{"id":5665,"date":"2019-04-23T12:00:54","date_gmt":"2019-04-23T12:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/?p=5665"},"modified":"2021-10-15T20:36:54","modified_gmt":"2021-10-15T20:36:54","slug":"5-questions-to-help-you-choose-winona-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/blog\/5-questions-to-help-you-choose-winona-state\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Questions to Help You Choose Winona State"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.22&#8243;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>The process of narrowing your college choice down to one school can seem like an overwhelming task. However, I\u2019ve done the hard work for you and compiled a list of five important things to consider when you choose the school of your dreams.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s how WSU stacks up against some of the other colleges that might be on your list.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Campus-Size.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5667\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Campus-Size.jpg\" alt=\"Medium-sized campus\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Campus-Size.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Campus-Size-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Campus-Size-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Campus-Size-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Campus-Size-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>1. Campus Size: Goldilocks Style<\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>One of the first questions students should ask themselves when picking a college to attend is, <i>What size school am I comfortable with?<\/i><\/p>\n<p>For students looking for somewhere with an academic class size <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/blog\/not-too-big-not-too-small-smedium\/\">between a small university and a large school<\/a>, WSU is the perfect place to be. Currently, a little under 10,000 students attend WSU. This means you\u2019ll meet tons of new people from many different backgrounds and you\u2019ll easily find your own community of friends\u2014which is something most new students are most nervous about! Another perk: you\u2019re less likely to get lost in a sea of students as you would at much larger universities with over 35,000 students in attendance, such as the University of Minnesota.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Location.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5668\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Location.jpg\" alt=\"Perfect location to call home.\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Location.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Location-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Location-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Location-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Location-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>2. Location, Location, Location<\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Another important question you may have is, <i>How far away from home am I willing to study?<\/i> For some students that might mean traveling a great distance, while others might feel better staying close to home.<\/p>\n<p>If WSU checks all the boxes on your wish list, but you are concerned about being too far away from home, don\u2019t worry. I can assure you that WSU does a tremendous job of helping students flourish and create a home away from home.<\/p>\n<p>Some ways WSU provides a<a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/blog\/the-7-most-beautiful-things-in-winona\/?utm_source=Homepage&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=Recruitment&amp;utm_term=7-Beautiful-Things&amp;utm_content=Spring-2019\"> homey environment<\/a> is through the small-town atmosphere, the beauty of the bluffs and the river\u2014which allow for tons of outdoor adventure opportunities\u2014and campus and community activities that allow students to hang out together.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5669\" style=\"width: 1290px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Housing-Amy-Nelson-20.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5669\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5669\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Housing-Amy-Nelson-20.jpg\" alt=\"Many residence halls for freshmen\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Housing-Amy-Nelson-20.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Housing-Amy-Nelson-20-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Housing-Amy-Nelson-20-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Housing-Amy-Nelson-20-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Housing-Amy-Nelson-20-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5669\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Amy Nelson &#8217;20<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>3. First-Year Housing Options<\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Living in the dorms your freshman year is not only a significant part of narrowing down your college choice, but also it plays a huge role in<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/housing\/\"> creating a home at college<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>At WSU, we\u2019ve got traditional and suit-style residence halls on<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/housing\/main-campus.asp\"> Main Campus<\/a> including the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/housing\/quad.asp\"> Quad<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/housing\/prentiss-lucas.asp\"> Prentiss-Lucas<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/housing\/sheehan.asp\"> Sheehan<\/a>, and<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/housing\/kirkland-haake.asp\"> Haake<\/a>. The Quad itself contains four interconnected buildings: Conway, Richards and Morey-Shepard.<\/p>\n<p>Main Campus offers single, double and even suite-style rooms. Always be in the middle of the action and close to your classes by living on Main Campus.<\/p>\n<p>Want to take a virtual tour of your housing options before seeing them in person? We\u2019ve got you covered. Immerse yourself in an episode of<a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/campus-life\/2019\/01\/31\/house-hunters-wsu-residence-halls-edition\/\"> <i>House Hunters<\/i>: WSU Edition<\/a> and find your next dorm sweet dorm.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5670\" style=\"width: 1290px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Clubs-Amy-Nelson-20.