Interesting Things I've Learned At College

College Search & Lists
1

<p>I am a freshman at a state university and I love it so far. Since I have been here I have thought back about what they told me on college tours.</p>

<p>I think the most important questions to ask on a college tour are not about are floors co-ed, or how big are the dorms, but questions related to academics.</p>

<p>I think the most important things to find out are:</p>

<p>-What percentage of the faculty holds the highest degree available?-I have all profs with Ph.D’s and I think this is the most important thing you can have in a teacher.</p>

<p>-What are the size of Core Classes?-My only large classes are the core classes I have to take. Other than that, my classes are small, manageable sizes. Even though 2 classes are very large, it is very easy to ask questions and be involved.</p>

<p>-How is easy is it to switch your major?-Many schools may have long lines and red tape when it comes to switching your major, but some schools make it very easy. It is important to find out because many freshman will switch majors.</p>

<p>When it comes down to it, I think these are some of the most important things to find out. I didn’t get my first, second, or third choice housing, but I love where I live. Everyone is friendly and in the end, dorms should not play a large role in a college decision.</p>

<p>Last I must say I have found that the best way to get a feel for the school is to walk around and ask students what they think. They can give you the knowledge you won’t get on the tours.</p>

<p>I just wanted to wrtie this to tell you what I have discovered. It is interesting to think back on the college tours I went on and the questions I heard asked about irrelevant things such as food and shower stalls. In the end, I think there are a few basic things that make a difference.</p>

2

<p>Why do you say an important question is “What are the size of Core Classes?”…because in your description, you seem to question the relevancy of posing such a question, provided it is only your core classes that are large.</p>

3

<p>I have to disagree about the PhD thing…my best profs so far in 5 semesters have been the ones without the highest degrees because they have more experience, and are not as “intellectual.” The PhD profs teaching at my school went straight through college into teaching, and don’t have those personal engineeirng job experiences to share with us. Also, the higher educated ones seem to value the proofs and a lot of theoretical stuff, while regular profs like the “this is what you actually need to know” approach along with a lot of problems for engineering.</p>

<p>-professor office hours (amount required) is another thing to ask about</p>

<p>-how willing is financial aid and other departments to work with students?</p>

<p>-activities on campus</p>

<p>-if the size of the class varies by major and subject (I know at my school the classes for unpopular majors are really small while the popular major’s classes are big so it evens out–I don’t really like it since my major is popular)</p>