California State University-Fresno Top Questions

Find a place that you are interested in and live on campus for at least the first year. Don't be too quick to choose your degree because you will most likey change it a couple of times. Pick a college that has the Major requirements that you need and would like to persue.

Parents play an important part in the deciding factor because they want their children to come out with a degree and make the most of themselves. This being so, parents want to make sure their money is going to an institution that will not only provide their child with good instructors, but they should look for an instituation that will provide their child with everything he/she needs to be successful. The students themselves need to take an active part in finding the right college in order for them to be able to make the most of their college experience. It is not wise to apply and attend a college one has never been to, seen, or heard of before. Researching different colleges is critical in making the right choice. Even if a student doesnt know what he/she wants to study, they do know what environment they are looking for. Students need to consider whether they want to attend a big or small school, what activities do they want to be involved in, and whether or not the school is going to provide them with all the necessary tools to be successul inside and outside the classroom setting.

Visit the campuses that you're intersted in. Don't be afraid to talk to people and ask questions. Find out if you can shadow a student, attend some classes with them, and really get a feel for the campus. Also: big name schools aren't necessarily better. Depending on what you're looking for, a less prestugious school might be better, and make an easier adjustment. In California, most students are attracted to UC's, and while they are of course good schools, most of your classes are very large and your professors are not very available-only grad students are really available to help you if you have questions. But at a CSU, all of your classes are taught by actual professors and your professors are pretty accessible. Also, there is a lot more opportunity for undergraduates to do research at CSU's than UC's, because the UC's research labs are full of grad students. So: consider whether a school really has what you're looking for, big name or not. Make sure you ask questions and find a good fit. Every college is right for someone-find the one that's right for you.

Of course, finding the right college would be easier if you knew what you wanted to do. However, in my experience, most students have not decided what they want to be when they "grow up", so it would be difficult to select a college based on its merits in a certain field of study. In that case, I would advise students to start off at a community college, and take a variety of courses to find out what interests them the most before choosing a college which matches their field of interest. It would save money and provide an easier transition into college from high school.

Decide what career field you want get into as soon as possible, so you do not end up taking over excess of G.E. courses!

My best advice to give parents and/or students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience, is to certainly expand beyond one's home town. I was born and raised in Central New Jersey, with my immediate family and my aunts and uncles only an hour away in any direction. Although I went to a large high school, I simply wanted to explore a new environment and start a completely fresh chapter in my life's storybook. I probably could not have choosen a farther school than Fresno State from New Jersey. My parents although sad that I would be leaving felt that breaking out of my small hometown shell and New Jersey was a very healthy and wise decision. Being able to withstand the pressures of academia and social events indepently is crucial in moving on with a healthy, absolute and happy lifestyle. For me, moving far from home forced me to make informed decisions on my own and while I joined the Greek community on my campus, my surrounding enviornment has supported me through school, social and economic growth.

Visit, visit, visit. Sometimes it's expensive to travel to check out the schools before accepting admission, but it's really important to do. You're going to want a campus that's right for you. It's necessary to see what each campus has to offer and if it meets your needs or not. Also, talk to the students on the campus. Ask the students how they feel about the school and if they would choose a different place if they could. Talk to the staff and really try to get a feel for different places. Choose the school that you feel most comfortable at.

When choosing a college I believe it is important to find a place away from home so you can spread your wings and grow, but make sure it is still close enough that you can make a trip home when you miss your family and friends. It is also important to look at what the school will offer you, make sure that the career your interested in is something that the school focuses on in their academic program so you can get the most out of your education. When in college make sure to let go and have fun it truely is a once in a lifetime experience and you have the rest of your life to work. Don't forget to study hard in the midst of your social life, but in college they are both important to focus on.

Decide what location you like best and go somewhere kind of close to family but not too close. Go where you want to go do not go somewhere because your parents want to. Make your own decision. Make college the best experience ever. Visit it first before actually going. If your more of an athlete and into sports try going to a school thats very invovled in that area. If your more into academics try more of a school that focuses in that area. If you already know what you want to major in look for the schools with really good programs like Fresno state has a really good Physical therapy and nursing program. Also, it is good in the Agricultural program and sciences. Make sure you look for the right college because it is the first step in starting a new life. Good luck!

