William Paterson University of New Jersey Top Questions

Got to Collegeboard.com and just do a lot of research on academics, and social life, also go to lots of campus visits to make sure you are comfortable in with the environment

I would give students the advice of registering for an internship class in thier junior year so that they make sure they know that is what they want to do with thier life. I would also advise the student to apply for as many grants and scholarships that they can because getting stuck with thousands of dollars in loans at the end of your graduation isn't any fun. And lastley, I would also advise the student to work very hard from the start to keep that GPA up! It's so important to study hard and have that reflected in your grages because it can make a difference for your future.

As a graduate I would advise parents to first search for information on different colleges that offer a program that your child is interested in. If it is Education, then get online and find all those different schools that pride themeslves on the best programs for Education. I also want to say that if your child is not sure about what career they want then inform them that they just have to be interested in something. Remember that the fisrt two years of college are all general education. Your child has until theriijunior year to figure out what major they would like. Most students make the mistake of thinking that they have to know what they want from the beginning . Please keep in mind that academic success is what is important and that sometimes students stumble on a career they never thought of before. As parents it is our job to get them to succeed and require them to go to college, but remember they need positive reinforcement at all times no matter what age. Remember to apply for scholarships within the school or even on line. There are so many available towards students' achievements. Good luck.

I would encourage students to know for sure what they want to major in before attending college this way they dont waste any time taking classes they have no interest in. Students should also picks schools that are known for what they will major in. I would encourage them to make sure the commute is within a reasonable distance if they are commuters and if they are on campus, their school should have nearby convenience centers for food, shopping and hanging out.

The advice I would give parents about helping your children find the right college is simply to save some money on the side for your child's education. Tuition is very expensive and books are extremely expensive also. Just be prepared to help your child financially if they need it. For the students I suggest that they fill out the Fafsa and any financial aid papers on time, and apply for as many scholarships as they can to help them pay for their education. Choose a school where you are truly content with the area, the cost of attendence, and with the people. Choose a school where at least a couple more of your friends are attending just so you can feel comfortable. Besides that, play some sports or join some clubs just to make your college experience a memorable one. Your education is very important so just make sure you keep your priorities straight. Schoolwork comes first before anything. As long as you put your entire heart into your education you should be great.

I would tell parents and students alike to find a campus that makes the student feel comfortable. The first step to maximizing the college experience is being happy with the school the student is attending. In order to make the most of the college experience, the student has to step outside of his or her comfort zone and try new things, meet new people, and learn from mistakes. If the student and parents take every experience as a learning experience, the potential for personal growth is unlimited. The "college experience" is about learning about oneself and pushing everything to the limits. Sometimes it takes a little risk to gain a life-changing experience.

Finding the right college requires exploring options, such as what degree you are intending to pursue, college location, classroom size, teacher to student ratio, the success of students after graduating, course offerings, tuition, and on-campus housing. It is important to visit the college before applying because getting a tour of the campus will help you decide on whether or not the school is right for you. You are more likely to make the most of the college experience if the school you are attending is compatible with you. Making the most of the college experience will happen if you strive to do your best in the classes that you take and also involve yourself in extracurricular activities that will expand your horizon. Don't simply pick the easiest professor just to get an easy A, but challenge your ability to think and overcome academic obstacles. Also, don't engage all of your time in your studies, but balance your academic life with a healthy social life that may include clubs, fraternities/sororities, sports, or any other extracurricular activities. The best college experience doesn't just happen, you have to make it happen by making the right choices for yourself.

When it comes to finding the right college, my advice would be to sit down with your parents and come up with the things that you are looking for in a school. These may include programs offered, financial aid available, price range, and resources available (tutoring, couseling, career planning, etc.) One important detail that often gets overlooked is the atmosphere on campus. You should choose a school where you are comfortable, and feel as though you can fit in and be happy. The best way to get a feel for this is to actually visit the school. Sometimes the images promoted on admissions pamphlets can be misleading. Once there, take a little time to explore your new surroundings and get to know the people around you. Introduce yourself to your professors. They like it when you show interest and make an effort. Don't be afraid to try new things. Remember, it's ok to ask for help if you need it. Make use of the resources available to you- you pay for them. Lastly, go to events like Club Fair to see what activities there are, and GET INVOLVED!!! Your college experience will be what YOU make of it.

