding "home". You'll be here for the next 4-6 years of your life. This is where you will sense freedom. Don't go to a college where your significant other or friends are going to. You want to be able to live out this experience. This opportunity only comes once. Yes, consider all the academic programs, but also consider what more you can do on the campus. More than academics, college is a place where you'll learn and grow into an individual, and it begins with your college decision. My one advice about college is live it out without any regrets. Like i said, this is where you'll have freedom. You'll be away from home and be on your own. Do everything that you want to do and don't hold back (as long as it's legal). Experience everything now because you won't get something like that in the "real world". Be involved in fraternities/sororities, fellowships, community service, sports, and other activities. Take advantage of the community around you. Explore the campus and the cities around it. College is meant to be fun, not dreadful.

Take the most of the chances you are given. It is never too late to join a club or interest group of any type. Go ahead and jump right into everything, take chances, and put your neck out. Granted there will be a million things a student will not know about the college when first entering it; things like job and research opportunities, academic help, various interest groups, etc. Take the next four or five years of your college life to figure it out. It is the only way to go through college. Don't be afraid to be a fool in front of others, as long as you are yourself. And do research before selecting classes so that you do not get stuck with the extremely crappy teachers like I have done. Trust me on that. And bring vitamins and stuff so that you get your nutrients because you will most certainly not get your nutrients through college campus food and off campus dining. GOOD LUCK.

I felt very limited on my choices of colleges and only applied to a few in-state schools. Don't be afraid to take a chance and apply to a dream school. Also, be sure to visit the different colleges you are considering. They all look terrific in magazines or on website pictures, but sometimes they aren't so glamorous in real life. Talking to people who go to the school is also helpful because they can give you a students perspective about things you may not have thought of before.

When finding the right college, the most important thing a student can do is make sure they will be completely happy with the college they choose. The obvious qualities to look for are big school or small school, urban or rural surroundings, good professors, and good food. However, there is a lot more that goes into having a succesful college experience. Every student should look into the organization of "campus bureaucracy" within areas such as housing, advising, and even parking availability. Make sure it is easy to get out of a bad roommate situation. Don't become trapped with an advisor who tells everyone the same thing or makes you go to another office to find what you're looking for. Make sure you will be able to get an on-campus job if you need one, so that you don't have to worry about taking off for breaks and exams. However, most importantly, visit the campus. Walk around outside and inside every building you can get into. Imagine yourself going to class every day. Is your path exciting? Will you be rejuvinated every morning walking to class? Remember, this will keep you going even when it seems impossible.

You have to know what you want. Why are you going to college? For some, they want to prepare themselves for a great job. For others, college is about having fun--party, alcohol, and sex. You can always do both, but what's your number one priority? If your priority is to become successful then put a lot of effort to meet this goal even if it means giving up on partying. You can join a lot of related academic clubs (e.g., Accounting Society), apply for a tutor, and study in the library until midnight. If you just want to have fun, then join a Greek life, a sports club, and fun related clubs (e.g., car club). Keep in mind that just because you are studying, it doesn?t mean you can't have fun. It means you have to make sacrifices sometimes. It?s all about knowing what you want and acting upon it. Your idea of a great college life is nothing if you can't make executions. There will be nobody to tell you how to live your life anymore. Raise or fold, it?s your chips. Play them wisely.

Ultimately it is the student who has to live with the final decision concerning where he or she will be going to college, so the final decision should be his/hers. Make sure the student communicates concerning the things that are most important when looking for the best school.

Finding the right college is not a decision to take lightly but it also isn't as stressful as you might fear. It's smart to take into consideration who you are as a person and who you would like to become. Visiting colleges is very important in trying to make that decision because you are able to see the who lives there, what they do in their spare time, and if you can see yourself there for four years having a wonderful time. Then, once you've picked which college is the best choice for you, there are many opportunities for you to explore: join a club, a sports team, an academic team, or begin your own; find an on campus job with flexible hours so you can meet new people and make some extra cash to fill your pockets; find study partners in your classes that way you can make friends and keep up with your studies. The experiences and skills you earn in your four years of college help you in situations throughout your life but it's your choice (for the first time!) to make it happen.

I think that finding the right college starts by thinking that there are no wrong colleges at first. Look everywhere in your range and begin weeding them out by looking at what they offer for you. There are no wrong answers. Once you have narrowed down the list by the range that you are willing to live in, begin by looking at the acedemic programs that are offered and any connections to other schools where you may decide to further your education. After that has been done, one should look into the extracurriculars that are offered at the school that intrest them. Even if you can not directly participate, think about the things that you want to be a part of. There are so many schools that offer so many things. A perspective student should visit more then one, and know that there will be one that you just feel is right, as long as you open yourself up to the new possibility and to the new life chapter that is going to be embarked upon. The bottom line is, do not give up on a school too quickly, because there is a place for everyone. Find yours.

