The University of Texas at Austin Top Questions

First of all, a GPA isn't everything and there are many opportunities that you would enjoy and would look good in a resume, but you won't get it with just a very good grade. Try your best to be involved in leadership activities and community service. Join clubs or organizations that will help you with your studies. Start applying for as many scholarships as you can as early as possible. There are so many companies or foundations giving out many scholarships, it just takes for you to take an effort to apply. One very important thing is to have a good relationship with your professors because you will be needing a lot of recommendations for scholarships, job opportunities, or internships. Besides applying for scholarships, it would be a good idea to get a part time job to catch up on savings for college. Scholarships and money saved from work help a lot when you get into college. Besides saving you from getting into loans, it will also keep you more relaxed. It's always good to have spare money for any emergency. Take your time to find what's best for you in regards to school or housing.

If ever I had the chance to go back in time and talk to myself as a senior, I would honestly leave everything the way it was. Although there are some things that I would be able to tell myself as a senior that would perhaps help me in the future at college, I would prefer to go through the process of making mistakes and learning from them. Making mistakes is an important part of learning, in my opinion. Entering college, I felt that all my high school teachers prepared me well to take on the challenges that I would be facing. I have had a great experience at college so far, and I would not want to change a thing about it. It's just perfect!

I would tell myself to stay focused and finsh college. Marriage is important, but in the long run my education would do me the best good in having a great life. I would tell myself how I did not finsh my college and spent the past 20 years working in telecommunications and trying to raise a family through two failed marriages. How after 20 years of working the market in my industry dropped and I was left making less than $6 an hr. All of this to be left with nothing to show for the past 20 years except three great kids. That because of all this I am now back living with my parents and I am back in school finishing what I should have 20 years ago.

College isn't ordinary. It is impulsive. It is adventurous. But most of all, college is the ultimate experience. Looking back, as a senior I would probably have told myself that college isn't a place to just have fun. I knew I was going to be enduring more difficult coursework but what I didn't fully understand was that the coursework was going to take over my life. That may be an exageration but I would have preffered the exageration in high school to prepare myself now. I wasn't used to the all-nighters I now spend in studying or the 8 a.m. classes that I have to wake up for. I would have told my senior self that in order to pass, and not only pass but make As, I need to learn excellent study habits because most classes consist of 3 exams and absolutely no extra credit opportunities. Besides education, college is a wonderful place to make lasting friendships. An important piece of advice would be to ensure that in college, I meet as many people and be involved with as many groups as possible. Networking is key while in and after college.

I was just telling my Mom, I wished I would have AP statistics and Biology in high school. I advise my younger sister to take ALL of the AP courses offered in high school. The more advanced classes you take, the better prepared you are to be successful at a major university.

I'd tell myself, first and foremost, to open up. People are not out to get you, no matter what you think. I'd tell myself to be open-minded and to always look for friends no matter where I go. I'd tell myself to really try to get to know people, because in a world where you don't have your family, your friends are your greatest support system. I'd tell myself that boys will be boys and they will still be boys after college, so to not worry and just have fun. I'd tell myself to make those friends, have those good times, but to also not forget to study. I'd tell myself that, no matter how smart I think I am, I have to study, because the good grades aren't easy to get. I'd tell myself that college may or may not be the best years of my life, so to not worry if things don't go perfectly. I'd tell myself I'm not perfect and that I shouldn't expect myself to be. Lastly, I'd tell myself to get ready for the best college experience available.

The first thing I would tell myself is to not graduate as a Junior. I graduated as a Junior because I felt that high school was just a waste of time and the real education began in college. This is obviously not true. When I graduated from high school, I really had no clue as to what I wanted to study and what career I wanted to pursue. Because of this, and the fact that my hometown had a university, I did not bother researching or applying to other universities. I ended up transferring to my current university after two years, after I finally knew what I wanted to study. The advice I would tell myself is to not graduate as junior, and take the extra year to discover what subjects really interest me and what types of careers fit well with those subjects and interests. Then, once I have an idea what I want to study, I should start researching colleges and universities that can fulfill my academic interests. Finally, I should apply for to those universities.

I would tell myself that being perfect is not necessary to be successful in life, and that sometimes we learn the most from our mistakes.

