University of Arizona Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

J.

The first thing you should concentrate on is finances. Go to a place where you can easily take out a loan or get the most scholarships that way less stress will be placed on you through the academic year. The second thing you should base it on depends on your career concentration and if that University has a qualified program to pertain to it. The last thing you should take into consideration is how the weather makes you feel and how it might limit your extracurricular activities. Making the most of your college experience is dependent on the participant; it is up to you to decide how hard you are willing to work and if those long hours are 'worth it'.

Shannon

Go with your gut. Remember this is your life and college is sbout preparing for the rest of your life. It is important to have fun and enjoy school, but it is also important to be able to work hard. Think hard about your major, and remember that if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.

Carissa

Find a college that is a good distance from your parents, but still close enough to home that you can go home over the weekend. Each person needs to find a school that fits them, so go to many schools and look around. It won't hurt to try the school on. Get to know what the school is about, what the school put emphasis on and the clubs you would like to join. There are many schools to choose from, so don't settle for one that you may come to hate later. I happened to find my school close to home, but we are not in the middle ages any more, and it is easy to travel, so think hard about the school you attend, it will make you into the person you will be some day.

Amy

Choosing the ?right college? is so important; where you attend undergraduate school can define your career for the rest of your life. I was lucky because I already had an idea of where I wanted to attend. As surprising as it might seem, using the books and magazines that had descriptions of all the colleges and universities can be incredibly helpful. Most students have a pretty good idea of where they want to go to school, it usually just depends on where they get accepted. My advice to parents is regarding a support system that they must have for their son or daughter. Having my parents behind me every step of the way on my path to college was irreplaceable. It is important to remember why you go to college in the first place. You will study more that you thought was possible. But the awesome thing is that when the study times are over, college is where you have the most fun. Get involved with things that interest you! Don?t do something because it is the norm, you can finally do things YOU want to do. College is the place to discover yourself to your fullest potential!

Clifford

The first advice I'd give is that its extremely important that the final decision go to the student, since ultimately he/she will be the one receiving the education there. The second would be for the student, and the parents as well, to take time, before even visiting the college, to decide what the student is most interested in studying and the type of career, he/she is interested in, too . Once this has been figured out, the student can then take the next step and search for the colleges that have that specific major and how much the college's program(s) are oreinted around that field of interest; this may even include what kind of extracurricular activites the student is interested in. One final word of advice to the parents and students would be to visit the top colleges of the student's choice (it might not be bad to take the parents' opinion into account on this one) during the school year, just to get a feel of the campus life. Above all though, the student should choose the college that he/she could most see himself/herself attending and ultimately graduating from.

Corey

When choosing a college, find a college that suits you the best. Find a college that you are comfortable with. You may want to look at the services the college provides. Many colleges offer schools that specialize in certain majors. Some are strong some are somehate strong. It all depends on what you are looking. Look into a Greek life. Greek life alows you to be part of an organzition that is based in on brotherhood or sisterhood and you can interact with one another. Another aspect of college you may want to look at is the athletics. Some colleges are big in athletics.

Amy

Parents and students should be able to recognize their priorities and utilize these priorities in determining which college is best. Furthermore, the priorities of the student should always outweigh the priorities of the parents. After all, it is the student who will be undergoing this college experience for the next four years of his/her life. If the student prefers the learning environment of a more expensive school, but the academic experience is a higher priority, then finances should not hinder the student from attending the college of his/her choice. The experience and the journey is always more important than the outcome. With that said, the undergraduate school probably doesn't make a significant difference in where the student will end up in life. Also, while colleges may offer different experiences, any student can make the most of it and still graduate with a life-changing 4 years. It's just that if the student successfully chooses the right college, it may be easier to enjoy and maximize the college experience.

LoJ'ai

Them most important advice I would give to prospective students and parents about choosing the right college and making the most of their college experience is to make sure they o their research on the institution and weigh its pros and cons. While doing this it is important that the student and the parent keep things in mind like their academic program of interest, diversity, extra curricular activities of interest, cost of the institution, and anything else they find important to have at their desired institution. I would highly reccomend visiting colleges of interest before deciding whether or not to attend them. The reason being is that seeing the school first handedly and obseving the way people on campus operate can better aid the student in deciding if they would feel comfortable and be able to fit in at the school. Most importantly, once in college, it is imperative that students utilize all resources such as tutoring to aid in their academic successs. It is also very important to be involved and to begin networking for many people they meet and build ties with may be able to aid them with their career in the future.

