California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

Dana

Definatley visit the campus. And the surrounding area. Think about what you want to study and if the area around the campus will help with your learning. The school might be great for your major but if the area doesnt emphasize it too you will never get any real world experience.

Jannet

College opens roads that allow you to suceed in life. Therefore, finding the right college for you is one of the most important choices of your life. One of the best things to do is to start doing some research on the colleges you are interested in. Then after you have a couple of choices left, schedule a trip to go visit those colleges. I would recommend you to go when school is on session, or if you do no have the time go during the summer. During the summer there are some classes going on so you can take a peak into the classrooms, and see if you like the classroom and campus environment. After you have received your acceptance letters and decided which college you are going to attend, get ready to begin college life. College is not only about spending sleepless nights studying in the library, but also about making your life friends and having FUN! ENJOY!

Matthew

Select a school that focuses on tangible life experiences and an integrated academic curriculum. The more a school can integrate learning between and among academic majors, the better graduates are able to understand and contribute to the goals of the organizations they work with. Likewise, internships, research fellowships, community programs, and similar activities that encourage students to "learn by doing" not only augment academic curiosity but also provide tangible experiences that are highly valuable to employers. Such programs allow students to get a step ahead while still completing their academic program.

elene

My advice to students when choosing a college would be to have a strong sense of self. If you have a strong sense of what your future plans will be you have a better idea of what you want to do in the future. That will narrow down schools that do not meet your criteria. Choose a school that can meet your academic needs and offer resources that can facilitate growth while making the most of your college experience. As a student seek out all the help, resources and guidance you can take in and help your fellow students do the same. College is about learning, sharing, educating and helping each other reach their goals. Throughout this learning process there will be many changes don't be discouraged. My advice to parents is to encourage their son or daughter to embrace and explore their independence. Lastly, I would say to students and their parents always keep an open line of communication, that is extremely important. College can be fun yet overwhelming so many students loose their way so, if you feel lonely connect. A support system through school can make the difference between success and failure, take time to connect.

Chelsea

Advice that I would give parents and future students is to go and check out every campus that they are sending applications too. Having a feel for the campus is important. Also make sure that you research the major that you want to persue. You may just like the sound of the major and not really know anything about it. Find out what it take and what is required of you. Also look at the jobs the major will bring you. Always have backups and check to see if the school you want to attend specializes in that particular major and or majors. Make sure to see if that school is accredited by any major companies. For example Cal Poly Pomona's engineering program is accredited by ABET and has many programs such as AIS to help the students grow. Again visiting the school and getting a feel for it I can not stress enough on how important this is. As far as college experience goes do not be afraid to join groups and or clubs. Try anything and everything that you can. Do not just blow it off because you think that you would not be interested.

Jaimen

Visit the colleges and dont just apply to the well known schools.

mamta

The advice i would give to students about finding the right college would be, first of all decide what you want to do in your life and decide what field of career you want to go with. This will help you finding a right college, you can research which college is best known for your choice of career and then make a decision , find out everything about the college and your career choice, then decide whether you want to go to this college or not. Find out about the courses, what kind of courses you will have to take because finding out about the courses will help you decide if this is the right choice for you, then you will know if you really can do this or not. this is really important to decide beforehand if you don't want to face difficulties in future and do well in your career. Talk to your counselors, your seniors, friends, and ofcourse consult your parents as well about your career plans. The more people you talk to the more knowledge you will receive, which will help you in your future plans.

Emily

Find out what extra curricular clubs are available that you would be interested in. If the college has your major, see if they offere clubs for students in that major. If you can get connected and become involved with other students with your same educational goals, you will succeed in your classes more easily.

Zach

Take careful note of the job opportunities in the area surrounding each potential campus. An area with few jobs in your field of study within easy driving distance will make building a resume particularly difficult. In the end, the degree is less important than what you've learned, so ask current students how much they feel they've learned which wouldn't be easy to learn on their own time (e.g. purchasing a book from a bookstore and teaching themselves.)

