Your college experience

[SunDancer]

Being a sophmoore in college, I wanted to hear your college experiences. What did you like? What did you do? Did you change right after college?

This weekend was a blast...I realize my hall buddies became my new best friends. They became like my brothers. I hang out with another group of friends, but they all are selfish, pick on me (joking is ok, I understand that, but the get picking on me when they have problems themselves). I alittle more open to drinking (but never on a school night), and my friends "were worried". I got so peeved at that. Should I worry (I only drink on non-school nights if I am in the mood) about myself in that way? Should I even care what they think?

Anyways, I kinda am beginning to see the fun experience of college. Just haven't been able to hit the jackpot yet with the opposite site. I look foward to senior year, getting an apartment together on campus (they are really nice). I might even try for one next year (long shot). Is this typical?

I carry a 2.64 GPA, not bad at all (and I work hard for that to be honest, not a good test taker). My friends brag about how hard they work to achieve a 4.0, ect., and they do like to go out everyonce in a while, but I honestly don't see a difference between a 2.6 and a 4.0, unless your going to medical, law, ect... school afterwards. Am I wrong? Is it true that many employers might actually favor the 2.6 student?

[mckerney]

Originally posted by SunDancer
Am I wrong? Is it true that many employers might actually favor the 2.6 student?

Advice for you if you are one who's going to get lower grades, get involved with whatever shit you can. On campus stuff is good, but definately go for internships.

[haji1]

Enjoy college while you can, the best years of my life. If your GPA is a little lower at the cost of having the time of your life so be it. Really, though, I don't think that employers could give a rats ass about GPA. It all comes down to who you know. As for them favoring 2.6 over 4.0, though, I think that is a myth conjured up by those with lower GPA's trying to console themselves.

[Radii]

Dropping out of college was the best decision I ever made. I hated it. I was in Georgia Tech's co-op program, working 1 quarter, in school the next, etc. I loved the work, hated the school, started skipping classes to work part time during my school quarters, and finally gave up on school altogether. Best decision I ever made.

I wouldn't recommend it for everyone though, I was in a unique situation. :)

[Bee]

I think the value of your GPA varies from interviewer to interviewer. As long as you are above 2.5, it's meaningless to me.

[Subby]

College is all about getting drunk, hooking up, and skipping class. If you can do all of those things and manage to graduate then you'll be just fine.

I mean, it worked for me, anyway ;)

[cuervo72]

Originally posted by Bee
I think the value of your GPA varies from interviewer to interviewer. As long as you are above 2.5, it's meaningless to me.

As long as you own a nice suit. :p

[ScottVib]

If you had two identical resume's one with a 2.6 vs. one with a 4.0 which one are you going to pick? (Say you could only interview one of them) I would say that employers favoring a 2.6 over a 4.0 would be a bit of a fallacy.

But like Bee mentioned as long as it's of a sufficient level the difference between the two isn't likely to be the discriminator that costs you a job. Get yourself involved in internships. My grades were ok (about 3.5) but I got more offers then my classmates who had better grades, with almost no effort solely because of my internship. Plus thanks to the internship I had some experience on the job, meaning I started with a higher salary then I otherwise would have. The internship lets the employer know that you have some sort of practical experience doing the job, in addition to the theoretical knowledge you were supposed to have gained while in college.

Activities are nice too, but I highly doubt that being in student government or captaining the rugby team got me many points on my resume evaluation, they were just things I did to pass the time and have some fun while I was at school, they give the interviewer something to bring up, you can use them to try and show leadership or teamwork if that's something the job needs, but by themselves they aren't likely to be a deciding factor.

Chances are it will comedown to how well you interview, if your grades are ok, you've got an internship or other related experience on the resume, and interview well, it's typically enough to give you a good shot at the job.

[cuervo72]

Once you have a couple of jobs under your belt, I would think that experience would be much more important than GPA anyway. And if it is below 3.0, you probably wouldn't even list it on your resume.

[Bee]

Originally posted by cuervo72
As long as you own a nice suit. :p

It doesn't have to be that nice of a suit. :D

[VPI97]

In college, I got married and had a kid.