Stephanie

Something that has helped me so much with my college experience is being near my family. It's hard enough transitioning into a new process like college life without having the people you love around to support you. I would suggest that new students not move too far away from home or to places where they have family to help make the whole transition easier. At the same time you must be thinking that some schools are more known in the field you are hoping to study. This is true and I think it is important for students to choose a school that specialized in the field of study they want to go into. However I noticed that many of the classes I took in my first two years of college were just prerequisites for my major classes and these classes could really be completed at any school. A student could stay close to home for even just their first year of college and then transfer later to their dream school. This might also be helpful in choosing the right major, just in case you end up changing your mind.

Christopher

I think that the only piece of reasonable advice I would offer as a current college student would be to take advantage of every offer that is placed before you. When I say "offer" I am referring to any internship opportunities, work-study credit, getting involved with your camps, join a club, and becoming involved in student politics. It's amazing to see all of the options that are presented to the students because chances like these don't come along in the real world. Just make sure to become an active students and not a student who just shows up and "goes through the motions." Live it up and drink (water) it down.

Michael

I know that the hardest choice I had to make was if I would go to college. My parents didn't, and I believed that I didn't have to either. I didn't take it seriously at all. I was just glad to be finished with high school. My parents knew that they wanted me to do well in this life and if that was going to happen, then I would need to go to school. I didn?t understand that more school could have any value to me. It took me a long time, even while in college to figure it out, and decide for myself to go to college. The driving factor that was able to lead me to that decision is that my parents never let me forget. They would always talk about school and how important it was. I think I signed up just to see if I would get in, I didn't think I would. I had no faith in myself and what I could do. The most important action that my parents took for me was always keeping college the topic that we talked about.

Mark

I think that students need to really evaluate what type of degree they want to pursue. Their choice of schools should be made based on that, however, I believe that there are several other important factors that students need to consider in the selection process. These include campus size, on campus involvement, availability of support for academic programs and student reviews of campus life. As far as making the most out of the college experience I would reccomend getting invloved as much as possible above all. There are so many clubs and special interest groups out there and it can only help students meet friends and people who could potentially help them later on.

Caitlin

The college experience has a lot to do about environment. One thing one may want to look for is a highly rated school in the program they are interested in. However, this should not be the deciding factor when choosing a school. The deciding factor should be the environment the school has. One should feel comfortable, and like they belong at a school.

Emily

Touring the campus and exploring the local community are important places to begin looking for the right college environment, but the most crucial element of having a solid college experience is to gain an understanding of yourself and your desires. The 'right' school could be anywhere, and the best way to have a good time and get what you want out of college is to be straight-forward with yourself and your family about what you would like to put into this experience, and what you would like to get out of it. Clear-headed goals and expectations are a solid way to begin any new experience, and of course flexibility in the face of unexpected changes. So long as you are willing to make an effort towards finding the opportunities which make you the most happy, then your college process will be a happy one.

Katherine

Make sure the size and location of the college works for you. Look to joining clubs and activities to meet people- be outgoing and friendly. Everyone is looking to make new friends.

Amy

The best thing you can do when trying to decide what college to attend, is to simply visit all of them! You should go to the campus, maybe attend a couple classes while you're there, try and see if you can meet people that are not apart of the tour guide committees and get a feel for the campus. Most of the time, your gut instinct will give you the right answer. If you visit the right college the right one will stick out to you. Also, it is important to be sure of what is important to you in a college before you visit any. Are you interested in a smaller or larger college, conservative or liberal, teacher to student ratios, majors offered, graduation rates etc. You should at least think about these questions before visiting a college so that you are not trying to pick a place on a whim. Overall though, Its important to remember that college is a huge transition time, with many different changes- thats the beautiful thing. If you are not happy where you're at, its never too late to change your mind.

