University of California-Irvine Top Questions

Hi Kyle, I am you a year from now, and something I want to tell you is that college is going to be more than what you expect. In terms of studying, just work hard and you?ll be fine. What I really want you to know is that everything you are about to experience will challenge your beliefs and drag you out of your comfort zone. In spite of everything that is going to happen, I want you to be yourself, and to make this year your own. Don?t be a people pleaser, instead be yourself and have people be drawn to you, because freshman year of college is where you find yourself. You don?t want to be sucked into a crowd you don?t fit into, and find out sophomore year that you don?t really know who you are, and that you don?t have any real friends. You want to feel free to be yourself, and to have friends that know you, and are your friends because of who you are, and not what you pretended to be. I know by speaking from experience. So plain and simple, just be who you are.

Because I graduated from high school in 1997, I have over a decade of adult experience which I would like to impart to my high school self. When I graduated from high school, I enrolled in USC, where the freedom from parental supervision offered both the opportunity to mature and the potential to lose myself. Living on a campus where social interaction often superseded academic pusuit, as is common for most schools with an active greek-life, I indulged in destructive behaviors that forced two withdrawls from academia. I took several years to settle down before enrolling in Saddleback Community College, where I achieved a 3.92 grade point average, which ultimately guarenteed my admittance into the University of California, Irvine. Maintaining a 3.841 g.p.a. allowed acceptance to Chapman University's School of Law, which I will begin in August. In retrospect, I do not regret my process because my experiences made me the person who I am today. However, if I could advise other young people, I would emphasize the importance of treating their body as a temple. I would impart the truth about the consequences of making their social life a priority over their education.

Parents should give advice, but they should also allow their children to make the decision that they will be happy with. The college that they pick should be right for the child, an environment they can fit in and learn in!

UC-Irvine is probably no one's first choice college, but almost every one turns out to be glad to have made the decision of going to UCI.

Take the time to focus on what you are looking for in a school. Financial concerns may play a big part in your decision, but it will benefit you more to go to a college environment that you feel comfortable in instead of the one that is cheapest. Overall, be yourself and feel free to express yourself. You are in college to learn, flourish, have fun, and discover your independent self. Don't go too crazy! It is a completely different experience than in high school that teaches you about time management and being an adult. Don't forget about your studies, but don't forget to let loose and meet new people as well. Best of luck.

Finding the right college is difficult, especially if you have to base your decision on a campus tour or the "feel" of it. The best way to know if the college is right for you is to actually experience it. If you have a friend or know someone attending, stay there for a weekend or even a week and attend the courses to see whether the college fits you, fits your needs, or fits your wants. To take advantage of the full college experience, you first must importantly get involve; whether its a club, a fraternity or a sorority, or just meeting and hanging out with new friends or people from your dorm or classes. Everyone to some extent feels the way that you do, but all you have to do is be open to new experiences and making new friends. Stop being afraid of making mistakes or doing something embarrassing because most likely, no one is going to remember the next day (except you), so take a chance and have fun.

Do a lot of research before you decide on where to attend for college. Remember, it's not how famous the school is or whether it's family tradition, it really depends on what major you're studying and feeling at home on campus.

I would advise them to visit all the colleges they apply to, then go from there. It is really important to get a feel for the campus and the area sorrounding it. It is always good for the student to visit the colleges with their parents, this way the parents know exactly where their kids are going and approve of a certain college/area. Also, pay attention to what the school is known for. If a school is known for a particular major and/or school that fits a student, then it will probably be the better choice. When you narrow it down to two or three choices, you should then get connected with people who go there and ask them to show you around, or give you advice on your decision. People in college are usually friendly and would be glad to help someone out. So don't be shy. Ask questions, be wise about your choice, and always have motivation to keep you going.

Be focused

When I started college I was extremely excited , however, in all the excitement I - in some ways - forgot the academic side of college. I failed two classes - Biology and Chemistry - my first year because I just did not know how to study. In other words, I don't think I was prepared for college; however, since then, I've taken strides to hone my study habits, and let go of my old high school ways. So if I were to give any incoming students advice about college, I would tell them to hone their study habits because they're going to be around extremely competitve kids that work just as hard, if not harder, than them. I would tell them to take that challenge of making themselves better, all the while being open to new experiences - in terms of meeting new friends and reaching out to their advisors/professors. College is good, but it's up to the person to make it great.