Yay.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Gee, I was feeling all special because my GPA was 3.9. Dammit. :)

[Philliesfan980]

3.97 in accounting..

[Easy Mac]

Originally posted by Philliesfan980
3.97 in accounting..

so thats like a 2.3 in real majors?

THat being said, I only have a 2.6 in Philosophy and Poli Sci (we,, a 3.7 in core classes, about a 1 in all the others.) Outside shot at a 3.0 when I finish.

I say just enjoy it. I fucked around my first 2-2.5 years, and yeah, I'm paying for it now. But I'm still not doing hardly any work, and I'm just happy not killing myself over stress like a lot of people are. I'll wait until I get a job for that.

[TLK]

I started off at EMU and for the first year and a half, smooth sailing. I was pulling in decent grades and partying like it as 1999. Then it all went downhill. I met a girl and started having sex on a regular basis, which led to less and less class time. Somehow, I still pulled off decent grades, but she got booted for on account of grades. I was convinced to move down to Ohio. {Long story short} She's long gone, but I'm still here, and her dad co-owns half of my house. I'm back in school at BG, but I'm also working 40 hours a week. There's a moral to this story somewhere in here.......

[ice4277]

Originally posted by TheLionKing
I was convinced to move down to Ohio.

My condolences :(



:D

[Fritz]

have fun, you can pick up the pieces later.

[Fritz]

dola. fuck a lot

[Fritz]

dola. a whole lot

[Fritz]

dola. and don't be too damn picky

[Franklinnoble]

I agree with Fritz... although you might want to be a little picky. You don't wanna wake up next to Marmel...

[Fritz]

Originally posted by Franklinnoble
You don't wanna wake up next to Marmel...

I don;t see the problem, as long as you wake up first and no one knows...

[Balldog]

My college experience:

Girls Gone Wild: Dorm Fantasies

[SunDancer]

I got a 2.64 GPA right now, never missed a class last semster (miss three the first total), do all my work, but am not a good test taker.

The biggest thing I learn, is that the friends here and the relationships are alot differenet here then they were in high school. They seem realer, stronger and more respectful. Seem like long-life friendships. Am I right?

[Fritz]

Originally posted by SunDancer
Seem like long-life friendships. Am I right?

some of them.

[Bee]

I have several friends from college that I stay in touch with, but I think it varies by person. What I find funny is some of the people I thought I'd stay friends with forever from college I've completely lost track of and some people I wasn't that close to in college are very good friends now.

[Glengoyne]

Cards. Poker, spades, hearts, and cribbage. Then again I never finished, so I don't recommend that path.

My friends today are a lot of the friends I made in college though.

[cuervo72]

Well, the friends I made in college almost all went their separate ways after school, either moving back to where they lived previously, taking a job elsewhere or going on to graduate or medical school. The one that is still in the area is going the medical route - as is his wife - and has kids so he doesn't have a lot of free time. I did work with him for a few years after graduation though.

I live in a different place from where I grew up, so I never see anyone from high school, and my best friend from home has been tied up with podiatry school. Haven't seen my dad since he moved to Hawaii four years ago. My mom visits every now and then, but I haven't seen my brother in a while. Everyone from work lives in PA.

Pretty much leaves me with the wife and kids, the neighbors, and occasional get togethers with the in-laws (wife's sister lived in VA, parents in FL).

[SunDancer]

Yeah.

I think two-three of my friends will be the "life-long" friends, Does that mean we'll see each other, no. But will stay in touch Get married, go to the weedings/come to mine, ect.

[Fritz]

Originally posted by SunDancer
Yeah.

I think two-three of my friends will be the "life-long" friends, Does that mean we'll see each other, no. But will stay in touch Get married, go to the weedings/come to mine, ect.

are weedings gardening or pot smoking?

[Bee]

Originally posted by Fritz
are weedings gardening or pot smoking?

I thought he was referring to...err..."personal hygiene"...

[bigdawg2003]

I'm a freshman at SU (even had a little diary of my first few days, but I got tired of it, so stopped) and i'm having a blast. college rules!

