Wayne State University Top Questions

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

Erica

I would tell them to think very hard about your career desicion. School is like a business that you are investing in. Take your time and make sure that it is the right instituion for you. You don't want to start one major and decide it isn't the one for you and have to start all over again. Get you a great group of friends who will push and and hold you up when you fell the need to fall. If you are allowed the funds to live on campus try it out. You will have more access to srudy facilties, meals plans, and people in your same situation. Educate yourself on the colleges that you have choosen to apply to before you rush in on a desicion. College can either make or break your future, but the choice is up to you. You write you own destiny.

Rosario

Some advise to parents/students on finding the right college for undergraaduate schooling is to just go with what you think you will fit in best then transfer to the school of your choice. I say this because if you feel you fit into a school environment then you will accomplish more than if you feel awkward or out of place, that way you can get all of your GenEd classes out of the way and maintain a high GPA. that way you will be able to transfer to most other colleges. And as for making the most out of your college experence just be who you are and go with it. There are countless groups and organizations that have the same outlook on life as you do.

Eric

First, figure out what kind of program you want to enter, pre-med, english, enginering, ect. Second, decided if you are going to play sports at this school and wither or not you will be able to play on the team. Third, what size of a school do you want to go to and what kind of setting do you want (urban vs. country) and also how far away are you willing to go away from home for school? Fourth, what are the cost of attending this school and is it affordable for you.

Angela

There's a large variety of schools around the nation , meaning there's a near perfect school for almost every type of person. When students are choosing what college is right for them, they must consider what school offers their major , has a strong focus on academics, meets location standards, and supports extracurricular activity. Students also need to decide what type of campus is right for them. University campuses range from rural to urban communities and from small to large student bodies. When choosing the best college, students should decide whether they'd like to be involved in a larger community or a smaller one. Parent's should focus on sending their child to a school that's both affordable for them and their child. College can be expensive, so both the student and parent need to be ready and have a balanced budget in order to plan for college. In order to make the most of the college experience, students need to be open-minded and goal-orientated, and display a willingness to learn. Students who engage in extracurriculur activity have higher rates of succeeding at the college of their choice.

Maria

My advice to future college students would be to apply to as many colleges as possible. Make sure to look at the programs offered at each college, and make the right descision based on personal interest in a field. I would visit all of the colleges and make sure I can picture myself living there, surrounding myself with only positive people, because after all you will be there for a whole 4 or more years for undergrad. Being comfortable around a new enviroment is the most important part of beginning a college career, because otherwise you won't make the most of the experience you can get. I would make sure the college fits my kind of interests and particularly offer the program which I want to get into. Making most of your college experience is based on the descions you first decide to make for yourself, like picking the right college, this will be the most important move. If you are not happy with this choice, you will be miserable every day. To be happy and successful in college, you must choose the univeristy that makes you feel the most comfortable and has interests that you like!!

Chidinma

Finding the right college begins with deciding what's important to you. For me, it was proximity of the school to where I wanted to be, which was in the Metro-Detroit area; availability of the program I was interested in; and cost of tuition. Other important factors might be housing, extra-curricular activities, and financial aid. When you decide what's important, you can then find what school has the most of the qualities you're looking for and is the best fit. To make the most of your college experience, get involved! Every year I've tried something new, a program, a group, whatever, and I haven't regretted it. I've made friends and had many interesting experiences. From choir, to alternative spring break, from a student society for African students to the school newspaper, I've done so many cool things that have made my time more worthwhile. I don't think my college experience would be so great if I had done nothing but gone to class.

Alexandria

Don't make a decision based solely on cost, because you actually do get what you pay for. Also, if a guide says, "this doesn't happen often" when something weird happens, take that to mean it happens all the time. Every day, even.

Twania

Investigate the school thoroughly and make several visits to the campus.

James

Know what you want before you chose a college, so that college costs as less expensive.

Katie

Find an environment that suits you. Start with a broad range of prereqs and narrow your interests as you go along.

Nicole

I would advice parents and students to complete their first two years of school at a community college. Not only will it save them money, but time and a chance to explore what they really want to do without feeling pressured to have it all together.

Renita

Depending on the expectation and curriculum of interest, picking a school should be based on their rates of academic success as well as the accredidation in which the school holds. Some students learn in smaller classroom settings while others are not effected by the overwhelming amount of students in class (being known only as a number to the professor), class size should also be taken into consideration when choosing a school and so should the area in which the school is located because every parent wants to feel their child is safe away at school, and every student wants to feel safe when walking through the street on and nearby campus.