Brandon

Visit the campus and talk with professors, staff and students.

Jennifer

Make sure you go visit the campus and see if it is right for you; maybe visit a classroom, talk to a professor, get a feel of the environment at the campus. Be aware of costs of living and books.

Mohamed

I would certainly tell anyone who is considering higher education to inquire about the schools financial aid programs. But most importantly the diversity of students and the capabilities of professors. I learned that diversity will allow for students to interact with others and learn different cultures, this way ignorance of other beliefs is reduced. Teachers who well accredited can and will help students achieve higher levels of education and success both now and in the future. Another thing to look for when choosing a school is the cleanliness of the campus and its surrounding neighborhoods, and this is simply becuase you want to have piece of mind when it comes to your education, rather than worry about your car being broken into or if you will get robbed on the way to your car at the end of the nite.

Ravin

Regardless of what your major is, I truly believe that it is extremely vital to pay a visit to the college you are going to attend. It is easy to switch majors but it is not easy to switch colleges. Take a walk on campus, in the dorms and look at classrooms. Everyone considers the big things like class size and rankings but very few pay attention to little things. The campus may not advertise that the smell from the Agriculture department hangs over campus or that it has 3 CNC machines on campus but these are the things you learn when you visit. Rankings mean nothing if you are unhappy at the college you are at. Especially when you consider that your college is going to cost you upwards of 15,000 dollars, it would be a bit ridiculous not to take a look before you make the choice. If you like the college you are at you will enjoy it no matter what happens. Just take the time to be sure that you're making the right choice.

Lynda

Major in something you love and want to do for the rest of your life.

Calvin

Parents should be positive and encourage their child in their choice of college and assist them through the process of applying to college. Parents should also plan financially as well before their child is set to go to college, this will ease the financial responsibilities when their child is attending college. Parents should investigate other options besides saving such as scholarships, grants and government loans. Working and attending college is very difficult and often times can get in the way of completing college on time and in good standing. Choosing a college can sometime be a difficult task with a wide array of choices. Students should not only choose a college where their major of choice is offered, but look at what other activities are available at their college or through their choice of college as well. Social activities are just as important as academic pursuits. Social activities such as sports, study abroad options, clubs and organizations, as well as college night life are all things to consider when making a final decision.

Jorge

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Do your own research and look for schools that match your needs then your wants. Make a list of what those are so you know what to look for. Make sure you place those in a priority order to know what you are willing to adjust or do without alltogether if something you need/want is not offered or met by a particular school. Visit the school if possible and take a campus tour and talk to students there. Good Luck.

Ashley

Don't focus on the name or ranking of the school, but rather the academic programs that suit you best. All undergraduate colleges pretty much provide the same education, so don't be a fool in paying $50,000 a year for a college you hate to attend. Prepare yourself to dig deep, learn much, and succeed BEFORE you go to college because it'll be much easier to succeed if your mind is completely and utterly focused on the goal. College isn't a game. It's not a huge party. It's very different from high school, so be prepared. The most important thing is not to lose sight of your dreams because people will bring you down every step of the way, but it's up to you to prove them all wrong.

Megan

Get the best grades possible so that you can go to your dream school

Mayasari

Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions that you will make in life, so it's important to think about the unique qualities that you as an individual desire from a college experience. You should consider your preferences in type of education, accesibility of professors, and class sizes, so that you'll be happy with the schooling you receive everyday. Education may be the most important element in picking a school, but you also need to consider whether you will be happy physically, mentally, and socially at your school . Visit the campus and decide whether you feel content with the atmosphere that surrounds your new school, and possibly your new home. Find out whether or not your interests are fulfilled by the activities offered on campus. Take a look at the students and see if they appear happy in their environment, and look at whether or not the campus is diverse in their student population and in their offerings. Everyone will have different ideas and preferences when picking a college, so the key is to assess your own needs, do your research, and choose a college based on what you feel is the best for you.

Vanessa

Live your dreams!

