University of Arizona Top Questions

I think the most important thing about finding the right college is to not pay attention to what all your friends are doing. Everyone's college experince is unique. It is important to sit down as a family and truly determine what type of college you can afford and to take into consideration what extra exspenses certain colleges may have. After doing so it is absolutely crucial to visit the Universities you want to attend. Dream schools may look very different and feel very different in person than they do in your mind. Then remember what scholastically is best. Some schools may not be the best for someone who may struggle as a student. Find out what schools have the best resources for your needs and make a decsion that is well informed. Ultimately make sure that you are excited and happy about where you are going. If you feel like you are "settling" you will never be as happy and involved as you would be if you found the "perfect" college.

I would tell the parents and students that it is necessary to save money and apply for all grants and scholarships. Make sure you budget your money and apply to schools that meet your needs. It is important to see as many schools as possible to make sure you make the right choice.

Choose a college that makes you feel at home. A college in which you are able to learn and feel safe. Attend school sponsored and sporting events. Take advantage of guest lecturers to expand your learning.

Make sure that you visit the campus to make sure it feels right. Ask current students about available programs that could interest you. Finally, make sure to get involved in order to make the most of college. It is hard to be away from home for so long, so make sure to take advantage of any opportunity in which you can meet new people and make new friends. Finally, get to know your teachers and visit your advisors often in order to make sure you are on track with classes and graduation. Have fun, study hard, but do not stress to much.

First off, what major does the student want to pursue? The parents and students should do background research at the school to see the strengths and weaknesses of the academic program the student chosen by the student. Also, perhaps they could research any second or third choice majors if the student cannot decide on just one. Perhaps, coinciding with searching for a strong major, would be the size of the school. Does the student want to go to a University with a large population, small, or somewhat in the middle? This can matter when the parent and student thinks about the student to professor ratio in classes offered at the University. The next step the student should take is to think about how involved do they want to be with volunteering and sports. Does the prospective school have a list of places or companies to volunteer for, and does that school have intramural, club, or varisty sports? The last advice to offer is to most definitely visit the school before accepting to go there because the student should not be unhappy with the size of the school and the overall feel of the type of people going there.

I have no idea. Just pick something you feel you will get the most out of.

If you are interested in the Arts, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE! This schools cares little about the art progam. Instead, all its focus is on sports and sciences. Our art dept. is constantly bombarded with cutbacks, crummy facilities, and uneducated graduate students trying to teach us stuff they dont know well enough to be responsible for teaching. Its frustrating. The ceramics department is the worse. There is one instructor (37,000 students this semester), very little class options, and the equipment is breaking, falling apart, or non-existent. The powers that be should be very ashamed of themselves!

Visit it befor you go to it, and talk to people like you that attend the college and see how they like it.

When choosing a college or university of attend, it is important that you choose for the correct reasons. I have seen many people go to a specific university because they had parents or friends that went there as well. I understand what it is like to be alone in a strange campus with no friends in the beginning of the year. That is not a very good reason to follow someone else's lead, though. In the end, it is up to you or your son/daughter to decide on their own. Going to a university is the first step in becoming secure with yourself and achieving true freedom and individuality. Most of the people that i know can relate with the university they attend. It is also good advice to understand your finances. At times, waiting until graduate school for the school of your dreams is better than doing undergraduate school at the same school and owing 120,000 dollars. You should rather choose the program when it comes to money rather than the school. Good luck and God Bless.

I would advise students to hang in there when times get rough. I would aslo tell parents to be very supportive and give words of encouragment when times are rough.

I would advise parents to let your kids go. Let them go to a college of their own choice and not yours. Make sure they are choosing the school for good reasons like does it specialize in their major, is it big/small, what kind of atmosphere doe it have. The most important thing is that the school feels right to your child and that they see themselves happy at that school. For the students don't choose a college based on what your parents want, what your friends want, but choose it based on what YOU want. What do you want to study? Do you like small/bog class rooms? Do you want to be far/close to home? Ask yourself those important questions so when you make your decision it is one you will be happy with. The best thing is to go to a school that you a proud of and would recommend to others to go to. Go to a school that will expand your mind not only in the classroon but also in the social areas of life. Be happy and have fun in college because those are the best 4 years of your life.

The best advice I could give to both parents and students is to have a goal and stay focused. College is a time where people learn who they are as adults in the world. His/Her Identity is now being challanged. He/She will be away from ones family, friends and people who validate who he/she . This may become emotionally, and spiritually challanging, therefore affecting academics as well. Finding a college that enables a student to prevail through these complicated times will empower them to stay consistant, and see his/her goal to the end. This will allow the student to make the most of the college experience, by allowing them to grow in an atmosphere that also gives them the amount of structure he/ she needs to be successful.