Ask students who go there.

In order to select a college that will best serve your interests, you need to first identify your overall academic and career goal for yourself. Spend time reflecting what subject most interests you, and realistically what you feel you can handle in order to be successful. Once you have identified an area of interest, find a school that will offer you the very best program and opportunity to grow in your affinity for that subject matter. Be sure to consider all aspects of the campus, the finances, the location, the demographics, etc. It is extremely helpful to meet with counselors at the school you are interested in, and perhaps seek out an older student and get a personal account of the school. Don't waste time applying to big named schools that do not offer you what you what you need to be successful. Take into consideration the size of the school, depending on your personal preference. Once you arrive to college, set aside ample time to study but be sure to get involved with groups and clubs that are applicable to your academic goal. Networking is an essential component of your success in life. Best of luck!

Picking the right college was one of the most difficult things I have had to do. I would advice prospective students and parents to choose colleges based on location and quality. I have enjoyed staying somewhat close to home. My family?s frequent visits are very important to me. Extra curricular activities and majors should be considered as well. Some colleges offer more classes on specific subjects and I have been blessed to be able to attend a college that is able to satisfy every requirement of my major from basic classes to internships and future careers. The school?s environment is very important. The beautiful peaceful scenery makes the walk to class enjoyable and somewhat relaxing. The aura every college gives off varies for different people. Depending on what the perspective student enjoys the most, some colleges may seem more suitable than others. No matter which college they end up in, as long as they keep an open mind and a focused mind set, they will be able to find the joys of college and succeed in what ever they wish to pursue.

Research, research, research is key! Try looking for a school that has the program you want to major in. If your major is not found at the top prestige school that everyone is talking about then you might want to look at other schools. Check out the program! Some schools are known for their outstanding programs. Once you know where you want to go, check out the college. Ask for a college tour. This can alleviate parents' worries of the campus being unsafe as well as its surroundings. Saving money is also key. If you can take general education classes at a community college that transfers over to a State or University college, take the class. It will be cheaper and will save you money and time. Sign up for scholarships and financial aid to alleviate the cost of fees that you will have to pay. Look for on-campus work study, but don't overload yourself with studying, working, and classes. One last thing...mistakes will happen, so learn from them.

That listening to others is the best way to find out who and what you are, and what you want to do with your life. By listening to others talk about their goals, their dreams, and their academic desires, one finds out more about the possibilities of the world than through any other way. Listen to financial aid advisors. Listen to graduates and to current students. Listen to activists and people from marginalized communities. Listen to the power brokers inside and outside the university. Then ask questions. Ask the logistical questions, yes; but also ask about the cultural, political, philosophical, and scientific spirit of the campus: Do the students engage in activism for a better world, or at least a better community? Does the university function as a public servant or a private enterprise? Are the rights of the LGBTQ community respected? Do Native Americans have equal access here? Ask about loans and debt and dorms, but also ask--question--about the university's knowledge production: Is this a place where I, as an entereing sudent, can absord, produce, and disseminate new knowledge? Or I am, the student, simply an automaton? Listen. Then ask your questions.

I would advise students to cut down their work load, take longer to graduate, and get involved in extracurricular activities and volunteering. It is extremely important, especially when applying for graduate studies, to have atleast a couple of experiences on your resume to make you stand out. Also, use the career services, attend workshops and utilize the carreer counselors. As far as finding the right college, do research. Go to the campuses and talk to students. Ask questions.

Let the person attending college choose the college, allow them to make mistakes, learn, have fun.

i'm a senior in high school, go to college campuses

Don't be afraid to go far from home but don't be afraid to stay close by either. Go with what feels right. And try to make the best of your time in college. It's ok to miss home, but it's ok to go out and meet new people too!

Make sure you get off to a great start with good study habits! Use all of the tutoring resources available from the very start, instead of when they become a necessity.