I would tell myself to prepare for change. Coming from a suburb, it's hard to imagine how you will live without the friends you grew up with your whole life, your family, and your familiar surroundings. It is possible to accept new best friends into your life without feeling like you are replacing your old. Furthermore, get out of your comfort zone! Join a club or social group by yourself without depending on your friend to introduce you to her friends. Put yourself out there and don't be afraid to open up to these strangers. They may become your child's godmother! Don't be stubborn. Be open to changing your major, your career goals, and even friends (especially if your all your high school friends go to the same college as you). But most importantly, stick to your values and morality. You may lose yourself at some point in time, but don't be afraid to admit your mistakes and return to your roots.

I would tell myself to calm down. I really freaked out when I was applying to colleges and was really upset when I didn't get into the college I wanted to. But once I got to UT Austin, I fell in love. Now I firmly believe that you end up at the college that you are suppose to be at. I have learned so much and feel so ready and prepared for life outside of UT. I don't know where I would be if I had not gone to UT.

Make more money before coming!

To be focused on the primary goals in life and not waste time on material and irrelevant things. I would also advise my self to be very determined and aim high for the moon, cause if I aim at the moon I may Fall among the stars. With determination and hardwork comes success.

It is going to hard but worth it. You are going to the have the best time but sacrifice alot of sleep on the way. Life gets more complicated but atleast petty situations no longer bother you. The color burnt orange will be seared into your mind for the rest of your life. The best advice I could give is what I strive to do every year that I am in school, worker harder, get better grades, go out more, meet more people, party as much as possible. You can handle it.

I would say not to worry quite so much about the difficulty as far as acedemics go. If you do well in high school, you will do well in college. You'll have to work harder, yes, but you will still do well. I would also say to enter college with an open mind, and try not to let past experiences dictate your future ones. College is a chance to reinvent yourself and it is very important to take that opportunity and run with it. Lastly, I would say to get involved as soon as possible in activities outside of school. It's important to have an escape; to have something that you enjoy doing that will allow you to destress and just think about something other than class at least once a week.

Enjoy high school while it lasts! You will not believe how incredibly hard college is and how much you will miss your friends and family back home. Work on meeting new people! Growing up in a small town you never really had to do that, so practice now because you will have to very soon. Appreciate your parents. Life is completely different without them, and they probably do know what's best for you. Get into a dormatory hall at least for the first year. It's part of the college experience, and it's also a great way to meet people. Read books just for the fun of it. Once you get to college you will have so much required reading that there will be no time for leisure reading. Figure out what you believe in and what you stand for- politically, morally, and spiritually- and stick to it because if you don't you will question everything during the next four years. And finally, have fun. Life isn't ALL about grades and achievements. You have proved yourself to teachers, peers, and prospective colleges so take in every milestone and "last" and be happy.

Having graduated from college last year, and going back soon, I have a good idea of what I wish I?d known as a high school senior. I?d first tell myself to study as hard as is necessary to get at least a 3.5 GPA. Good grades open so many doors, and if I?d studied just a little harder (especially calculus during my freshman year), the benefits would outweigh the effect on my social life. Second, I?d say to make professional contacts with students and professors in my field, for several reasons. Those are the relationships that can really help your career. Also, I graduated without being able to ask for many recommendations from professors because almost all of my classes were designed for 100 more students. Looking back, I would have gone to the professors? office hours more, even if I understood the material. They have so much wisdom to offer about succeeding in the field. Lastly, I would tell myself to slow down and live in the moment. College was one of my most life-changing experiences to date. I wish I?d spent less time napping and more time savoring that time.

College is a milestone in your life. Mentors tend to put a lot of pressure on choosing a degree plan to pursue RIGHT NOW. There is no doubt that they will tell you that money is a big issue and it is imperative not to waste it. They may even tell you that it is crucial to go in with a plan of how you will get your degree and get out in four years. If you really think about it, what is more important- choosing the right degree, or saving money? Though the pressure to rush through college is growing, it is more important to go at your own pace. Figuring out what you want to do for the rest of your life is one of the prevalent decisions that you can make, so don't take it for granted. Push yourself to think it out and avoid just going through the motions. Take the time to sit down and think critically about the direction you are taking in life. Challenging yourself is important, but it means nothing if you do not enjoy the path you are taking. When you find your passion your purpose will supersede all barriers.