Go to a college where you can actually see yourself attending. Don't apply somewhere just because it's close. Don't apply somewhere just because your friends want you to. The more you where you are, the more you will like school, and the better you will do it in school. Make the most out of college by attending class everyday and truly trying your hardest, everyday.

apply to several and visit them on-line and in person. try and find someone who attended and find out what they liked and didn't like. keep your mind open

Visit the colleges and try to sit in on a few classes. Look at the expansiveness of programs. How many are offered? If a small school is offering a lot of programs, each individual program may not receive very much attention because their resources are stressed. If a large school is only offering a few programs, what are they emphasizing? Remember that students often change majors, don't pick a college based on a single program. Make sure there are a variety of programs available in case you change your mind.

I would recommend that a student find a college that best fits their career interests because in the end that is what is the most important. Once you get in your school the best advice i can give is to get as involved as you can on campus. When you become involved you meet new people and you get to do so much more stuff that the regular student does not get to do. I would have to say that my college experience would not have been as fulfilling my freshman year and I would not have met as many great people as i have if it were not for getting involved.

For students it is extremely important to find out what field you are the most excited about. In your first year it is important to take several of your general education courses so that you can get a sampling of the many fields that you could possibly enter. Even if you think you want to know what you want to do, try as many different courses as you can. It is also very important for to not put pressure on students to choose their major right away. Most general education classes can be applied to several different majors. So a student has his first two years to determine what field he/she is most excited about.

Go to a school that meets your needs. Staying in state is much more affordable; I do not think it is worth it to go out of state. Figure out what you want your career to be and get a degree that will go towards that. Don't just get any degree you are interested in because you will graduate and move back in with your parents and be a loser.

Follow your passion and don't let anyone get in the way of your goals. Don't be bullied by professors. You have the right to make the most of your college career so go do it!

Don't base your decision entirely off of your current interests. You are going to change a lot throughout your college career, so you want to find a school that will give you a lot of flexibility in that regard. You may think you know what you want now, but chances are that will change. College is all about exposure, exposure to new ideas, new people, and a new way of life. You want to find the school that will accomodate for your unpredictable transformation, giving you many options all along the way. Specifically, you want a school with diverse social circles, many non-partisan departments to choose from, and a comfortable atmosphere. This third aspect is definitely more important than it may sound. The transition from living at home to living alone is a huge one, so you want to find a place that presents a wide array of features that will raise your spirits and energy level. A school with decent weather, 24 hr. on-campus restaurants and shops, and a serene landscape is definitely preferable. Find a place where you can relax and get the things done that are important without cause for worry.

When it comes down to picking the right school make sure you learn as much as you can about the school you're applying for. Try to find programs that fit your needs and that interest you. It is very important to match the school of your choice with who you consider yourself to be, maybe a cheerleader or a someone who loves to do research.

Research all aspects of the school. You should know beforehand about costs, clubs, classes, extra-curricular activities. Try to make a trip to come see the campus and get a feel for it. Attend some classes in different departments and see how the students interact with the faculty. Explore the areas around campus. See if they have a lot of houses, bars, restaurants, or hang out spots. Try to imagine yourself living there for four years, it seems a lot of people forget that college is a fairly long commitment. Make sure it could accomadate interests that may change for you. Check out the level of outdoor activity. Remember that your life will now be there and the college and city it is in should hopefully accomadate most of your interests and lifestyle!

Parents and students it is important to explore the school that you want to go to if possible to see what the environment is like. Make sure that you are very familiar with the financial aid process so that you know what to expect. Students get involved with campus activities, exploring a social life with peers and faculty is just as important as keeping up with the academics. Make sure that you learn very good time managements skills to succeed in your career goals. Have some fun but also realize that your at the school to learn so make the most of it and do well.

Visiting a campus during the school year is important. This gives students a feel for the atmosphere of the school and its student body. Prospective students are able to decide if they can imagine themselves at the particular school. It is also important to start looking at schools early. Rushing to finish applications at the last minute may reduce your chances of getting into your preferred school due to a lack of quality in your application. Allowing plenty of time to research schools and fill out applications also allows students more time to meditate on their decision and decide which school is right for them. Don't let yourself be blinded by the artificial parts of a school. It is important to consider academics and campus atmosphere, not just the look of the campus and the activities of its student body.

For a student who is in the process of choosing a school I advise to truly think about your interests and what you want to study. Look at all of the degrees and programs offered at each of the colleges. Also keep in mind where you would like to live and what the school has to offer for housing. From experience, college can be intimidating and scary, so check out any clubs that look fun or any extra-curricular actvities, because there are some opportunities to meet new people and have fun. Another aspect about choosing the right school is the cost of attendance; evaluate all of the expenses so you are able to focus on school instead of worrying about financial status. One important thing to do before making your decision is to visit the schools, so you can have a feel for how it will be. After entering college, make sure to study hard and keep the GPA up, try not to get behind. Best of luck and enjoy yourself.

