Arizona State University-Tempe Top Questions

As a Resident Assistant for incoming freshmen, and the fact that I have been a new student myself, I have seen the difficult process a student takes with transitioning. In my experience, I was a little over involved in high school. I was editor of an award winning yearbook, captain of the lacrosse and golf team, both of the groups were top five finalists in state. When I came to ASU, I was utterly overwhelmed. ASU has an attendance of 67,000 students. When I walked on campus, all of a sudden, I wasn't a golden student anymore; I was just a number. The best thing I did was to take on a HUGE university, was to make it small. I immediately made connections with my professors by going to their office hours. Out of the 400 students in my lecture class, I was one of six students to do so. I joined clubs and volunteered and from thereon settled into a social group. By doing this, and knowing people here and there, I didn't feel like such a number-I was involved and the people and faculty around me acknowledged this.

There are many different aspects of a college to consider before you apply for one. Location and financial resources should be top priority in your decision of which college to attend, because in the end you have to be able to get there and you have to be able to pay for it. Apply for scholarships, loans and grants early to ensure you will have at your disposal the financial means to attend the college of your choice when the time finally comes. Once you have your choices narrowed down to what you can afford, try doing some research on each college. Meet with high school advisors, check out each college's website, and if possible talk to alumni from each college. Above all, make sure the college you choose offers the degree program you are interested in. Research the school's rankings, including the percentage of freshmen who continue to attend each college after their first year there. This is a good way to find out what students think about their school. Finally, find out if the school has plenty of computers and other resources, and visit each campus to make sure you'll feel safe and comfortable there.

Figure out what you want to major in(or at least what general field), what kind of school you want(big ro small, public or private) read about a bunch on line then go visit them. when you're there, make friends with people in your major so you've got people with things in common so you don't get too distracted by other stuff

I would tell students not to take the college experance for granted. Try to enjoy every moment. Also do not slack on your work. It is much harder to catch up rather than just keeping pace and don't let your social life hurt your your acidemic life. For parents I would tell them to be patient with their children and do not put extra pressure on them to suceed.

I think the most important thing to consider before choosing a school is deciding what you would like out of your college experience besides academics. If you're most interested in a university where you'll be able to see all the Broadway shows and have access to professional sports, it would be best to consider larger schools in more metropolitan areas. However, if you prefer to spend Friday nights with some close friends at a neighborhood pizza restaurant, it may be more beneficial for you to consider smaller colleges in smaller areas. I think this decision alone will allow you to make the most of your college experience, because it will be geared more toward your individual tastes. It's also extremely important that you get involved in some way or another. I recommend getting involved with one to two clubs during your freshman year to make new friends. Take advantage of every opportunity you're provided to meet new people, because the friends you meet in college are extremely likely to become your life-long friends, and you'll miss out on all the great college experiences if you just hide out in your dorm room.

When picking a college, examine the institution from the perspective of your chosen field of study. Different programs of study at the same university can provide drastically different academic experiences. Talk to several students that are already in the program. Ask them about the faculty, resources, and hidden obstacles they and their friends have experienced. Many schools allow prospective students to shadow current students for a day. These one-on-one experiences are much more informative than the official school tours. Prospective students can experience the vibe of the school, participate in classes, and meet friends. If you have no clear idea of a program of study, look at cheaper schools that provide a wide range of studies. Get your general studies out of the way, and take introductory classes in several areas of study. Once you find a subject that interests you, continue to take classes in that program and talk to multiple advisors, students, and faculty from that area. Always find out which classes will transfer to other institutions. Success in college comes from maintaining good communication with your professors, completing your work in a timely manner, taking advantages of campus resources, and networking with your classmates.

The biggest advice I can give to finding the right college is to visit every college campus that you are considering. Sign up for a campus tour and actually tour the school. This will allow you to see the school as well as the student body. Once you decide on a school, be open to meeting new people and remember that it is going to be different then high school. Become as involve as you can...it will allow you to meet people and cut down on your homesicknes.