James

Study Hard ! Life doesn't get any easier!

Kelly

It is important for students to select a college that best fits their educational needs however, it is also vital that they have the ability to choose a school that motivates them to be involved in campus activites and to do their best work academically. Choosing a college where the student feels at home and where they recieve the right amount of attention according to their needs will help ensure success. I recommend going to any and all the schools the student is interested in and even some that they have never considered for open houses to see what all have to offer. Most importantly is the ability of the school to provide the type of education that the student needs to be placed in the career that they desire. Second to that is providing extra- curricular activites. Inspiring students to be involved in things outside of school tends to motivate students to do better in all areas of their lives. And finally, the best advice I can give is to be involved in as much as possible. I waited two years to be involved and it was the biggest mistake of my life.

Heather

The advice that I was given when choosing a college was 'don't let money factor in to your decision'. Although I agree that you shouldn't choose a college because it's "cheaper", and that your education is an investment, I also think it's important to look at the quality of the school and professors, not just the reputation of the school. I went to a university (Wayne State) where the faculty taught at UofM and State as well, but I had classes with them for a significantly lower cost. Don't get caught up in the "name brand" appeal of university. Do the research and you could save yourself a lot of money.

andrea

I would tell the parents and or student, make sure you pick a college not because of the parties, or because your friends go there, but pick a college that meet your educational needs. also make sure its in your budget.

Emily

Schedule college visits because the way a school feels is extremely important. I feel at home with my university. I did some traveling and looking at transferring btu after visiting the other schools I realized the one I was at was truly the best in every way for me. The campus is nice and feels homey to me, but the student body and overall goals of the university complements me and parallels my own goals. No student should feel left out, so it's best to make sure that there are programs that support your beliefs and way of living.

Tylene

Parents should not be involved in helping their child choose the college that they want to attend. I believe that choosing a college is up to the student. But, I will say go to the school that is going to offer you more finanically. Also, get involved on campus, it is a great way to meet new people and also a great way to network. Also, talk to your proffessor's that is what they are there for. And participate in class discussions teachers love students that do this. (your grade may be raised because of this.) Finally, parents remeber it is your child's decision on which school they would like to attend, but do advise them of your financial support.

Aiman

Talk to students who attend the school and are following the career path you find interesting. Although, take your time deciding what you want to do with your life. Explore your options!

Kirsten

My advice to finding the right college would be to start looking for colleges in the latter part of your sophomore year in high school . This way, you are able to visit the colleges and decide on whether you would be interested or not. After taking the tour of the campus, see if you can spend a weekend or a weeknight on campus to get a feel of the college life. I would recommend doing this for all of your choices and in the end, it helps you decide what school is right for you. To make the most of your college experience, don't study all the time. Get out of your comfort zone and meet people. Go do something you wouldn't normally do, like attending an event that the student council put on. If you live in the dorms, go around your floor and start networking, you never know if they will be in your classes (you can study together). In your classes, say hello to the person next to you, they can make the semester fun or they even may become one of your best friends. Just have fun, but be smart about it.

LaShawnda

make sure its what u whant to do and is it the right choice for you and make sure u keep a bugit and do spent a hole lot of money or don't get broke if you have some money.

Allen

You don't need to decide what you want to do right off the bat, but don't waste your time on campus without a plan. Find a place that works for everything: it provides a good education, it's close/far enough away from home, it has the social life you desire. Once you get to college, be active. Join a community and get involved. It's the best way to meet people and get into activities that can help you and your carrers.

Alicia

I think that people shouldn't worry about money or other obstacles when finding the right college because your education is something that people can never take from you.

Krista

Allow your student plenty of time to discover which school is right for them. You should start searching with them their sophmore year of high school. Let them go to campus visits and allow them to stay for a weekend to see what it's like to eat and be in the atmosphere of other college students. Also, make sure that they apply for college by the middle of their senior year in high school.

Tina

My first piece of advice to students is to pick a school that they really want to go to, and for parents to let them choose a school that they want, not that parents want, or can afford. If you are at a school that was not your first choice, or that you are unhappy with, then it may affect your abilities, and you won't be as happy. I would also advise students to go to the websites of their prospective schools, and get as much information as they can about the academic programs at that school, and to request or download information. It would also be helpful to attend at least one year on-campus, not at home, to get the feel of the dorm life. It is a fun experience, and it also teaches you how to tolerate others, and helps you adjust better to living on your own one day. My most important suggestion, though, like I said earlier would be to choose a school that you really want to go to. This way, you will get the full college experience.