Lisa

I think the best piece of advice would be that what you put into college is what you get out of it. From my own college experience, I feel that the most important thing to do is become involved in anything. It doesn't matter what group, club, organization, or Greek house you might join, it is essential to join anything. Being a part of a sorority, an academic honorary, a spirit club, and a club focused on my major, I have had the opportunity to meet so many people and make so many friends that will last a life time. Being a part of an organization makes the campus so much smaller and enjoyable. I feel comfortable going to classes, walking around campus, and knowing faces on a campus of so many. One other piece of advice would be to attend your professors' office hours. Once the professor learns your name and recognizes you in class, they are more willing to help you with homework, tests, or projects. At the end of the semester, if your grade is on the line, the professor will boost your grade up rather than the student who did not attend office hours.

Rosalye

That they find a college that they are interested in and that they know they will be comfortable in, especially since it is a place you will be at for a couple of years.

Jennifer

Pick a school based on your own needs. For example, take into consideration the campus setting (large small), the diversity of the student body, the culture of the town that houses the school, the proximity to home (good or bad?), weather (rain, snow, heat), the ranking of the program you are interested in, and popular activities in the area. You are likely to find new interests in college but it is best to start in an enviroment you will be comfortable in, then you will be much more excited about the new experience.

Kelsey

My advice to future college students and parents of college students about finding the right college is to determine what necessities when attending a college are and what isn?t as important. If you can?t learn adequately in class with a lot people but you do learn better in a more independent atmosphere then I recommend looking at classroom size and if they offer any internet classes. Making the most of college is very important and the way to feel more involved is to join a club. Universities usually offer a variety of clubs for all different types of people. When you?re in a club of your interest you tend to meet more friends that have similar interests as you and that will enhance your college experience. The most important thing is to make friends that have the same values as you so don?t get caught up in things that aren?t what you believe in.

Daniel

find close to home and university that fits your major

Michelle

To make a decision of what college to attend...You should go to the campus and see if it feels right. Sit in on a class and see if you like the size. Ask a question, and see how the teacher responds. Take in the environment, pretend to be a lost new student, and see who helps you. To make the most of your college experience...Be involved. Get into sports/the band/clubs. Form study groups to make lasting friends in your profession. Meet your teachers by going to their office hours. Ask for help. Enjoy life!

Elizabeth

Find out who you are and what you need to succed and choose a school that will meet those needs

Jessica

Let the kids choose wherever they desire to attend and be supportive.

Juliette

It is almost impossible. Talk to the personnel at the school for sure.

Michelle

Do research

Eric

My parents always said a college education is the same no matter where you go. The only variable is how much the student puts into it. You will get as much out of it as you put into it. Generally the quality of teaching will be the same at every college. So when choosing a college don't choose it based on its academic recognition, but rather how it will affect you as a person. Maybe the location of the college is important to succeeding. If you can't stand the rain, then Oregon probably won't be the right choice for you. Find a school that offers activities that you are interested in. College is the place where most people find out who they are. College is not all about trying to get that degree, but it is about growing as an individual. You need to try as many things as possible. You will never know what you enjoy doing unless you have experienced it. This is how you are going to make the most out of your college experience.

Steven

I would advise both parents and students that a mutual happiness shared between both parties is the factor most important for a successful college experience. It is crucial that the prospective college engender feelings of excitement, comfort, and simple happiness within the student. I have found college has the unique abillity to ingnite a change from academic complacency to academic passion within almost everyone once given the chance. It is a very simple formula, If one loves their surroundings and therefore looks forward to learning and working, they will go very far and more importantly be happy. Also I believe one's parents being comfortable with their student's future surroundings is something that can often be overlooked. Regardless of distance, parents remain the most stable and consistent support pillars within a students life. It is very important that this particular relationship stay strong as the student transitions between lifestyles. Hopefully these are useful suggestions, if not thats fine too. There is no one right way to experience or pick a college. However, if the college inspires a spring of passion or exuberance within the student, it is very hard to go wrong.

