California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Top Questions

College is one of the most influential periods of life. You are not only challenged academically, but you are meeting friends, roommates, and classmates who challenge you as well. Choosing the right college is important, but engaging yourself in your college experience is even more important. There may not be "one" right college--yes, some are more appropriate than others-- but there are "right" ways to make the most of your college experience. College is not limited to academics, nor is it just social experience, but college is a time when you grow and become an adult. There is no formula to having a great college career (although Barns and Nobles makes a fortune out of letting books try), but it is about letting yourself become a part of your studies, a part of your professors? lives, a part of your friends? memories, and its about discovering your passions. Again, there is no formula, it?s just letting life happen-- experiencing the mistakes, fixing the failures, and learning from it all.

Probably the most important part about choosing a campus to attend is to visit the colleges on open-house weekends. Attending these allows prospective students to see the campus first hand, see some of the clubs and organizations that are offered, to talk with current students and professors, and get an overall feel for the place. Attend all of the open-houses for the schools that offered you/your child admission so you can see what each school has to offer and which one will best suit your/your child's needs. Don't just pick a campus because it's pretty or you like the area around the school. Choose the one that will accommodate you/your child the best with whatever it is he/she wants to major in. Different schools are known for different areas: take that into consideration. If they're known for a specific area, they're most likely going to be able to offer a lot more in the way of equipment and classes. Also, once a school is chosen, have your child attend the week-long orientations the first year. They help in making friends and getting accustomed to the campus.

There is something about the college search that is totally unique to all else a student does in their calling for their future. You can't tell, until you set foot upon the campus and hear it talk to you. Personally, I kept visiting one college, knowing it was the one for me. Yet, when I grudingly went to SLO, lightening stuck. I knew then that I had found my next home. Everywhere on campus were signs for engineers, YOU MUST STUDY - 25-30 HOURS A WEEK to pass. For parents, don't nag your kids, if we chose this field, just keep encouraging us. Future engineering students, this is the place to be. Our motto is "Learn by Doing". We are constantly doing hands on experiments, we constantly win national competitions. How else are your going to blow the competition away if you haven't built two guzillion models of a dust sweeper? We are the best, we recruit the best. Come join the future. We right now have an alum in space as the captain of the space shuttle. He's helping build the worlds future. Our graduates have one hundred percent placement. Try and beat that Harvard!

I think it is incredibly important for a prospective college student to define what s/he is looking for. A student needs to define not only what s/he is interested in studying, but what kind setting they want to live in (urban vs. suburban vs. rural), what sorts of social activities they want to have available to them (are they a partier or more of an outdoors person?), and (most importantly) what types of people is s/he interested in attending class and possibly forming life-long bonds with. Finding the right school is about so much more than the academics, its about selecting an environment where a student can spend 4+ years figuring out themselves and what they want to do in life. College is an exploration of oneself, and then student must find a place where they want their life's journey to begin. I believe that students who approach college hunt from that perspective will be far more satisfied with the outcome of their university experience.

Goto every college you wish to attend and talk to students. Preferably student leaders like ASI leaders or club presidents. Avoid tour leaders and administrators they'll sweet talk you. Talk to professors in the major you want to join. To make the most of the college experience you need to have excellent time management. You can become quickly swamped with college life and if you want a social life you need to plan out all your work accordingly.

Just apply to all the schools you really want to go to. Do your research. Find out if this school has the major you would like to persue. Find out about the area and give it a visit to see if it is the right kind of town for you. As for making the most out of college, work hard and do your job as a student, but don't forget to enjoy yourself. Sometimes, you just need to party, or relax, enjoy yourself and hang out with friends. Explore your town and experience what it has to give you. As a junior in college, I don't feel like I've made the most of my experience yet, so I will take my own advice and try to make more memorable moments. Don't let too much school work kill your social life. Try working off campus somewhere to feel more part of your community. Take advantage of study abroad programs and clubs. Do everything you can to have fun and do well in school.