Don't worry about the college you pick. College is more important than the tuition cost or the name. The experiences and memories gained from college are once in a lifetime.

College. The best four years of your life. It is the place in which you will grow, learn, and develop who you will be for the rest of your life. They make it sound so easy- so effortless. The truth is, it's not easy- infact it may be one of the hardest things you will ever have to do. Until the age of 18, everything was so predictable, so comfortable. You had your friends, your parents, your own comfortable town. Everything is as it should be, until you're forced to throw that old life away and begin a completely new chapter in this completely different life. You are forced to leave home, make new friends, sit in classrooms the size of your highschool auditorium, and do well in school without someone telling you to do so. And you will! You will find the new you, and be so thankful you were forced into the unknown for it will soon become all you know. It is okay to remember the old life, even miss it a little- but be thankful for the new one, for as they say.. you will grow, learn, and you will develop. Enjoy the journey!

The first question you must ask yourself is: what are you passionate about? Instead of automatically going for the most prestigious schools or the school closest to home, consider what you're looking to get out of college. Programs available for your field of study should be a huge consideration; if you are undecided or want a large range of options and opportunities to explore, then a bigger university might be for you. You should also think about what extracurricular activities you want to pursue, how important arts and culture or sporting events are to you, and what kind of environment might be necessary to nurture your physical, spiritual, and mental health. Do take a good look at any school that offers you scholarships, because you may be surprised at what they have to offer (that's what happened to me)! Once you choose a school, jump into college life. Get to know your roommate ahead of time and attend orientations, football games, club meetings, etc. Try something you're curious about, and just be open to meeting new friends and getting involved. A good balance between social activities and schoolwork, combined with sufficient sleep and nutrition, will save you!

A large university may be intimidating for many prospective students and their parents, but the important thing to remember is that many students attend them for a reason: they have so much to offer. Not only do they boast dozens of colleges, majors and minors, but they give students the opportunity to participate in a plethora of student organizations (some focus on academic and some are more leisurely-oriented), support students in the academic and career aspirations through numerous advisors, and offer various housing for underclassmen and upperclassmen alike (as well as for specific majors). For an all-around education, large universities succeed at giving students just that. You learn not just what can be found in a textbook, but you learn how to work collectively, learn to start surviving on one's own, and you learn about life and how to find your niche in it. It is not enough to just focus on your studies (although it is very important); college is your opportunity to experience new places, people and ideas before ending up in a 40-hour a week job. College is what you make it.

My advice to parents and/or students when searching for the right university is to primarily focus on what major/minor your son or daughter is intereseted in pursuing. It is extremely important that the department they are interested in has a decent success ranking. However, activities that are available on and near campus should also be explored. It is important to get involved in activities for that is where you will make some of your closest friendships and have some of the best college experiences. I highly recommend looking at what the towns around campus offer to students such as ammenities, recreational activities, and churches. The life of the town is necessary to consider because this is where your child will be making their home for the next four years. Lastly, while money is sometimes an unavoidable factor of life, it is imperative that you allow your son or daughter to explore their options; let them decide which universities they would like to attend and then cross the finance bridge when you come to it. University is a time to learn, grow as a person, and have fun - so let your children do so.

Really take a look at your academic ability and your interests. Basically, don't apply to Harvard just because it looks good and it is what your parents want you to do. Make sure the school is a fit for you. If you don't end up where you want to be, for whatever reason, just focus on the positve and try your best to make the best out of the situation. If an option, live on campus, it will be your best college choice. You will have to learn to be an adult and take care of yourself. Once you are at school be open to all of the new experiences around you. I would highly encourage everyone to go greek. It opens up doors that you wouldn't believe. Stay away from pizza at 3am Sunday morning. Go to class and don't sleep through it, actually take notes and pay attention.