When looking for a college to attend, I suggest taking a tour of the campus and picturing yourself there. Imagine yourself walking through the halls, living in those dorms, hanging with friends around different parts of the campus, and if possible, stop by one of the classrooms or lecture halls and see how you like it. Once you do find the right school, make sure you get your financial aid paper work done and figure out the costs of attending that school. Money should never be a reason for someone not to attend a school they really love. By getting that done first, you'll have more time and options to find ways of paying for school. Once that is done, you can start focusing on getting classes picked out, finding clubs, organizations, or sports to join or meeting really cool people that will help you enjoy your time there. The best thing about college is the indepedence and freedom. College is all about you and what you make of it, so don't hold back and get yourself out there because it's ultimately up to you to make the most out of your college experience.

In order to choose the right college you need to choose what is right for you. For instance, I am a very relaxed and studious person. I love Irvine because it is a very relaxed city. It is the safest city in the nation and it is ideal for me because there are not to many distractions here to keep you from studying. Other individuals however might like to go out at night and have a drink or two. These individuals might enjoy a city that is more like Los Angeles. Where the city never sleeps. In order to make the most out of your college experience I would say to join clubs and meet new people. I believe that what I have learned most in college is not from the class rooms but from the people I have met. Through meeting new people you learn about new cultures and new ideas. It is very excited to learn about these new things.

I think it's important to follow your heart and not to go for the college that is ranked the highest or has the most prestige associated with it. At my school most of the students would have rather been at UCLA or UCSD and they are only here because they didn't get into their first choice school. I think there is more school spirit at a school that isn't so accademically competitive but where the kids just want to get their degree and have the college experience like at San Diego State. I think having fun and enjoying yourself through the process is as important as the education you graduate with. Some of the most influential people on the planet didn't attend top colleges or didn't attend college at all.

School is what you make of it. Preforming academically is very important, however, one must understand that college is about finding yourself. In order to maximize the experience you must enjoy yourself otherwise the experience will seem tainted.

Tour other campuses out there to find what you enjoy

Find a college that fits into who you want to be when in the future. Be career-oriented, but also leave room to explore new things.

I definitely would recommend actually visiting a few college campuses you are considering, if you are able to. If not, there are many colleges that have virtual tours you can take, instead of visiting the campuses. I would also suggest looking at websites, such as fastweb.com or careerlocker.com, where you can find colleges that would fit your intented major. When in college, I would recommend joining clubs. The people there are so friendly and it is a good way of meeting other students who have the same interest as you do. College is a time for you to experiment and try new things, so try stepping out of your comfort zone and try something different, you may actually enjoy yourself.

If you know what you want to do with your life then choose a college which offers the best program for the particular field you are interested in. If not, which is most likely the case, then don't sweat if you don't get into the number one school. Just know that its not just the school, but how you perform while in school that will help you reach your goals. Just stay focused from the and USE all the resources available...like mentors, counselors, tutoring services. The best thing you can do for yourself is to adjust quickly...the longer you drag it out, the more mistakes you make. If you stay on track and find the right pace for yourself you will also have plently of time to enjoy and party. Good luck!

To parents: even if you don't necessarily agree with your daughter/son's choice in major/career, I think you should still support them in their choice. Ultimately, you want them to be happy and succeed, so what they need from you is your unwavering support. To students: Don't procrastinate, take advantage of all the opportunities at your school and beyond, always be open minded, and remember that effort/initiative makes all the difference. And remember to have fun!

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Be sure to get involved at your campus and the surrounding campus community. Be sure to use all the resources available such as the career center, counseling center, multicultural center, and health education center. Make contact with faculty members and take the initiative to get to know them. Talk to current students, recent graduates, and people who have been out of college for awhile to get a particular feel for the school. Get involved in research because there are so many opportunities to try research in whatever field you are interested in.