I get asked these questions all the time by perspective students and I always give them my honest college experience. In my opinion there is nothing like living on campus. It is the heart of the college experience that aids in buillding great realtionships, joining on campus activities and having a socail life aside from your classes. Even though the world is going through a financial crisis and housing is pretty expensive, it is worth every dime and there is scholarship money available to those who really want it. More importantly, I always reccommend whatever school they are interested in always do your research for the major that you choose. Even though a social life is very important, getting the best education possible and finding what we want to do with our lives is our main reason for attending college. Also, I can not stress more that students and parents should visit the schools and get a closer look for yourself. There is nothing like an inside look to what you would really be getting yourself into. My last piece of advice to the student is go with your choice not your parents because you have to attend the school.

I feel that the most important advice to give parents and/or students about finding the right college is that there isn't just one right college. College is what you make of it. Whether you are able to go hundreds of miles away or are only able to stay local, it is all what you make out of it. It doesn't matter if you are at an ivy-league school or a local university, it is always about hard work and dedication. I advise students to always go for their dreams and to always work to their full potential. I also advise students to make the most of their college experience by meeting new people. College is a very important and interesting part of life. While it is important to be dedicated to your school work, it is also very important to interact and meet new people. I feel that meeting people at college has definitely made me a better person. I also feel that it has taught me things that no classroom or book will ever be able to teach me. Enjoy college but most importantly enjoy life!

College is just as much about social growth as academic growth. College is also what you make it. Its not about the school or the people persay but more about what you do.

My first piece of advice to students and parents would be not to think that the only way to get the college experience is for students to live at school. I have lived home for the entirety of my college years and have had a great experience so far. Your experience at college will depend on your personality and how much you look for accomplishing. Those experiences are there, it is just a matter of being open to them. My second piece of advice to students would be to enter college with a positive attitude and to be as friendly as possible! College is a great place to meet new people and truly find friends that you will keep for a life time. I have made many friends over the past two years simply by smiling and saying hello to the person sitting next to me. Always keep an open mind about the people and environment of your college and do not sell yourself short by keeping quiet throughout your college years. Weather you decide to live on campus or not, your college experience is what you make of it and can be as stimulating or calm as you like.

College is an institution the helps mature an individual to finding their way in life. It is a place to explore and develop a sense of one's self. Students should explore every possible gateway of opportunity because everyone should be indulging themselves with knowledge. The choice of college should include in a well diverse setting because we live in a world with individuals who are uniquely and culturally different. Students should have an opened mind to change and appreciate others for their differences. Students should always take advantage of the wonderful programs being offered at their institutions. People should be opened to meeting new people and learning from their experiences. Programs that include community service and traveling to different countries are amazing outlets to discovering one's self. Students should always want to strive for the best because with every struggle solved comes a new stage of enlightenment.

Explore all of your opportunities, utilize all of the resources given to you and don't rule anything out. One should be open-minded, open to new experiences and maintain focus toward acheiving your ultimate goal. College should be viewed as an adventure in finding "you" and discovering your God given potential.

Finding the right college must be done one step at a time. Make a list of what you enjoy: basketball, languages, partying. Now translate those into more collegiate terms: emphasis in sports, strong language department, a party school. From these college traits, you should compile a list of several colleges that fit most of your criteria. So far, we were only concerned with how the college fits with you. Now, we have to see how much you fit into that college. Does the college admit students in your GPA & SAT range? Will you be able to afford the tuition? Will your parents allow you live on campus? These questions are your limits. The college that fits the most of your criteria without interfering with any of your limits is the right college for you. Finding the right college but not making the most of it is like finding the perfect house to live in...and burning it down. Not pretty. Push yourself to the limits by studying hard and participating in campus activities. Pursue your interests but still keep an eye on new things. Most of all, have fun. Even Newton took time off to rest under the apple tree!

I would tell them to choose a college that has the major that they want to pursue, such as fine arts. in order to save money, as well as to avoid the daily hassles of traveling many distances back and forth, i would advise them to either choose a college that is very close to their home, or live on campus. I would also advise them to do things that can be great for their resume such as extracurricular activities, internships, doing volunteer work, and activities that deal with their major. They could take the oppurtunity to work with proffessionals by taking internships, which can further prepare them for their future carreer. They can also take the oppurtunity to take classes during the summer to finish college much sooner. To do well in classes, they could get academic tutoring. They can do research, as well as study, in the campus library. they can take big steps to avoiding bad grades. they can take that time in college to improve in their major by getting influenced by proffessionals in the field.

Speak with the techers

I would say to look around and make sure that you really want to go there. Check out every area of the college to make ure its right for you. You are going to apend the next four years there and you dont want to waste it.