Start getting things like your application, your FASFA, & living arrangements in order during your senior year of high school. It makes it a lot easier on you later on

Being the first generation in my family to attend a university, I believe it's extremely vital that you apply to many different colleges as well as scholarships during your senior year in high school. With your career goal in mind, look for colleges that are well known for your choice of study. Visit the colleges! Make sure you feel comfortable in its environment and imagine yourself attending that college. Go to orientations if available and ask questions! You need to know what resources, programs, extracurricular activities, etc. are available to you as a student. Get information regarding on- and off-campus living and the job opportunities that the college offers. When attending college, I would advise that you join an on-campus organization. Find one that best fits your hobbies or interests and get involved! You meet other students, faculty, and create networks that may be useful in the future. Don't be afraid to speak in class and attend ALL of your classes. The more classes you miss, the more you will worry about falling behind. Focus on your school work, but don't forget to have fun! It's all about balancing school work and social activities.

When searching for a college, if you already know what your major is, look at how well that program is among other colleges. If not then make sure there are some interesting options available when you do decide. Aside from academics, look at the extra-curricular activities such as sporting events, clubs, and greek life. You social life is important in college, this is where you can meet your life long friends and network with people who can possibly offer opportunities that may be harder to grasp for others. You only go to college once, hopefully, so live it up and keep up with your school work!

Find a college that you feel comfortable and proud going to. Do not pick the first college that accepts you, instead, take your time and pick a college or university that will fit you in every way.

The two most important things you need in a college are the ability to get the best education you can and the ability to make the most of your time before you completely enter the professional world - meaning you enjoy yourself. Money, finances, and scholarships are also big factors, of course, but it is more important to find a college you love and will stay at than to end up at a college you will not enjoy and might even drop out of. Make sure to apply to several colleges so you have a wide variety because you may not have had a chance to fully explore each college before you apply. Your preferred choices in colleges are likely to change by the time you have been accepted, or, in the worst case scenario, you might not have been accepted into the colleges you were hoping for, so you have to make sure you have other options you still want. Once you are at your dream college, you cannot just let things happen to you; you have to take advantage of the opportunities you saw at this college. Then you can make the most of your experiences.

Visit the campus. Learn as much as possible about the campus of the school that you hope to attend. Learn about the cities around the campus. That is the best advice that I can offer. It is the one thing that I couldn't do enough of before I decided to attend Arizona State University. It was one of my biggest deciding factors. I love ASU. I love the campus and I love the Phoenix Metro area. Its really important to love your surroundings while attending college. Especially if you are far from home. You have to pick a place that you can call home for at least 4 years. If you are a small town kind of person attending a college in a major city could be devastating for you and cause you to have to transfer or worse drop out, and vice versa if you are a big city lover. So visit as many campuses as possible and if you can't visit read books, or look at pictures. Just look into what you are getting yourself into and make sure you like it.

First, I would start by saying..."APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!" You can never apply for too many financial aid options. This will open the door to so many more opportunities for you. If money was not an issue, then the sky is the limit. You can go anywhere you want as long as you are dedicated to your studies and determined to make the most out of your college years. Don't let others too strongly influence your decision (for example, don't go to a community college because your boyfriend goes there if you truly want to attend a university). In the end, I must just say, follow your heart. This is one choice in your life that you get to make as an adult and, for most people, it could be the most impactful decision you make in a long time. So good luck to you, and remember to study, study, study!

I would tell students and parents to choose a school that is the right size with accomodating programs and a nice campus. It may be importat to check if any construction normally occurs during the school year especially if it's done in dorms. To make the most of college it's important to stay involved and form a community to identify with.

The right college is where classes are 30 kids or smaller, and the professors actually care about their students and not just the research that they complete.

When first looking for the "perfect" college in high school I seperated my choices into three categories: definately accepted, maybe (would be nice) accepted, and no way, but I will give it a chance anyway. By seperating my choices into three categories, I narrowed down my options and then carefully placed each school left into those groups. I then traveled and visited a couple schools that I found tought my major. (Schools that did not teach my exact major, always ended up at the bottom of my lists.) When traveling, I looked at the students on the campus, the facilities, my specific building (because I spend multiple nights in a row there), the dorm rooms, and the food. All these qualities where very important to me. Location was not at the top of my list because I feel that a campus is almost like it's own little city, and the only thing I really needed to look into was the weather. Combining all these aspects and finding exactly what makes you feel most comfortable and at home is exactly what will make your college experience amazing.

