California State University-Sacramento Top Questions

There is a lot to consider in picking a college. One should never base it on the most famous college such as UCLA, USC, Stanford, etc. One should pick carefully on the environment, the classes, the population of the school, the people, the academics, etc. These are some of the main factors one should consider in choosing a school. The rest tend to fall into place such as the night life, social life, work life, etc. College is not only meant to be a party school, but also meant to be something of academics and learning. One thing for sure is when it comes to parties, one will find them if they are really into the party life. The main thing one should look for however is what was mentioned above. Like I said, everything else falls into place. One just has to make the bigger decisions that will shape your major and career during the four years the student will be there. One makes the most out of college by just being themselves and putting themselves out there to get to know the world. Take the initiative, it will do wonders in the long run.

Eduacation is an important part of getting a good career in life, without education you can't really survive in this world. Some advice that I would give to parents and students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is to look around for particular college the student is interested, know what you want to do (career wise, ex, nursing, accoutant , business etc), and get to know the college. Before graduating high school, or transferring to another college, research all the colleges you want to go to. You can check there website, which can be really helpful and actually go for an orientation or set up an appointment with an academic advisor, so one gets a feel of how the college is like. It is very important that one knows what they want to be in life. One should volunteer or observe if that particular career is the right one for you because college is expensive and you dont want to waste money or time. Last, but not least know your college. Get to know what services the college offers, where everything is at, and get to know new people!

After spending some time trucking through school I have found a few important factors I wish I had thought of before deciding on a school. I would highly recommend considering the long run as seriously as the short. Consider aspects you might find yourself 2 or 3 years down the road, not just your first. Research off-campus living to make sure it is good even if you plan to live on campus. See what there is locally for entertainment or commerce. This would help you decide free time activities and potential work when you want to get a job. Most importantly, look at the organizations of the school. Frats and sororities aren't everything; look at clubs, organizations, and internships as well. These things are key and important to help with your future. Know the requirements to graduate, so you can have a loose idea of what you want to do and how to do it. Don't be afraid of the counselors! They are there to help. Doing these and more will help you plan ahead for your college career, making things go much smoother and allowing you more time to socialize and truly enjoy the experience.

I would highly recommend a student looking for the right college to figure out the right type of area they want to live in. If they want to stay fairly close to home, that is very important to consider. If they want to go to an area similar to the area they grew up, or switch to something new (which is what I did). I actually did not visit the campus I ended up going to until after I'd already given my intent to attend. I knew I wanted to go a certain distance from home so I could be "on my own", but at the same time, not to far, so I could still visit often. That was a good decision because I got very homesick at first. This homesick feeling is normal, but try not to let it get to you. It is necessary to make friends and make the most out of your college experince. You only get to do it once, so get out there and enjoy it while you can. It will be rough at times, but it will get better. Its hard to be in college at first, but its so worth it.

The advice that I would give parents and their kids when their childern are getting ready to start picking colleges is to research the school via the internet, speak to fellow parents, make sure you can afford the college your child wants to go to. Go with your child more than once to visit the school, allow them to talk to other students, seeing if they can sit through a class, eat in the union. Also have your child stay in dorms for a night,and attend campus events of sports games.

The advice I would give to incoming college students is don't plan on college bieng a straight path through just to get to your career. College is all about learning not only school work but about yourself too. I have experienced many things as a college student, none of which I could ever have anticipated coming to college as a high school student. It has in a large part made me a better person and I wouldn't have it any other way. There is no 'right' college as far as I am concerned. You could recieve a top notch education at a private university or a state college education and still learn nothing. True learning comes when you have options open to you, to learn what you want out of life and that's best for you.

I would suggest to all students and parents searching for a college to attend, that you visit and tour as many colleges as you can! I believe that this is so important to do before deciding on a college because then you truely get a feel and idea of your new home for the next four years. Students tend to pick schools based on the best party seen and the "coolest" location, but the reality is folks that your party life is not your future. I feel that it is also important to ask other students attending college's that you are interested in about their experience there and what that particular school has to offer. The most important thing to remember when searching for a college is to find a college that you will be happy at and be successful. Your future depends on college, and you depend on your future.

Choose what feels right to you.

Allow yourself to follow your ideal dreams, not your ideal salary.

Have your son/daughter take their GE classes at a community college and transfer to the school of their choice. This is more cost effective and allows them time to discover what they really want to do in life.