Karen

I would advise students to pick a school based on it's academic standing in accordance to the degree program they want to pursue. Social activities and sporting events are fun, but those do not get you a degree or job. Academic Clubs and Volunteer groups are more important to me because they help make a student well rounded and socially responsible. Also, if you know that you will be tempted to party, pick a school that doesn't have a reputation of being a party school, that way you will be more inclined to stay focused on your school work.

Ariana

I would tell students to make sure the school has good programs for whatever program that they wish to persue a career in. I also would tell the parents to make sure that the cost of the school is in their budget and make sure that the school has good rating and good reviews from other students and parents.

Nathan

yeah

Lisa

The advice I would give to parents and/or students is simple: think and choose for yourself. We all may think we know what's best for our loved ones or friends regarding what college to go to, what to major in, and what activities to take part in, but in reality we only know what's best for ourselves. Because of this, extensive research is very important. With something as important and expensive as a college education, following others educational dreams instead of your own will make for a lousy four years. From my own experience, I found when I followed my own heart I was happier than when I followed the advice of my mother. She may not have been happy at first, but once she saw how happy I was she grew to except my educational decisions.

Ardit

Going to Wayne State has given me a totally different view of what a college experience is. Truthfully, it isn't the typical college experience. Frats and Sororities don't rule the school. The night life on campus is pretty dead, and there really isn't too much to do other than get your homework done and study. So, when looking at a college for the best college experice, look for not only hearsay, but look into what the college is like during the day and at night. See the kind of people that go there, and the attitude they have about school. Most kids go out of state to a "party" school, waste thousands of dollars and end up coming back with a reality check, a very expensive one, and go to a local university that is just as good as anyother and gain more than what they expected. Don't look at just the name of the school to get a college experience, but look at a school to really get what you want in life after your college days are over. Maybe, a different kind of college experice.

Anton

Try to stay away from urban universities, especially in economically declining cities

Nasryn

When deciding on the right college and on trying to make the most of your college experience, I think it would help to treat each and every prospective college as a person you are getting to know. From my own experience, each college has its own personality that is well suited to or that agrees/disagrees with different people. In your selection process, you may find that your personality completely clashes with, works well with, or even that it is a perfect match with the personality of the college you have selected. In order to match yourself up with the college that is right for you, there should be a certain amount of 'personal exploration' taken on your part. Take the time to become familiar with a campus you are interested in. The concept of 'place' is very important when deciding on which college to attend because as a large portion of your day may be devoted to school time and being on campus, you want to make sure your as comfortable in your space as possible. Explore the area beyond what is highlighted in the college brochure to help you make the right selection and begin your college adventure.

Aundrea

I would say to the parents to let the student make the decision of where they want to go and I would say to the student to go out of sate to college, so that you can take care of business and get it over with.

Krista

Rankings of universities are important and may play a key role in you decision, but what is even more important is to search for a college/university that fits your needs. You may need a university that feels like a community college, meaning that it's not too big, not too small, but it's just right. Other people look for big universities with hundreds of thousands of people searching for an education just like you. Maybe you want a school that has excellent community involvement programs or a university that holds the sorority/fraternity of your choice. Always plan an on-campus tour so that you can have all the questions that may not have been answered in the pamphlets you recieve. You need to experience what it would feel like for you to be a student at each college/university of your choice. When you decide on the college/university of your choice, make sure that you get involved and have fun. These should be the best 4 years of your live. Enjoy it while it last because before you know it you'll be thrown into the workforce. Be safe and always think smart about your choices.

mohammed

dear parents. even thought your children are in school keep an eye on them. they may be adults but still kids at heart. and we sometimes do stupid things. we may say we are all grown up but we still need you to show us what to do and yell at us for making mistakes. no matter how old we get we are still ur responsibility. keep nagging ur children if they are doing their homework or not. dont just assume they are doing great know that they are doing great good luck students.

