California State University-Long Beach Top Questions

Location, location, location. As a hospitality management major, I have learned that location is a key component of success in the industry. Along with many other factors, this also applies to the education system. 4,216 colleges within 50 states have been established to fit the needs of every college-bound student, each having something unique to offer. In finding the perfect college you need to make a list of criteria that you feel your school should meet to fit your needs. BE PICKY! Making the right choice will have a large impact on your future. Choosing a location that you will enjoy and a college community that you will feel welcomed in should be among your top criteria. Getting involved through clubs, sports, the Greek system, or the dorm life will help you make the most of your college experience. It will offer you the chance to meet people that will be a part of your life forever. There may be millions of students like yourself searching for the perfect school and thousands of prestigious colleges to choose from, but there is only one school for you that will offer an infinite number of possibilities for your future success.

Choose the school that best compliments your ideals, planned major, and future hopes. Try to have fun or at least entertain yourself for the next four years of your life. It'll be worth it in the end.

Talk to multiple current students on a campus visit! That is the best way to find out the "true" campus story.

Make sure the school of choice provides various help like, computer access, tutoring, parking, transportation, and other resources. Many colleges are known for having excellent programs when choosing a major. Students should consider what school would best fit their major by researching the school. Other things to consider is the school surrounded with accessible grocery stores, hospitals, police, and activities.To get the most of your school it would be good to participate in school events like going to sport games, plays, dance halls, and music presentations.

I would say that to FIND a school that fits you, go to a school and take part of the campus tours that they offer. Interview the students that you run into (that don't look like they're in a hurry to get to class!) and see if you can sit in on a lecture that is somehow related to the major you want to declair. Check out the campus layout, walk around and get a feel for it. Once you are enrolled in the school you choose, I would highly recommend getting involved in extracuricular activities and clubs. Take part in the society that is well-known in your major, get to know the other students in your classes and form study groups, and have FUN on campus! There are so many great things to experience that you may not have even heard about! Just make sure you set aside enough money to support your coffee habit that you're about to develop!

Visit the college, speak with people who go there, evaluate who gave you the adivce. In the end college is what you make of it.

Each college offers different experiences to those that attend it, however many simply coast through the college years without becoming involved in their campus. A college experience is only as memorable as one tries to make it. It is simple to show up daily to classes and just go to school. it is when students become involved in academic learning communities, Greek life, Intramural sports, Associated Students Incorporated, and the many things that their campus offers that college will become most memorable. Many schools offer stellar programs in multiple areas but these same schools also only provide an education, causing students to graduate without making the most of their college experience. Choosing a college should not only depend on the academic excellence each school offers but also the campus community that exists in each college. In order to make the most of school students must put time not only into their studies but also into seeking out programs which fit them best and allowing them to release the exponential potential of their college experience. In short, a memorable college future awaits, will you choose to grab hold of the opportunities that await you or simply let them pass?

My best advice to students is to visit the colleges that you are interested in before making a decision. I ended up picking a school that was not originally my first choice because I visited it and instantly felt right at home. Just as important as the school itself are the campus and the area, because you are not only choosing where you will go to school for the next four years, but also where you will be living for four years of your life. A school may be considered less prestigious, or might not be as high on the list of your personal choices, but it could turn out to be the perfect fit if you give it a chance and visit it. Also, when you visit, try to talk to other students or plan a visit for a busy time in the semester so that you can get the best feel for what campus life is really like. It really does make a difference.

visit the campus before going, read all of the perks and facts about the college, never give up

Go to a community college for your first two years, it saves a ton of money and gives you more time to figure out what career path you want to take. Make sure you visit the schools and talk to people on campus about their experiences with the school itself, eg. finiancial aid and courses, and also about the social life eg. frats/sororities. Also, if you can, live on campus your first year, it is so much easier to make friends this way.

