Arizona State University-Tempe Top Questions

When choosing a college one should always look at three factors: Academics, cost, and enviroment. For Academics you must look at the school's focus. Depending on your degree choice on school may be better than another. Cost is another major factor. In the real world it doesn't matter where your degree is from so long as you have one so paying double the price for the same degree may not be worth it. Finally the Enviroment, this can mean a multitude of things. Is the school's enviroment right for you? Is its location okay, not too hot, not too cold. Is it in a big city or small town. How far is it from home? All of these become major factors when choosing your college.

Go all out! Education is what makes the world go round. Start looking around sophmore year. Travel. Experience. Live.

The most important thing you can do when searching for the right college is visit the campus. Pamphlets, letters, and brochures will provide useful information, but they cannot capture the essence of college life or the heart and soul of a college campus. Taking a campus tour during your visit will provide you with new information and give you a chance to meet people who may be considering the same college as you are. A tour will also give you the chance to meet people who already go to college and to get honest opinions about the campus. Testimonials in college brochures will usually highlight the good aspects and downplay the negative parts. The best way to make the most of the college experience is to meet new people. Talk to people who sit next to you in class, and ask what kinds of things they like to do around campus. Invite friends to dinner with you. Walk around the campus and discover what makes your school special. Form study groups and study in a different location each time you meet. College campuses have quite a lot to offer- you just have to take the time to find it.

My advice would be to carefully look at what each college offers. Some schools are better known for some degrees compared to other schools. Find a school that best fits your needs and goals. Talk to the colleges and visit the campus and get to know the school and find out if it's what your looking for. Get involved in social and academic activities so you have the chance to meet new people. Don't be afraid to ask for help wether it's tutoring, advising, or meeting with the teachers for extra help. Use all the reasources available to you in order to achive your goals.

When finding the right college, make sure it is somewhere that you as a student can see yourself having a good time and accomplishing what you want from college. If you can't see yourself in that college you won't be happy, and if you can't see yourself in your degree choice then do what makes you happy. I definately recommend living in a dorm your first year it is the best way to get involved with the school and people, also everything is right there for your use. Getting involved is the most important and enjoying what you are doing.

First and foremost, students make the school, not the other way around. A school's reputation, quality of education, faculty, facilities, sports teams, and student organizations are only good if the student decides to reap their benefits. All too often I hear college bound students and their parents make the huge decision of what school to attend based on all the wrong reasons. Ultimately, the reason we attend college is to get the education required for a good job. Don't mistake a school's reputation for how you or your child will benefit from the school. I'm not recommending you ignore school rankings, but rather that you use them cautiously. Another mistake is often overanalyzing the schools size. I've had huge lectures with great teachers that memorize hundreds of names in one semester and small classes with teachers who could care less. Get to know your teachers and develop lasting relationships with them. Become involved in any and all groups you're interested in, not only will they serve as recreation but also resources for networking. Do your best and have fun!

When it comes to choosing which college is best for you and your student, the important thing to remember is that there is no wrong choice. Some colleges may be better suited to your academic or social needs than others, but each individual school offers something unique and wonderful that will help you along your career path. Visit several schools of different sizes, locations, ages and backgrounds, and pick the one that gives you the right feeling. Some schools may be too big, while others are definitely too small. Rural schools have a very differnt feel to them than urban settings. While the academic experience is important, most of the learning in college happens outside of the classroom, so do not pick a school simply because you think it will offer you the most academic opportunities. Rather, pick a school that you would not mind calling home for the next few years and give it a try. If it doesn't work out, you can always transfer!

Find a college that fits your lifestlye. If you can't live without hot weather and beaches, make sure you are nearby a beach! If you love to snowboard more than any other hobby, make sure you can do so at or nearby campus. If you love to meet new people, make sure you attend a large campus that provides you with a variety of opportunities to meet students who are interested in the same things you are. If you enjoy a closely knit community, then you should choose a smaller campus with students who are very similar to yourself. If you get homesick easily, then do not stray too far from home, but if you enjoy adventure and being independent, go wherever fits you best. Most importantly, always keep in mind what you plan to have as your major, and choose a school with an excellent program, credentials, and professors. If you're not sure what you want to major in, then choose a college with a variety of majors to choose from that might interest you. Most of all, keep an open mind once you begin college!!