Fresno State's a great school. I've had some of the best times of my life here and made lifelong friends during my tenure at CSUF.

I would tell parents that they should help their child pick a school, but to let the student do the chosing, it is a important decision and they have to be happy with what they chose. As for the student I would tell them to pick the school that they felt the most comfortable with. The one where they felt like they could succeed and enjoy the college experience. As for making the most out of the college experience I would say get out there. Meet new people, go to campus events; even if you go alone you will meet people. Definetly have fun, but don't forget to get your work done, if you slack off to much you will never catch up. Just because you are on your own doesn't mean you should go crazy, have fun, but be smart and safe!

I would tell my parents or students that I am looking at a college who have my major and have nice setting, safe and diverse.

I believe there is a good fit for everyone and you need to assess your wants and your needs and find a balance. I think you should begin by figure out what you want to do and research schools online that meets those needs or potential needs. Then I think you can never truly kow if a campus is right for you until you visit it and that is where the journey starts. Talk to students who go to the campus talk to professors in the department you are interested. Basically ask questions and get a feel for each campus. Then make assessments about family needs, location, price and use those to help facilitate any decsion making. Some people thrive in a competitive enviorment with large lecture classess and some need more discussed based hands on expereinces. Neith is right nor wrong it is a perosanl preference and in order to succeed you need to be happy with your enviorment. Trust that you can be happy at more that school but don't go to a school only for your parents or for prestige make sure it fits for you.

Finding the right college should be based on many different aspects of what you are hoping to achieve in the time being at the school. First and foremost, academics should be first. Doing the neccessary research in order to find schools with a strong background in your major, or finding a school with a diverse academic schedule in order to have access to a broad education. The location is also critical, because these years of your life you are developing into a working adult. it is important to be in an area that makes you happy and encourages you work and study hard, but also allows for you to have an active social life to which youcan easily ajust or contine to lead a balanced healthy lifestyle. Making most of a college experience takes a lot of effort, but in the end it is well worth it. I already graduated and am very happy, but would love to go back to school and continue my education further to become a teacher.

Figure out what you want to do with your life and find a college that matches that. Go based on majors and grad school options. Not what looks good or would be fun.

Visit the campus, do not let cost determine which college you choose. Do your research, does the college have a lot of courses in the major you're interested in.?

Parents: be sure to visit the campus and encourage your child to getting a higher education. Students: Be involved. The worst thing is to know that you could have done something before it was gone.

Find a school you WANT to go to. Dont go somewhere you HAVE to go to, or are forced to go to. If you want it bad enough you will work hard enough to make it happen. Make friends! They can last a life time and will be there for you when you need support. Dont take life to seriously. Enjoy everything and make the most of your day! Study Abroad! It will be one of your greatest life experiences you could ask for. Have some fun!

The best advice I can give is to visit the campus and talk to students and professors from that school. The only way to know for sure if it is the right school for you is to experience it for yourself. Once you are there try to get as involved as possible, but never forget that you are attending school to get your education. You or your parents have spent a lot of money for you to attend that school, so do not take it for granted.

Make sure that you know what you are looking for before attending any sort of university, and do your research about the campuses you want to attend.

Choosing the right college is deminitely one of the most important choices that we face in our lives. I certainly believe that parents have as much things to think as students do. Parents have to take into consideration their budget and their new style of living when the student goes off for college. I believe that they both have to sit together and find a college that is the right size, the right distance, and the right price. A medium sized college is the perfect college because students get to interact more with their professors and with campus services. If the students ever need help a medium sized college will always be there to help more efficiently. The right distance also plays an important role when choosing a college. I personally believe that the support of the family is one of the most important key factors to succeed in college. That is why i believe that it is important to be close to home. The right price is probably one of the most important issues for the parents because they are going to invest their money into an education and sometimes that money is hard to obtain.