Each student has a college that is specific to their needs. I think one of the most important steps in choosing a college is visiting the campuses. You get a true feel for a school when you visit the campus. Leave your options open and learn and research as many schools as possible. Make a list of priorities that you look for in a school and ask yourself questions. Do you want to live on campus or off campus? How far do you wish to be away from home? Some schools are known for specific majors which can attract you to those certain schools. After you make a list of your top five schools, appy early. The earlier you get your application in, the better. Apply for any scholarships and financial aid early also. College is the next step in life. Always remember to enjoy it!

find the college that fits you best, money should be a concern, but it shouldn't be the only thing factored into your decision. make sure of the opportunities that are available for after you graduate because that is what your ultimate goal is

As cliche as it may sound, college is like life, it is what you make of it. I dont think that at 18 anyone knows what they truly want to do with the rest of their lives. My advise is to go to a decent, mid-sized, diverse university and enroll as undecided. In doing so you will take several general classes as a freshman and met people from different ethnicities that can teach you things you cant learn in the classroom. Taking general classes can give you a feel for what it is you want to get out of your education at your school. I strongly advise that full-time students DO NOT work full-time. You should only work part time, and only if you have to. Your college years are years that are supposed to be the best of your life, dont rush through them, join sports and campus activities. This is a time to be a sponge and absorb all that you can. In the years after your education you will be greatful for having experienced what some only wish they could have.

Don't pick the school that your child goes to, help steer them in the right path when picking a school. The school kind of has to fit their personality and intrigue them.

find a school that meets all your needs

My advise to parents would be to make sure that the college offers what your child needs to pursue their goals. Be match the school with the program your child whats to acheive in. Also, be sure that the setting and environment of the school is complimentary to your childs personality. Most importantly, keep asking questions regarding how they are enjoying their experience. Don't dwell on the prying type questions, but focus on questions regarding their sense of well being. Most importantly, be sure to make yourself available to them at all times and be sure they know they have your support.

I would definately tell them that you can be easily distracted but you have to concentrate to stay on track. You need to definately organize your agenda to make sure you have enough time to finish everything that needs to get done. It may seem overwhelming but take one step at a time and you will do fine. Take advantage of everything the campus offers you including extra help and tutoring. Talk to your teachers if you are having trouble keeping up with the class and don't be afraid to voice your opinion.

The advice that I would give to parents and students is to research the college that you are interested in attending. Also, compare the different schools that you are interested in and figure out which college best fits the student and the student's intended major. Something else that is helpful, is to visit the school and take a campus tour to see if you like the campus, how big or small it is etc. In making the most out of your college experience you should definitely join any clubs and/or activities. However, some of us commute and work therefore we cannot really afford to stay at campus and socialize. However, what I suggest to do is to talk to people in your class and around campus and you might develop a nice friendship with those people. Talking to people around campus and making new friends every semester can help you when you are a freshman and need help with things and finding place. College is a great experience and although it may be very stressful at times one has to learn how to have a good time and work hard--having a balance is the key!

Find a college that would best prepare you for your future.

When exploring colleges, start early. I started my sophomore/junior year in high school, even though I did not know what I wanted to do. This allowed me to look at all the aspects that a school had to offer. Consider everything that a school has to offer, such as internship opportunities, campus culture, campus diversity, on and off campus housing, and the environment/culture that surrounds the school. One thing that I think should not be a top reason for NOT attending a certain school is money and financial aid because you could miss out on not only a great education, but a great opportunity to make new friends. As for making the most of the college experience, live on campus for at least your first year, no matter how close to the school you live. This gives you a feel for living on your own, also allows you to meet new people and experience life on campus outside of the classroom. The best piece of advice that was given to me that really helped ease the transition between high school and college: study hard, but make sure you have just as much fun!

Having the experience of finding the "right" college for myself, I would advise the students to seriously consider what major they are interested in pursuing for the rest of their lives. It's something that they will need to devote their time to it in order to generate feedback from the hard work that was put in. I have to say William Paterson University is not my first choice; however, I committed myself to doing well in school and I am satisfied with the education that I received out of it. Academic work is important, but as most people know, extracurricular activities are also a key to success since it's a great way for people to socialize. To make the most of the college experience, socializing is definitely the way to do it. Whether the students are on-campus or off-campus, they can always socialize with others to generate a good networking environment. I can say 99{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of people having a ?good? networking environment will lead to success toward their future career.

I would tell them to make sure that the school they pick has a campus pleasing to the student. If the student dislikes the campus, his acedemic experience and social experience might suffer. If a college is too large for a student, he might be overwhelmed and lost in the shuffle. In order to make the most of the college experience, I encourage firstly being involved in the college community. By joining a club or sports team, students have a chance to meet new people who hold similar interests.