My best advice that I can give to anybody trying to find the right college is start really early. Start touring colleges that have the program you desire that will eventually lead you to a fitting career. Also, see if the atmosphere is right for you. Some advice to the parents is to plan ahead for financial issues that might occur when your child attends his first year of college. Try to find the right college for the best overall tuition that you can handle without a great deal of stress. However, our child is the one that is attending college and should be satisified where he or she is attending after high school.

I feel that the student should go for whatever school they feel most comfortable at. I think it is important that the school offers alot of different choices of activites in your interest. I have seen people leave Virginia Tech for it not being artsy enough. Look into what your interests are before choicing the school and see if they are available. Also don't worry if your boyfriend or girlfriend and friends are going somewhere else. You will most likely have a computer and still be able to talk to them. The college expirence should be all about YOU not anyone else. I feel that you will be the most happy in life if you are able to make your own choices rather than being talked into something due to those around you. Be happy and do alot of research. You will know when you find the school that is right for YOU.

Make sure you apply for financial aid. Go visit the colleges you apply to, make sure you get all of your questions answered. Check out the campus, get a tour, check out their libraries, and even the surrounding town. Don't be afraid to even ask a student what they like most about that college. Apply for all of the scholarships you can. Make the right decision for yourself. Don't hesitate to ask questions, there are many people on college campuses that can answer questions!

Don't listen to what anyone else tells you about "the best school" or "which school you need to go to;" make a list of school's you personally are interested in and apply. Don't be intimidated by distance or price; just apply, and if you get in then you can make your decision. Second, be sure to tour and visit everywhere you apply at least once if not twice. You may think you really want to go somewhere, but when you step on the right campus you just know. Next, a good school is a good school; don't think of things in terms of "Liberal Arts" and "Science/Math;" I go to Virginia Tech and am double majoring in English and Psychology and I'm receiving an outstanding education. Go with your gut, and choose the school YOU want; you have to go there for four years, not your parents or friends. Lastly, don't worry about where you will or won't get into; America has the best universities in the world and you're going to be happy no matter where you get rejected from. After all, you picked all the ones on your list.

For my own college search, I already knew what major I wanted: engineering. Knowing your intended major will narrow your search immensely. After I found a handful of colleges with great enineering programs I visited them, heard their speal and looked at the programs and extra curriculars they offered. I picked based on marching band, but you might want a specific sport. It all depends on what you want to do. If you don't have anything specific in mind yet, I suggest trying a community college just to get started. It's cheaper and you can start looking for what interests you most. To make the most of undergrad, I suggest getting involved. My school is big, but through getting involved I've made so many friends it doesn't seem that way anymore. Also, I've found classes outside my major that interest me, like sociology, music, and study abroad. Don't let getting your degree get in the way of your education.

When visiting colleges, talk to students that seem to be most similar to you. Ask about the negative things, especailly what he or she faced as a new students. Also, do not be scared to go off to schools that your friends are not interested in. These people might not be your friend s in the coming years. I know that this process is scary, but so many people have been through it... and you're probably smarter than so many out there.

It's important to find a place where you feel at home. Don't go somewhere just because you're parents went there of your brother or sister goes there. It has to fit for you. Be sure that you feel comfortable and safe.

When trying to find the right college make sure you visit every campus that you intend on applying to. Seeing the campus and the people that attend that college may help you to make your final decision. Also, to make the most of your college experience be sure to make friends and get involved in as many extra curricular activities that you can with your work load.

After being in college a few years, and going through the application process myself I've learned that what you get out of the experience depends on how much you're willing to put in to it. While searching colleges, it's important to find a place where you feel you could get the most out of your experience. College years are your most fun, but also very demanding. Find a place that suits your academic needs as well as recreational oppurtunities that would interest you. Also make sure to visit the school to get a feel for the student body, and the overall feeling of the campus. As far as making the most out of your college career, as I said, you get out of it what you're willing to put in to it. Oppurtunities are everywhere for the people that look for them. Talk to proffessors, volunteer for undergraduate research, apply for internships. All of these allow you the oppurtunity to get a feel for what your field is really like in the real world. Overall, you're college should be a place that will allow you to grow in to the person you want to become.

Make sure you know what you want to do before getting to college because if you don't then you may have to stay a lot longer than planned. Make sure to keep partying to just the weekends and focus as much as possible on studying and making good grades.

The best advice for parents and students when selecting a school is to pick a college known for a variety of programs. Chances are that you may change your area of interest while in college. After all, college is really about shaping you into your future self and you don't have to know who that is right away. When visiting a college, get a feel for the students and the campus and seriously consider how those factors fit with you. While you want to choose a college that fits your academic interests, make sure that the campus you're going to call home for a few years, feels like home. The number one piece of advice that my parents gave me was to not sweat the small stuff and work to the best of your abilities, and if you put forth the effort, you'll reap the benefits.

