California State University-Fullerton Top Questions

The advice I would give parents is to look into the schools their children are interested in, and make sure that particular school is the best choice for them overall. I would tell students to look into what they want to do and get their degree on, advise them to take as many online classes as they could to make their lives easier from commuting if they live at home. I would tell the students to make the most of their time as a student because once they move on from school, it's on to the working world. Their worlds will take a new direction entirely. There are many people they will meet that will end up becoming their life long friends. The best thing about meeting people at college is the ones in their major have more in common than random people they meet anywhere else due to having the same interests and passions. Life can only happen once, choose a school that feels right, and make the most of the time spent there. You'll learn much if you work hard, and you'll get the job you've always wanted.

Be sure to attend to orientations, for me, I would say go on campus and explore around, but make sure you don't get lost! In addition, if you can't afford to do that, try looking at the website and see what the college you desire to go to can offer.

It is important to make sure you know what you're going to need to be prepared for financially. The number one thing I get stressed out over and see other students stressed over is money. Know what to expect and both parents and students should be realistic with each other about how they plan to deal with these responsibilities. Also, as much as possible, make an effort particularly in your freshmen year to get involved with groups on campus and make friends. Try to live on campus the first year if possible, because it gets increasingly harder to involve yourself with your campus later on if you are unused to it and that is an important part to a happy experience in college, especially if you are moving away from your parents or friends for the first time. Most of all, don't be afraid to try new things! Immerse yourself in activities you know you may not have the opportunity to do after college.

College is about finding yourself. You do this through challenging yourself academically, interacting with other students and faculty, and getting involved in activities.

The advice that I would give to prospective students and/or parents in order to find the right college is to visit numerous colleges to get a "feel" for how they think they will like the university. Talk to students who attend the university and possibly even alumni. Just sitting on a campus for 30 minutes can be invaluable in deciding the school for you. Academic excellence only happens when the stuent fits properly within their chosen school. And just because your Dad went to USC doesn't mean that it will be the right school for you.! Look around at all sizes of schools- urban, rural, etc. Also, get involved in campus activities, clubs or sports. This is a great way to make new friends and expand your social contacts. Being involved in school activites also helps a new student to feel more connected to their campus and to the university itself. And remember- being yourself is the most important thing! Be true to who you are and what you want out of your college experience.

choose based on the future not the now, and work hard while you are there

When deciding on which college to attend, every individual should try to consider all types of factors such as: transportation, distance, educational reputation, cost, availability of desired major, social interaction, diversity, teacher and faculty friendliness, and campus appearance.

Don't be fooled by society into thinking that UCs and ivy league schools are the only place to get a good education. State schools actually provide a great college experience at a much lower cost. I visit my friends at big UCs and realize that if I had gone there, I would not have been nearly as happy as I am at Cal State Fullerton.

I believe the most influencial understanding I achieved about choosing my school, was talking to people who had already had an experience at that school and in my degree's program. I originally decided to the check out the school because of a recommendation of a friend from high school, as well as a teacher from a community college. Its important to note, that matter what you read on a school's website, you can't really know what to expect until you go and see for yourself. I was very fortunate to have shown up to school during the summer without an appointment, and was actually given a full tour of my degree's dept by the chair himself. That was a huge influence that a teacher, and chair, would take the time to show me around. And once I was enrolled a year or so later, I took a class from that same teacher, who always remembered my name and encouraged me a lot academically. So, do a lot of research, read a lot of reviews, but be sure to go check it out for yourself!

Pick a place that you feel comfortable in.

Students should narrow their career choices down and go to a school that specializes in those career choices, if they are confused or do not really know what they want to do then thats what most universitys are for, to explore different career options and to help students find their true passion in life. I went to a Cal State University because it was close to home and I did not feel pressured to choose a career at the instant. Majors change throughout your college career and you grow through the experience, remember college is the time to explore, before you reach the adult workforce where you will spend the majority of your life. Don't hold back, try different things, you will surprise yourself and you wont have regrets of not participating in something because of your uncertainty. A college should not feel intimidating, if the environment is too enclosed, try an urban campus, if its too crowded, look for one with less students. The perfect college is different for everyone and everyones college experience is different because of that.

There is no good or bad college. what matters the most is what that specific student whats to study & achieve. find a school that will be the best at doing so.

If you know what you want to do in your future then go for the school that is best for you education wise. No matter what the social life is up to you and what you make of it so dont worry about that. What should matter the most is your education because from there you will meet people just llike you and it will create many friendships and bonds that you may not get at other schools.

It's important to look into various areas and to make sure you find which major would suit you best.

Simply, I would tell parents to allow their child to choose the college that is best suited for them. Enabling them to do this gives them the opportunity to make an important decision for themselves that, essentially, affects the rest of their lives. When doing this, however, parents have to caution their children to not make a decision that is based soley on where their friends are going or where their parents went, because, as in any other situation, what is good for one person is not always good for another person. Going to college is an important process where most people tend to have the greatest experiences that impact their lives that develop them into the person they are to become.