Kathie

My advice to parents and students seeking the right college is to start early in your high school years. Keep in mind that your grades do matter when it comes to colleges looking at you as their future student. Think of applying to the college of your dreams as if you where applying for your dream job. Impressions matter and so do grades so always keep your best foot forward when doing those high school projects. Making wise choices in friends, what you do when together can determine your destiny in life. Research and visit campus' that you are interested in, include those that you may feel are out of your financial reach. Once you have narrowed down your choice to a couple of schools, start dialoging with conselors and financial aide personel that way, they get to know your face and who you are. You become a real person to them and not just a number in their file. This may position you to first choice when being reviewed by financial and scholarship board members. So, that college that seemed out of reach could possibily become reality!

Brian

Let the student go to campus and hang out for three days.

Kaiya

I would just say make sure you pick college based on you, and not your friends.College is totally different from high school, its a privelage,dont take it for granted

Kyra

First, go where you have the best chance of getting the best education in your career field. Second, go to the better offering school.

Zena

My advice to parent and student is to attend the school that caters to your major. Make the most of your college experience by joining organzations and make professional contacts.

LaSee

Always visit a college during the weekdays. You'll get a better feel on what the school is like and make sure the school has the majors that your interested in!!!!!!!

Marisa

Figuring out what college or university is the best choice for you is difficult. It's not something that anyone can tell exactly how to do it. You just have to do what you think is the best thing for you. When I was in high school I thought I knew where I wanted to be for college. I applied to two schools, to have a backup. I got in to my first school of choice, CMU, and was so excited! In August, I moved into my first dorm at CMU. I met my roommates and was suddenly terrified. I had just been in the car for over 2 hours and my parents were leaving me here alone. I didn't have a good year. I had roommate issues and was always homesick. Over christmas break, I decided I wasn't going back there for my Sophomore year. I applied to schools again because I wanted to be home. I decided to go to Wayne and live here. This is such a better fit for me, and it was my second choice. Really think hard about the decision to be made and make sure its the right one for you.

Joseph

Just go with what feels right, don't listen to anyone else.

Bilal

To enjoy the college experience, get involved. Find a university that you could live in. Find a part time job to pay for the few expenses and spending money. Make friends with people that share the same major. It will be necessary when the classes get tougher.

Marcia

The focus of college is obviously academics and preparation for the future. However, there is one thing unique to the college experience that can spur great personal growth: the opportunity to interact with people from virtually any and all background. My greatest advice for new students is to look for other students on campus who are not like you... maybe they don't look like you, maybe they don't believe what you believe. Seek them out, and begin a friendship. You will find your life become richer, and the world will suddenly become a very small place. You will not only learn about points of view and lifestyles you never knew about before, but you will also learn that deep down we are all very much the same. It will change the way you think about virtually everything. It will open great windows for you in your future. Embrace it!

raefah

TUITION, TUITION, TUITION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alisa

I would say that size does matter! Class size and school size are very important. For example, I don't learn well in large lecture halls. At my school I've been able to select classes that are smaller in size which has helped me greatly. Some have even been 8-10 students so there is a lot of instructor face-time. Also, the location of your school is important for a students overall happiness. If you are a person that loves city life (like me) you may not be happy in a small town. After school your activities would leave you frusterated and yearning for more. Once these two criteria are met it's important to choose a school with a variety of classes in the field you wish to study. The more class options there are the more likely you are to enjoy them. And most importantly be open and make friends!

Shardae

Find a student(s) at the college or University that you're interested in attending. Students tend to give honest feed back about college life (classes, social life, professors...) than a faculty member. Secondly, remember that a good majority of Universitys and Colleges have beautiful landscape, so don't that be a fact that determines your enrollment. Lastly, learn how to manage your time. Be willing to meet and network with people who may not look like you. And most importantly, learn how to schmooze. I'm not talking about telling the Prof. He/She has nice shoes! NO, you need to sit toward the front of the class and nod your head to let the Prof. know you understand them and that you're paying attention. Even if you know the answer to a question, ask it anyway! Let the Prof. get to know your face and name. It helps, at least at Wayne State University, boost your grade from a B+ to an A! Good Luck!!

Darren

I would say that dont go to the cshool that all your friends are going to or the school that everyone is talking about, go to the school that you want to go to. Life is a learning experience so start being a leader in life instead of a follower.

Theresa

To parents and/or students I would recommend that the best way to find the right college and make the most out of the college experience to follow your heart. I believe that the best decision of schools, majors, and even whether to live on campus or commute come from following your heart and your passions. To be truly happy with your life and the decision you make for it they must come from the heart and be guided by passion.