Michael

Most schools are not well rounded in their academics; they have strength in particular academic fields over others.

Elfira

Please visit the college before you apply for it. Wether you like the place you go or not really does affecting your performance.

Mari

Students should be given the advice that every college has its similarities and its differences to other colleges. At first you may be unsure about whether you have found the right college or not, but as long as the college has a good academic program in which you are insterested in you can't go wrong. Parents should be given the advice that the decision of what college a student wants to go to is up to the student. Parents should be prepared to let their child go to whatever college they think is right for them as long as it is financially attainable. As for making the most of the college experience, students should be informed that getting involved in the beginning is always a good step in the right direction. Being involved helps you make new friends and familiarize yourself with the campus. Once you have good friends and are familiar with the school you attend, you can make the most of your college experience.

Tyler

Ths single greatest piece of advice that I can offer to any parent and/or student about finding the right college is to visit the campus and spend more than just the typical one day orientation with counselors and tour guides. The best way to get the feel for the environment that you're going to be in is to put yourself into the shoes of a student there and find out for yourself what the student life is going to be like! Be sure that the social needs as well as academic needs that you feel are important will be met from your experience while enrolled in the school because college truely can be the greatest time of your life. Talk, interact, and even stay for a weekend social event with students to get the true vibe that comes from eveyone there. As for parents, don't be so negative towards the Greek life on campus and have a preassumption about what they will or will not offer your child. Being in a Fratertnity is one of the single greatest decisions I have made in college and would never take back the experience or knowledge it has given me.

Liliana

The best college for a student to go to is one that has the majority of his or her major. The key is to live on campus, especially their first year. It is a great experience and a time away from home.

James

Research the area that you will be going to school in. Many students are molded by the area and the types of people at their school rather than by the programs offered.

Felipe

I would suggest to find a college where you can be happy and enjoy yourself. Find a career that interests you and be friendly with everyone. The best way to make the most out of college is to network, and become involved in activities that will benefit society. It is great to be involved in clubs that can help you on your career of choice and contact your advisors as much as possible. Universities have many tools to help students and it is best to use these tools to guide yourself through college. Never try to drop out, just keep going because college is the key for a better life.

Patricia

When choosing the right university to attend, its best to focus on what is in the best interest of your child who is going to attend. First, find the right school which will help most with whatever they want to do. The career is what's most important. Secondly, know that it isn't absolutely necessary for to move far to go to school. Sometimes, its best to have family and friends close to you for support through the first couple of years of school. Lastly, don't go to school to just GO to school. College isn't all about learning - its also about building a network with others, and gaining the knowledge for a career through experience outside of the classroom.

Brady

find what the child wants, then search for the best school that the child likes. the child really needs to put themselves out there so that they are not socially awkward and they make new friends

Kevin

Do not follow what your parents want to do, follow your own dreams to succeed and be happy. choosing the right school is important, for example you would not goto an engineering school if you are majoring in law, becasue the courses are probably not offered or not as in depth as a school that specializes in law. While being in school there is a time to play and a time to study, make friends but don't feel pressured to go out with others which is probably that hardest thing. Other than that just enjoy school and the people there while it last, although some friends will stick with you, the vacations and days off from school wont when you have a real job.

Mianna

I would definitely recommend doing a lot of research on any college that the parent and student may be interested in. The website collegeboard.com was of great help to me and my dad. This website makes it easier to send in SAT scores and look up all the different colleges you are interested in, and comparing each and every one of them. I will stress that tuition should not be a factor in deciding on a college; each university has many opportunities for financial aid for all of its students. Once you are accepted, I recommend joining any clubs you may be interested in, for joining any on-campus activities will make any college experience a positive one. Making friends with the faculty and students also brings positive college experiences. I know that, with the economy the way it is today, that many cannot afford college like myself. Many have to work full-time jobs and go to school at the same time, but no matter how hard this is to do, I will say that continuing on to college was one of the best decisions I have ever made, and I know many like me feel the same.