Doyin! Senior year was fun, right? Of course. But guess what, college is going to be so much more fun than this. It's not going to be exactly what you expected, but it's going to be great. Here's what you need to start doing now... You may not like this one so much, but... You need to learn how to study Doyin. Suprise, suprise, you don't really know how to study! And that's a skill you'll need to put to use immidiately! So just start getting into the habit of studying effectively. And another thing, learn how to manage your time well. Not such a big deal as studying well, but your social life and academic life tend to sometimes take over the other so you just need to be careful about that. And Doyin, don't be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. In fact, that's all I want you to do. GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE. If you start feeling too comfortable, get out and explore some! And, wow, this is the most important thing... whatever you do, DO NOT TAKE CALCULUS!

I would tell myself to not take advantage of final exemptions. I was not required to take any of my final exams my senior year and I believe that hurt me in many ways. I would tell myself that college would be easier for me and that my test taking skills would be much improved if I had learned how to study for and take difficult exams in high school. I would explain to myself that by taking these exams, I would be much more academically disciplined and I would not stress out as much about my exams in college. The transition from high school to college was toughest for me in the area of test taking. So, I know if I had realized how important taking my finals were in high school was, I would have done better my freshman year.

Be ready for the social change and the new set of responsibilites not only in academic work but personal life. Although cooking, doing laundry, cleaning are all simple tasks, the complexity in it all arises from balancing school work, a social life, and personal integrity and maintenance.

If I could give any advice to my high school self, it would be to do all things to the glory of God. When you're down in the weeds of school work and social life, television watching and volunteering, it becomes easy to lose that central focus of your life. In 1 Corinthians 10:31, Paul says, ?Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all things to the glory of God.?, and forgetting that becomes very easy when you are almost continually wrapped up in your own affairs. The high school me was almost always wrapped up in his own affairs, and finding out that those didn't matter so much as God's plan for me has really torn me a new one over the last couple of years. It having taken me these two years to realize the inherent truth in that verse, I wish I could go back and beat it into my 18-year-old head before having to be taught it in much more trying ways! Live and learn as they say, but given the chance to tell my self something, I would be sure to put that verse into it.

I would tell myself to apply to more schools than just two. I was so sure that I would go to a certain college and when I did not get accepted I had to apply to the University of Texas. I would also say to fill out more scholarships because I realize now how much going to college really is. The tuition for UT goes up almost every year and it can not be locked, so it is very important to fill out as many scholarships as possible. I would also tell myself to follow my instincts, especially when picking schools because you want your college years to be the most memorable part of your life.

The first advice I would give myself is not to treat college like I did high school. That was a major mistake and I am still paying for it. I would also say get more involved in school earlier and get a job because somehow it really does keep you more focused.

My advice would to be to find the place where the future student is most comfortable. Comfort socially and academically is the core foundation on a good education. If you build an education on a wobbly or unsure fondation the resulting structure is likely to tumble. Also, when it comes to your future, money is not, and should not be, an object.

The best advice I have for students taking the giant step from high school to college is, do not rely on what you think you know. What I mean is, you think you may know that you are supposed to go to a certain school, or you are supposed to major in a certain subject. You may have grown up and gone through your entire life thinking that you are supposed to be an Accounting major at Texas A & M University, because that is what your parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles all were. But do not think that is the only option for you. You have to visit and look into other schools and academic fields. To continue my example, you may visit Texas A & M and find that you hate the city around it, or you might decide halfway through your freshmen year that you're not an acounting major, you're a theatre major! People grow and change. Accept that change and be ready to adjust your education to accomidate it. You want to be happy, and your happiness might not be where you always thought it would.

To parents, I would say let your kid make the best decision for himself/herself. To students, try to make friends with everyone you meet. Later you can sort through all them and figure out who you real friends are. Also, don't get carried away with drinking. It's kind of silly to waste time not remembering things.

Start early and be in contact with financial aid departments as much as possible.

Before you choose a college, visit the campus during the school year to find out what it's like when classes are in session; otherwise you wouldn't know what to expect until you're already enrolled.

I feel as if I am not the most informed person to decide what to say or do in order for a new college student to make the most of the college experience. My experience to start with wasn't that great. I started at a community college which I hated. Then I quit school for a year and continued at a new, much smaller community college. I think that attending this much smaller community college was a really important step for me in my path to where I am today, and for all students who don't have any clue what they want to do with their life or what they want to major in, go to community college and take as many classes (both general eucation and electives) as you can in order to experience new things and be prepared for University. As for getting to university, look at as many schools as you can, see what best fits your educational and personal needs. Also, most especially talk to academic advisors and teachers. If anything, the advice I recieved from my teachers was the most valuable. The most important thing is that you are happy with your decision.