In order to find the right college, I think it is important for a student to not only consider his or her long-term goals, but also personality. One should choose an environment that is conducive to his or her needs. By doing so, a student can ensure that he or she will stay motivated and feel comfortable at school (which is vital for success). I would highly recommend for a student to get involved in some extracurricular activity in his/her first year of school. I believe that this can improve the overall quality of the college experience because it can help him find people that share similar interests. It is the friends a person surrounds himself with at school that can greatly influence the experience he or she has with the school as a whole. Most importantly, one should keep in mind that college is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It is a time in one's life where lessons are to be learned both inside and outside the classroom. My advice: study hard; make lots of friends; get involved in the community; and absorb as much information and memories as possible.

Definitely visit every college you are interested in. You might think you want to go to a certain school but actually visiting it could change your mind! Also, get involved. That is my biggest mistake. I never wanted to be in a sorority which is big on Virginia Tech campus but there are other options. Join clubs that interest you and make friends in classes. Thos classmates could become lifelong friends!

Go in with an open mind. It is hard considering cost, but if its the best school for your major and the size school you want, you'll figure out a way to pay for it. Try new things, dont be afraid to join a club or group that you never thought you would, its a great way to meet people and when you look back on your experience you will be glad you did it. You have lots of resources right at your fingertips in college, use them while you can. If you get an opportunity to study abroad, do it! Find a happy medium between school and socializing, if you only stay in and study you will miss out on a lot that is part of the college experience; if you only go out and socialize you miss out on the great education you are paying to receive. Take in every moment, it will be over before you know it!

I would give the advice to the student and say: "pick a college which specializes in what you want to pursue eventually in your post-college career". Do not pick a college based on whether or not your parents or family members attented, whether or not you like their sports teams, or whether or not your high school friends are going. In the end, what will make you happy is the fact that you know you are getting the best education that you paid for. Choosing the right college is, yes, a scary choice but when you can look back on your four years and know that you were able to excel emotionally, socially, and intuitively you will hold little, if any, regrets

Make sure that economically its the right decision for both of you, and to choose a career that you will enjoy the rest of your life.

My advice is to pick a school that makes you feel at home; a place where you can study what you want and feel comfortable there. Of Course pick a school that offers the program that you want, but I believe whole heartly that the school has to feel like home for you to do well. To make the most of your experience get out there and get involved, with all the types of clubs offered everyone can find people with the same interest as them and make friends for life. And what is college all about? Getting the education you want and making friends for life having the time of your life.

As a Senior in High School, I was in the provess of choosing a college. I visited a few schools, knowing I wanted to be an engineer major and that I wanted to be in the South helped my process, but I still wasn't completely sure where I wanted to go. The best advice I can give students looking for a college is to keep your options open and look at any and all schools that seem somewhat interesting. Make sure you are going to have a good education and a good social life, or else you will hate your first year. Parents, be there, but don't be there; make sure you can support your students when they need you but let them come to you. Students, get involved!!! This helped me so much, still as a Junior I stay involved!

For most parents, a school that has a great atmosphere and a strong influence for academic success is top ranked. I, however, tend to be slightly skewed from this view. For most students, college is a place to find themselves, to find their future friends and families. To me, in order to find these things, a school must go beyond the academic standing it holds. A school must provide an endless amount of opportunities for a student to express him/herself. Whether it be a sports game, an art class, a science lab or a dance company, students need to get involved in as many activities as he/she can and start to figure out what means the most to them. Not every student prefers to study at night, but by studying, a student can gain the knowledge to pursue an endless amount of opportunities in the future. If a major doesn't seem to fit the student, then change the major. Life is too short to be doing something that a person is not enjoying. Money isn't everything in life either, it comes in the way of many life decisions and to me, it should not rule anyone.

Most kids fit in and find friends that share similar interests and hobbies. Parents should worry less and encourage their child to explore and meet new people.

Pay attention in class and try to think about the job you want to get when choosing what to really grasp. Get involved in an activity if you are having trouble meeting people.

Take your time. When you look at a school, make sure you consider what the student's needs, such as financial aid, social activities, academic programs, housing, etc., are and whether or not the college can satisfy those needs. Every college has its own uniqueness.

I would definitely tell parents and students to visit any college they may be interested in attending. Take tours and speak with real students who attend that college and ask them about their experiences. Asking a current or former student what they love or hate about their college is a great way to figure out whether that college is right for you!