Buy or borrow books related to choosing the right school and the right major. A good example is Fiske Guide to Colleges because it has a blurb about each school and breaks down student to teacher ratios and most popular majors as well as other important information about the school. Try to visit colleges that interest you in order to get a feel for the atmosphere and the students that go there so you can decide if it is a place that you would enjoy for four years. When you get to campus go to the activities fair and other introductions to the various campus groups to find groups or activities that you would enjoy being a part of. In classes talk to your classmates and set up study groups so that you not only do well in the class but you might make some very good friends at the same time. Talk to your professors and go to their office hours, they are there to help you and want to see you suceed. Most importantly, have fun!

First I would fill out the FAFSA application. Next I would select a major (all majors have courses in common) and besides you can always change it if something changes your mind. Next I would find the most appropriate school(s) (the best reputation, closest to home) whatever your requirements are. Apply. Once accepted, enjoy yourself and take as many varied courses as your major allows.

My advice to the students and parents looking for the perfect college is to be flexible. Remember that you or your child will change so much in the next four years it would be impossible to predict or control it. Find out what makes you or your kids heart beat a little faster or puts a smile on their face find the school that fits and let them go. Understanding what you want out of life isn?t a necessity when your starting out in college its nice to an idea but there will be too many changes to base four years of you lives and a large amount of money on it. My last bit of advice is realize early on that you will be different when your done with your education and that change along the way to that end isn?t always a bad thing to embrace.

Parents: Encourage an adventure. Everyone should apply to their "dream school." Students: Every school's campus tours sound great- thats the purpose. Ask questions- what's a typical weekend gives a better idea of the social scene etc. Check out what is important to you, fitness-look at the gym, art freak-talk to art majors etc. Experience a lecture. Try to imagine yourself on campus. Branch out - meeting people is EASY! At school: ATTEND CLASS!! You are paying $$$ to hear knowledge, something you can't get from downloading a slideshow. Get involved in a group. When you walk into a class sit next to someone, strike up a conversation "what's your major" "holy hell it's hot outside" etc. Go to campus: concerts, sports events, discussions, comedy shows (most times they have FREE FOOD!!) HAVE FUN- be safe. Don't be "that person." NEVER drink and drive. Don't hook up with people on your floor-it makes for an awkward year and you see these people EVERYDAY!!! Call home at least weekly - talk about something professor said or perspective someone had during a discussion, they will then know you go to class. ;-)

One of the most important things to do when looking for the right college is to visit the campus beforehand. I was so thrilled the first time I walked around ASU and experienced the culture. It was like a whole different world for me. Also, in order to make the most of your college experience, I would suggest getting involved in a club. You have a chance to make great friends and connect with other people that share your interests. It is also important because it will be a respite from the monotony of studying and classes, and some clubs will actually help you succeed in your classes. For instance, I joined a club called Body and Brain in which we did various activities such as meditation, dance, and a Korean form of martial arts in order to reduce the stress in our lives.

I would tell parents and students to carefully look into what type of career they are interested in and choose a university that fits their students personal needs most closely. In order to make the most of their college experience I would encourage students to get involved in good causes right away, network, but also stay focused on getting good grades from the beginging. Work your way up to the harder classes because if you start out with the hard ones you won't get as good of grades and it's hard to raise your GPA.

Take a look at what major or degree you want to accomplish and then base your decision on that. You want to go to a college that has a good degree program so you know that you are getting the most out of your experience. Don't pick your college of parties or fraternities and soririties. Those are living for the moment and not for the future. You want to have fun, but never base your college decision based on FUN!

I would tell parents that they should allow their children to take a year off after high school so that they can explore their options for college a bit more in depth and to explore themselves as well. I would have more focused freshman year if I had a better idea of who I was and what I wanted out of my college experience. Even if you don't take a year off, maybe start college at a community college, to get the feel of what you want all while getting general classes out of the way. Then, once you are certain of what you want your future to entail, go for it.

visit several campuses,look closely @ what majors are emphasized @ each

Try to encourage your student to find a college that has a outstanding program for their desired course of study. Keep in mind the students hobbies and interests for recreation outside of school. A college that is not to far from is positive so the student can visit, or if there is family in the area. A school in the same state is good for costs and overhead, keep in mind there are state exchange programs for students who are considering out of state colleges. Encourage your student to be himself and stand strong for his or hers beliefs, hoping they will soar rather tlhan crash.