I would say follow your dreams. I always had a dream to dance, and I looked and talked to people who attended ASU and they gave me good advice. Try to do as many scholarships as possible, because if you are not from the state of AZ you will pay a lot. Talk to as many people that you can, gather information, talk to admissions, ask questions. I knew when I stepped on this campus the first time, I felt like I was home. The only other think I would say is start early, you will want to compare colleges. Good luck and have fun.

definitely, visit the college ahead of time and try to visit with the department of your major to make sure it is a good fit. Also, visiting with current students is very helpful.

Learning style is a huge part of the college experience, and should be considered first priority when choosing a University or College. If a student enjoys self-pacing, independent study, a large University like ASU is perfect. I know I enjoy having to depend only on myself to do the work, study, and be successful on the exams, although collaborating with students is always an option. I enjoy the lecture hall style of teaching and the availability of online courses that are conducted virtually the same way, therefore a large university was perfect for me. If I needed and preferred a smaller more intimate setting, I would have and would suggest to those who do prefer this type of individualized teacher/student relationship type of teaching, to choose a smaller college. As long as your academic needs are met in the classroom, it is easy to find your own personal path to success.

Go and have your student go and talk to the college professors and see if they get along with the jive of the school. If the student does not feel great when they go and visit, try and visit more schools until the right fit comes along. The student will know when they have found their "dream" school, and it will make all the difference.

From trudging through Snowstorms to heat advisories, these are the extremes of the weather conditions we travel through in our daily lives. Weather is not usually at the top of people?s list when choosing a college, but if you do not like the cold then hiking through the snow to get to class will not be fun. If you need the incentive of being accounted for in class in order to motivate, then it is easier if you do not mind the elements you are traveling through to get there. Some individuals may not need to worry about the weather as more colleges are offering online courses for those who are dedicated and able to do get the grade by reading the material on their own. Talk to professors and advisors of your chosen major when looking at schools and it will give you an idea of the personality of the school and let you know if the journey to class will be worth it.

Students: come into college with an open mind. I have found that when I listen to the opinions of my teachers and classmates, I have learned so much more than I would have if I only listened to my own views. People in college come from all walks of life and have so much to say; in some classes I have learned more from my classmates in group discussion than I have from the course material. Also, make sure to have a goal you are pursuing. Know what you want to do in the long run by the time you reach your sophomore year so you don't take classes that won't apply to your major. Remember, you can do anything so go for it! Parents: Be supportive of your children while they are in college, but don't be too overwelming. This is the time in your child's life where they will find out who they are and develope into a "real life" adult and they need to do this partly on their own. But, a home cooked meal every now and then certainly helps!

I think the key to finding the right school for you or your child is not only heavily researching the school, but also going to visit and tour the school (during the school year to see exactly what it is like!) When researching look for things like the average GPA and SAT scores of the children that started the prior semester to see if you fit in. Find out what the college in known for, meaning are the known for their arts, social sciences, physical sciences. These things all play a key role in finding the right match, and chances are there is not one right answer! Once you finally choose a school just try to get involved! If you do not want to do greek life then find clubs you are interested in! Also, try to go to all the sporting events and tailgate parties, it is a great way to meet people! When I decided to become involved in my school, it changed my entire experience, it made me want to be there and it made it more fun!

I would tell students to research the colleges they wish attend before deciding. Do you want a small college or a larger one? If attending a large university with many students, you will be in lecture halls of about 500 students. Attending a school like this requires that the students apply themselves and remain self-sufficient. The professors do care about their students but since there are so many of them, students must stay on top of everything and keep up with their classes. A smaller university will have more personal smaller size classes similar to high school classes. It is a very good idea to make the most out of your college experience by getting involved on your college campus. Getting involved in a campus organization makes you feel more comfortable and eases the transition from high school to college. You will make many friends in your organization that can help you. Older students can give you advice and help you with classes. Getting involved in a student organization also is a great activity to put on your resume. Employers will look for students who are well rounded and involved in other activities.