I would advise parents and students alike to start preparing early. I think that it is critical to the student's happiness to find the right school for their individual interests, aspirations, and skills. It is very important to tour prospective schools to get a feel for the campus and surrounding environment, and to make connections with other students as well. I also advise that once a student is in college, to make the most of the experience, take chances and do things out of your comfort zone. The best advice I have is to join any clubs of interest and get involved as early as possible. Students should also take full advantage of office hours with professors to establish strong relationships that will aide them in the future.

I would tell the student to look into all of the acdemic programs that they are interested in. Then also to look into the social life of the school to see if they would fit in. As a parent I would say to look into what the cost of school is and the living enviroment.

Location is a very important factor, but not as important as the emphasis of the school. It is important to pick a college or University that will meet the needs of your student and cater to their interests in order to keep them engaged and attending class.

The most important thing before choosing the a college is location and to know whether the student can handle being far from family or prefers to stay close to family and there level of responsibilty. Stick to a school who has several majors of interest to the future undergraduate.

I would suggest that parents and students tour a school before choosing it and finding students who attend that school to get a first hand and real impression of what the school and campus are like. There are many resources when picking a school and it is important that the student is aware of all that a school has to offer. Also, look for a school that has a strong background in what the student would like to major in and if the student is undecided then choose a school with several options. College is a fun and eye opening experience so look at extra curricular activities as well as academics when choosing a school. Being involved is the best way to get to know people and feel like you belong to your school's community!

Make sure that you are happy in the beginning and take control of your situation. If you don't like your room mate then switch rooms immediately. It will only get worse. Talk about date rape and the dangers of binge drinking. Try to find people you can be yourself with and concentrate on your studies. Watch out for junk food and the freshman 15!

I would advise that a student pick his or her university based on the type of education being offered, and how it is being offered. If there are rumors about a specific university, chances are they are probably true. Choose a university that fits you best, and be sure to visit the university before making the final choice. Parents should encourage their children to do what their children want to do, and be sure to demonstrate there presence whenever their children fall; it will happen to everyone at one point in time. Remember, education is worth fighting for.

The advice I would give to parents and to students about finding the right college is to search early and to research into the school before applying and look for enough money to support you financially. Another tip I would leave is to always look at academics to be high enough to support you as a career based student.

I would tell parents to closely observe both the campus community as well as the city community. I would tell students to find a college with a comfortable atmosphere and to research the caliber and compatability of the professors within their chosen major and minor. As a student you need a place to relieve stress and to get the greatest learning experience possible. Parents should also be wary of strechted thin Universities. Money becomes difficult to manage when much of it is going toward transportation. Finally, the most important that both parents and students should look closely into is that you MUST find the University that best suits your major, no matter the odds. There's simply no reason not to; never go for the path of least resistence. As a student, you need to search out that resistance and face it head on to make your dreams come true.

Apply to a lot of places!

The biggest piece of advice that I can give is that if at all possible, visit the University or College that you are prospecting to attend. In addition to this, sit in on several classes, stay in the dorms if possible, and ask questions to everyone (including Professors and students). Just because a University looks nice from the outside, doesn't necessarily mean the University is the right choice for you. Even though they may have the program you would like to be a part of, doesn't mean that's the school for you. Research is optimal in choosing the right school for you. One of the biggest things that people forget to look into is the stsudent body. These are the people you will be spending four years or more with, you want to know if you will be able to fit in and be able to experience making life long friendships.

Apply for a lot of scholarships, and apply early. The finacial aid department doesnt give many opportunities for scholarships after you enter the college after high school, so start freshman year off with as much money as possible. Do not just buget school, and living expenses. Parking, sororities and fraternities and social dues are a major and unexpected hit to your walet.

I would advise them to make sure they know the type of environment at the university. Sometimes we assume that a university is great because it offers the facilities however without better facilitators there is no use of the facilities. Always make sure that you make the most of your time because there are so many extra-curricular opportunities that you must take advantage of them. Studying takes up so much of your time that you need a few friends and a couple fun activities so you can relax and enjoy attending college. However college is not just fun and games because it is the crucial standpoint in your life that will further determine the path to your future. Make the best of the offered resources and do well in class so you can increase your chances of a brighter future. Motivation, determination, and desire to learn are extremely necessary otherwise you will find college stressful and a burden. College is not a burden but just another step up the ladder towards your career.

Make sure you visit the campus before you make your choice. Don't be afraid to ask questions especially when it comes to financial aid and academic counsuling. These two things, if you know who/where to go for them, will make college a bit less stressful and allow you to focus on what matters; your school work! Fill out the FAFSA as early as possible! If have no idea what you want to major in, create a list of things that interest you , this will help you pick from the various programs offered by schools.