Visit the college, spend a day walking around campus, driving around near the campus and talking to some professors and/or students if possible. The students and professors are the ones who are on campus and know it the best. They will have all of the information you need and can most likely answer any questions you have or can direct you to the correct person.

The biggest piece of advice I would have for parents is that they let their children apply and attend any school they want. It can be very hard financially for some families but I encourage each family/parent to have their student apply for as many scholarships as possible. There is a lot of money out there for those willing to pursue higher education and many of these scholarships will greatly reduce the families financial obligations, creating a more relaxed enviornment for the student; something they desperately need at this time in their lives. And for the student I would say that they should take advantage of college. There is no other time in their life like it and very few places offer as many oppurtunities as college does, so put forth all you've got so that when you're done, you walk away with no regrets.

Visit the college before you make your final decision, you don't want to pick a school that you end up not liking. Researching it and the major your going into, make sure its a good school for your major and that it has a good graduation rate.

Make sure you choose a school in which you would feel the most comfortable with. Also, look for schools that do all they can to help motivate you and be involved with school activities. It makes college life a lot easier!

Take your time to reall research the schools - course wise, campus wise, and the like. Don't stress and don't rush.

I would like to give advice to the parents and students who are in my similar situation-- first-generation Americans that have parents that either do not speak English well, or know the process of how to get to college. I used to think that I was not able to go to the school of my choice because of the financial burden my parents would encounter. However, it is not the case. There are many ways to receive help either from private organizations or federal and state funding. Money may be important in choosing the right school, but it shouldn't be the only factor. Do the best you can in school because hard work and commitment can take you very far.

When looking for the right college it is first important to make a priority list of what it is you want from a college. There is a lot that changes from campus to campus. Do you want a large campus? are you better off in a diverse campus where you will be exposed to different ideas, cultures, and ideologies? do you want small or large classroom sized instruction? Could you live in the climate that the college is in? What is there to eat around the college? Sometimes, its all about the small things that make a college experience a success, versus a bad time. This is something that will most likely be part of your life for four or more years, why not pick a place where your education can be a memorable one. If there are ANY questions at all, don't ever feel shy about approaching any person on campus roushing to class, because, hey we've been there, and we are always willing to stop and help out a peer.

Parents and students should not always consider financial situations as the main standard for determining what college to go to. Sometimes a college that may cost a little more may provide better education than a cheaper one and sometimes the most expensive college may not provide many top-notch professors who care about their students. Instead, parents and students should consider researching what a school can do for them and vice versa. They should utilize websites, reading materials, and/or other sources that provide a college's rank according to various categories such as rate of career-placement after graduation and/or retention rates. As for making the most of the college experience, parents and students should look into resources or activities available at the college that can enhance social life, career life, and academic life without one jeopardizing the others. I have also seen personally that utilizing the college counselors as well as peer counselors can help maximize the college experience. These counselors can help guide students should they feel lost and prevent them from wasting time; thus, more time can be allotted towards having a meaningful college experience that can leave a lasting impression on the students' lives.

pick a college in which you would feel comfortable in to express who you are as an individual

I would tell students/parents that when trying to find the right college to attend they should try to make a visit to the college before deciding to enroll. I would also reccomend that students participate in any new student orientation programs that the school may offer. For students who are coming straight from high school, I would suggest that they live a year in the dorms. I lived in the dorms for two years and met many of the friends that are still my current friends. Another great way to maximize your college experience is to get a job off-campus. I worked at a local grocery store and I learned so much from the customers about what the city had to offer. The best advice that I can give for students attending college is to not skip class! The college semester goes by so quickly and missing class is the easiest way to fall behind in course work. By attending class you get easy participation points and your teachers will see your dedication and be more willing to ensure your success. College has been a wonderful experience and has helped me mature in so many ways.

Figure out what you want to really do first before you go and join a major blindly in a big rush to finish school. You will have saved time and money.

Go there and look around.

Do as much as you can. Get into clubs, play sports and make friends, it'll make your college experience that much better.