[ice4277]

Originally posted by SunDancer
Yeah.

I think two-three of my friends will be the "life-long" friends, Does that mean we'll see each other, no. But will stay in touch Get married, go to the weedings/come to mine, ect.

I graduated college May 2002 and I would say that of the people I consider very close friends, all but two or threeare from CMU. My best friend got a job in Mississippi but I still manage to talk to him every other day or so. Others moved to the Detroit area and I see them frequently. Others I still talk to as well, just because you don't see somebody every day doesn't mean they cannot be good friends, keep that in mind. I have a friend in the Air Force station in the Azores, get to see him maybe once a year, talk to him maybe once a month, but we are just as good of friends as we were in high school.

[Easy Mac]

Originally posted by SunDancer
I got a 2.64 GPA right now, never missed a class last semster (miss three the first total), do all my work, but am not a good test taker.

Never missed a class? wow, Freshman year I went to a class 5 times, 3 of which were to take tests. Granted, I got a C in the class, but it was worth it.

[Maple Leafs]

College was great. Like high school, but without the politics and with more money and free time. I'm not sure about the lifelong friends part; I have some close friends from later years in school, but only keep in touch with a handful of people from first year. Still, who cares, you'll have fun while you know them and that's what counts.

I got pretty good grades throughout school. In my post-school life, I have never once been asked about my grades by an employer. Get your degree of course, and I'd even recommend learning as much as you can while you have the chance, but don't obsess over a few points here or there unless you're planning on going to graduate school.

[KWhit]

My advice to you college goers:

Have sex with anything that moves. You'll kick yourself later if you don't.

[Bee]

Originally posted by KWhit
My advice to you college goers:

Have sex with anything that moves.
Why limit yourself?

[SunDancer]

Originally posted by Bee
Why limit yourself?

So you don't get drunk and end up miskating Marmel for a really hot girl in a thong.

[SunDancer]

Originally posted by Fritz
are weedings gardening or pot smoking?

Opps...I meant weddings...I never smoke pot (only thing is drink).

As stated, I prolly have two to three really close friends after here, with one-two close high school friends (childhood friends).

I actually learn more than my GPA says.

[Mr. Sparkle]

I'm a sophomore at San Diego State right now, and i have mixed emotions. i have about the same GPA as you, but thats with an F that i'll have out of there at the end of this semester. i just hate the nonsensical general ed classes i have to take right now. i basically only go when i have to, and i'm gettin B's. I'll take that. I attend STDSU, so i have to be careful as to what gulleyhole i stick the little guy in. I like the college experience, and love San Diego, classes are just sooooooo boring right now

[SunDancer]

Originally posted by Mr. Sparkle
I'm a sophomore at San Diego State right now, and i have mixed emotions. i have about the same GPA as you, but thats with an F that i'll have out of there at the end of this semester. i just hate the nonsensical general ed classes i have to take right now. i basically only go when i have to, and i'm gettin B's. I'll take that. I attend STDSU, so i have to be careful as to what gulleyhole i stick the little guy in. I like the college experience, and love San Diego, classes are just sooooooo boring right now

Yeah, I hate the gen ed requirements (have to take three religious and three philosophy classes). I enjoy my major classes. Your have the problem of sticking it in those at every college.

[Mr. Sparkle]

The one class i have right now that i actually enjoy is my religious studies class. The teacher is very interesting and fun. I'm already done with my pre-reqs, so its all general ed this year. Very hard to motivate myself to care

[bamcgee]

On a resume, the GPA is just one component of many , albeit an important one. A 2.6 will definitely limit the overall number of opportunities that come your way because it is often used as an easy (and occasionally unfair) filter. However, it really depends upon your chosen field. That being said, no doors are really closed to you if you are persistent, have a connection to a company or position, or have demonstrated excellence somehow. It just means you'll have to work harder.

[finkenst]

My employer has a lower limit of 2.8/4.0 for new college graduate hires...

[sabotai]

"Opps...I meant weddings...I never smoke pot (only thing is drink)."