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5670\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5670\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Clubs-Amy-Nelson-20.jpg\" alt=\"Many different ways to get involved on campus\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Clubs-Amy-Nelson-20.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Clubs-Amy-Nelson-20-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Clubs-Amy-Nelson-20-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Clubs-Amy-Nelson-20-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Clubs-Amy-Nelson-20-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5670\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Amy Nelson &#8217;20<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>4. Ways to Get Involved<\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Looking at the clubs and involvement opportunities on campus is an additional way of narrowing down your choice for a particular college. \u00a0This is an important factor to consider because while school is important, your social life is, too. You\u2019ll want to find a place where you can not only see yourself having fun, but also where you can image making friends.<\/p>\n<p>At WSU there are over 200 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/sal\/clubs.asp\">clubs and organizations<\/a> that appeal to a wide variety of students, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Academic<\/strong>\u2014these primarily relate to specific areas of study.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Campus<\/strong>\u2014these are groups that serve the university and the students in a positive way.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Diversity<\/strong>\u2014these are inclusive to different worldly cultures.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Faith-based<\/strong>\u2014these allow students to easily practice their faith, since there are several churches and a mosque located near campus, as well as grow in fellowship alongside others of a similar faith.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Greek life<\/strong>\u2014these are groups that instantly provide students a close-knit community and role models to look up to.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Honorary societies<\/strong>\u2014these promote academic excellence on campus, as well as in specific study fields.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Special interests<\/strong>\u2014these are inclusive to many different passions, from writing to debating to volunteering.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sports<\/strong>\u2014these promote physical activity for all the busy bees looking to relieve some energy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Becoming an active member on campus is a great way to make friends who have similar interests as you. Also, if you feel there is an organization missing from campus, you are welcome to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/studentsenate\/clubs.asp\">create your own club<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5671\" style=\"width: 1290px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Financial-Aid-Garrett-Super-20.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5671\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5671\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Financial-Aid-Garrett-Super-20.jpg\" alt=\"Many resources available at WSU to help you pay for college\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Financial-Aid-Garrett-Super-20.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Financial-Aid-Garrett-Super-20-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Financial-Aid-Garrett-Super-20-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Financial-Aid-Garrett-Super-20-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Financial-Aid-Garrett-Super-20-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5671\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Garrett Super &#8217;20<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>5. Financial Aid Opportunities<\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>College is a hefty investment, so <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/financial-aid\/about.asp\">financial aid<\/a> is an important aspect of choosing a college. Looking at the cost of college is extremely important for each student, regardless if they are paying for it themselves or are relying on scholarships or student loans.<\/p>\n<p>WSU provides 94% of first-year students with some type of financial aid. There are several types of financial aid, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/financial-aid\/grants.asp\">grants<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/financial-aid\/scholarships.asp\">scholarships<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/financial-aid\/student-loans.asp\">loans<\/a>, and even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/financial-aid\/student-employment.asp\">student employment through work study<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>There are on-campus counselors in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/warrior-hub\/\">Warrior Hub<\/a> to discuss financial aid and guide a student through the process of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/billing\/\">affording college<\/a> and undertaking the responsibility of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/money\/pay-for-college.asp\">paying for school<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, all admitted students can apply to <a href=\"https:\/\/winona.academicworks.com\/\">WSU Foundation scholarships<\/a>\u2014which are specific to WSU\u2014each year.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>So, there you have it. These five aspects should help you narrow down your college options. In the end, choose the school that you feel most confident about.<\/p>\n<p>For me, I knew WSU was my home for the next four years the minute I arrived. I could tell that the university was going to challenge and motivate my academic learning in an area with beautiful scenery.<\/p>\n<p>After wrapping up my first year, I have realized that Winona went above and beyond my expectations. It has provided me with lifelong friendships, various ways to connect with people in groups of similar interests, and multiple opportunities for me to grow as an individual.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/admissions\/undergraduate\/explore.asp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5899\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Explore-WSU-Blog-CTA-072619.png\" alt=\"Explore WSU\" width=\"300\" height=\"77\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated by Elizabeth Berres on Dec. 11, 2020.