My advice to students trying to make the most out of college is to have an open mind. There is too much for any one person to learn in a lifetime, but if you allow yourself to listen and learn from those around you (especially your professors!), you will emerge from college with the knowledge and tools to function in the world. Don't be afraid to ask questions or talk to people.

It's hard for me to say because I feel that my experience has been atypical. I have no family helping me and have had to support myself and find ways to put myself thorugh school. I choose the school that I did based on location, affordability, and the major I wished to study. I don't spend much time on the social scene because away fom school I have to work. From my experiences I would say to not take the experience for granted.

If I were to give advice to future college-bound students I would tell them to complete plenty of research. I attended a community college prior to attending a university and I believe that was the best choice for me. I was initially undecided with a major and there was a community college near my house. With financial aid I was able to receive free tuition in addition to grants, which helped with unexpected expenses. My community college also offered an Applied Psychology course in which I completed many different tests that showed what kind of personality I have and what sort of professions match with my personality type. We had the opportunity to complete research on our future careers and this led me to my decision to become a registered nurse. My community college offered a nursing program, however, I knew I wanted a bachelor's degree and decided to transfer colleges. I was accepted into my university of choice and began the nursing program at that school a semester later. I am now in my final semester and believe I have had the best college experience I could have. I would not trade it for anythingin the world.

I would encourage both parents and students to do a great deal of research and to visit campuses. Check out various programs on campus that are available to incoming freshman and talk to student already on campus, if you can. In the end, the best advice I could give is to follow your gut instinct when choosing a campus. Go where you feel you will be happiest; you'll be far more likely to thrive.

Do your research when it comes to picking a college that is right for your son/daughter. If it is possible, take the tours of the campus and try to go to orientations that the colleges offer. If you are going on a scholarship, make sure that your son/daughter is the one picking the college of their choice that the scholarship is in. Parents/Students have to remember that the next 4 years will be a life change adventure and we want to all enjoy the outcome. The Parent and the Student should be researching diffrent colleges at least in the Junior year and it should no more than 4. I have found that to many colleges kind of get overwhelming and then you don't get the time to focus on the main ones. Keep it to a minimum and do your research talk to the counselors at school and use the web to your advantage. The one thing that should not get in the way, is if your student wants to attend college there is nothing in this world that should stop them from going. Everybody has the right to attend school.

study hard

Pick the school with the perfect learning atmosphere that matches you the best such as the place, the people and weather.

Don't think too much about how much of a 'name' the school has, but instead focus on which school offers the best programs for the major intended and the best learning and living environment for the student. Also, think outside of the campus and do consider what the student might do on their free time off-campus. If they like the beach, don't send them off to Northwestern or something like that. College is more stressful than anything most students have faced in their lives so far, so being in the right environment helps relieve that stress. And that's good because stress is a college student's #1 enemy. Also, please don't think that after getting into whatever college you applied for, you can just get by doing the minimum required since there isn't anything else you have to apply and get into anymore (unless you are going to a grad school). The stuff you learn in these classes are valuable, and will make a great conversation starter at the least. Make friends and treat them well, for they will be a great help later on at school and out.

Do not blindly accept a college or university's admission based soley on how they look on paper. The most important aspect of where you will attend school is judging how it fits when you actually set foot on the campus. If you have the means, visit each campus your are accepted to a few times and choose which feels the most right for you. When I stepped onto the campus of the university I attend, I knew immediately that it was right for me! When you visit, do not be afraid to talk to students and available faculty. Ask them the questions you are dying to know about campus life. This will help you to make a more informed decision for your future!

Have an idea of what major you're interested in and narrow down your choices by rank, student body, location, and cost. Although cost may be a big factor, education is truly priceless so don't skimp out!

This school is open to lots of diversity. Many opportunities are offerred to its students. It is a fun loving environment with lots of school spirit and welcoming faculty, staff, and students.