Ok, I've spotted your first problem...

I managed to graduate while being drunk for half my college life (with a 2.9 GPA). I had the same problem as you did, I can't take a test. What's your major? With me, when I got to junior and senior years, the class grades started to focus more on projects and papars rather than tests, which helped my grades out a LOT! (I got on the Dean's List 3 of my last 4 semesters because of it).

Just do whatever it is you find fun. If some of your friends bring you down, it may sound cold, but you have to cut them off. Seriously, you don't want to look back and think of all the fun you could have had because you held on to friends that didn't deserve it (my freshman year), I had a blast from my sophmore year on because I basically stopped hanging out with people that brought me down.

I'd give just about anything to be a sophmore in college again. My junior and senior years were great fun I spent mostly with my g/f at the time. But that sophmore year, being drunk and single, hanging out with my friends on the floor (making fun of those who had girlfriends and had to take time from their night to talk to them)...man. It was great. Enjoy every second. Once it's over, it's over.

[sabotai]

dola,

Intership! Get one when you are a senior! It'll make up for a low GPA with employers, because you'll have work experience.

[SunDancer]

I am starting to hang out less with my old click who have changed, and am really hanging out with my new friends. They are awesome! Not selfish, funny and sorta became my brothers here. It's going to be awesome!

We have to have 800 hours work experience to graduate, and our school prolly ranks in the top 5 or 6 right now in hospitality and tourism. The job connections and networking here is unreal.

[SunDancer]

To add,
I like to start my own catering firm. I plan on looking to find a catering firm to work with and learn the ropes.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Jeez, college wasn't the kind of "fun" experience for me that it seems to be for everyone else. It's probably the school that I went to, but I guess I'm the freakshow of this bunch.

I like it.

[Philliesfan980]

Originally posted by Pumpy Tudors
Jeez, college wasn't the kind of "fun" experience for me that it seems to be for everyone else. It's probably the school that I went to, but I guess I'm the freakshow of this bunch.




I agree with that sentiment. I had a gf (now my wife by the way) , from the beginning of my freshman year. Basically, I had to make ends meet on my own. Rent, Cable, Etc etc etc. Ended up working 35 hours on average while maintaining a good GPA. I suppose I was too practical about the entire experience, but hey, I do have a job.

As for some of the guys on here saying that you have 2.9's etc and are now doing great. Congraduations!! You really are fortunate, or must know someone. The majority of the guys that I went to school with that screwed around and got sub 3.0 GPA's are pretty screwed right now.

I guess this moral of this message is like anything else, moderation is key. Have fun, but don't lose your head about it.

[maximus]

never went to college but I still drank alot....

[korme]

i cannot wait for college damn i hope i have some good times like you guys

[sabotai]

"As for some of the guys on here saying that you have 2.9's etc and are now doing great. "

Hey...I never said I was doing great. :D

But seriously, drunk, not drunk, it wouldn't have mattered for me. I never touched alcohol or pot in high school and when I got to college, well, there's a time and place for everything. :) And my grades were still the same when I was in high school. I can not take a test. Once my grades stopped depending on tests, my grades went through the roof (and I was still geting smashed half the week).

(I know you probably didn't direct to me, I was just saying...)

[RPI-Fan]

FWIW:

Don't always listen to it when people say "It might work in high school, but it won't in college".

I was a lazy-ass in high school, but had good test taking skills. I finished in the top 5% of my class and got into some rather reputable colleges (not elite though).

Here I thought I would have an awful hard time. Well that hasn't been the case. I've found that a little studying and just applying my test taking skills will go a long way.

I'm pulling an A in a psychology class with a prof. who has a 1.90 GPA in the past, B's in Math and Biology, and an A in English. These classes really are harder for me than other ones will be, since I'm not motivated at all, since I have no interest in the subject. So basically the key is don't always listen when people tell you how hard it will be.

Do visit places. I didn't, came to GTech, and made a huge mistake. I'm now going through the process of transferring next semester, having wasted one here (I had to acquaint myself with all the surroundings, etc., and now I'll have to do it again.)