I would first start with deciding if you would prefer to go to a big school or a small school. Then, find out what schools specialize in an area you are considering studying. From there look at tuition prices and locations of the schools. Definitely visit these schools to get a feel for what life will be like living on their campus. Parents, leave it up to your child, don't pressure them into picking somthing because YOU like it, let them make this big decisions on their own. They'll be living on their own and need to get used to making their own decisions. Students, get involved in anything and everything you can from the beginning. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and introduce yourself to everyone you meet. Banish your expectations of what things will be like, because if you do, they will probably be ten times better! College is the best time of your life. You can experience all the benefits of being an adult without all of its worries. Get involved and take advantage of everything the college has to offer you.

It doesn't matter what school you choose to attend, what matters is what you make of what you have learned and how you can apply it in the future to become successful.

Being a college freshman has to be one of the most exciting yet terrifying thing to happen to me. I was very excited that I was going to college, I imagined all the organizations and clubs I would join and all the fun I would have, but at the same time, I was scared because I had never been away from home before. I think one of the things that really helped me not get homesick was having a car on campus. I would go home every two weeks at the begining of the semester, then as the year went by, I started to just go once a month. Grocery shopping is a must, since eating out everyday gets boring after a while. I think the most important thing to have in college, especially as a freshman, is a mentor. My mentor helped me adjust to the fast pace of college and helped me with studying and advice on my field. I researched the University of Texas exhaustively before attending there, and I knew it was the right college for me. My parents were also engaged in finding out more about the university and supported me on my decision.

You do not necessarily need to go to the shcool that all of your friends go to, you should first visit many school until you can decide what you beleive feels right.

When searching for the college that is just right, think about if you wanna be near your family and friends. Once you have answered that question you can decide if your dreams are to attend a big university or a small community college. If you love sports and a diverse community, a university may be what you're looking for. However, if you like the feel of a small town community, and don't like to be crowded with lots of strangers, then a smaller college will be just right for you. If you're still not sure, go visit some campuses you may be interested in. Don't be shy. Ask questions and see if you're colleges of interest can send you information packets so that you may further decide if that college is the one. If you don't do your research, you may never discover that perfect place where you were meant to learn and make long lasting friendships.

yes research all the colleges you would like to go to. Make sure it is the place YOU want to go and will be able to stay for four years! College is where you make friends for a lifetime !

You're going to make mistakes. You're going to fail something, you're going to say something stupid and make at least eight people think that you're an idiot, and you're going to sleep with someone and regret it. Even if you aren't a party student, you're going to make mistakes. Get over it. Life will go on, so just keep trying. If you freak out about every little mistake, you won't have many before you give up and go home. Find solutions instead. There are loads of good people, good opportunities, and good deals when you look for them. So you can survive anywhere, after any screw up, if you're willing to do the legwork to make your situation work. So don't panic. Find a school in a city you like, with a lot of good majors (because the one you go in studying won't be the one you graduate with a degree in,) and just go with the flow. Everything will work out in the end if you just apply yourself. And don't get shot. Try not to go to a school where you might get shot.

As for making the most out of your college experience, listen to the words of our beloved childhood rhymer Dr. Seuss. "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." Staying true to yourself becomes critical when first attending school. In college, it's not about fitting in and being popular. Most schools have a vast amount of students with diverse cultural backgrounds, and on top of that, college offers you so many organizations, it's nearly impossible to not find one where you belong as yourself. As for finding the right college, comfort is key. Find one that you can consider your home away from home, but don't forget! Your aspirations and academic goals should always be taken into account. Find the one where you not only feel at ease, but also the one that can provide you the best education. College is a time for new beginnings. Embrace your inner self and all the opportunities your school has to offer.

definately vist the campus...and don't fall behind on school work.

The most important things to know when choosing a college are your goals and aspirations for your college experience. When you imagine your ideal college life, what do you see? Consider what type of community you want to be a part of, what you hope to accomplish, how politically and socially involved you want to be, where you desire to live geographically, and any other aspect pertinent to you. Having a clear sense of what you're looking for will help tremendously in finding a school that's right for you. Gather as much information from as many sources as you can about the colleges you're considering. If you can, visiting your top schools is priceless. Don't just go on the official tour, hang around, talk to students, explore the campus and surrounding area, and try to picture yourself as a student living and working there. Finally, know that your college experience ultimately depends on you. You must have a willingness to work hard, engage in activities, and take risks if you hope to gain the most out of college.