Definately go to an out of state school, teached the student about his/her beliefs, personality, business, maturity, wordly knowledge

When deciding what college to go to, experience life at each college you're considering. See what the students do between class. Look at a dorm...close your eyes and picture your stuff in there. Walk around the campus and soak in the culture of the school. Eat at the cafeteria or student union. Smell, taste, touch, see, and hear the campus. Imagine your life there. You'll know when you find your home. And once you're there, don't shy away from things that scare you just because you've never done them before. This is the time to start growing, changing, maturing, and experiencing things. Every day there's something new to be done, different people to meet, a million opportunities that could change your life. So get after it!

When deciding to attend a college, a prospective student should focus primarily on how the school alligns with one's acadmic performance and what scholarships have been offered to the individual. The next step is to spend a day as a wanderer, walking aimlessly through the campus to find where it leads. Observe the people nearby and read the messages that the campus communicates. These messages include student group flyers, clothing taglines, bathroom graffiti, population diversity, trends in affiliation, enviornmental preservation efforts, or creative marketing strategies. In order to observe campus culture, one should simply listen. The administration, campus tours and brochures will always praise the school, so use these resources sparingly. The most meaningful guide is the school itself, and its buildings will spare no detail.

Visit the school and experience the social side of the campus without your parents. Dive in to college. Don't be afraid to experience everything the campus has to offer! It will make your time in college that much greater!

I think it is really important to sit down and reflect about what you want to get out of your college experience. You need to examine if you are more interested more in growing socially or academically and what kind of balance you want between those two things. If social growth is more of your interest than perhaps you should consider a school that has a large greek population or a large array of extra curricular activities. If you are more focused on growing academically you should really look at the schools at the university, read about the professors, and look at the courses. Just by thinking about these simple things you could really improve your college experience ten fold.

Visit the schools you would like to attend before making the final desicion, and make sure that you will get a good education and also a good quality of life at campus. Check out the dorms, cafeterias, libraries, sports facilities etc. Keep in mind that these four years will be some of the best years of your life and you need to feel confortable and happy in the school you choose.

The advice I would give parents is make sure you approve where your child wants to attend college. Do some researching so that your child gets the most out of their impending education. Know what kind of social life they will be leading and help them so it does not consume their life and get in the way of their education. For students, it is not all about getting drunk and partying all the time. I live by the saying, "Work now, play later." I have always been taught that and that it is how I live my life. When you discipline yourself, it means so much more when you have the free time and makes you really feel like you have accomplished something. It is definitely hard finding that right college but just look for things that appeal to you academically such as class sizes and average class workload.

My advise to students looking for the right school is to ask youself, honestly, what you want from this undergraduate experience. If you think this time is a time to decide who you are, who you want to be, and what values you hold, it's then important to look not primarily at the quality of education, but primarily at the people with whom you'll be interacting at the school. The quality of education is going to be good enough at any major school if you make the effort to be an active participant in your own education. So, keeping that in mind, you might want to ask yourself, as well, "Is an expensive school really going to benefit me?" The answer to that question might depend on whether you want to get your lifetime job after you graduate (in which case a top school might be significant) or whether you want to just explore life a little before heading to graduate or professional school (in which case I would highly recommend keeping your debt to a minimum and instead investing your time and energy, as opposed to your money, in your education).

Leaving home is always best in terms of growing and maturing. Staying home or in your hometown does not allow for maturity and growth as a person as much as leaving somewhere completely new. Getting the chance to "start over" is a great thing when starting college.

Think big! There is no reason why you should settle yet.

research and visit. Interview students who attend there to see how they like the overall school experience. Be prepared to work hard and dedicate yourself to studying and knowing the material taught in each class. Try to make as many good friends as possible. The social is just as important as the academic growth.