I think parents and/or students need to visit each college in person. They should also talk to someone who has attended the school to see what classes are like and to get advice on the teachers. Parents and students also need to look into the education budget aswell, college isn't as fun if you are constantly stressed about money and if you will be able to afford the next meal. Also the student should search and study the possible majors he/she might want. Some colleges are better for specific majors other than others. Addictionally if a student does research the possible majors and possible careers relating to the major they will know what they wnt and may not change their major later on. Students should also think about they way the learn. If a student learns better hands on they should be at a smaller college or if they are more a teach yourself learner or they need to work maybe they can attend a college with a lot of internet classes offered. Lastly, I think college location is a big factor. A student needs to decide if they would be okay away from home or close.

After graduating High School, if one does not know what they wish to do in life, I suggest attending a local Community College in the area and take classes that interest you. My mistake was taking only core classes, such as math and english, as I had no idea what I wanted to do in life, even after a year of school. Due to this feeling of uncertainty, I became bored with school and dropped out. After working for many years and becoming tired of the unexciting job I had, I became motivated enough to return to school. I still had not a clue as to what I wanted to be, I just knew I did not want to continue what I had been doing with my life. Nothing. So I enrolled in several classes that interested me; Salsa Dancing, Anthropology, Japanese, etc. To make a long story short, I had become very interested in the Japanese language. In fact, now as I write this I am in Japan studying abroad. So in closing, my advice is to take some classes to find out what you are interested in, then choose a University that is right for you.

Make sure you visit the college and that they have everything you are looking for in a college. And also don't only visit your college for the campus visits because they make the college look glamorous also just do a pop up visit and ask the students you see questions about the school because they give you their honest opinion and also research the town around the school because thats a big issue as well.

It is important to find the right college, but it is more important to make the most out of the college experience. I did not go to my first choice school but after a year of studying, I realized that it didn't matter where I went as long as I learned and discovered new things. Freshman year is a time to pick up new hobbies, wander campus with friends, and find study partners. The connections made during the first year will last the next three and beyond. By fully exploring the college campus, you will know where all the best study spots are located, where to get a bite to eat between classes, and where to hang out and explore new interests, such as tango dancing or fencing. College is an incubator in which you can grow up and metamorphize into a human being with a uniue set of values, interests and beliefs.

My advice for parents and students trying to select a school centers on opportunities for research or internships. I will use biology as an example because that was my major and I am currently doing graduate work in it. The ability to do research as an undergraduate is critical for any biology student who wants to do anything but entry level data entry and testing. Companies, medical schools, and graduate schools will always pick someone with research experience over someone without it. As a result, select a school that has a reputation as a research school with well funded professors who have a lot of work they need done. This essentially precludes small liberal arts schools. Avoid those like you would avoid a leper colony, in the end they are waste of money and time. This advice can be extended to any field of study, be it chemistry, physics or business. All you need to do is substitute the word "internship" for "research" for non-science fields. All other concerns should essentially be secondary.

The dorms are a good way to meet people that you're gonna know for the rest of your life. Try and go to the sports activities. They are fun and exciting. Spirit is a big part of the college experience unless you go to a really small town college.

Talk to other students from the schools...look online.....

Everyone knows that college is about education. But the most important part of a college education may not necessarily take place in the classroom. From sports teams to student government and from common interest clubs to Greek Life, the number of opportunities to get involved on campus are seemingly endless. In addition to finding a college that feels comfortable and has a good reputation, one of the most important factors to consider is the variety of extra curricular activities that are offered. No college experience is complete without joining some sort of club or organization. Skeptics may say many of these organizations are just a way for students to "pay for their friends." They couldn't be farther from the truth. Students who become involved in an on campus organization will make life long friendships, build valuable leadership and communication skills, and develope networking opportunities for their post-graduation career. Getting involved in an on campus club or organization provides an education on life. By pairing this knowledge with that which is gained in the classroom, a student will become truly educated and ready for the real world.

When choosing a school that is best suited for the student, be sure to recognize the different benefits each school has to offer. Knowing that many students change their area of study while in school, sometimes the best schools aren't always the ones who focus on one major. Try to find a school who is well known for their entire list of programs. Climate can be another thing to look at. If the student hates cold weather and snow, a school in Colorado may not be the best choice. Weather can affect a students study habits negatively if the student isn't happy, or doesn't want to spend time outside their dorm room. The right school is the school where the student can feel comfortable and feels like they have a University family.

Visit all of the campuses that you are interested in, take the campus tours, and just walk around on your own. You have to walk around and get a feel for the campus. You need to figure out if it is the right one for you. Everyone has different needs when to comes to colleges. Spend some time talking to some of the current students on campus, they can give you a lot of insight into the campus and how it is like at that college. Just explore your options, you will find the right one for you.

