Tips for Students

As a high school student, it's never too early to begin thinking about which college is right for you. LSU is one of the leading research universities in the country. With its challenging academic community, dynamic opportunities, and gorgeous campus, LSU offers students a unique experience.

• Benefits of a College Education
• Choosing a College
• College Costs
• Scholarships
• Need-Based Aid
• Working While in College

Benefits of a College Education

First and foremost, a college education will expose you to a collection of people, ideas, opportunities, and experiences that will tough to find anywhere else. By pursuing a college degree, you will be able to develop a greater understanding of a variety of topics and to learn from your faculty’s expertise. Colleges also provide students with valuable resources for learning as well as personal and professional development.

For many careers, a college education, and sometimes an advanced education, is required. Furthering your education may also help you advance your career by increasing your value in the job market and possibly even your salary. However, you will have to decide what type of college and what type of education will best help you meet your career goals. It may be a community college, a conservatory, a liberal arts college, a military academy, a public university, a technical school, or even a combination of environments.

If you aren’t sure which career is right for you, a college education could help you by exposing you to many different fields. The resources at colleges can also help you determine what types of careers match your interests and which degree programs will help you satisfy your career goals.

If you aren’t sure which type of college will help you reach your career goal, talk to your high school guidance counselor or to someone in the profession that interests you. If you are ready to pursue your college education, your next step will involve choosing the college that will best help you meet your goals.

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Choosing a College

Choosing a college is one of the first major decisions many students have to make, and for many students, this is a tense, sometimes overwhelming task. One way to approach the situation involves making an informed decision that is right for you and your goals. To do that, you need to research your needs and wants as well as what various schools are offering.

The following is a list of features to consider.

• Accessibility of faculty
• Availabilty of campus activities
• Availability of support services
• Cost of attendance
• Degree programs offered. Learn about the degrees offered at LSU.
• Flexibility of degree programs
• Location (geographic as well as urban, suburban, or rural)
• Required course work
• Size
• Type of institution (public or private as well as two-year, four-year, conservatory, etc.)
• Types of degrees offered (associate's, bachelor's, master's, and/or doctorate)

This list is not all inclusive. There might be other characteristics that are important to you, or you might find some characteristics more important than the others. By identifying the different aspects of colleges and universities as well as your own preferences, you will be on your way to making the right choice.

Step 1: Identify your college goals.
This will be a list of your college needs. Each person’s goals will be different, but this list might include the major(s) that interest you, teaching ratios, expenses, and scholarship availability. Remember to separate your needs and your wants.

Step 2: Identify your college preferences.
This will be a list of your college wants. If you are just beginning the college selection process, you might not know what you want. As your research continues, you should find that you grow more confident in determining what’s important to you.

Step 3: Using your lists, begin the college review process.
Develop a college notebook, and keep your lists of goals and preferences there. Refer to these lists as you evaluate schools, and use them to help you select your top choices. The schools that interest you should be the ones that can best help you reach your goals. These are your choices, and the lists can be as flexible as you like. Don’t be surprised if your priorities change as you continue your research.

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College Costs

Financing a college education is one of the greatest concerns of prospective students and their parents, and it is frequently a major factor in the college-selection process. When estimating your expenses, you will want to consider each of the following:

• tuition
• matriculation Fees
• room and board (whether living on or off campus)
• dining and meal plans
• books and supplies
• personal expenses (for incidentals, laundry, travel, entertainment, etc.)

Be wary of limiting your choice of college to only those you think you can afford. Scholarships, need-based financial aid, and/or student loans might enable you to attend a college that you initially thought was too expensive.

Learn more about tuition, fees, and expenses at LSU.

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Scholarships

Although many students qualify for scholarships, few students receive scholarships that cover the majority of their costs. Scholarships are typically awarded on the basis of merit—either academic or a unique quality that the scholarship donor wishes to recognize (e.g., leadership, community involvement, commitment to service). Colleges often have scholarships programs tied to attendance at that institution; scholarships may also be available from state or local government or even the high school you attend.

Scholarships which are not affiliated with a particular institution might be awarded based on some trait that the donor wishes to recognize (e.g., former Boy or Girl Scout, students with specific disabilities, students from particular areas of the country, etc.). This type of scholarship can be found in national databases that you may search using free online services, such as FastWeb or WiredScholar.

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Need-Based Aid

The U.S. Government offers financial support to students in college. By completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually, you can attempt to qualify for federal grants, loans, and work-study programs. These programs are awarded based on financial need as determined by a formula created by Congress. Not all students will qualify for grants or work-study programs, but all students who complete the FAFSA qualify for student loans.

Working While in College

Many students worry that taking a job while they are also adjusting to college life and a more demanding study schedule will cause their grades to suffer. Statistics show just the opposite. Students who work five to twenty hours per week actually get better grades than students who do not hold a job. Perhaps because they must manage their time more effectively.

A part-time job can also help you meet personal expenses or allow you to save to help cover next semester’s costs. Some part-time jobs can even help you gain experience your chosen area of study.

Talk to your family and explore your possibilities. Then, make the decisions that are right for you.

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Undergraduate Admissions
1146 Pleasant Hall • Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Phone: 225-578-1175 • Fax: 225-578-4433
admissions@lsu.edu