It is important not only to find a school that provides optimal education for the student's major but also one that has an environment where that student can feel comfortable in his or her own skin. If the student is interested in sports or specific extracurricular activities, do research to see what the university has to offer. Options for study abroad programs may also be considered the student as these would be a wonderful learning experience.

Welcome to the college experience! Following are some tips to ensure that you make the most of your experience. First, make sure to visit a number of colleges. Typically, students love the first and second colleges they visit simply because college is a novel world. To get a realistic view, visit at least three colleges and consider visiting them more than once. Second, make time to sit down with an advisor from the department in which you wish to major. You need to know that he or she is approachable and knowledgable of the program. A good advisor can make or break you! Third, as difficult as it may be, make yourself known the first day of class. Introduce yourself to the teacher. Exchange email addresses with a classmate. Answer a question. Sit towards the front of the class. It only gets easier to fade into the background as the semester progresses. Finally, take advantage of the clubs and sports on campus. It is true that there is something for everyone! Balancing your work load with safe fun and service opportunities will keep you healthy and well-rounded. This is the most exciting time of your life-- Best wishes!

The best thing to do is check out the colleges of your choice, talk to people who already go there, and get as much information as you can on each school so you can make a very informed decsion. This is one of the biggest ones you will make in your life because it leads you to the rest of your life.

Finding the right college can be scary; at least it was for me. I recommend utilizing the resources available to students. Most high schoolers don't rely on their guidance counselors or have a mentor or role model. All of these people are useful and can help give both students and parents important information, as well as ease some nerves! They can suggest schools, help with the application process and be a source of much needed support when decision letters start pouring in. Visit schools next. It's so important because that's when you get "that feeling" students always talk about. You need to explore a prospective university by talking with students, meeting with professors, or even staying the night with a current student. Once you pick your school, it's important to stay involved. Stay on campus during the weekends, especially your first year because that's when you make all of your friends. You can get an on-campus job, join a club, or hang out with other students in your major. No matter what you do once you're at a school, remember you're there to get an education and being a student comes first.

Finding the right college is always important for the college bound student. I personally feel that you should start early and find out all the information you possibly can about your prospective college. My idea of the "right college" is having my area of study and being affordable. Scholarships help out a lot in order to pay for tuition, room and board, and other fees. It would be a good idea to fill out as many as you can to help pay for your school. My advice to parents would be letting them know that if a student plans to attend an in-state school they would pay less than if they were to attend an out of state school. Now I don't think there is one certain type of college experience because college is different for everyone. Joining clubs and other extra-curricular activities, like greek life, could enhance the experience. But I believe that the most important factor of being able to make the most of the college experience is the people you become friends with. Personally if it were not for my friends I would not be enjoying college as much as I am right now.

To the first-year incoming college students, it's okay if find yourself asking, "What am I going to do for the rest of my life?" Three years later, it's still okay if you find yourself asking that same question. No one said you had to know the answer to every question you asked yourself. What's important is that you're still in school, and you're already taking the first out of many steps to figuring out what you want to do in life. Take your time. College isn't a race to graduation.

My first peice of advice to students would be to find a map of the campus and hold on to it! The first few days of finding classes can be a hassle and it doesn?t help to get lost. Also, I would advice students to buy a planner and write everything they need to remember in it?professors? phone numbers, homework assignments, classmates? phone numbers, and test dates. Don?t leave anything up to memory. Also, I would advise students to find out what resources are available on campus. They are helpful and will make life much easier with studying, researching, and completing assignments. Find out what the library can provide students. Find the study rooms and reserve them. Find the Health and Wellness Center and when a headache strikes go get an aspirin. Find out where the Starbucks is and learn where the best seats in the caf? are. Finally, I would advise students to enjoy their time here. It won?t be long before graduation time will come along and it will be time to face the real world. These are some of the best times of life. Enjoy them! Have fun! Laugh! And make memories.

The word "college" brews in the minds of high school students and their parents alike. Students know that they must do whatever they can to get into the best college possible. Perhaps the one thing that did not occur to me at this crucial time was how much of the college experience was in my own hands. It really is up to you what you do with your major and profession. It is not the college name that will make you who you are. Therefore, do not worry so hard about getting into the "top" school . I am not saying do not get the best education, however. To a high school student, education seems limited to the college name. My advice is pick the college that addresses your ambitions, goals, and visions, not someone else's. Do not forget about the expenses and scholarship opportunities, as it is a big part of the future equation. You might not get into your "top" school of choice...so what? The real question is are you at the top of your personal goals and where you see yourself going? Think about it. The color and shape of your future is up to...you.