Lauren

I would say to consider factors like weather, climate, how far you are willing ot be away from home, and obviously if it has the programs you are looking for. I also think it is important to really know if you feel more comfortable at a big or small school, and and if things like greek life and school spirit are important to you. The last piece of advice I would give, is to go with your initial gut feeling. Definitely visit the campus, and if you feel like that is where you belong, then it probably is.

Ashleigh

The most important thing I would tell parents and students about making the right choice for college would be to compare the cost of living and out-of-state expenses more carefully than I did. Also look at the school's size, diversity, and overall attitude of students that attend the colleges you are considering. To make the most of the college experience, you should get involved in several on-campus activities, be friendly and considerate in classes and around campus. Even if you join a club you do not like, you do not have to stick with it and can join a different one in no time at all. The class sizes are another important factor. There are lots of things to consider when trying to find the right college and making the most out of the experience, and they all should depend on your personal desires, interests, and what you really want to get out of college life.

Kyle

The advice that I would give to the parents regarding there kids is to make sure that they take advantage in all of the financial aid services that are available to the students. There is money out there that will help in achieving a higher level of education, why not capitalize on that? The parents should research with their son/daughter for possible scholarship application and fill then out well before the deadline. The students should network with their friends and research the possible schools that they are interested in. Through networking they should ask about the experiences that their friends have at that school and compare their findings to their own needs and wants. Another thing is if you are given the opportunity to visit the campus they should take advantage of this as well. Actually visiting the campus and getting a brief feeling for the surroundings with greatly assist the student in making the most beneficial decision at picking the college experience they desire. Another thing I encourage for incoming freshmen is to go Greek. I can not stress the importance in this decision for me. It has allowed me to meet many long time friends.

Amy

Go to the different schools! Talk to current students and ask for the pros and cons of that college. Know what you are looking for in a school.

Troy

First and foremost, use a college advisor. Personally, I used one of these advisors and it helped me in unforseen ways. I loved it because I was able to give my advisor all of my high school statistics and possible schools that I was thinking of, and she did the rest. Within no time at all I had not only a list of what schools I could and could not get into, I also recieved a list of other schools that I could potentially go to. Due to this extra list of schools I discovered Universities that I would have never considered if I had not used an advisor. Additionally, when you are in the process of selecting a school, make sure to visit each and every campus that you apply to. Visiting the school that you may attend will play an enormous role in which school you select. Many people end up selecting a school because of how they feel at the campus, so visiting the school of your choice is an essential in the college decision process. And most importantly, have fun! This process is a life changing experience so make sure you dont let it pass by.

David

In finding the right college, it's first important to have a general idea of what you want to do. This can mean "Do I want to party or study?" just as easily as "What do I want to major in?"

Ashley

Decide what is most important and list them. There's a college that's perfect for everyone and it might just be in the most random area of the country that you may not imagine. Reasearch is essential. Don't give up. You'll find your perfect fit.

Edward

For most high school graduates, the decision about where to go to college seems daunting, like it is the most important decision of their life. To those young men and women, I would definitely suggest doing the research about his or her perspective colleges in order to find out which ones may help them pursue their interests. But most importantly I would suggest visiting the campuses to try to see where they feel the most at home. College is not only about the books, the professors, or the class size but rather the experience gained and the things learned. I would suggest attending the school in which they are the most excited about going to so that that excitement carries over to their undergraduate years. Bad excitement yields low enthusiasm and nothing will be pulled away from the college experience, whether from the books or from other areas. When this excitement is still there it is impossible settle for anything less that what you feel you deserve and can achieve.

Liana

There are several imperative choices in a students life, and one of the biggest is selecting a college. My advice to a parent and/or a student when selecting a college would be to chose whichever one fits you best. A students happiness in his or her learning enviroment is crucial to their academic progress throughout their learning career. I can definitely say that the friendly, out-going, and laid back atmosphere here at the U of A definitely encourages me to get my work done and prevail academically. I think that the bottom line when regarding a student's education is as follows; if the student is placed in a happy, up-beat enviroment, they will do well.