Finding the right college can be a difficult experience for both parents and students. Not only do finances play an issue, but so does distance, living situation and quality of education. But when it comes down to it, selecting a college is like a Mastercard commercial: "Buying dorm essentials: $1,000"... "One Year's Tuition: $18,000"..."Watching your son or daughter finally grow up: PRICELESS". The fact of the matter is, is that no matter where you go to college, if you're not happy there, than you won't learn what you need to learn, in or out of the classroom. The most important advice I could give to students looking to make the most of their college experience is best stated in a quote by Voltaire: "The perfect is the enemy of the good". Not all things in college will be everything you dreamed. Chances are, there will be failed classes, snarky teacher's assistants, bad food and an inumberable amount of embarassing moments, mess ups and do-overs. But that's the best thing about college, everyone has their own unique experiences; none of which are picture perfect, but all of which serve as higher education.

Don't immerse yourself into believing you didn't get into the college you wanted. Instead, believe that you got into the ones to which you were meant to belong. Once in, especially during your first year, take advantage of the social and academic opportunities provided, such as being on Board for a campus organization or attending campus events and sports events. And don't forget to leave your dorm room once in a while and meet some of your suitemates/dormmates. There never will be another first year, or college experience, for that matter.

Choosing the school with the best reputation is really not the best way of selecting a college and is not really that important, what is most important is finding a school that complements your personality. One that has the right environment which will encourage you to flourish and grow and sometimes that is not the highest ranked college that you were admitted to.

I think the best way for a student to get to know their campus is to participate in an on-campus activity. At University of California, Irvine, there is a program called SPOP, which is like a elongated orientation. Perspective fresmen live on campus for a couple of days and "SPOP" leaders would help them learn about their campus, the academic life, as well get a feel of what their peers are like. This will really help students figure out how they fit in the school while becoming more comfortable at school - they even get to make new friends during this process! Most students say that SPOP is one of their best experiences at UC Irvine. Other schools have orientations as well, so take advantage of these great oportunities to find out if these schools best suit you!

The number one thing that I recommend you do to decide what college to attend is taking a visit to each campus you are going to apply to while the school is in session. By doing so you can experience a sample of what it will be like to attend that shool. This is crucial as you will be spending your following four years of you life at the school you choose, and by visiting them beforehand, you will have a better sense of judgement based on your own personal experience.

Involve your family and friends in your decision. Take as long as you need from the moment you receive your acceptance letter all the way until the deadline to choose your college: it is a very big decision that you should take your time in choosing. The first step after your acceptance is to visit the school and get to know upperclassmen and see what they have to say about the school. Do not only talk to the counselors and the students that are assigned to give you advice, but talk to regular students on campus that you might pass by in the bookstore, the library, a sports game, the recreational center, and even a party. Get to know the campus as well as possible so that you know it is a place that you will fit in and learn a lot from. Also look into the clubs on campus early on so by your 2nd year you will have found a niche in the campus, don't overwork unless your family needs the money, and if they do then give up playing video games and spend your free time socializing; clubs will help with that.

When you are looking for the right college it is important to really look at all it has to offer. Academics are very important and if you know what you want to do, find a school with a good program for your major. If you are undecided, try a school with a wide variety so you can test the waters and see what you might be interested in. Definitely be open to meeting new people. There are so many clubs focused on all sorts of different topics and activities and it's not hard to find others who share your interests. If you like sports try out for a school team or do intermurals if you want something less serious. If you really want to do well in school but have a fulfilling social life, it is not that hard to do. You just have to budget your time in a way where you study enough to get the grades you want, but also leave time for hanging out with friends.

The college you or your child chooses should of course accomodate his or her desired educational interests, but should also be an environment where they grow and enjoy themselves. Although one important goal of college is to be able to land a job after graduation, it's also important to know that most of the knowledge that you are provided with during college you will probably not be asked to use after graduation. At the same time, potential employers due tend to put a lot of weight on GPA when looking for new employees so make sure to take your studies seriously when you need to. Ultimately, during your college experience you should be diligent with your studies when you need to be, but when you have free time really take advantage of it. Get involved. Join a club or fraternity/sorority. College is a very short time in your life an you don't want to regret it.