I would advise students to actually step out and explore everything. This can be to making new friends from different places and social backgrounds and also to explore everything they have been curious about. I would also advise students not to worry too much about the future and have fun, but on the other hand stay on track with school courses and obtain those good grades. To those who are straight A's students in high school, do not stress out if you do not see the same result in high school because although academics is very important, college is a time to discover yourself and grow emotionally, spiritually and most importantly as an individual. Another advice to students is to try to step out of his or her comfort zone and study abroad. There have been many alumnis that have given me the same advise and I'm actually doing it. It is always nice to experience new environment and new cultures. Sometimes it may make a person more focused when they come back home because they will be given a chance to reflect and compare and contrast two environments. I definitely advise obtaining many beneficial experiences!

Go see as many schools as you can before you make your decision and start about your sophomore year so you can plan accordingly to be accepted.

When deciding on which undergraduate institution to attend, just keep in mind that only modest emphasis should be placed on rank or prestige. The preliminary factors should be an environment conducive to learning and somewhere the student feels comfortable making their own contributions to the campus and surrounding community.

DO YOUR RESEARCH. Not just online and in brochures. EVERY college will try to make it seem like it is the best for you. Go to the college and talk to the students in your field. See how they are doing, what they think of the programs(s) and most important, how will the college prepare you for YOUR career! Thanks!

Find a college that resonates with who you are and what you want to become. Look at the programs they have to offer--especially concerning the major that you're thinking of entering. Take into consideration safety, availability of housing, faculty, etc. Try and talk to others who have been or are going to the colleges you're looking at, and get their perspective of it. Try e-mailing the faculty of the college and ask them questions. Visit the college campuses and take tours--that's what really made a difference in my decision. Also, tell yourself that once you get into college, you won't be afraid to get involved. This is crucial for making the most of your experience. Don't be afraid to be the outspoken, enthusiastic one. It makes college much more fun and rewarding! If you see a program that you really want to do, go for it. Do whatever it takes to make it work. Know that sometimes, you're going to work harder than you've ever worked before, but you will have amazing experiences if you go for what you want.

My best advice would be to choose the college/university that you feel more comfortable with. If you don't feel comfortable or at home on your campus, you will hate it. If you're like me, you'll be spending most of your time there, and you need to love it. Parents: let them have some free range to enjoy it. The best part of a college experience is being able to find out who you really are and what you love.Let your kids find that out for themselves - you can always be there for them, but remember: this is their time. Students: STUDY STUDY STUDY! The first year will seem like a breeze and you'll think, "This is so easy, what did I ever worry about?" And then your upper division classes start coming and it's a whole different story. If you don't prepare and make good study habits from the beginning, everything will fall apart as time goes by! Social life is always extremely important, but if your grades fall, everything else will follow. Know what you want and go for it, and remember: college is the best time of your life!

www.californiacolleges.edu www.assist.org www.csumentor.com www.collegeboard.com Look through all those websites and you should be fine and well informed (California residents and any out of state residents that plan to attend a California institution).

Let the student make their own decision when it comes down to school because then the tudent is responsible for the dicisions they make.

I would highly advise any parent and/or student to visit the school they are considering for college during a time in which classes are in session. I would also advise to definately try to get a tour given by a university student, preferably one in the major that the student desires. The school environment can make a major difference in how you choose your school. My original first choice for college was made prior to visiting the campus, but soon after, I decided that the school was not for me. My allergies were very bad there, the people did not seem nearly as friendly, and it was a very far drive from my hometown. I had never considered CSULB before, but after visiting the campus, I fell in love. The campus was beautiful, the environment was comforting, and they had a great program for my major. If I had not visited these campuses, I might have made a choice that would leave me unsatisfied with my college experience. The academic quality of a school is very important; however, the environment of the school can make a great difference.