Look into the subject ares that the student is interested in. With a couple of options. As you chane your mind you'll have options within the same cmapus. Also, I was given some scholarhips from the university. Look into what is offered. There are some good deals out there!

Apply to a lot of places and really take a look at the surrounding areas. Consider where you might like to live and work post-education!

It is very difficult to know what is the right school until you are there. UCLA, for example, was one of my top choices until I visited, and then I realized it was not the place for me. So it is definitely important to visit. However, after touring Arizona State (where I am now attending), I was tepid about it. But after a week of living there, I knew I had found my new home. What won me over was the overwhelming school spirit, most notably expressed at the fooball games. In summary, the key to finding the right college is to narrow down your choices to the studies you want, visit all contenders to eliminate the noticeably poor fits, and then hope for the best with your final decision. There is no way to know for sure until you are there, but, overall, college is a fun place to be and you will likely enjoy any road you choose.

Having a higher education after high school its very beneficial and such a great acomplishment. Parents should always encourage their sons/daughters on achieving a higher education. They should always be there to coucil and give advice and support on everything. I started looking up colleges and talking to my high school advisors since my junior year in high school. I also gave my self plenty of time to apply to scholarships. I am the first one to attend college in my family and I had such a great support from my parents. I come from a middle class family and did not always got what I wanted so my parents could not help me financially but they were always there guiding me and giving me advice. The best advice to give a student is never give up hope and always try harder cause you could imagine it, you can achieve it, if you can dream it, you can become it.

From my personal experience, neither one of my parents really looked at colleges or got excited about the process with me. I had to do the reasearch on my own, and found myself best fit at a large University with many degrees offered and an oportunity of personal exploaration because I had no idea what I wanted to do. My parent didn't like the idea of me attending a school out of state and it was difficult for them. My advice for parents is to get excited about your high school graduate and their process of looking at schools, and remember that it is their time to leave home. Do not take it personally if they want to just "get away" from home and choose a school at a distant location. I know it's something I wanted, the aura of "different" and "new". Help your child understand that you will back them up and that you are there if they need you as a resource. Don't be afraid to surprise your future college student with plane tickets to visit a school or two. Experience it with them.

I would say if you have the oppurtunity to go to a small college your senior year in high school to get the general courses out of the way do it. Also when looking don't choose the one all your friends are going to choose the one that will take the furthest with your career choice.

Find a college that is either like the place you grew up in if you liked it, or the opposite if you hated it. Get involved. This is your opportunity to start the kind of life you want to live. At a big university, there will be enough clubs on-campus for every interest possible, and if there isn't, there is opportunity to start one. You don't need to know exactly what you want to be, but a general idea would definitely help. Sometimes switching majors will set you back and you may not graduate in four years. Look carefully at important issues for you. If finances are an issue, take the cost of your school into consideration, and look for scholarships. The most important thing to keep in mind is yourself. This is where YOU are going to have to be for the next two or more years. Make sure that you are doing what is best for you because you alone will have to live with your choice. Make your college experience one that you enjoy in an environment that you can succeed in. If you don't, don't hesitate to transfer :) Good luck!

Make sure you look at the school as a whole -- location, classes they offer for your major, social activities available. It's pointless to go to a good school if it's in the middle of no where and you're going to be so bored when you don't have to focus on schoolwork. Easy burnout.

The choice of college should not necessarily be based just on the academic quality of the school--first the student must find a college where he or she feels comfortable, otherwise even a school with the best professors--the best programs!--will not be able to help a student learn. If a student is uncomfortable, unhappy, or stressed, Academic issues arise, grades fall, and the student do not absorb the important lessons being taught to them by their professors. Some students become so disillusioned at college that they transfer schools, take time off, or even drop out altogether. The mental health of a student is an important factor when it comes to the GPA a student earns, and whether or not they finish college at all, so comfort should most definitely be a consideration! Also, students, though there might be a draw to move to an out-of-state college (to escape family, friends, the past), sometimes that is the worst decision a student can make. Many out-of-state students end up home-sick and depressed, as well as limited in financial security and support.

To find the right college, attend as many of the informational sessions at all of the different schools that you are interested in attending as possible. Many of these sessions are led by current students who can answer questions about their own experiences with the college. Once you have chosen a college, GET INVOLVED! Find clubs and organizations to join to enhance your experience at college and help to build a network of similar-minded collegues. At the beginning of each semester, most colleges host an involvement fair that showcases each organization or club that the university has to offer. Involvement in clubs really makes a difference and helps new students to connect to other students and feel more "at home" on campus.