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The process of narrowing your college choice down to one school can seem like an overwhelming task. However, I\u2019ve done the hard work for you and compiled a list of five important things to consider when you choose the school of your dreams. Here\u2019s how WSU stacks up against some of the other colleges that [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":214,"featured_media":5666,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"The process of narrowing your college choice down to one school can seem like an overwhelming task. However, I\u2019ve done the hard work for you and compiled a list of five important things to consider when you choose the school of your dreams.\r\n\r\nHere\u2019s how WSU stacks up against some of the other colleges that might be on your list.\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Campus-Size.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5667\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Campus-Size.jpg\" alt=\"Medium-sized campus\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" \/><\/a>\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n<h4>1. Campus Size: Goldilocks Style<\/h4>\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nOne of the first questions students should ask themselves when picking a college to attend is, <i>What size school am I comfortable with?<\/i>\r\n\r\nFor students looking for somewhere with an academic class size <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/blog\/not-too-big-not-too-small-smedium\/\">between a small university and a large school<\/a>, WSU is the perfect place to be. Currently, a little under 10,000 students attend WSU. This means you\u2019ll meet tons of new people from many different backgrounds and you\u2019ll easily find your own community of friends\u2014which is something most new students are most nervous about! Another perk: you\u2019re less likely to get lost in a sea of students as you would at much larger universities with over 35,000 students in attendance, such as the University of Minnesota.\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Location.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5668\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Location.jpg\" alt=\"Perfect location to call home.\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" \/><\/a>\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n<h4>2. Location, Location, Location<\/h4>\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nAnother important question you may have is, <i>How far away from home am I willing to study?<\/i> For some students that might mean traveling a great distance, while others might feel better staying close to home.\r\n\r\nIf WSU checks all the boxes on your wish list, but you are concerned about being too far away from home, don\u2019t worry. I can assure you that WSU does a tremendous job of helping students flourish and create a home away from home.\r\n\r\nSome ways WSU provides a<a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/blog\/the-7-most-beautiful-things-in-winona\/?utm_source=Homepage&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=Recruitment&utm_term=7-Beautiful-Things&utm_content=Spring-2019\"> homey environment<\/a> is through the small-town atmosphere, the beauty of the bluffs and the river\u2014which allow for tons of outdoor adventure opportunities\u2014and campus and community activities that allow students to hang out together.\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5669\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1280\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Housing-Amy-Nelson-20.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-5669\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Housing-Amy-Nelson-20.jpg\" alt=\"Many residence halls for freshmen\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" \/><\/a> Photo by Amy Nelson '20[\/caption]\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n<h4>3. First-Year Housing Options<\/h4>\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nLiving in the dorms your freshman year is not only a significant part of narrowing down your college choice, but also it plays a huge role in<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/housing\/\"> creating a home at college<\/a>.\r\n\r\nAt WSU, we\u2019ve got traditional and suit-style residence halls on<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/housing\/main-campus.asp\"> Main Campus<\/a> including the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/housing\/quad.asp\"> Quad<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/housing\/prentiss-lucas.asp\"> Prentiss-Lucas<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/housing\/sheehan.asp\"> Sheehan<\/a>, and<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/housing\/kirkland-haake.asp\"> Haake<\/a>. The Quad itself contains four interconnected buildings: Conway, Richards and Morey-Shepard.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/housing\/west-campus.asp\">West Campus<\/a> has two additional dorms\u2014<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/housing\/lourdes.asp\">Lourdes Hall<\/a> and<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/housing\/maria.asp\"> Maria Hall<\/a>\u2014with a dining hall, workout facility and a pool in Lourdes as well.\r\n\r\nWhile most rooms on West Campus are singles, Main Campus provides options if you want to live in single, double or even suite-style rooms. If you are looking to be in the middle of the action and close to your classes, Main Campus will best fit your needs. Likewise, if you prefer a quieter atmosphere and want a separation between school and home, then West Campus is the way to go.\r\n\r\nOne feature that is found on both Main Campus and West Campus is<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/housing\/interest-communities.asp\"> Residential Learning Communities<\/a>. Each residence hall has one to two RLCs, totaling to 12, which allow students to make connections with faculty members and other students who share similar interests. RLCs also provide students with opportunities to further develop and grow as individuals, whether that be through physical health, community service or professional networking\u2014there\u2019s something for everyone!\r\n\r\nWant to take a virtual tour of your housing options before seeing them in person? We\u2019ve got you covered. Immerse yourself in an episode of<a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/campus-life\/2019\/01\/31\/house-hunters-wsu-residence-halls-edition\/\"> <i>House Hunters<\/i>: WSU Edition<\/a> and find your next dorm sweet dorm.\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5670\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1280\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Clubs-Amy-Nelson-20.