College Spotlight: Weber State University

Because Weber State is "that school just up the road", it's easy to dismiss it as a viable option after high school.  I hope that all students will give it a chance, and recognize that it has plenty of programs and opportunities that rival other colleges and universities.  There are many students that specifically come to Weber State from out of state, because of a specific stand-out program (such as Nursing, Criminal Justice, Theatre, Pre-Med, History, and others)  Here are some things to know about Weber State, in no specific order:

• Weber State Website
• Scholarships for Weber State are handed out as applications roll in, so it pays to apply early!  
• The deadline for Academic Scholarships is January 9th
• The deadline for all other scholarships (leadership, need-based) runs between February 1st - April 1st.
• Complete the essay and be as specific as you can about your involvement in high school.  
• Once you have been accepted to Weber State, your "account" is created.
• Access everything through the Weber State Email System
• Be sure to login often, and follow-through on directions given through emails
• New Programs within the Science Department
• Great programs and internships
• HUGE new facility--check it out! 
• DreamWeber Program:  this is a program to help students from low-income
• If a student receives a pell-grant, and their family income is less than 40K
• DreamWeber will make up the gap between the pell-grant and any outstanding tuition and fees!  
• Check it out:  DreamWeber Website
• Orientation is mandatory for all incoming freshman
• You can either attend in-person OR online
• This orientation is to HELP you understand the college system.
• Be sure to learn everything you can through Orientation--you'll need the information!
• Weber State has 225+ programs, ranging from certificate to master's programs.  
• Check out their Health Professions (highest accreditation possible).
• Every one of these programs--in the Top Ten!
• Sporting Events:  NCAA -- Division I
• All students can go to sporting events for free
• Weber State has a great Honors Program
• Smaller classes, connect with professors, scholarships available
• Weber State also has several other campuses
• Farmington Station, Davis Campus, Roy Campus
• Online Classes
• Although Weber State is a fantastic college at helping nontraditional students (students over the age of 25), here are some things to remember
• If you take mostly morning classes, you'll meet students in that 18-25 year-old age bracket
• most older students are working full-time, and squeeze in classes at night
• Taking classes with a few older students can be good!
• You can learn from their experience...both good and back, in the classroom, as well as real-world knowledge!
• In the "real world", you don't just work with people your same age
• It's a great chance to connect with people from a wider age-range, preparing you for jobs and careers where you will be expected to do the same
• Housing on Weber State
• Housing on Weber State has recently been remodeled and offer the chance to live in specific "Living Learning Communities".  Check it out here:  On-Campus Housing

Finding the Best School for You

I've blogged about this before, that there isn't one best school for everyone, but it's worth saying again.  And this time, I don't even have to write it all out!  One of the counselors from NMMI (New Mexico Military Institute) wrote an incredibly thoughtful post, including questions students should ask themselves when they are selecting colleges to apply to, and eventually attend.  Here's a great quote from the post:

"By helping many students through decisions on their future education, I have found that emotions take over if there isn’t a written list. This works wonders to help clarify and somewhat quantify your choice of school or the whole decision can end up being very emotionally driven. There is certainly a part of the equation that is ‘feel’, and that is included here, but that can’t be the whole equation."  (Author:  LTC Kalith Smith)

So, if you would appreciate some helpful guidance, read the entire blog post  It's worth your time (and money and future) to work through the questions.  Remember, make sure you find your best fit.

(Want to read more about finding your best fit?  Read Where You Go Isn't Who You'll Be  and  Where You Go Isn't Who You'll Be, Part II )


***I am not paid by the author of the NMMI blog or the book to share these resources.  This blog "To and Through College" is simply a blog to share tips for students to get TO and THROUGH college--with no payment to myself from any link I share.  I'm sharing them because they are the most helpful things a future college student (and their parents) could read!