Worcester Polytechnic Institute Top Questions

In order to get the most out of college, it's important to know what you really enjoy doing first. I strongly recommend taking a year off after high school before starting college. Yes, it could be easy to get distracted, or used to making money and be a little harder to go back. But, if you're anything like me, you just might get some insight into yourself that you wouldn't have gotten otherwise. Work a couple of different jobs. Pay attention to the things that you like and dislike about them, your coworkers, your supervisors, and the company. Even if the work is totally unrelated to your intended field of study, you might discover you really enjoy some other aspect of a job that you hadn't even considered studying. Take a few classes at a community college during your "year off". It will keep you used to studying, and you can try out different topics on the cheap. Finally, whatever you do, pick your college and your major based on what you enjoy, not because of the average salary on graduating. If you really enjoy your work, it's not really work after all!

visit the college, and trust your first impression of the school

First figure out what type of career you would like to focus on--e.g. engineering, management, research, writing, media composition or production, teaching, medicine, etc. Then choose your school(s) based on how closely they fit whatever you wish to pursue and what their reputation is for fulfilling the needs of students with similar pursuits. Although you may not yet know specifically what jobs you want to have throughout your career, you should know yourself well enough that you can choose at least a general career category based on what types of useful things you are good at. Once in school, explore your newfound academic and social possibilities thoroughly. One of the main purposes of your undergraduate career should be to define yourself more concretely than before as a student, as a worker, and as a person. Don't worry too much if you don't find your path immediately, but don't allow yourself to get so distracted that you lose sight of your goals in school and in life.

Make sure you check into everything. Coursework, job availablity, housing, food, everything. Don't always just go for the good school, go for the school that fits your situation best. This can help you avoid horrible choices and debt piles the size of mountains.

Students and Parents should go together and visit the school as much as possible (orientations, tours, information sessions etc...). The student should be happy while at school.

My advice about finding the right college would be to make sure you explore all of your opinions, and then go with your gut instict about which is the right college for you. Then you should go to school with the a positive attitude that you will love it because even if you don't at first, you will be more open to adjusting to the new environment. Even if you don't like the school you pick, you aren't stuck there and you can transfer.

Apply to a variety of places so you have more to choose from

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Parents: Don't choose a school for your kid, let them decide what is right for them. Take them to any school they are interested in and don't tell them they can't go to a school because its too expensive - financial aid exists for a reason. Students: Look at all your options. What major are you thinking of? Which schools are accredited for that major? Have a back-up major! Is the school accredited for that major as well? Visit as many schools as you can! The right school is usually the one where you feel the most comfortable and can see yourself attending. Once you're in college, join clubs and be active socially. Reach out to professors and other students for help and advice. You can have a good time while getting a good education. Good luck!

Take plenty of tours and get to know classmates. Join a club. Go Greek!

I would advise parents and students to go and visit the colleges/universities that they are planning to apply to. It's important to feel around the campus and see if you really like it. Also, apply for as many scholarships as possible. Every bit of money counts, especially when the student is the one paying or taking out loans. Don't be afraid to go in undecided. There's absolutely NOTHING wrong with not knowing what you want to persue. Become involved in your campus, and go to the events sponsored by your school. Making new friends is the most rewarding experience when you are a college freshman.

My primary advice is to look for the school that not only has a prestigious standing, but one that fits you the best, whether it's a state school or a private school, and Ivy League or one further down the list of best schools. All schools have characteristics that could work for or against you, and it is important that you find the one that will help you grow in the manner you desire.

So much emphasis is placed on aspiring college students to pick the college that is most guaranteed to ensure a lucrative and successful career later in life. Students should also take their social life and sanity over the next four years into consideration, as a poor social environment can mean a hellish college experience (the good job at the end isn't worth the torture!).

The first step in finding the right school is to visit as many schools as you can. If you're remotely interested in the school, go see it. It's important to get a read on the campus community. When I visited my university for the first time, I felt a palpable buzz around the campus; just being there was exciting. Another important step is figuring out what you want to do. You don't have to decide on a profession or a field. Identify a general area that you A.) have a strong interest in, and B.) feel you can succeed in. State universities may not seem as glamorous to a high-school senior, but they offer a wide variety of majors while maintaining a high academic standard. Finally, it is YOUR choice, and no one elses. Don't allow yourself to be cowed or bullied into going somewhere because you have a family history there, everyone tells you that you should, or all your friends are going there. The next 4 years of your life will determine the next 40, and probably longer. Do what makes you happy, and what you feel is the best for yourself.