Jade

When finding the right college, there are a few things one must look at. First, does the school have the major that you want to study? Many schools specialize in certain feilds of study. Second, if you are a very political person, you might want to take a look at the overall political standing of the students on campus. Another thing, if you are planning on dorming, look at the housing situation. Make sure you are happy with how you will live. If you are not living there, make sure the commute is not going to be miserable. You are going to be driving there a lot and if you're unhappy with the drive, school will not be fun. Another HUGE thing is quarters vs. semesters. If you are a quick learner take quarters. If not, do yourself a favor and take semesters. But finally, walk around the campus and make sure you enjoy the atmosphere. If it's too industrial, perhaps look more towards an AG school. You will spend a lot of time here. Make it a school you will love going to everyday.

Holly

Choosing a college can be a life-altering decision. It can be very difficult at times, but there are a few things to really focus on while choosing where to go to school. First, it is important to understand exactly what you are looking for in a college or university. This will help you determine which school will actually be right for you. During the application process, it is important to know what each school is all about. Look into what its strengths are, along with its weaknesses. If you have an idea of what major you want to choose, be sure that each school you apply to offers it. Once you get accepted to certain schools, go visit them if you haven't done so already. Getting a hands-on idea of what the school's campus community and student life is like is vital. Hopefully throughout each visit, you can determine whether or not you can see yourself attending, if not living, there. College is a fun experience, but it will only work out if you take the right steps in choosing where it is you see yourself living the next four years of your life.

Esther

they need to researches about that school that they are planning to go. see the history of the school, as well of the rating that school has. Cal-Poly is a very good school, which provides students with the right tools to be succesful in life.

Barbara

visit campus's in advance and stay for a few days, not just one day.

Amanda

Go on campus tours and ask questions. Every university has a bookstore and a library, but each differ in what they have to offer their students. The more questions you ask at each school you are looking in to the better understanding you will have about how you can fit into that location. Look at schools that offer the types of programs you are interested in both academically and socially. Once you are in college GET INVOLVED! Join clubs, work on campus, become a member of student government or live on campus. The more chances you have to particiapte in events on campus the more you will take pride in your school. Don't forget that college should be fun. Yes employeers want to see that you got good grades but they are also looking to see that you had some type of leadership position and were involved in clubs/sports etc. Lastly, don't limit yourself when you oare applying for colleges. Apply to a variety of differentschools in different locations and then start looking into them more in depth once you get in. Who knows, you may fall in loce with a school you would not have before.

Lindsay

I would advise them to do a lot of research! There are hundreds of schools but only a few that meet the students needs. Make sure they offer good courses. Look into the professors and see if they come highly recommended and where they went to school. Many professors don't really care about their students and many do. Also to make sure that the school they are planning to attend have a variety of majors the student is interested in. Almost all students change their majors and it is good to be enrolled in a college that has other majors the students can be interested in. IT helps by not having to transfer schools and deal with units being transferrable and untranferrable .

Andrew

I would suggest any college as long as your children or you yourself know what kind of living environment that you will enjoy. Follow your instincts and feel out for what major you would like to choose.

Leonela

Fisr of all, I would tell the student or parent to go for the school that offers a great program on the majo he or she is majoring. Another advice would have to be tuition costs. There are many schools out there that offer a great education withought having to pay a lot for Tuition. They should also check what type of school it is, in regards to the diversity it offers. Some schools are very diverse and very liberal and others are not. A way to make the most out of a college experience is to live on campus and join clubs offered on campus. This is a great way to meet new people and share common interests. Student clubs can be very beneficial, since, some of them have contacts with outside companies and it can be very easy to obtain jobs and your network tree can grow. The most important thing in deciding what school should be picked should be the experience you want to get out from college. Every colloege varies and research should be done to decide which one would be the most rewarding for you.