Make SURE you don't pick somewhere just based on its reputation. Put a little bit of effort into seeing what it is like (read: Not only visit, but also TALK to regular people here (not tour leaders - just normal students)!!!).

You'll learn a lot - if anyone ever asks me what I think about this place I'd tell them the truth - I've gotten dicked over by the administration in every possible way in only a few months, there are tons and tons of kids that are complete assholes, and the only thing (that I've found) to do on weekends is stand around with a bunch of guys and get drunk. That, or study. (I've been choosing the latter).

Just a heads up...

[SunDancer]

Originally posted by RPI-Fan
FWIW:

and the only thing (that I've found) to do on weekends is stand around with a bunch of guys and get drunk.
Just a heads up...
What's wrong with that? :)

Where are you looking at transferring?

[RPI-Fan]

Community college or RPI (which will be very similar to here, but I have some stuff planned to make the experience more enjoyable for me).

[korme]

he's probably looking for some vagina SD

[Karim]

Originally posted by KWhit
My advice to you college goers:

Have sex with anything that moves. You'll kick yourself later if you don't.


Seriously, this is actually good advice.

[Samdari]

Originally posted by Fritz
dola. and don't be too damn picky

Agreed. The only standard should be stick to a preferred gender. Ah screw it, you can always explain lapses as an experimental phase.

As you move along in adult life, you will rarely, if ever, hear someone lament the amount of sex they had in college. You will hear countless stories starting with, "I should have tried harder to bang Suzie...."

I found out during my last week of college that about 4-5 women would have slept with me if I had made an effort. I regret that I could not get to all of them that week.

You may meet your potential life mate in college. Two comments on that are: (a) this will be more likely to be the right choice the more {insert preferred gender here} you spend time with, and (b) this can wait until senior year. Really.

And the #1 rule of college: Its ok if her roommate is in the room. In extremely rare instances, it is better.

[Leonidas]

If you really want to do something with graduate programs then you need to bring that GPA up. It makes a difference getting into a good program. I worked hard on my GPA as a way to keep myself motivated. I wound up with a 3.7, and if I hadn't pushed myself all the way I might never have even finished. I'm pretty much all or nothing on such things. (I bailed out of my first school with a 1.8 after a year, an example of me doing nothing).

It really hinges on what you want in post grad. Employers are more concerned if you are personable and can handle pressure than what your GPA is.

[Easy Mac]

Originally posted by Samdari

And the #1 rule of college: Its ok if her roommate is in the room. In extremely rare instances, it is better.

Amen. Just make sure the roomate doesn't walk in on you doing it on her bed... its just too damn hard to get to the top bunk sometimes.

[sooner333]

Yeah, I'm just starting my freshman year here, and I'm just about getting back into lazy mode. The first few weeks I busted my ass studying (at least compared to what I was used to), but now I'm getting lazy and finding less time for calculus and more time for my NCAA 2004 dynasty. I've confined drinking pretty much to the weekends, which is fine, I guess.

Anyway, the only thing is that I keep wondering if I would have been happier back home at OU. Living there for all of my high school years, all of my friends are pretty much there. I always talk to them on AIM and they're always hanging out and doing stuff, and it makes me want to be back just doing stuff agian (I'm going back this weekend for Bedlam, that should be fun). I don't really quite have the group of friends I want here yet...I have a group I hang out with, not quite sure if they're the best match for me, but its better than hanging out with nobody (If I rush in the winter, that will help find a new group). And while the reputation here is really good, I always wonder if its worth that extra cost when I could get a decent education at OU (although the degree wouldn't be "worth" as much...I'm not sure if that's a myth or not).

Anyway, I think I've vowed to myself to stick out the year here, and in the end, I'll probably like it. I just have to stay the year, to experience the whole thing. If I don't like it then, and I think I'd be happier at home, I don't see any reason to stay here for three years knowing I'd be happier somewhere else. I've talked to people here who woudln't think of going to a state school for social reasons beacuse of the degree, but I think I could look past that...I mean, you only live once, right?