Don't sacrifice the college experience for financial reasons. I worked my way through school and am happy that I did so. My only regret is working to much and not focusing fully on my studies and campus experiences. Find a balance between part-time work and financial aid. A student who is working part time while going to school will generally be better at time management and prioritizing. Also evaluate financial aid based on what your expected earnings are projected to be. Be smart about taking on debt for and education and think about how you'll be able to pay it off in the future. When investigating campuses, take a look at the clubs. Joining a club that focused on my chosen career path really helped me focus my academic pursuits and gave me direction regarding my career. Above all, have fun and get involved with the students on campus. The college experience is enjoyable and challenging. Grab hold of it and you'll remember those years fondly.

The best advice I could give parents and/or students when searching for the right college would be to tell them that education is important to the future of the student, but the most expensive colleges are not imparative. Many professors that teach at California State University of Sacramento also teach at U.C. Davis and community colleges in the surrounding areas. If universities are not affordable to the family of the student then the student can recieve a good education at a community college where they can take advantage of the financial aid programs. The college experience is up to the student. Once they find the college that they want to attend, their education needs to be taken seriously. I have found that although students and/or their families may be paying for their education, many students do not perform to the best of their abilities. Those that enter into college with a positive attitude always end with a success story to tell, whether it be a high GPA or a lifetime's worth of knowledge.

Choose a school with lots of thouht into it.

Find some place that has what you are looking for. Meet some students and teachers before making your decision.

The best adivice I can provide is to remember that the quality of one's education depends almost entirely upon the person, and very little on the univerusty itself. It's a tremendous accomplishment to be accepted into Harvard or Yale, but if you're family can't afford it then don't waste your child's time or your money. Most people discover within one semester to a year that the financial obligation is too much to handle, and young adults find themselves returning home and attending a community college with a sense of failure and dejection. Instead, start with the community college. It's cheap, fairly good quality (enough for your GE), and you wil gain automatic entrance into top state universities. As far as making the most of your experience, well, stay open-minded and don't be afraid to take classes or join groups that interest you. Do take at least one hands on art class. It's one of the few opportunities you'll find to talk to/get to know your classmates while doing class work without becoming too distracted. It's how I met my rommmate and found the job of my dreams.

First of all, think about what you would like to be doing for the rest of your life, or at least a big part of it. It should be something that you enjoy. I would ask people around me: at home, work, school, store, waiting in line, etc. The more information you get the better it is. Then, when you think you found a particular area that you want to go in, get an internship or a part time job as an assistant in that field. That way you can see if you like doing it every day. Once, you realized that you like it and want to get a degree in that field, research about the closest universities to your home. If you stay close to home, you can save a lot of money on living expenses. If you don't like any of those, you can definitely check others. Once, you get in college, put all you can into studying. Forget about parties for those 4-5 years. If right now you live like noone else, later you will live like noone else!!! I think, this is the only way to success. Good luck!

When it comes to college, the sooner you begin to plan, the better. Freshman year is the perfect time to begin thinking about future college plans. I made the mistake of waiting to think about college until my senior year and spent several months wooried that I would not get into the college of my choice. Monitor deadlines carefully and plan admittance essays. you will save yourself and or your child a major headache. But, the planning should not end here. Seriously consider potential career and major choices. This will help you get the most out of your college experience. I wasted plenty of time in college because I entered with no major and no set plans. Thus said, I will graduate after 5 years as opposed to 4. Being young, it is often difficult to make rigid goals, so they do not have to be rock solid. Simply give yourself a guideline to follow and a major and minor with several possible career options that you enjoy. Looking back, high school is where the planning for college should begin, and senior year is too late. Plan for the future before the furure becomes the present.

Be sure to look at mulitple options and visit each campus. Just because your student may think one college is where they want to go visiting the campus may change their mind completely. Also, take into consideration what they'll want to be doing along with going to school, extracurricular activities or jobs, and see if the campus is located in a good area to achieve these things. Choosing the college isn't about location (beach or mountains), or where your friends are going, its about the education and experience they are going to get if they attend there. Lastly, let them choose the college they think is going to be right for them, after careful consideration of each campus. Remember that this is their decision, and you can have your "no's" but remember that they are adults and this is one of the first steps into their responsible, adult lives. If you let them research and discuss each campus with you, together you will find the college that fits your family.

I would tell them to pick a campus that is pretty and well groomed. also find a college where the atmosphere outside of the campus is good. they will be doing a lot of stuff off campus has to be safe and clean.