Jennifer

To find the right college I believe it's important to prioritize what is most important to the future student. While 'party school' may be appealing to one individual, it will not necessarily be a compelling reason for another to enroll at School A and the same applies to students averse to intense study environments. I would ask parents/students to list 5 attributes that they place more emphasis on for a university rather than going by the general rankings seen in U.S. News or the equivalent. I remember classmates informing me that they chose a small liberal arts school over a #1 ranked university because Smaller School was a better fit for their personality and goals that they hoped to achieve while in school. To make the most of the college experience I would ask the students to be open minded to what is around them, what is available to them, and what may be possible for them. Coming out of a parochial mindset is integral to enjoying all that college is about; meeting new people that are different than yourself, trying new activities/foods, and engaging in causes that you believe in are all worthy experiences.

Brittany

My advice to a student that was trying to find the perfect school for them it to choose a school that is right for them. A school that is not right for their parents, siblings or for their friends. I would recommend applying to at least 3 schools. One that is a sure thing that they would get into, the next is a little out there, and the last is their dream school. Then after they have applied they should actually take a tour at each of the schools so they can experience a little of what the school has to offer. Lastly, interview or have a conversation with a student as well as a teacher from that school and ask them about their experience. Preferably choose people who are involved with your major. This is the process I underwent before I chose California Polytechnic School, Pomona and I am so proud and honored to be attending and have the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful campus and community.

alexandra

Always visit the colleges your child seems interested in first! That is what changed my opinion. And don't rely on tour guides, make sure you talk to several students to see what the school is really like beneath the candy-coated shell of facts tour guides tell you. Make sure you have all the information you can get before you make a decision.

Christine

Allow your child to seek the major of their choice, and if possible, encourage them to great a 4/5 year plan of what courses they want to take, and what some of their potential goals may be after college. Really look into school options, with regard to the majors they offer, the surrounding city, and the availability of classes.

Lauren

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Steven

Consider the next few years of your life seriously and think about what you want most in your life, what you want the opportunity to do. Think about the one, or many, things you want to do before you die and ask yourself if the colleges you're applying to will help you get there, if they don't then don't even bother, it's a waste of your time. I'm sure you will hear this 100 times but college is what you make of it, if you aren't involved on campus then you aren't experiencing anything but more school. You have been experiencing 12+ years of school now so try a little harder and expand your horizons and step up your game, be a somebody, smile at everybody, take life by the horns, and never stop heading for the next best thing.

Krystle

I would strongly suggest looking at colleges early in your high school career. Schedule visits to all of the colleges you are considering to attend because you cannot form a judgement until you are actually on campus. It is very important to find out whether the school is on semesters or quarters, the cost of attendance, whether its a commuter school, class sizes, location and of course whether or not your major is offered there. Financial aid is extremely important, especially if you are going to rely on it to pay for the majority of your expenses. The key is to prepare for college in advance. I reagret waiting till the last minute to make all of my decisions. I was set on going out of state for college, but never considered how I would pay for my education.

Sherilyn

The most important things to consider when choosing a college is... Major Location Price Extra Curricular Activities

Janine

To all the parents out there, you have to trust in your child to know what school they think is right for them. Even though, you have your own thoughts of where is right for your child, voice your opinion, but let them make the ultimate choice. For all the aspiring college students, you've made it this far, and congratulations. My advice to you would simply be, college is the most intense step of your life at this moment, and it's a step you must take on your own. Do not make your choice based on those around you; make it for you, because for the next four years, that's who you will always have to deal with. There will always be more friends and relationships, and you family will be behind you forever; but just know that the decisions you make are yours alone. Pick a place that you feel you would fit best, whether it be for the atmosphere, location, or (hopefully) your choice in major. Money always plays a roll too, but that's what loans and scholarships are for. Always keep in mind, this time is yours, so WHO IS in charge?

Patric

Make sure you visit the campus and the surrounding areas of the school. Make sure you like both the school and the communitiy that it belongs to. Also make sure that your major is one that the university specializes in so that you can maximize your learning potential from the institution. Take everything into account when choosing the right college , make a pros and cons list and see which can fit into what you are looking for in a school as well as the cost.

Ken

Spend time choosing a college and decide your major early.