I would advised parents to be involved with their students throughout the application process. No matter what we say, we really do need your guidance. Gather as much information as you can by going to College Fairs and programs offered at your high school. Use the resources at your school's career center for dates of college visits, SAT/ACT help, sit down and get advise from your counselors. Start early in your high school career and realize that every grade makes a difference. Make sure you visit all the colleges you are intested in, take the guided tours offered. You must see the college during the day when the students are present to get a good feel for the university. Eat a meal in the dining halls and talk to students you see. Don't be influenced by where your high school friends are going or "the" school in your state. Make sure the college has your major and that companies recruit seniors for jobs after college. Regarding making the most of your college experience, only you can make that happen. Get involved with extracurriculiar activites by joining clubs and intramurals. Go to class and study!

In one word, VISIT. A lot of my friends from home did not visit the college of their choice and have since transferred because it was not what they thought it would be. I was not going to apply to Virginia Tech until I visited and could not be happier with my decision. As far as making the most of the college experience, get out and meet people. Do not hesitate to speak up or voice an opinion- people will love you for it. If you think a club may be interesting- go to a meeting and try it out, its worth a shot and it may help you make decisions regarding your major or the rest of your life. Talk with your professors, they are key assets in college and can really change your outlook on teachers in general and may even help your grades!!

Apply to as many schools as possible, visit the schools and try and do an over-night. Take sincere consideration of the availability of financial aid.

The true key to selecting the college that is best for you is look at the opportunities available. Look into your interests, your strengths, your passions; then, find a place that best suits those ideals. Visit the campus. Make sure that you would enjoy living there for potentially the next four or so years. Think of the climate, the location, the landscape, and the culture. Interact with the present student and faculty bodies. Use them to get a firsthand idea of what life is like at that school. Figure out how big of a school you want to go to. Try not to focus on the cost of tuition. Even if you cannot afford it, the money is out there. Do not let money limit your future. The academic, social, and community quality of a school will play a vital part in your future. Make sure you choose a place that will allow you to grow as a person and flourish into the adult that you were meant to be.

I think for parents, they have to have some trust in their child. That he or she will make the best decision for them, because its not the parents that are going to spend the four years there. I think another thing for the students is that once you choose your college you are not stuck there for four years. If you end up not liking your original choice look for a better alternative.

The best way to find the right college is to visit! After touring quite a few college campuses I was able to figure out what sort of characteristics I wanted my school to have; lots of school pride and spirit, a football team, friendly students, involved professors, etc. Talking to students at each school, eating meals on campus, sitting in on classes, and staying on campus overnight provided a different and more realistic feel of what school would be like if one went there and it definitely helped in my final decision. Becoming involved in clubs, sports, and activities is the best way to make the most of the college experience. The best part about being involved in school activities is meeting so many different people. People with different and similar interests come together and it creates many opportunities for new friends. Not only are new friends made but also chances for study groups, sports teams, and volunteer groups are made. Taking advantage of academic help such as review sessions and office hours will help the college experience from the academic standpoint. After all that's the reason for going to college!

Make sure that when you visit the campus that you could see yourself walking around campus and enjoying it. That when you see students walking around you can picture yourself in class with any one of them. Make sure that the atmosphere makes you smile on the inside as well as on the outside.

Money shouldn't matter. College is so much more than the money aspect. I can't afford this college one bit. I'm going to be in so much debt when I get out that I won't know what to do with myself, but it is completely worth it. With only one year under my belt, I have had experiences here that no other students at any other colleges could ever have. Even most upperclassmen at this school haven't done some of the things I have had the opportunity of doing. Also, when looking for the right college, make sure you visit first. My mom dragged me to visit Tech, but the second that I stepped on the campus, I knew this was where I had go. It's an instict, and it's 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} correct. And the day you move in, meet the people in the hall of your dorm. They will become your best friends. My absolute best friends lived right next door to me and others downt the hall from me. And it all started with a hello the first week of school. Without them, my college experience would not be the same.

I would advise students to pick a school that is not only challegeing academically for them, but a palce where they can have fun and enjoy being a college student. These are the best four years of your life so you need to make the best of them. Work hard academically so that you can enjoy everything that college has to offer. When you work hard you can play hard too.

Make sure they check into what programs are offered to meet the student needs. Find the right fit for you that makes you comfortable in social events as well as the classroom.

Students should sit down and analyze their hobbies and what they enjoy in school, in terms of subject matter. This is a very good way of determining what major best suits you as a student. The type of lifestyle you lead is a good indication of what college will be right for you. Money is a very important factor when making a college decision, but there could be a trade off between money and experience. For example, you could live at home and only pay 3,000 a semester for community college but chance are you will not get the amazing college experience that almost all high school students dream of. My best advice in picking a school is to figure out which major is best for you, pick a school that has the social aspects that you look for, and that is affordable. If you don't know what major you are interested in pursuing, you should attend a school that has a broad range of majors to choose from that interest you as well as the social aspects and affordability, as mentioned before. Once you pick the right school, make the most of the money you pay. :)