More than anything, I suggest waiting until you are really ready to go to a University. There is a lot of pressure these days to go to school immediately after high school, but only a very small number of people really know what they want to study at that age. Take time visiting campuses and getting to know yourself before you dedicate yourself to a school- remember, you will be spending at least 4 years of your life there, and each school has its own set of strengths and weaknesses which will, in turn, effect your experience. Research each school thoroughly before making a decision. This means visiting the school, talking with teachers and students and reading reviews. If possible, consider taking general education requirements at a community college before moving on to the University. They're cheaper and more flexible, and give you a chance to take classes in different areas and explore things you may be interested before you commit your time, energy and money into a degree. Take your time, experiment, explore, research. You don't want to waste money changing majors and transferring if you chose a school or major that's not right for you.

If I were to give parents or students advice about finding the right college, I would tell them to go with their hearts. They should choose some place that offers the courses they desire, along with the social and extra curricular activities they are interested in. The school should be some place they feel they could do well in for four years or however long they choose to be there. I feel that making the most of the college experience depends largely on the student, and his ability to make it a fun one. Parents should always encourage their children to apply to all the places they feel they'd enjoy. They should not make the decision for their children. Instead, parents need to let the students make their own decisions because college can be a great experience if done for the right reasons, or a bad experience if done for the wrong reasons.

I would tell them to look for a campus that gives them a sense of trust and tolerance. School is stressful enough already without having to worry about fitting in. Also, choose a school where you can be successful according to your definition of success. Some colleges are more academically focused, some are focused on sports, some are focused on community. Whatever it is you are trying to accomplish, there is a college out there waiting for you. Lastly, I would tell them to do their research, and to make the most of the events offered on campus. They are affordable and offer a wide range of experiences.

Pick your college based on the premier majors of that campus. Enjoy the extracurricular activities while your a student. College students have alot of free and discounted opportunities. You will never know what opportunities are available until you look for them.

In finding the right college, you have to visit the campus! The campus atmosphere can change the way you feel about your schooling in general. Take, for example,you attend a college in a metropolitan area but you've always liked the feeling of being outdoors. Going to school there would just be a "DRAG" because you will never get to be in your comfort zone. And a covertly conservative college may be advertised to be so, until you actually step foot there and realize that it's "Party Central." And, to get the most out of your college career, participate in school activities! You pay for them, so why not be active?! Besides, getting involved in school activities actually allow you to engage with other sutdents with similar interests, thus you make more friends, and its always a great networking tool. Being active also gives you great memories to look back upon and it also motivates you to want to be on campus... even on your "groggy" days.

First and most important is to have a variety of choices of colleges. Most people already have a certain college that they want to attend, but things can change at the last minute. What I would personally suggest is, go check out a few (4-5 ) campuses that you and your parents are interested in. There are always going to be disagreements, but I can promise to parents and future students, that once a foot is laid onto the campus of choice, the feeling will come. Some can compare this feeling to another mysterious stranger (love). Once you've narrowed it down to two choices, write the pros and cons of each college and it'll make your final decision a lot easier. Remember this though, "college experience" is not what MTV or your parent's history makes of it, it's you as the student to follow his or her own path into building a bright future. As a student in college, I wouldn't say have a balance of your social life versus your academics, the balance should simply be unabalanced! *TIP: The common freshmen mistake is to let your social life take over academics.

Postgraduate placement is difficult enough without the additional burden of an extended education debt repayment. When examining the anticipated parent contribution to offset college education expenses, please do your child justice by making genuine predictions of your reasonable college expense contributions. There is nothing worse than obtaining a hard-earned college education only to be faced with the reality of repaying college education debt on top of trying to find placement within a job/position inside the child's academic field of study. Students have a hard enough time trying to secure a position within their fields of study without the impending reality of debt repayment.

make sure it is what you want the area, atmosphere, and people

The most important part of finding the right college is making sure the major program is right for you. Look over what corses are required for the major in each school and make sure it sounds fun, interesting, and like the kind of thing you want. The second is the campus, make sure to go somewhere you know you will want to be; the campus and the surrounding city are both important. Something all college students should do is live in the dorms. It helps you meet new people and get to know the campus and how things work before you go off and find a place off campus. It is so much fun, and a great place to make new friends.

I think the most important thing would be to go and visit every college they are applying to, and spend a couple of days there. You need to get to know the campus and the people. You want to make sure you like it because it will be home for years to come. Making the most of your college experience would deal with getting involved in social activities, making friends and having fun. College is so much more fun when you have friends to share it with. Join a team or group that involoves doing something you love. The biggest thing would be to make sure that you study something you love, you need to have passion for what you are learning or you will no longer have the passion for school.