Choosing the right college for you is a very important decision. It is very important to visit different colleges to see what fits you. You might not know what exactly you're looking for while you're there, so here are some things to consider: Take the tour. Most schools offer tours of their campus and give lots of information, whether that's historical or otherwise. Talk to other students. Get a current or recently graduated students' perspective of life at that college. They will tell you things that you wont hear on a tour, such as how hard it is to get classes or if students are very social at that campus. Go outside the campus. Especially if you plan on living off campus, it's important to know what life is like outside of your school. Learn how the town views the students. Also, consider if the school offers the major you want to study and research how good of a program it is. Many state schools offer a wide variety of majors and some have very highly ranked programs while others are not very well known. This is a key factor for the same price of education.

Find a college that best suits your needs personally and academically. A college where you will fill comfortable being throughout the duration of your college career whether it's close to home or far away, small or big, warm or cold, etc. Fullfilling the students needs and making sure he or she is comfortable is necessary before they can gain a good education.

Pick an area that really interests you as a person and pick a school where you feel you belong. This process will help you make friends and keep you active in and out of school. If you have passion for something take action! Learn by doing is that motto of my school and that is exactly what we do. See what the motto of your choices are and sit down and think about it. For the parents, make sure that the school that your kid is going to attend is what they really want, not what you want. It doesn't matter if they're accross the country. What matters is what they will become during the experience at the college/university of their choice.

There are many things to consider when choosing the right college. The key is to do research and figure out what the primary differences are between the various schools available. Start by disregarding cost. While this is obviously a concern for many students and parents, it should not keep a student from attending their top choice of school. The student should decide what they prefer, including the size of the school, extracurricular activities available, transportation norms, housing, classroom sizes, overall friendliness of the students, competency of the teachers, and overall reputation of the school. The student should feel confident that they are going to get a quality education and be able to get a good job following college. And one of the most important aspects of choosing a college is finding one that offers the student's ideal major. Many students are not sure which major to choose before college, so they should find a college that offers several majors they are considering. As for getting the most out of the college, the best advice is to just get involved. It is easy to disappear into the crowd, but getting involved boosts confidence, gains friends, and gets the student jobs.

Deciding on the right college is a very personal decision. There are a lot of factors that are involved in making a decision. Most of all, I think that it is important to feel comfortable on the campus. Can you see yourself walking around the campus or living in town? Is the setting of the campus one that you are instantly drawn to or does it make you feel intimidated? The decision that you make is going to stay with you for the next few years, and for the rest of your life. Once you have decided on a college, try to get as much out of your experience there as you can. Try and meet as many different people as you can. Get involved with things that you enjoy and others who enjoy them. Don't be afraid to ask questions, that is what you are there for. Remeber that your studies are the reason why you are there, but keep in mind that you should balance them with a social life as well. Be open to new experiences and different view points. College is a time to find yourself and discover what is truly important to you.

The 2006 findings of the University of California Undergraduate Experience Survey, an annual survey conducted by the University of California at Berkeley, reported that 82{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students enrolled at a UC campus were satisfied with their overall academic experience. (http://cshe.berkeley.edu/publications/docs/SERU.NewGenerationReport2007.pdf, p. 30). High as this percentage is, it could be higher would students and parents research and visit the campus to ensure that it complements the student?s needs. Researching the campus should begin when the student first takes interest in the school. Students and parents researching a campus must consider the fields of study offered and the overall environment present?anything from political and religious views to overall academic rigor. Far more important than the prestige of a school is the potential for the student to succeed. Though campus visits may seem trivial, it offers a crucial perspective into the daily life of students currently attending the school, allowing the parent and prospective student to assess whether or not the student should eventually attend the school. Deciding on a school involves more than just selecting the most prestigious universities; it requires a more personal interaction between the applicant and the campus.

I would advise parents and/or students to research their possible colleges in-depth. Also, talk to attending students if possible. I would advise students to figure out what activities they want to be involved in at school, and use the chosen extracurriculars as a criteria in choosing a school, along with location and courseload. Most of all: students, have fun. These will be your last few years spent before having to make it in the real world, so take advantage of this short freedom. Get involved with campus activities through ASI (or the respective student government on-campus) and the fellow students in your major. These people will be with you through the entire journey to graduation. It will help if you share it with friends.

The advice I would give to parents and future college students when investigating different universities is to look behind the scenes. It is difficult to make a decision based on a tour that selects the best facts and best parts of campus to show you. I would encourage the parents and students to wander around, talk to a student, and spend sometime in the surrounding area getting a feel for the rhythm of how the community and campus interact. Try to locate a professor or department member before you come so you can ask so more specific questions about within major opportunities. Then, specifically advice for the students, keep the future firmly in mind rather the enticing life of what freshman year promises, as high school was, college is a time for immense change and you should make sure that your reasons for your final decisions are based on concrete motives and interests so that your university will be able to supplement you through your growth.