When looking at colleges to attend, go choose a major based on what you think will pay well. Find something in your life that you love to do, then follow that dream. Four years and $50,000 is very hard to get back when you end up with a degree that you aren't really happy with. Once you have found the right program for you, put your all in to it. Get the homework done and time and study for the tests. There is always time to have fun with your friends, but there is less time after college to do what you want if you fail out of some classes and stay in school for six years. My best advice is to follow your dreams. I've customed my major to what I want it to be, I am planning on an internship the summer after my third year, and hopefully will be able to land a job in my chosen field while attending school my last year. College is one of the best experiences in life, but remember, it is supposed to lead to a better experience.

The most important thing in my opinion would be to attend a college where the student can live on campus. Living on campus is very important because that is the way to make friends, becuase I attend a comuter school, I have yet to have a set group of friends, and I think that if I were to live in a dorm I would have the opportunity to not only meet and befriend my room mate and suit mates, but also usually dorm halls tend to have social gatherings to promote a social life. Also a school that has a large variety of majors is always great because if you happen to change your mind half way after declaring amajor, you always want to have the option to change to a major that you will enjoy more. Overall I have enjoyed my first two years of college, it really isn't as difficult as they say, so just trust yourself and be confident in that you will do well.

In helping either a fellow student or parent in a college search, I would advise them to research the quality of institution, as well as visit it. It is important to get the feel for a place of education because I truly believe that if you're not comfortable with your environment, then it will take a toll on your ability to learn. Remember to interact with current students and ask them how they like their institution, and if the classes are academically challenging. It's also best to start checking out colleges as soon as possible, because the earlier you start the more motivated one will likely be in their current studies. It is always best to lay out a future plan, regardless of whether one wil stick to the route because it at least gives a person a sense of direction and perseverence. Most importantly, when one arrives to college and settles in, don't hesitate to start talking to other people as soon as possible, because networking is probably one of the most beneficial things a person can do, not only socially, but futurewise.

Find a school that offers a wide variety of opportunities. You never know what ideas will spark your interest and you want to have ample opportunities to pursue the things that you love in life. Don't ever not try something because you think it is too hard or too different. When you reach for a higher ceiling you give yourself more room to grow.

I was very lucky in my college experience to have received positive support and advice from students and family members. That support and advice got me through a very difficult period in my life--a time where what I specialized in could possibly be all that I did for the rest of my life. Most students struggle with that, thinking that they are tied down to their college major but that is not true. That's the advice that I would give parents or students--support a positive learning environment rather that one that is so specialized. If, as parents, you encourage them to go to a school with numerous major options and a flexible learning cirriculum, your future college grads won't feel so pressured to make a life changing choice before the 60 unit major decloration deadline. College is such an amazing experience where people not only expand their minds, but they expand their group of friends, their tolerance of diversity, and their overall understanding of who they are and who they want to be. Enter with an open mind and a positive outlook of the future and you will make the most of your college experience.

Follow your heart and embrace what you are passionate about. ?We cannot control the events that happen to us, but we can decide not to let them reduce us. Try to be a rainbow in someone?s could. Do not complain,? these are the inspiring words from Maya Angelou. She is a passionate woman who is wise. She learned at a young age to count her blessings. Someone once told her that she was going to become a great woman. Use college as a chance to reach to the depth of your soul and paint the world as you see it through your very own two eyes. Perhaps, others will indulge in your work and appreciate the colors of your imagination. My time spent during my undergraduate studies has been a time for me to explore myself and learn more about the world. College is your chance to become someone great with the help of other individuals and with the use of other resources. This college experience is a previlege that should not be taken for granted. I have appreciated all it has offered into my world. Enter college with an open mind and a big heart.

Make sure you visit any campus you are serious about attending because just one visit can make all the difference. You will be able to tell whether you like the school and feel comfortable there or not. Also find a school that has a good program for your major. And also find a school/location that is challenging in some ways or else you will get nothing out of it and will not have learned much.