For students to make the right choice of picking a college, they have to consider their family, educational career and finacial stability. To me those were my three reasons I choose to attend CSUS. A student's family is the most important people when he is in college because they will always be there for him when he needs them and having them close to him will help. Educational career is important also because students should to go to a college that has his major. Finacial stability should be consider because if a student goes far away from home for college it's going to cost a lot of money, compare to saving money and going to a college close to home and using that extra money towards something else. Going to college is a once in a lifetime chance and should be taken seriously becuase a lot of people don't go to college so a student should cherrish his college experiences. Join clubs, go to sports event and participate in on campus activities becuase after college all a student is going to do is work. So a college student should enjoy the social life and acitvites on campus.

My best advice would be to get involved. I've seen people drop out of school, mainly because they aren't happy and aren't making friends. Join a rec sports team, or a club, or just simply talk to people. Chances are most of the campus is consisted of students in your shoes, eager to make new friends and get involved into the campus community. If money is not an option don't let it be one. If you have your heart set on an expensive university, then go for it! You're school pride will skyrocket and your classmates will notice.. Also, be sure you stay organized and meet with an adivsor, you're graduation time could be pushed back if you are missing required. Most importantly, have fun. Go to sports events and campus activities, you'll be suprised about how so many people are involved just like you.

Find a school that you feel where you feel at home. Find one that suits your personality. If you like a busy, fast-paced life, try out a school in the city. Make sure you apply for Financial Aid early to ensure that you get the maximum award possible. I recommend spending at least some time living in the dorm life. It's a great way to make new friends and get involved in an unfamiliar place.

In terms of finding the right college for you, consider how far you want to be from your family. Being able to take near by buses is also a factor, think of transportation. Think about if you like the city life or another type of lifestyle. And also, take note of if you like nature and lots of trees and such. Make sure you take a visit up there with somebody whos opinion you trust. Now after you decide where you are going to go and you start going there you have to be open to making new friends; whether they are teammates or just classmates. Notice when you have the same person in more than one class. I really suggest living in the dorms the first year because it is part of the experience and you get to network and make friends. I moved in with a friend I made from the dorms and my team and we are best friends now. Don't be afraid to get invovled on campus with any event, go watch a basketball game or something. And if you ever have questions or doubts make sure you get them answered and taken care of.

I would encourage parents to allow their children to decide where they want to attend college, and when they are accepted to give them your full support. I undertand the concern for money, but I did not get any support from my parents and that support can make all the difference to your child. Students, find a college that has the best program for your intended major and one that is located in a city that suets your liking. You will probably be off campus just as much, so find a city that you will enjoy. Also, stay on track and get involved. Your college experience will be nothing if you dont take the opportunity to get involved. There are many clubs, organizations, and sports on campus that can make all the difference in your college experience. Dont be afraid to meet new people. The people that you meet in college are commonly your friends for the rest of your lives. Lastly, don't be afraid to change your major multiple times. By trying different options you will be a better person because you will learn what you really enjoy. Stay true to who you are!

Some adivce I would give students and/or parents would be go visit that campus and get a fill of it before making a decision because picking the right school for you will make all the difference. You want your college experience to be memorable for life and if you go to a school that is not for you, things will not be as fun as they could be. Take your classes serious, but yet enjoy yourself and have some fun!

When searching for a college to attend I would make sure to look at the city where it is located. In my opinion, most schools are very similar and while one will spend a lot of time there, most time will be spent off campus which is why it is important to make sure one will enjoy the city. It is important to look at the availability of housing and transportation, which are common things that are over looked when applyig for a school.

I would have to let students and parents of students know that finding a balance between your social life and academic life is difficult, but it is the most important thing you can exercise. Also, try to get involved on campus with things that capture your interest such as art, music, sports, etc. because the more you are involved, the more you feel pride for your school and confidence in yourself.

Pick a place where you feel the most comfortable at because it will be where you'll learn and grow in whatever major you choose. So it doesn't matter if it's close to home or far away, pick where you will focus the most because you're there to get your education and know where you will strive to succeed.

To parents I would say never stop showing your love and support. It has a huge impact on a student to know that there are people that are proud of them and sincerely want them to succeed in life. I cannot stress enough that support is a huge part of a student's motivation. For students, never think that what you are going through at any time in school is unbearable, you will make it through with no problems as long as you are confident in your ability to succeed academically and professionally. When it comes to selecting a school, it does help to know what you want to do for a career, as certain schools do specialize in certain areas. And when you do find an area that you are interested in, stick with it! Every student has doubts sometimes, but dont let this slow you down.