Students, College is foremost about getting a degree, don't lose sight of this. This is so you can succeed in the world. But without a little enjoyment or fun in college it will destroy you as a student. So enjoy the company of the people you will meet at school. The people you meet will probably become your best friends. Make lots of good memories and remember that college is a time to discover who you are... be willing to search that out and find what really is inside of you just waiting to come out. You have great potential inside, if only you are willing to look. Parents, It's hard to let go of your children. Yet, college is a time for them to grow up and find out who they are apart from you. Guide them, and love them yet don't forget ,ultimately, they are becoming their own people. Best of luck.

My advice to parents and students to finding the right college would be to see the campuses, sit in on some of the classes your child would be taking, and to talk with other students about the college and how their experience was.

College is about finding yourself. Where or how you find yourself is completely up to a student who takes the reigns of their life and makes the most of what they have and what they want. I found myself 3000 miles away on the opposite side of the country and I will never regret the work I put in to get here. A student needs to be true to themself, not the expectations of others, in order to find the best school for them. Gut instinct will never fail you; you know what you want to be. No dream is too big. Once you reach the college of your dreams, get active! Hit the ground running and become a part of the community! The best way to waste the best years of your life is to let them pass you by as you watch idly. Yes, academics are the reason you are there, but unless school work is the only thing you want to do for the rest of your life you need to find your niche. All colleges offer their students amazing opportunities to do whatever they like. All you need to do is go and try it all.

Before choosing a college, one must think about ALL aspects of their future college experience. This means not only academic, but social, geographical, etc. Picking a college that has "looks good on paper" or has a good pretigious name/reupation can be great, but if you're not happy with the location/activities of the school you won't be making the most of your college experience. Anywhere you go to school, you're sure to learn a lot and fulfill your educational aspirations, but sometimes the most important things you learn aren't taught in a class.

Make sure that you visit the colleges you apply to because the only way to know if the school is right for you is to be on campus. There were several schools that I thought I wanted to attend, but when I visited them I did not feel at home. No matter how high a school is rated, if you don't feel at home there, you won't get the eduaction you are hoping for. The most important thing about picking a college is to find a place that you can turn into your home because that will make the next years of your life an enjoyable experience.

I would definately recommend visiting campuses, while school is in session, before deciding on a school so that you can get a feel for what the campus and students are really like. Once you are in college, take the classes that are of interest to you not just general ed classes because you are going to most likely be bored and not do as well as you could. Enjoy life, don't just study, make friends and get out of your house or dorm room when you can. Remember, you can always retake a class, but you can never relive a weekend.

You're an individual and no one can tell you anything different. Don't form to the standards and norms of others if you feel uncomfortable. Don't let you're college classes get in the way of your education.

College is a great experience, but I think that it really depends on each individual persons attitude when entering that makes the difference. There are so many expectations and qualities in a college that make it important to choose the right one. The size of a school, the campus clubs and organizations, and the general atmosphere of a college makes a big difference in choosing a school. However, I think that it more depends on each students attitude that determines their level of success. Going to college is a chance to prove to yourself that you can be an independant and successful person in this world. Choose a school that will give you the opportunity to acheive your best in all aspects of life. Make the most of your college experience by meeting many different types of people, exploring different areas of study, and making every day a chance to learn something new about yourself and the world around you.

To me it is important to find a college that is affordable and diverse in curriculum. Before a student chooses a college or university they need to do some research in what that school has to offer them. Parents need to help their children with that process so that there is a more thoughout decision. Students should have a good time at college, but it shouldn't interfere with their course work. Time should be set aside for both school and fun and time management is key when going to college. Joining clubs and intermural sports will help students meet friends and also keep them physically active, which is benetical for optimum health, both mentally and physically. Parents should be supportive in what their child decides to pursue and give them encouragement and useful advice to help ease their experience in college.