The advice that I would give to parents and student about finding the right college and having the most of the experience is to first sit down together and discuss what the parents and student are interested in for their college years. I think the biggest distension is going away or not. If a student feels that they are responsible enough to handle living away from their parents and have proven academic diligence, I would recommend going away. It gives the student a chance to experience other places and new people. A compromise to this is living on-campus while still in their town. These few years are a time to learn about subjects not available in high school and to meet new people. If money is an problem as it is with many students, I strongly encourage financial aid and applying for scholarships because college is a rare time where a student is old enough to learn and experience life and still have the luxury of not being tied down by a career or family.

When trying to decided on a college it is easy to get caught up in the hype of a school. Some schools are well known for their academic programs, and others are known for their athletics, but in the end the only thing that really matters is whether or not these colleges fit your personality. Deciding on a school can be one of the hardest decisions a student can make, but it is absolutely vital that you are the one making the decision. In order for you to really love your college, and get the most out of your college experience you have to make sure you fit into the school's lifestyle, and culture. So when you look at a school don't just accept the information they give to you. Talking to students or alumni of the school provides a great insight into the type of people that attend the college, and can be a real eye-opener. Perhaps most important is making sure that you can achieve what you want through the school. Find the programs you want to involve yourself in, and then find the schools that provide those, and never settle for a second choice.

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Going to college is a large step in the right direction for your life. If you do not get into the college that you want, your college experience can still be very fulfilling. Do not forget the possibile benefits of community colleges. They can help you become acquainted with the college environment while saving you money. You may also be more likely to get into the college you want, if you get good grades. Keep your options open and do not depress yourself by the large choice that will affect you for the rest of your life.

I would tell parents and/or students to look at ALL of the options. Make a list if it helps, and write the pros and cons for each school. Tuition may be a deciding factor, so look into financial aide, scholarships and loans. I think the most important thing I would stress is to keep an open mind.

Make sure to go visit the school while it is in session before you decide where to go. Once you choose a school, get involved.

Choose a college with a good reputation and surrounding area with good campus life and a undergrad program thats right for you!

Some bits of advice: 1) Visit colleges. You can only find out so much about a school from its website or the letters/marketing packages it sends you. If/when you go, take the standard tour but take some time to wander around campus and the area nearby to get the full picture. 2) Don't buy into all the college-related marketing. You don't need to go buy Target's entire "dorm essentials" collection. You can network and make meaningful connections without paying to be in some "academic" club that charges a couple hundred dollars a year to be a member. 3) Make friends with professors and/or faculty. You don't have to befriend everyone with a PhD, but it will help to be on a first-name basis when you need a letter of recommendation. 4) Get some numbers in class. In case your backpack happens to spontaneously combust with the syllabus for your Communications class inside, a phone call can bail you out. Most importantly, where you go to college is not as important as what you do when you're there. That goes for life too.

Visit the school, check out the dorm rooms and cafeteria

Students and parents should select schools based on what resources (i.e. advising, peer mentor, social networking, orientation, counseling, etc.) offered that best suits the student's living and learning ability. Not only should a student select a school that has the student's field interest (such as Pre-Med, Business, Law and so forth), the school should have a diverse menu of other fields to help change, expose, or solidify students' interests and development. It's also important that students and parents pick a school and school's surrounding that share the same, important core values as the student while encouraging diversity. The key thing that a student or a parent can do to help pick the best school suited is to conduct research and consult with freshly graduated college students or college upper classmen. The student or parent should research the school's history, academic program, reputation, and weigh the pro and cons of each school. Also, those who had recent experience such as alumnus can give invaluable insight and tips. Those are the best things that a student or parent can do to pick the right college.

make sure its a place far enough away from home but close enough where u can drive whenever u want to go home if your someone that will get homesick. Get to know as many people as you can because you build ur network like that. Go to some parties, have fun, enjoy college, but stay focused and remember that at the end of the day, your there for your education and your future.

College is what you make of it. At first I wasn't very excited about going the cheaper route and staying at home to go to college But as I am near to finishing I am able to look back and see that it was probably the best decision for me. I didn't get the constant party atmosphere that a lot of kids get when they go away, but I got my fair share of partys. Amazing people and opportunities are everywhere you just have to be willing to look for them. College is what you make of it, if you have already decided that a certain school would just be awful you're probably selling yourself short. You never know who or what is waiting behind the next corner. Be excited, outgoing and adventurous and any school can come alive and exceede your expectations.