Finding the right college is a tough decision that plagues high school seniors across America. My advice to picking the perfect college is this: Look inside you. Decide what you are looking for in a college experience. Parents must aid in the selection of schools but not so much that it feels like they are influencing their children?s decision. Many kids tend to look at the social party scene and are so limited to thinking a party school will be best for them. You must look at everything else like extracurricular activities, sports, intramurals, clubs, types of degrees offered and how they fare to the rest in the country. All these characteristics and so many more are what make a college. Look at the town surrounding the college, or make visits to all the campuses that you are considering and see how they look during the school year. Whatever college you choose make sure that you get involved and meet as many people as you can. College is an important time to mature and discover yourself, so wherever you go to school make sure that you get out and enjoy every minute of it.

My advice for parents and students is to first talk with the high school counselors about their career choice. Then make a list of all possible schools you would like to attend that list the major of choice and attend a college fair or search the internet to find out about the schools and their requirements. If possible, visit the schools and seek out advisors or students to ask questions about the school. Also, check for opportunities for internships in your field of study. After you are apply and are accepted, plan to study hard and keep your focus on your career goal. Be prompt with completing assignments and stay on top of the deadlines such as: applying for scholarships, financial aid and possible positions on campus. This will help you to focus your attention on your studies and not stress out. Get involved with school sponsored activities such as team or individual events, football games, swimming competitions, school rallies, holiday decorating and fund raising events for the community non-profit organizations - which focus on giving to those less fortunate. Keep in mind that this is only four years and make it a great experience. Good luck in your choice!!

Take your time in picking out a school, do a great deal of research, visit the campus, weigh all of your options financially, and encourage your children/yourself to get involved, study hard and make your time in college the best years of your life.

First, make sure you have a place to fit into at the college you choose. Make sure there a number of clubs and activities to join. Check to see if your church is close by. Make sure there is a way to get connected to other students outside the academic environment. Having friends, and being social is one way to make sure you are happy, healthy, and ready to study and succeed. Second, meet your professors you will be working with. Ask if you can go to one of there classes, while you are observing the professor, also interact with students who are in the college and ask tons of questions. The most important thing is to visit the campus, and interact with the people attending the college. Third, meet with your academic advisor, see what plan and path they would put you on. See if the academic system fits your needs and interests. Ask what classes are required for your major, how many credit hours you would need to graduate in a certain amount of time. All in all, meet different types of people connected to the university. Finding the right school, will come with the right people.

It's always important that one surrounds his/herself with options. When searching for a college, options can seem overwhelming. It's hard to pick a school you know you will like based on one week, one day, or even just looking at the website over the internet. You just need to make a list of questions, and go from there. For example: do you want a big or small school, far or close to home, far or close to friends, hot or cold weather climate, serious or laid back atmosphere, city or rural area, etc. Once you do that, choosing will become easier...but that doesn't mean simple! So say you pick the school, go there and decide you don't know about all this. What do you do?? Of course try to make the most of it...but how? Find yourself some good quality friends. FInd them at class, through other people, through activities, clubs, or groups, etc. Make sure you're following the reason you came to that school. If you are serious about academics, make that your focus! But most importantly, be yourself and you will make the best of it!

I would tell them to make sure that they look at all the possiblities out there, make sure that the colleges fit their needs for school, and that its in the location that they like. Make sure you check the financial need you have or may need, and also make sure you visit your college/university you are looking into and ask questions you want to know

Start your search early! You don't want to have to choose a college just becasue it was your back up and they were the only one who accepted you. Choose the college that is right for you! Visit the school, take a tour, go to your orientation, interact with the other prospective students. When I visited my schools I made sure I had time after the tour to wander the campus on my own and take extra tours into the doorms if available. I also had lunch in the cafeteria which gives you a chance to not only try the food but get a feel for the on campus atmosphere. Take your time in deciding your school. You could always transfer, but why go through the whole process of going to a new school again? Make sure you go where YOU want to go.

Make sure the college is right for you and your parents. Find a middle ground and make sure that you get financial aide as soon as possible