Amelia

The most important advice I could give in choosing the right school is to go on tours and speak to the people that attend each college. I worked at my campus bookstore and would always give the most honest feedback I possibly could to prospective students and parents, because I knew how stressful it was to choose the school that fit me the best. I think that in order to make the most of the college experience it is important to live on campus in freshman year and to really get as involved as possible. I met all of my closest friends in my dorm my first year, and it is an opportunity I always recommend to incoming students. There are so many ways to get involved in college, such as clubs and leadership programs, which not only look great as extra-curriculars, but also help make you feel like you are part of a community, especially at a large institution. Lastly, apply to different types of colleges, you might be surprised as to what you might find when you step out of the norm!

Steve

Look at location, and what activities exist in the surrounding community. The city has a large influence on the university, if you don't care for the city, the school won't be that different. Make sure there are enough social outlets for you, greek life, clubs, sports, intermurial fun, and investigate them early! Get leads on them before you come to school! As soon as you arrive, or beforehand if you can, talk to upperclassmen in your major. This can tell you a lot about the program you are going through, and quality of professors and opportunites in reasearch etc. If you really want to LEARN, go to a private school, or a non reasearch based university whree learning is priority. Most universities are research universities, hence large class sizes, poor teaching or english skills in professors, and lack of care to struggling students. Just be prepared, make sure you can make the university you plan to attend your home - because that is just what it will be for 4 or so years.

Preeth

College is an incredible and defining experience that sets the foundation for the years that follow. As a student, the most important thing to remember is to never take anything for granted. The experience is ephemeral, but its impact is permanent, and it is up to students to forge their paths and build their futures. The key to a fulfilling experience is to get involved. Most universities have clubs and organizations to match every interest, and if a specific club does not exist, students are able to create their own. Students should also take the opportunity to get to know their professors. The knowledge and experience professors offer extends beyond anything that textbooks alone could ever convey. For most students, college is the unique opportunity to be submerged in the culture and environment of their peers, where students can develop networks that enrich future careers, and friendships that last throughout their lives. As parents, it is essential to continue to foster a passion for education and higher achievement. Complacency is easy to get accustomed to; however, with support and encouragement students can realize immeasurable success. Through passion and confidence, the college experience can leave an impression that lasts a lifetime.

Victoria

With so many outstanding colleges in the United States, it can be a challenging process for both parents and students in deciding what college will be best fit for one's needs. Choosing the best school involves several factors. Finding a school that meets a student's academic and financial requirements is key, certainly now that many individuals are facing financial crises in the face of an economic recession. However, choosing a school that makes students feel included and welcome is also terribly important. Experience with friends has taught me that, perhaps, the most prestigious school is not always the best choice--especially when one does not feel like a part of the school community. That can ultimately make a student's scholastic career much more difficult--what good is the honor of attending a fantastic institution if one is miserable in their "home away from home" during their undergraduate career? The best way to make the most of a college experience is the ability to balance a healthy social life with a student's scholastic endeavors. It is without doubt that both pieces of this puzzle are integral to a successful college experience, and most importantly, a brighter future.

Evan

My advice would be to let the kids decide. Too many times I have seen kids say that their parents decided where they wanted to go. As a result, the college atmosphere actually hinders there academic and social development. They feel as if they have to do whatever their parents want and do not obtain an independent lifestyle. To parents, I'd ask your kids what their strengths are and suggest schools, but allow them to decide. Help them out but don't force it upon them. Also, do not put a tonof pressure on your kids as mine did as it is a setback for the application process. Just tell them that whatever college they choose you're proud of them and wish them luck. Now for making the most of the college experience I would suggest that students meet their door mates in the first week. Get to know everyone and then your social life establishes itself relatively quickly. Usually you'll meet at least one person you get along really well with and then together you start to experience the college experience to its highest degree.

Nicole

The first thing that parents should look at when comparing potential schools is the prestige of the college. Most students want to go to a school that is known for their acedemic excellence. The next thing for examination should be cost. Many students, if not most, will have to get loans so the goal would be to not get into so much debt that the student can not pay it back after their grace-period upon graduation. The next factor for consideration should be community involvement. Students' experiences at their college greatly depend on the different activities and events available as well as programs that give back to the community. In keeping these three factors in mind, parents and students can select a well-rounded college that will work the best for them financially. By getting actively involved with the universities clubs and social activites, as well as studying hard, most students can enjoy some of the best years they will have in life.