Definitely consider the class size that you feel comfortable because this is a big factor, if someone needs a 1 on 1 relationship with the professor than a small class size would be preferred, visit the campus to get familiar with its size and get a grasp of the location, budget is also really important, if funds are limited it would be best to look into public schools rather than private schools.

The one thing I can say is go on college visits. Find out about the school and its' surroundings and see if it matches your liking. The second is picking a college that offers what you want to study in. That is very important, also check school scholarships that are offer during admission.

Pick a college in an area where you'd like to work. College will perhaps be your last chance to try everything you've been interested in doing before you have to settle down with work may that be traveling, partying, dating, theater or golf.

In order to find the right college for YOU, a person needs to first be sure of what exactly they are looking for. A lot of people make this mistake by not knowing what they want and invariably choose any "generally good" school, which can leave great dissatisfaction, simply because it is not the right mix in the environment for the student. The best advice I could give is something any new college student has heard a thousand times. VISIT the campus, stay there, with and WITHOUT your parents to get a feel for the environment and if possible, sit in on a few classes. Make a list and decide ahead of time what is most important for a school to have to benefit you and your success and when you visit make sure to compare them to that list. Once you are there, focus and study hard, but just generally try to enjoy every single moment at college, regardless of what you're doing. Try new things, but be smart about it, and savor every moment.

These four years will change your life in great ways if you first realize that the college experience is one to be experienced past the academics and past the 4.0 GPA. After you graduate and look for a job, your interviewer will want to know WHO you are. This means he's not only looking at your GPA and the prestigious courses taken--but he is also interested in knowing your experiences that reflected your passions and positive living. And even aside from finding a job, you will want to look back and see how college has made you a passionate, active, and well-discovered person. So my advice is to look for a college that not only offers a good education, but one that offers opportunites to serve a special community, to be apart of internships and job-related experiences, to be a part of a number of political, social, or religious movements, and to make friends that last forever. =)

Research. Compare your goals with what universities offer. Don't go to a school renowned for its engineering programs if you are a Liberal Arts major. Location is important too. Make sure you'll like where the school is located since you'll be living at least the next 4 years there. Location was a big factor for me and I have too many friends who ignore that factor and end up unhappy because of it.

Go out

It is not about what colors you will be wearing, or how great the sports teams are, but what you learn. I researched colleges that provided the field of study I was applying for and picked the best one. Also, cost should be a factor, but there are so many ways to pay for college. One just has to look for them.

Most of what led me to my decision was based on the education. It's important to find a program that is condusive to the student's educational needs. Once you've found the right program, it is likely that the other students in the program are compatible with one another. It is also important to make campus visits. Students need to understand the environment of each school they are applying to. This will allow them to really know which campus they will feel comfortable in. The culture of each school is also vastly different and prospective students should make a point to contact enrolled students and/or alumni to discover more about the entire experience. Most of all, students should approac college life with an open mind. Chances are, it will be like nothing they have experienced before and adjustments will be necessary. However, the experience of living on your own and learning from accomplished professors is life changing and priceless.

I would advice parents and students to visit the universities they are most interested in. College is after all what will motivate the student to succeed not only academically but at some point, professionally as well. This is what most matters, what the student can extract during their college experience, the motivation to excel in the professional sphere. It is not about achieving a high GPA or attending a school that can easily permit this, but rather about a school that can provide a deep change into the student's own perspective of life and himself. This is what will never change and the experience that colllege provides is what will never be forgotten. The numbers do not matter as much as all the lessons provided do. I advice parents and students to visit universites that are recognized, and not only that, but to visit them as well, and see for themselves if the recognition seems accurate. A simple visit and glance at a university community can reflect a million things. Provide the potential college student the opportunity to feel driven and inspired by a community, and when it happens, be sure that it is one worth getting involved with.

For parents, relax. Most colleges offer all the resources your child needs to succeed, and safety. Students, choose a school best suitable for you and your interests. You may go to school not knowing what your career plan is, but you have time to figure it out. As you progress, you learn what interests you most this is the best way to determine your career. Your first year may be the hardest, it just takes some time to get used to the environment. Don't get discouraged, it happens to a lot of us. Your high school teachers say "college is way different than high school," this is very true. College requires much more studying and taking advantage of any available resources, and your professors could care less if you come to class or not so that you will pass the class, it is up to you to take that responsibility to attend so that you may pass the class. Most classes do require attendance to pass. Last but not least, live a little, it helps, but of course know your limits. Too much partying, and not enough studying results in poor performance for most of us, trust me.