[maximus]

oh and did I mention that I never had the money to go to college. At the age of 17 I was supporting myself paying rent (not to the parents...since I don't have any) but to a landlord. I flunked my first 2 hours of class in my senior year because I was to tired to get to school because I worked all damn night. ... sorry guys, just a litttle jealous...but hey, I only have a high school diploma and I am making over 40 grand a year. Not bad for a 29 year old I guess.

[sabotai]

What do you do, max? (Sorry if you said elsewhere)

My dad never finished high school, and his business makes over $200,000 a year. (It's basically just him and my mom.)

[B & B]

Originally posted by maximus
oh and did I mention that I never had the money to go to college. At the age of 17 I was supporting myself paying rent (not to the parents...since I don't have any) but to a landlord. I flunked my first 2 hours of class in my senior year because I was to tired to get to school because I worked all damn night. ... sorry guys, just a litttle jealous...but hey, I only have a high school diploma and I am making over 40 grand a year. Not bad for a 29 year old I guess.

I, too, never "had" the money to go to college. At 17 I was out on my own, paying bills and rent AND tuition at a small community college getting my core classes out of the way.

After two years, saved up enough working to get into the University of Georgia and took another 5 years there to get my degree. Took classes when I could afford them, bought less books than most (or the requirement) because of cash issues.

Graduated and havent done anything job related with the degree.

But, I earned it and I feel that I use my education every day in life.
Making over 40k a year and also 29. Identical situations, strange.

Never had a school grant, scholarship, or student loan. Paid every credit card balance at the end of the month and still have yet to make a car payment in my life. Just prefer to keep it simple and within my means.

College is what you make of it, enjoy every second.

[SunDancer]

Originally posted by B & B
I, too, never "had" the money to go to college. At 17 I was out on my own, paying bills and rent AND tuition at a small community college getting my core classes out of the way.

After two years, saved up enough working to get into the University of Georgia and took another 5 years there to get my degree. Took classes when I could afford them, bought less books than most (or the requirement) because of cash issues.

Graduated and havent done anything job related with the degree.

But, I earned it and I feel that I use my education every day in life.
Making over 40k a year and also 29. Identical situations, strange.

Never had a school grant, scholarship, or student loan. Paid every credit card balance at the end of the month and still have yet to make a car payment in my life. Just prefer to keep it simple and within my means.

College is what you make of it, enjoy every second.

I think college is what you make of it. As you stated, you don't use your field degree. I might not either. But I sure appreciate the education I am getting through all my subjects. I will be a smarter individual, with a wide knowledge of things from philosophy, writing, business, ect. Also, if you ever slip and fall in career, you always have that degree to back you up.

[maximus]

Originally posted by sabotai
What do you do, max? (Sorry if you said elsewhere)

My dad never finished high school, and his business makes over $200,000 a year. (It's basically just him and my mom.)

I am a mold tech. I install & repair structrual foam, extrusion, and injection molds. In Wisconsin there isn't alot of them (at least structrual foam) so the pay is good. I work with R & D people as well. Our molds are about 26 thousand pounds...so you can kind of get an idea of how big they are. :)


$200,000 a year!.... what does your dad do? damn! I would love to make that type of money. :)

[sabotai]

His company does several things. Hydro-static testing, services Scba and Scuba tanks/bottles, Oxygen and CO2 tanks (refilling and servicing), and sells fire extinguishers and services them (Plus several other things that are not on his business card)

A lot of his business is with fire departments testing and refilling their fire extinguishers and air bottles. He's the only one in the area that does a couple of things, and he has a good reputation in the area, so he gets refered to by a lot of people.

[Samdari]

Originally posted by sabotai
Plus several other things that are not on his business card

I am assuming this is where the big bucks come from.

[sabotai]

Yeah, the local heroin trafficing brings in about 95% of the money...that $200,000 is just what the IRS knows about. :D

[Maple Leafs]

Originally posted by RPI-Fan
Don't always listen to it when people say "It might work in high school, but it won't in college".I feel terrible for saying this, but... he's right.