Going to college and doing well is one of the most rewarding experiences ever. I think the best advice to give a new college student is to focus. Focus on learning as much as possible, on getting good grades, but also on making connections with people who will be there down the line to provide support and/or guidance. It is difficult to balance school, work, and a personal life, but try anyway. The most difficult part of my adjusting to school was keeping my personal problems out of my mind while in class or attempting to complete homework. Now, even though those problems have not yet been resolved, I have found the strength to shut those troubling thoughts out of my head while working on completing my classes to earn my degree. Any missteps I may have taken in my first two terms at Cal Poly, I made up for las Spring and I intend to keep that hard-working attitude until I'm done. Finishing school is now my top priority, and it should always have been.

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My biggest advice is to visit prospective colleges. Don't pick a college based on a presentation or brochure, and even more importantly, please don't pick a college based on prestige. My college counselor told me that I would know if it was right once I stepped on campus, and she was absolutely correct. When you know, you know, so don't stress about it too much. Everything will come into place. Once you get to school, be open minded, but stick to your values and beliefs. Be who you are, and don't change for anyone. College is a place to grow and learn more about yourself while getting an education for the future. Make friends, even if that means being vulnerable. Study hard, even if that means skipping an event. Keep in mind the reason why you're at school, and continue to strive for goals. Don't get caught up in your immediate surroundings. Take pride in your school, and enjoy your four years to the fullest.

Research and apply to a lot of schools! Get in contact with students or alumni, and get first hand stories and experiences. Visit the schools you think you might want to attend during the school year! That way you can get a feel for what their campuses are really like.

When I was searching for the college for me, I had no idea what to look for. I had the privelage to visit a few local campus as well as out of state ones as well. What I reliezed is every campus and community has its own attributes and downfalls. Some could be to small or in the middle of a busy city. But what made the difference for me in my college decision was knowing that what every else thought was a downfall, I saw as an oppurtunity and a challange to experience new things. Thats what college is all about, experiencing new and exiciting things. It's about moving out of your comfort zone and breaking out of you shell to become the man or women you will be for the rest of your life. So my advice to new students and their parents is to not be afraid of change. Embrace difference and ask not what your school can do for you but you can do for your school.

Pick Cal Poly one of the best engineering schools in the nation and the agriculture program is awesome along with the education and arch. programs. Cal Poly has a slogan, "learn by doing" and those are not just words that slogan is found true in every class you take here at SLO.

I think the most important part in picking a college is picking the surrounding area that appeals to you, the size of the college and the majors offered. If you are in a program that will aid you in your future ambitions, and can play in an environment that offers all the activities you enjoy, you should have a well-balanced lifestyle. Before picking a college, you should try to figure out what it is you are expecting out of the experience. A great social life? A great job? New adventures? Take these goals and choose a place that you feel will aid in achieving these dreams. But don't forget, it's very important to keep in mind the fact that college is what you make it. In any situation, it's your attitude and enthusiasm that will ultimately determine your happiness. Each college has faculty that can teach you, surrounding areas to explore, people to meet, and offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences. It's up to you to make the most of these opportunities, because your time in college is limited. Seize the day, and make the most of it.

first you have to know and understand what you want to get out of college. of course everyone wants to get out there and meet new people and learn new things but frankly, you can get that anywhere if you put yourself out there. when finding a school, going to the town and campus would be a very good idea. knowing what your future enviornment could be can set the mood for your next few years. and when you are there, try to talk to a professor in your college. if you get a good vibe from them and you can see that they truely want to help you out then it might be a good choice for you. if they kind of brush you off and speed through the meeting then you know they are just there for their job and dont really care about their students. after you pick the college of your choice, make sure you put yourself out there. join clubs do activitie with neighbors pledge a frat in the begining just to try it and if you dont like it- at least you know you tried. that is what college is all. thank you

Apply to about ten colleges. Visit your top three.

Parents, don't make the decision for your child. Although you think you know better, they're becoming adults and need to make their own choices. It was under my parents' pressure to go to this school and I was thoroughly unhappy during my first quarter, because I knew I didn't fit in. Students, it's really important you visit the campus first to feel how comfortable you would be with people. Ultimately you will make lifelong friends, so you don't need to worry about going to the same school as your high school friends. First of all, don't be lazy! I don't mean just in schoolwork, but in your social life, go all out! I'm in my fourth year and I'm already dreading graduation because I'll be missing all the learning experiences: learning how to program, how to play king's cup, how to save the world.