To students looking for a college I say, don't be too hasty. Take your time to really explore the campus and the people you'll be essentially living with for the next four years. When choosing your major keep in mind nothing is what it seems, so don't feel dissapointed and let down if the program you got into isn't for you. There is so much to see and do in college that you shouldn't limit yourself by devoting all your time in just one area of life. Go outside and see what's going on around your school, take some of those yoga classes, or just be involved with the community around you. It's great to be involved with new things, and who knows, you might take those hobbies even farther.

Don't limit yourself, and don't underestimate yourself. Education is very important, and making sure you end up at the right school is important too. Visit as many colleges as you possibly can, and if at all possible, see if you can sit in on one of the classes you know you will probably have to take. Make sure you really get a good idea of what kind of school you're going to before you go. Also, sometimes first impressions can fool you. You might see something you don't like, but the school may be a perfect fit for you. Or you may see something you like, and when you get to the school, it turns out things aren't as great as you thought they would be. To parents: your child has one life to live. Students loans may be a problem after graduation, but knowledge is priceless. Please don't limit your child's choice to which colleges to apply to or attend. Don't get yourself worked up about the future. Take everything, no matter what stage in college life (whether it be applying, or accepting, or attending) one step at a time.

Find a school with an acadmic program that the student finds interesting. None of the other characteristics of the school are really as important as that. Some students just want to be with friends or want to find the ultimate party school, but this is still high school mentality. Once you find something you enjoy learning about, it becomes less of a chore and much more satisfying.

Be open minded and willing to meet new people, learn new things, and talk to everyone!

Choosing the right college is a serious decision. Apply to multiple schools which interest you, and try to visit each one you are accepted to -- you're going to be spending quite a bit of time there, and it will shape the course of the rest of your life. The skills you learn and the connections you make will be a springboard for your career, so don't opt for a "party school" over a more academic institution. Be sure you enjoy the campus and the surrounding area. Your state of mind and quality of work depend upon being comfortable and content with your environment. Once you've arrived at your new school, be it your first or last choice, try to utilize every opportunity to enrich your mind, broaden your horizons, and make new friends and connections. You will get as much out of your college experience as you invest in it. So stay organized, work hard, play hard, and don't forget to relax once in a while. College is a great time to grow as an individual and a member of a community -- make the most of it!

Go to a college that has a reasonable share of the world's spotlight. Not necessarily Harvard/Yale, but something like Rutgers or The College of New Jersey. Even if you're not racist, find a campus that's inhabited by people who generally have the same ethnicity so that conflicting cultures won't serve as a detriment in your quest to expand your social horizon. Don't let money affect your decision when you're applying to a college. Go to a place you want to go to regardless of whether a no-name university sends a full scholarship your way or not. Get jobs and internships over the summer breaks and if you have free time, ASAP. For internships, dabble in several that explore different fields of interests, not just one. You want to be able to assess the level of satisfaction you can garner from each possibility so that you can make the best calls for junior and senior year. Don't shun people just because they love to get really drunk and test marijuana while you don't. People are like boxes. They all have different sides that can't be seen when first witnessed.

If asked for advice on choosing the right school, I would tell the future student to not be overwhelmed. True, there are so many schools to choose from, but there are ways to narrow down the search. First, students must decide how far away from home they want to be. Do they want to be completely independent and live far, (over two hours away), from home, do they want to live at home and commute, or do they want some independence but still have the option to go home when they want to, (i,e. attend school about an hour or less away)? After this, does the student want a large, well-known school? A school with a particular sport team or major they are interested in? Are scholarships or other financial aid opportunities a factor? All of the questions should be able to narrow the search down to no more than ten schools. Now, it's just a matter of visiting and seeing how the campus feels, talking to professors or other people that attend. This is the process I followed, and it landed me in the perfect place for me.

When trying to find the right college, the best thing to do is to visit the ones you that are high on your list. A website always makes the campus look good so going there is best. College is like your second home since you will be spending alot of time there so its best to pick one that you feel comfortable attending.

Find out about clubs and other activities that are available, and participate in them! You will never feel "at home" if you don't put yourself out there, make friends, have fun, and keep busy. When you're bored, you're start getting homesick. Find things that interest you!

Let the student visit the campus, and let them make the decision according to where they feel comfortable.

Start early and take the time to look at each school. Interview students. Walk on campus and randomly ask for directions - judge the responses critically: were they nice and accurate? evaluate if there is a 4 year plan for your degree. Validate that plan to past catalogs - often they say to take a course your second year, but only offer it in fall OR spring, meaning the planning is only half way there.

I would say that everyone should really try to attend their number one choice if they are accepted.