Parents and student do their homework on the colleges they wish to attend (academic success rate, transfer rates, campus life, safety, etc). In addition to doing your homework on the actual school, contact some people that attend that school currently and get their take on the school. Talking to current students with similar backgrounds to yourself can really help gauge whether or not it is the school for you. Submerge yourself in college. You will get as much out as you put in to your college carreer. Get involved with axtracurricular activities, meet as many people as you can, and volunteer on and off campus. This will help you outside of college as well. Study more than you think you need to. The biggest problem for people at this college is not studying enough. It is really easy to get wrapped up in things outside of academics, but keep in mind that education is the real reason you are here. Read the assigned readings, spend about two hours studying for every hour you are in class, and don't be afraid to ask for help. If you do that, you should be successful in your classes here.

When you find the right school - you can just feel it. You may step onto a campus and find that there is an incredible energy, or that you enjoy the charming simplicity of the residence halls. This feeling isn?t always instant, so visit early in your search - with and without a guided program or parents - and during different seasons of the year. Meet student leaders and obtain their contact information so you can ask them all the questions you think of later. Be sure that you make the ultimate decision of where to go, not your parents; this is the first of many big choices that are up to you and you alone. If you do anything in college, make it memorable - take way too many pictures. The key to finding your niche is to try different things and be confident in the choices you make. Don?t be afraid to say ?no? and politely excuse yourself if something isn?t working. Your lifelong friends will come from student organizations and classes you take interest in. Place a high value on these people and on learning; then four years will go by even faster than high school seemed to.

Go with our gut feeling.

Find a collge that is right for you, not a college that your friends are going to. Then when you get to college try your hardest.

Fellow students, the last thing you probably want to hear is one more person telling you what to do about college. With parents poking fingers, friends twisting your arms, and colleges all over the United States dropping postcards in your mailbox, it can be easy to lose sight of the finish line. I have three words of advice for you to keep in mind: it's your life. The college you choose won't just be a logo on your jacket or the banner above the dorm that you'll sleep in for the next two or four years. This is a monumental choice to make regarding your future. But remember, it is ultimately your choice. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise and cheat you out of this important rite of passage, the passage to independence. Going to college means becoming an adult, and that can be a scary idea. Think of this as the first step towards that goal. Don't worry. Once the hundreds of voices die down and the semester finally begins, so do the good times.

I think its important to sit down and make a list of those things that are important to you. Start with three things, such as location, price, and weather. Look at the pros and the cons, visit the school and picture yourself being a student there, eating on campus, laying in the green-space, or studying in the library. If you can see yourself at that university then maybe that's where you should be. More than anything, you should understand that you will go through your biggest growth period during the years you spend in college so enjoy yourself and learn what makes you who you are. Always remember why you are at the university of your choice, primarily for academics, and let that be your barometer to measure how you're doing.

focus on what's important, like school size, location, major, etc. Then visit several, all in a row so you don't forget. bring the same person with you to remind you of each one. apply as early as you possibly can. then go with the one that feels right.

Figure out what it is that the student wants to do with their life and make your decision based on the college that best suits those needs. It is important that you find the right school for you and not someone else. It is good to know what you are getting into before you make a choice. Instead of just jumping right in, it is a good idea to take your time and choose the school that is a good fit for you personally, emotionally, academically, and professionally.

Be sure to research schools thoroughly. Also be sure to take into account that the student will not be working as much to pay for school, so get scholarships and loans early.

I have found that making it easy and convenient to attend classes has been very beneficial to my academic career, and would encourage students to consider this aspect carefully before making a final decision. However, if one has a specific area of focus, academically, that they are interested in, it is also extremely important to choose a school that is strong in that area. With those two things in mind, comfortable and accessible housing, whether on or off campus is ideal, as is a school that has many well-respected professors in the student's area or areas of focus.

My advice to parents and students would be to make sure you feel comfortable in the College's overall atmosphere. When it comes down to it the more comfortable the student feels the better he/she will perform. When you visit a campus be sure and see what activities, clubs, or sports that the student would fit in with. Having a core of friends with similia interests will help the student feel comfortable, and lead to good grades as a result. Make sure the college your interested in has all the right resources in order for the student to strive. Computer labs, classrooms, and study areas greatly contribute to a students academic succcess.

Choosing a college is the most important desicion a person can make. You want to explore your options as much as possible, but dont take too much time. The college experience is undescribleable. Everyone has their own experiences. But what i can say is, getting the college experience is wonderful. It makes you feel free.