I think one of the most important factors for choosing a school is often overlooked. It is the intangible factor, something that cannot be recorded or described and is unique from person to person. When you are walking the campus, think to yourself, "does this feel like a place I can see myself calling home?" Also, how comfortable do you feel on this campus? Personally, I was slightly intimidated by a few campuses; if I chose one of these, homesickness and anxiety would plague my freshman year transition and experience. Cal Poly had a real "homey" feel, and this really has made it easier to stay true myself and stay focused on my goals while meeting so many new people. Also, one piece of advice for college: do whatever makes YOU happy, while still pushing youself. You can always achieve more than you think you can, so believe in youself!

Visit the college. See if you can place yourself there. Look at the town or city. This is going to be your home for at least four years. Also, look at the programs offered at the school. Look at the school's reputation. When you get to the right college, you should try everything and just be open and welcome to meet new people. College is a huge buffet of oppurtunity, so don't limit yourself.

Visit any schools you are even THINKING about attending. While there, be sure to find out about financial aid and what kind of atmosphere the school provides when it comes to performing your school work. The reason i chose my school is because i enjoyed the environment. As a prospective visiting student, i felt like i already fit in. It is crucial that your school does not only excel in academics, but in extra-curriculars as well. What i mean by that, is that your school needs to have something available that fits you! This organization or club doesnt have to be one of the best in the nation, but it needs to have the facilities and tools available to help you become a succesful person. In a growing world where technical skills are becoming more advanced yet easily obtainable, it is vital that your school has the ability to transform you in the person YOU want to become for the upcoming adventure of the rest of your life.

Finding the right school is definitley difficult and stressful, but I think that it is important to remember that you will have a wonderful college experience at any school. College is what you make of it and you should choose a school you could see yourself fitting in. Don't base your decision on what other people might think or say, but on your gut feeling of what's going to be a good fit for you. Once you get to school, I think it's important to get involved in dorm life and make new friends. It's wonderful to keep ties to your friends from high school but don't let those interfere with new friendships. Take advantage of the area around your school and really explore all the fun things to do around you. On top of having fun, study hard! It's definitley an adjustment, but if you set aside time for play and work you'll find yourself in a happy rythm.

The most important thing is to not waste time and money. Instead of picking the college your in love with because of the campus or sports teams, its important to look at the fields of study. Try and narrow down what you are interested in, and look for schools with outstanding programs in those fields. When you've researched that, then its a good time to see the campus and such, and try to get a feel of the atmosphere, and see if you can picture attending there. Most likely you will be drawn to one, and more often then not, thats is the place for you.

I always tell parents that taking a trip to visit colleges your son or daughter is interested in is really important. You can't get a feel for the environment just looking at a website the way you can actually visiting the campus and town. Colleges want to sell themselves, so they'll paint the prettiest picture possible on the website and pamplets which might be misleading to the prospective student. I've learned that it's really important to figure out a study method that works for you early on in your college career. College courses give you a lot more freedom with your time, and don't babysit you the way you are in high school. Some students study in big chunks of time on certain days, some study in smaller chunks on more days. Some take lots of breaks during their periods of study, and some don't. What's worked the best for me and what most students do it Cal Poly is follow the "work hard, play hard" rule. Being a Poly student takes a lot of dedication, but our schools reputation and the prestige of a Cal Poly degree is well worth the effort.

Choose a school which is balanced with a good program for your major, a diverse student population, and plentiful extra-curricular activities. Don't only look at rankings but visit the school itself to see if it feels right for you.

Living on campus your first year will be the best decision.

First off, both parent and student need to visit the school. While there, the student should look into the extra-curricular activities offered. Also, if possible, the sutdent should try to stay on campus with a friend already attending the University so they can get a taste of the lifestyle. The parents should look into the employment oppurtunites offered to students after they graduate, class availability and size, and other things such as financial aid offered by the school if needed. They surrounding city should also be visited by the student so that they can get a glimpse of the activities offered off-campus. These will all help to see if the student is well-suited for the school. Another thing to look into is if the school offers the major the student is interested in. If they do have it, make sure to find out if the how profficient the school is in that field of study.

I would advise applicants to carefully screen the colleges they want to attend. If you don't get your first choice consider whether the second choice would work for you. If not go to community college and try again.