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-5670\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Clubs-Amy-Nelson-20.jpg\" alt=\"Many different ways to get involved on campus\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" \/><\/a> Photo by Amy Nelson '20[\/caption]\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n<h4>4. Ways to Get Involved<\/h4>\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nLooking at the clubs and involvement opportunities on campus is an additional way of narrowing down your choice for a particular college. \u00a0This is an important factor to consider because while school is important, your social life is, too. You\u2019ll want to find a place where you can not only see yourself having fun, but also where you can image making friends.\r\n\r\nAt WSU there are over 200 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/sal\/clubs.asp\">clubs and organizations<\/a> that appeal to a wide variety of students, including:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Academic<\/strong>\u2014these primarily relate to specific areas of study.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Campus<\/strong>\u2014these are groups that serve the university and the students in a positive way.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Diversity<\/strong>\u2014these are inclusive to different worldly cultures.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Faith-based<\/strong>\u2014these allow students to easily practice their faith, since there are several churches and a mosque located near campus, as well as grow in fellowship alongside others of a similar faith.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Greek life<\/strong>\u2014these are groups that instantly provide students a close-knit community and role models to look up to.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Honorary societies<\/strong>\u2014these promote academic excellence on campus, as well as in specific study fields.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Special interests<\/strong>\u2014these are inclusive to many different passions, from writing to debating to volunteering.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Sports<\/strong>\u2014these promote physical activity for all the busy bees looking to relieve some energy.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nBecoming an active member on campus is a great way to make friends who have similar interests as you. Also, if you feel there is an organization missing from campus, you are welcome to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/studentsenate\/clubs.asp\">create your own club<\/a>!\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5671\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1280\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Financial-Aid-Garrett-Super-20.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-5671\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Financial-Aid-Garrett-Super-20.jpg\" alt=\"Many resources available at WSU to help you pay for college\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" \/><\/a> Photo by Garrett Super '20[\/caption]\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n<h4>5. Financial Aid Opportunities<\/h4>\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nCollege is a hefty investment, so <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/financial-aid\/about.asp\">financial aid<\/a> is an important aspect of choosing a college. Looking at the cost of college is extremely important for each student, regardless if they are paying for it themselves or are relying on scholarships or student loans.\r\n\r\nWSU provides 94% of first-year students with some type of financial aid. There are several types of financial aid, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/financial-aid\/grants.asp\">grants<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/financial-aid\/scholarships.asp\">scholarships<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/financial-aid\/student-loans.asp\">loans<\/a>, and even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/financial-aid\/student-employment.asp\">student employment through work study<\/a>.\r\n\r\nThere are on-campus counselors in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/warrior-hub\/\">Warrior Hub<\/a> to discuss financial aid and guide a student through the process of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/billing\/\">affording college<\/a> and undertaking the responsibility of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/money\/pay-for-college.asp\">paying for school<\/a>.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, all admitted students can apply to <a href=\"https:\/\/winona.academicworks.com\/\">WSU Foundation scholarships<\/a>\u2014which are specific to WSU\u2014each year.\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nSo, there you have it. These five aspects should help you narrow down your college options. In the end, choose the school that you feel most confident about.\r\n\r\nFor me, I knew WSU was my home for the next four years the minute I arrived. I could tell that the university was going to challenge and motivate my academic learning in an area with beautiful scenery.\r\n\r\nAfter wrapping up my first year, I have realized that Winona went above and beyond my expectations. It has provided me with lifelong friendships, various ways to connect with people in groups of similar interests, and multiple opportunities for me to grow as an individual.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/admissions\/undergraduate\/explore.asp\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5899\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/Explore-WSU-Blog-CTA-072619.png\" alt=\"Explore WSU\" width=\"300\" height=\"77\" \/><\/a>","_et_gb_content_width":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1,1840],"tags":[1811,1784,1785,1817],"class_list":["post-5665","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-admissions-blog","category-clubs","tag-affordability","tag-res-life","tag-sports","tag-support-services"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/04\/FEATURE-Amy-Nelson-20.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7OGeT-1tn","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5665","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5665"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5665\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9842,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5665\/revisions\/9842"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5666"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5665"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5665"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5665"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}