Andrea

My advice to give to parents/students looking for the right college would be to start looking early. The sooner you can look at several options and narrow it down the better. Make sure to make a list of things that you would like the school to have/provide as a student and parent. Also have an idea of where you want to live (i.e. distance from home, climate) becuase just because you like the school doesn't mean you will like living in the place the school is located. An unhappy living situation can create an unhappy college experience. Another important thing I would suggest would be to take campus tours, that way you can get a student's persepective of campus life, some history about the school, and possibly some tips on if your planning on applying to or attending the school. All of these things, I believe, are essential to take into consideration prior to deciding which university or college is right for you. Some simple precationary steps can lead to some of the best years of your life.

Natalie

pick where ever feels most comfortable to you. Try to get involved in campus groups and clubs. Use your time wisely but still have fun.

Jaimie

When it comes to choosing the right college to apply to, parents and students can feel very overwhelmed and confused. In my own experience, I decided to go to an in-state college. There are several advantages to this, such as, a more affordable cost, the closeness to home, and the ability to attend with friends you know. Although most students plan on getting as far away from home as possible, they won't realize how much security they'd feel if they were closer until they've already made their decision. I'm far enough from my home to feel on my own but close enough to travel home when I need it. Also, don't worry about attending a college that primarily focuses on a certain major you're interesting in. That's what Grad School is for! Make the most of your college experience by getting different opinions, experiencing diversity, and having a terrific social life! Making great friends helps so much in pushing you to succeed and remain positive. One last piece of advice: College is as hard as you make it. You create your own success and experience wherever you go, so don't forget!

Genevieve

I feel like choosing the right college has to do with realizing what you want from the college. Obviously, it's not that easy, to just know what you want, and people change, so what you thought you wanted when you start college might change partway through your college career. However, I think you have to look at yourself as a person to figure it out. If all you want out of college is somewhere to party, meet people, meet your future spouse, then a big party school is great for you. But some people want more out of a college, an education maybe? At a big school your just another of the thousand faces each professor sees everyday, so it's more understandable to be brushed off, but a smaller school, or at least honors classes, will make all the difference i think. As someone who goes to a huge school, I would advise against it, because until you get into the higher level classes, your going to be in classes with a hundred to five hundred other people, and it's hard to get noticed. So I would advise people to really consider what they want from college.

Kalli

I would tell future college students to check into their potential school's financial aid program/FAFSA. If your family applies, it is so helpful. Also, be aware of budget cuts at the school and know whether or not that will affect tuition costs. At UA, our president is raising tuition by 3.7{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}, so out-of-state students like me will have to pay an extra $2,500+ each year starting next year. It's so stressful when that happens! Also, I strongly advise students to get involved on campus! I joined a professional business fraternity this year, Alpha Kappa Psi, and it made my first semester here amazing. I wouldn't change it for the world, and I've learned so much and met so many new people! It will make you feel more involved with with your university. Its a great way to make good use of your free time.

Margaret

I would say that visiting the campus, speaking to the students and meeting with the faculty would be among some of the first things to do. You really know if you belong somewhere once you visit. I believe that you should also look into programs that you think you might be interested in and speak with their faculty specifically about what types of things they offer. I know that the second I walked onto this campus that it was where I belonged. I have meet some amazing people here, and friends that will be in my life forever. I have had life experiences here that haave helped shape me into the person that I am today and I am extremely grateful for everything this Univeersity has offered to me. I will forever be a WildCat and will support the school and the people forever.

Ramona

The advice I would give parents to help their child choose the right college is for first to understand and respect the decision of their child's desires wanting to further their education. I would then encourage the parents to go take a campus tour with their child and explore the college as a family. This interest demonstrated by the parents will ease the decision making of the child and give a sense of relief knowing that the parents are there to support him/ her. The parents should be actively interested in the child's colleges of choices but conscious of possible influence they may push toward specific colleges. In the end, I believe the key to the parents is to respect their child and allow them to make the choice between colleges.