In fact, my experience was that if it worked in high school, it almost always worked in university, and sometimes worked even better. Whether "it" was studying your ass off or just doing enough to get by, "it" works.

[Vince]

Originally posted by SunDancer
I think college is what you make of it.

Bingo. I have friends who do nothing but study, get fantastic grades, and then maybe hang out once or twice a quarter. That doesn't mean that they aren't enjoying college, it's just what they do. Me?

Well, I work 35-40 hours a week at a pizza place, play at least 3 or 4 intramural sports per quarter, take a full load of classes, and party with my friends about 4 nights a week. And that's not to mention the time I spend here or in my online fantasy or OOTP leagues.

College is a fantastic time, and I'm sad that I'm coming to the end of my college career (5th year senior here, should be done by winter quarter, so I'm out by Spring Break). Do what you like, take a bunch of different classes, try to get to know as many people as you possibly can. You're only going to be young once, so make the most of it.

[SunDancer]

I am planning on taking a semster abroad at Macquaire University for my second-semster as a junior (Feb-July of 2005). I think this will be an awesome experience. 30 minutes away from Sydney's heart.

[BishopMVP]

Originally posted by RPI-Fan
Community college or RPI (which will be very similar to here, but I have some stuff planned to make the experience more enjoyable for me).

I'm guessing that you're studying engineering because both GT/RPI have good reputations in it, but if not, have you looked at any state universities? I'm a freshman at UMass right now, and I love it. Whatever you want to find, you can find here at any time. It sounded like in your first post you regretted not looking at more colleges, and I just hope you don't feel that way again. I've only stayed at 3 colleges (UMass, UConn and Tufts) and UConn was this fall but I feel like I'm at thecollege I want to be at.

[RPI-Fan]

Originally posted by BishopMVP
I'm guessing that you're studying engineering because both GT/RPI have good reputations in it, but if not, have you looked at any state universities? I'm a freshman at UMass right now, and I love it. Whatever you want to find, you can find here at any time. It sounded like in your first post you regretted not looking at more colleges, and I just hope you don't feel that way again. I've only stayed at 3 colleges (UMass, UConn and Tufts) and UConn was this fall but I feel like I'm at thecollege I want to be at.

Yea', I, at first, was seriously considering UWisconsin, but for one reason or another dismissed it (perhaps a mistake). Also thought about Penn State, but again, decided against it. Got into both places.

That's really why I'm thinking community college might be for me. I don't know what I want to do right now, and CC would give me time to figure that out.

[BishopMVP]

I really don't have any idea of what I want to do, but going here allows me to explore it. My best advice would be go stay with any friends you have at different universities because that is the only way you'll get a feel. Campus tours/all the literature they have really doesn't tell you much at all. After having one semester under your belt, you probably have a much better idea of what to look for than you did coming out of high school.

[RPI-Fan]

Originally posted by BishopMVP
I really don't have any idea of what I want to do, but going here allows me to explore it. My best advice would be go stay with any friends you have at different universities because that is the only way you'll get a feel. Campus tours/all the literature they have really doesn't tell you much at all. After having one semester under your belt, you probably have a much better idea of what to look for than you did coming out of high school.

Exactly. That's why I'm thinking community college. Will give me to time to look into where I could go after next semester.

[Vegas Vic]

My college experience was academically fulfilling, but I now mark that as being ancillary to the total experience and personal growth that I achieved.

I was fortunate enough to be on an athletic scholarship to North Carolina State University as a javelin thrower on the track team. I traveled to 18 different states and saw just about every part of the country. We were housed in an athletic dorm, and I had an African-American roommate for three out of my four years. I learned so much about seeing things from a different perspective -- things that I would have never thought about or considered otherwise. In addition to having teammates from all parts of the U.S., I also had teammates from Jamaica, Nigeria, the Dominican Republic, Canada, Germany, France, Sweden, Puerto Rico and Spain. We had something really special -- in addition to the many friendships, we won four consecutive ACC Championships.

I will always look back and be so thankful that I was able to be a part of such a unique and rewarding experience.