Students, don't ever let anyone tell you that you can not do it; don't even let your parents say that. Take your time to think what you really want, or at least what you think you want at this point of time, and make your decision according to what you believe is right. If you make the wrong choice, it is not the end of the world, instead it is an opportunity to learn from your mistakes. Ask for advice, let people help you out, but never let them discourage you. From now on, it is mostly about making your own choices, and taking full responsibility. Do your best to making the correct choices. For a good college experience, all you need is organization. Get your work done, and then get your well deserved free-time as a reward.

When finding the right college, a person should be happy. The first thing to do is research which schools are well known in the field a student is interested in. The second thing to consider is weather. Weather has a great impact on a person's attitude and mental well being. Once you have narrowed down the choice of colleges, it would be best to visit the school and see if you can actually visualize being there. Take a look at the set-up, the people, and the availability o resources. Once you ave decided or applied to the school, consider your financial situation. Is the school private or public? Private schools are more expensive. Will you be an in state or out of state student? Out of state students pay more. Overall, the main concern is if you can see yourself being at the school happily while you succeed your academic studies.

In my experience it is important to not only read about the focus, and desire of the school, but to visit the campus. By visiting the campus you can really get a feel for the school. You can read all day about a school and have no idea what it is really like. To make the most of your college experience I would stress the importance of getting involved. I am part of a christian club on campus, Hall Council, Chem Club, and Pre-nursing Club. Without these extra meetings, and groups I would not have nearly as many friends, or feel as comfortable on campus as I currently do. The only way to feel connected is to get involved. Just do something!

Make sure you look into the college you want to go to becasue it may not be what you expect when you finally begin attending. Also, make sure your in a finacially good standing because they really try to break your bank with their fees! :D

It is very important to visit the campus once you are narrowing on a decision. Secondly, it is a good idea to make sure that the interests of the student are available. For example, I love going to art galleries and I made a mistake because there is no art around my campus. Attend student orientations to make sure the school is the type of environment you like. I would reccomend visiting the campus while classes are in session to get a true feel of what to expect on a daily basis. Talk to professors in your area of interest. Most important of all do not rush through your classes take your time and enjoy your college experience. It only comes around once.

When choosing the right college never pick the one on the other side of the country just because it is far from mom and dad. All colleges have great social life so do not pick the number one party school. Never go to the same school as your boyfriend, girlfriend, or best friends just to stay together. Really think about what you want to do with your life, do the research and seek the program that will best allow you to accomplish your goals. If that takes you far from home then you get a new experience all in its self. Call home every couple weeks at minium so the parents know you are still breathing, great oppertunity to ask for some money. Live on campus if possible at least for one year. This will make being antisocial nearly impossible. Take responsibility for your life, health, and school work. Have lots of fun but remember you are here for a reason beyond the social.If you are having a tough time with class work see the professor, they want to help. If your issue is personal get help before it goes too far.

Go to a community college first, then attend the larger 4yr institution

There is so much advice that can be givin to both parents and/or students looking for the right college. So, my first piece of advise for anyone would be to look at themself and find what the phrase "right college" means to them. For some the right college will be a very small school with small classes, but for others a big school with big classes would be just as good. Every school you go to will be different and will attract different people. So with that in mind I think the best advise to give someone is to just find the school that fits into their view of the right school.

Don't be afraid. There are so many things people tend to miss out on when they are afraid. Don't be afraid of applying because of the thought of rejection. Don't be afraid to do things you wouldn't normally do. Don't be afraid to say no or go for what you really want. College is not just about learning for a future career or whatnot, it's also about learning and improving your self.

When trying to find the right college, first evaluate what the student enjoyed most about his/her classes in high school. Was it the class size, creative learning opportunities, outreach to the community, etc? Then think about what he/she did not like or can do without in a college. For example, if he/she did not enjoy or participate in sports, keep in mind that a great school for that student may not necessarily be famous for its athletic department. That will be enough to narrow the choices down to a type of school. After that is done, figure in ambition. Does the student have a major already picked out, or does he/she need a school with many different options? Once that is decided, it will be easy to choose a school based on distance from home and financial affordability. After a school is chosen, it is important to take your student's every need into consideration. Make sure tutoring is available and made known to the student. I suggest taking extracurricular activities one club/organization at a time; too many and the activities will begin to take precedence over the education.

research is essential. i didn't do any research about what i wanted in a college or a community. i've felt very lost and confused about myself as well as what i want in life due to my choice of university. support from parents despite possibly not agreeing about a child's choice in education is essential. the more support the stronger the student is. the stronger the student is the better they will do in college. support is the key to education.