This is one of the most important decisions a student will ever make, therefore, much time and effort should go into college searching. Students and parents should consider well-rounded colleges that offer a diversity of majors. But it should also have a strong focus or be well-known for a particular major the student is interested in. The faculty and professors' interest to student needs and capabilities are also important. Ratings on these aspects need to be researched thoroughly, either online or at the library. The atmosphere of the campus is also important. The campus should suit the student's personality and personal needs. Doing tours of select campuses was the most helpful for me in order to discover what the college was like. Getting involved in either clubs, fraternities/sorities, dorming, school activities and cultural events, sports, students jobs, or student government would be the best bet to getting the most out of college experience. Students should go to club faires and be adventurous in discovering their passions. Ultimately, it's the student's choice to pick whichever college he wants, and it's also his responsibility to make the most out of college life.

Research the schools online

Make sure you are going somewhere that you will enjoy spending the next four years, you wouldn't buy a car that you dont like, so there is no sense in (often times) moving your entire life, and paying thousands of dollars per year to attend a school you don't feel comfotable at. Also, be patient during your application process, there is a college for everyone, it is just a matter of finding the right one., but don't get too bummed out if you don't get into your first choice, it's not the end of the world. It may end up being a blessing in disguise and the school you end up going to may end up changing your life completely. And finally, and probably most importantly, college is a time to find out who you are, make sure you study hard, but leave plenty of time to have a little fun, half of college is the social aspect and the people you meet! These people will be your friends for the rest of your life! Good luck!

Do not worry about the ranking of the school but rather worry about the friendliness of the staff and the amount of resources the school offer the students.

Most people do not go into college knowing exactly what they want to do in the future. Many people may have an idea but it may change as different professors and classes influence you. I beleive that the best thing to do when you come into college is to enroll in mostly general education courses, that way you dont waste classes.

I would tell parents and students to physically go to the college they are looking at attending, take a tour, and spend some time walking around by themselves to get a feel for the campus. If it is available, do a stay over program before deciding where to attend so you get some one-on-one time with an actual student who isn't paid by the school to endorse it; and that way you also get a feel for how the on-campus housing is as well as the cafeteria food. Speding time on and around the campus before deciding to attend it is probably the most important factor to determining whether you will enjoy your college experience and be able to make the most of it. By spending time there, you will be able to figure out what extra-curricular activities are offered that you are interested in, and how to be eligible for some of the activities before you even start so you have a sense of direction when classes actually begin.

To look into all possibilities and keep and open mind. There are many schools out there and it is important to find one that offers multiple classes/majors that you would be interested in.

Look for the major instead of the name. The major and the department gets the fund if the there's more students in the department. Also look for club and social life he wants. different school has different kind of social life and people attending each UC has certain kinds of talent based on campuses.

Advice that I would give parents and students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is that parents and their children need to sit down and discuss what field of study he/she is interested in. Then, they need to research different schools that offer this field and have good programs that can help their child succeed and have a promising career after graduation. They should then visit the schools of interest to see if their child finds the campus inspiring and feel that he/she will fit right in and be comfortable. If a college passes this test, then it should be one of the schools that the child applies to.

As much as the status of the school is important, it is also very important to research the strengths and weaknesses of the school. Whatever UC cannot provide will be provided in Cal States. It depends on what the student wants best out for the future career. Ask yourself, "What can I do in this school? What can this school offer for me (financial wise, academic wise, etc.)? How will I adjust and accomodate at this particular school? How serious does this school encourage success? How safe is this school? How involved is this school? How diverse is this school? How will I accomodate to living far away from home?" It's these very simple questions that students and parents often miss due to reliance on the status of the school. I'm not encouraging everyone should go wherever they feel like. I just want everyone to know that what is important for the students is how they will adjust the transition from high school to college, home to dorm life, and to look for the quality of the school; not just its status in the ranks.

If you want to find the right school for you, don't look at the programs but rather what kind of classes they offer and if those classes interest you. Often times, students enter a major because of its prestige and are overwhelmed by the workload. They usually end up changing majors after the first two years. As for making the most of your college experience, I'd say to join clubs and get involved. Many former students sit back and complain about how boring their college experiences were. They were usually the students that went home on the weekends and never interacted with others besides the people they already knew. College is about finding yourself and by doing extracurriculars ,you are exposing yourself to new interests that may later shape your future. Getting out of your comfort zone is part of the whole college experience and you learn and grow from it!