University of California-Los Angeles Top Questions

My first advice to parents or students would be to make sure you want to go there and do not let anyone else influence your decision. You would have to make sure that you like the environment and the people around you. Another piece of advice would be that you must be ready to do work and not just mess around by going to parties. You must try to make the most of your college experience because you only live through it once, so you have to take every opportunity you can too do things you never did in high school. Espicially if you live on campus, you must try to meet people because friendships in college may last for a lifetime. Just as long as you manage your time well, college will be a great experience because you can have a great time with people and study hard as well.

I would advise parents and students to do their homework. The student should have some idea of what they want to study, and pick the school that has the best reputation for that area of study. Then they should check into the cost of attending, financial aid, applying for scholarships and grants. If they are able to, they should plan on taking tours of each of the schools that they have chosen, or even taking virtual tours that are now being offered online by many schools. If the schools are far from their home, they should also look into the cost of student housing. They should apply to more than one school. Maybe their top three or four schools. Once they have applied, wait patiently for the schools to get back to them with their decision to to offer acceptance or not. If they are accepted, the student should reply back before the deadline that that school has set. I would also advise them to study hard and complete their degree.

Research.

College. The driving force for some, the destructive force for others. College. A new beginning for some, yet the end for many... The most important thing in making the best of a college experience, is maintaining the right mindset. There is a kid out there, working 30 hours a week, attending a small local community college, and helping to support a single mom. With a mindset like that, success is guaranteed, for it is the hard work and dedicated diligence which will bless a deserving future. In another city, there is a fortunate child who has slacked off in high school, but due to innate abilities in intelligence attends an expensive private school, and without doing any work, maintains good grades. Though one may feel, that in the end, the Private school Graduate will come out the winner, it is in fact the persevering student who has taken home the trophie. College is more than just books and parties, it's a life experience. The only way to make the best of it, is to be dedicated. Because in the end, the degree may be on paper, but the experience will dwell forever in your soul.

Don't choose the college based on ranking or prestige. Go to the campus and look around, and decide for yourself if it's right for you.

To find the right colleges, students should visit different colleges that they are interested in and see which one best fit their academic goals and social environment. To make the most of the college experience, students should join clubs, organizations, seek for tutoring to enhance their learning in academic as well as their social life.

The main issue that parents and students look at when choosing the right college is whether or not it specializes in a specific academic program or has a particular major. While securing an academic path is important, an equally important question should be considered when making a landmark decision such as this: Does this college fit my personality and offer me opportunities beyond getting good grades in a classroom? Each college is unique in not only its degrees and education, but also in its environment and setting. Students who are extroverts and enjoy being surrounded by an energetic vibe may feel more at home in a cosmopolitan school, whereas reflective and solitary students may enjoy the intimacy of a smaller school. It is important for each student to feel as if they belong on that campus to enhance their learning experience and also be immersed in various activities suited to their individual personalities. Such activities do not necessarily have to have the purpose of advancing their career or education. Look for a college which fulfills what college should be about: allowing you to experiment with different interests to discover your identity and broaden your view of the world.

the only advice i can give is follow your instincts and do not let anyone influence your decisions about chosing another campus

Students, please, don't let your parents dictate what university you chose to attend. I beg of you. These are your years. This is your youth. You will be spending the entirety of at least the next 4 years at this institution, so don?t blow it. This is your transition from ignorant child to ignorant adult. Become one with your campus. Throw yourself headfirst into the onslaught that you are about to endure. There is no sense in being timid, no gain from holding back. Here is where you chose your path into the future. It is surely the most epic thing you have ever done. So is there any reason to exclude any of the possible roads onward in your decision making? Tread cautiously and with an open mind. People will be welcoming you with open arms and gleeful smiles from all directions. Yet, remember, they will all do this, no matter what their intentions may be. Be courageous. Be frivolous. But most importantly, when faced with the dilemmas that you will surely face on your transition, make the choice that makes your soul grow. In my mind, a human being truly has no other choice.

I would advise parents and students to start exploring and learning about different colleges and universities at an early age. This is because it is never too late to familiarize oneself with what one would like to major in or the type of community that one would like to be fully engaged in for four years. I believe that parents should help students figure out how to manage the financial burden of college. A four-year plan should be set beforehand in order to have more financial security during the college years of the student. In regards to the student, great effort should be made to find exactly what one wants to do for a living and how he or she is going to achieve a stable life in the future with that occupation. After finding the right college, students should take advantage of all the opportunities that are given to them while in college. Being in college is about realizing one's own interests as well as finding out about oneself.

Don't just choose the college just based on its name value, but consider all aspects.

I would say that it is most important for parents and students to fully explore all of their options. Once accepted into schools, both student and parent should visit every school and get a feel for each campus' atmosphere. While UCLA turned out to be the perfect fit for me, it may not serve the same for others. Everyone has their own idea of what they want out of their college experience, and every campus has its own unique experience to offer. The difficulty comes in finding the right campus. As I said before, this can only be done by visiting, as well as researching every campus as well as the surrounding city.

Don't go for the name or any superficial reason (i.e., it's been your dream school), rather find out whether or not you can flourish at that school.

Don't get your heart set on a college before you get in. Keep an open mind and visit any college you are considering before making your final decision.

Find a place where you feel comfortable enough that you won't feel out of place. Make sure you feel like you can handle things on your own. Let the student choose where they want to go - because ultimately their happiness with the school they have chosen will impact their entire experience (academic and social). Don't just look at the campus and housing - look at the environment surronding the campus - is there transportation, do you need a car, are there things to do close by? Don't be afraid to look for things that are out of your traditional set of values/ideals. Some of the best experiences occur when you are learning without even knowing it. Make friends and don't let life pass you by.

Don't worry too much about how prestigious or competitive the school is. Pick the school that best fits your social, atmosopheric, educationsal sensibilities.

When people ask me about my experiences at UCLA, the first thing I tell them is it was the perfect place for me. When searching for a college, you can't let its reputation influence you; you have to experience it for yourself. Location, price, size, and ambience will have a major impact on your entire college experience, and they have to flow harmoniously in order for the college to be the right fit. For me, UCLA's urban setting, liberal attitude, large size, and influence on academics was the perfect fit. In order to make the most of your college experience, you must feel at home. Make great friends (not in terms of quantity, but quality), go to a big sporting event to cheer your team on, have a fun and varied social life, explore your campus's surroundings, and do the best school work you've ever done in your life. Soak up all the experiences you can, because college will form you into the person you want to be, and the person you need to be for the rest of your life.

First, I would advice students and parents to visit the campus with a tutor guide and other time without a guide. Go to the events that are host by different organizations. Also visit an academic counsler. When students are in college, to make the most of it, find what events are happening around the campus. Go and explore different clubs. Get involve with your dorm. Overall, be friendly and outgoing.