I advise students to chose a school that makes them feel confortable. If they like a school that has a lot of school pride then chose one that has alot of school pride. Safety is also a big consern for parents. If you take a tour of the campus you want to go and you do not feel safe touring it with your parents then most likely when your alone and your parents are not around you will not feel safe. You have to feel safe in the school you are choosing or else you will not like attending to school. Also chose a school that you will succed in and not be distrated by your social life such as fraternities or sororities. In order to be come a good student you need a good and healthy enviroment to do your studies in. When chosing the right school think about what you want and not what all of your friends or family memebers want you to chose.

When looking for a University there are a few topics to look into; affordability, schools academia, and social involvement . After finding a list of schools your family can afford, then look through the ammenities that are of interest to both student and parent. Chose three possible future jobs of interest and then look to see if the school of choice offers a major that works for one, or even overlaps to more of those future goals. It is important to read the student handbook for your major of choice and always double check with your advisor. Once you have found which schools of choice cover all of your career goals, then look to see if the school is located in an environment that is safe and fun according to your liking. Some schools have a large social life associated with fraternaties and sorities. Parents should speak up about their experiences and future students should look into the pros and cons of greek life, not all schools are the same. A student should also consider in their choice if they are looking for a commuter school or an involved campus. These choices make all the difference in the next four years.

To first make alist of what the student is looking for and then to visit the campus.

Parents should never choose the place fot the student. Students will always find the place where they belong, although it might take them longer then parents would want, to find the right place for themselves. Our parents once had a chance to make their own decisions about where they wanted to go and what they wanted to do and now it's the student's turn to make that decision. It is important for the parents to always encourage the student to do their best and to choose their own destiny even if the parent does not agree with the student's school choice. It is now all about the students and the things they achieve, rather than what the parents want for their children. If you want to have the best time in college, choose a place where you will feel in peace and joy. Look around and notice the environment and the people that will be around you for maybe more than a couple of weeks. You will have to see them quite often, so make sure it is something you won't mind to see.

To parents and students: I would advise you to pick your future college based on your major. That is what I did. I would also advise you to visit the school and your department of interest. Meet some of the professors. Tour the campus. See work done by current students. Once you have been accepted into college, get involved in your classroom, make friends, join study groups, and campus clubs. IF you can, work on campus. You get to meet lots of other students. And lastly explore all major that interest you.

The advice I would give parents and/or students who are finding the right college is to make do a campus tour to familiarize with the surroundings and people on campus. The advice I would give parents and/or students who are trying to make the most of the college experience is to become involved in school activities for either entertainment or career related.

Routinely check in, but make sure your student knows that, during these next few years, it is their responsibility to shape and to invest in how they wish to spend the rest of their life.

Take time to research the school's curriculum and how your academic goals match up with the school's available resources. Make an appointment with the school to get a tour and get oriented, attend orientation of the top schools' that you would like to attend.

I would make sure to let them know that it is very important for them to go on a orientation and to come with questions for them to ask their guide. When they are chosing a university they need to make sure that it is a correct fit for them as an individual. The student needs to make sure that they realize that they are going to be spending at least four years of their life at that university and surrounding themselves with other people interested in that demographic. So they need to take their time and make sure that they explore all of their options. In the end you will know which one is the right for you.

Finding the right college may be one of the most important decisions to make as a student. Doing thorough research on the colleges that accepted you is a start, this allows you to choose the best college for you that best fits your personality and likes. Reading student reviews about campus may give you an idea of how campus life may be if you are to choose a certain school. Reading some of the professor?s biographies, if available on campus websites, may be useful in determining the teaching style of the school. You will then have an idea of what to expect in terms of academic success. Lastly, visiting the campus may be the most important thing you can do when considering a school. Being able to visually interpret campus life first hand may be the deciding factor. Visit common places on campus where you will most likely spend the most time, such as the library for studying, the student union for social events, or the cafeteria to fuel your body. Keep in mind that these are suggestions, so don?t take them as rules set in stone while searching for that college that best fits you, the student.

High school is a time when individuals are just starting to learn who they are as people. The coursework can become overwhelming and when senior year finally rolls around, do not take the easiest path to college. Challenge yourself and strive to make it into the college that best suits you. This does not mean that the only acceptable choices are Harvard or Stanford but rather an institution that reflects parts of your personality. It is a life decision and one that should not be taken lightly. The connections and experiences that you have in college reflect those that you will be granted once you graduate from that institution. College is not simply about passing the classes and getting into the perfect master's, doctoral, or fellowship program. It is about taking in the world of experiences that are found on each campus. Walk the grounds of the university; sip a hot cup of coffee in the rain; run through the sprinklers; be spontaneous. Most importantly- live in the now! College is a special and indescribable moment in our lives- do not forget to cherish the experience because once you move on, you cannot go back! So LIVE!