University of California-Los Angeles Top Questions

That strange letter marked on your first college exam is not a misprint, but a grade you will become quite familiar with in your first year of undergraduate study. The marks you receive at the collegiate level are just that, mere letters . Instead, consider your performance here as an opportunity to obtain a desired future. Procrastination during the quarter system is fatal, tenth week is called ?dead? weak for a reason. I know you have come down with a severe case of ?Senior-itis?, but use the free time to apply for free money; the bank of mom does not cover college expenses. It is the opportune time to finally reap the benefits of your educational efforts. Who ever said high school is the best time of your life, clearly did not go to college. These next four years render amazing experiences and life-changing revelations, fearlessly explore this new educational channel guarded by the secure fortifications of student professionalism. Orientation may seem like a nuisance, but if you commit the universities? pathways to memory, you may avoid the elongated digressions to class. Lastly, it is of dire importance you leave for college stocked with cereal, seriously.

In seeking the right college, I first figured out what I wanted to learn and checked out who taught those subjects at different colleges. I am a film music composer, so I looked for schools with both a good film school and a good music school, too. I also think it is important to contact people who know the schools that interest you. Before I moved to Los Angeles, I learned a lot from friends living near the schools that interested me. I sent emails asking them which schools they thought would be best for me, and they offered good advice about life at those schools. Then I searched online to figure out what prerequisites and materials were necessary for those schools and programs. Besides getting the degree, I think the best thing about being in college is making friends. Don?t be shy. Friends make every experience better, and it is a good idea to take part early on in many activities at college in your areas of interest where you can meet new people. In the future, many of your best opportunities and jobs will come from the friends you make. Leran Wang Official Web: www.leranwang.com

Make sure to visit the campuses and plan overnight stays. I think it's also important to look at what kind of majors they offer and if planning to study abroad, to see what their requirements are. As for making the most of the experience, I think it's better to engage in as much social activities as in the academic life.

Try NOT to just pick the school just because of how prestigious it is(in this case for me, UCLA wasn't suitable). But also research the field of expertise for the students' needs.

Despite the seemingly low acceptance rate of "elite" schools, there is an exceedingly number of excellent schools out there. Picking colleges seems so difficult, but I would just advise you to think about location, school size, and what the school has to offer. When the time comes to make a decision second semester of senior year, go with your gut feeling. And if it doesn't turn out the way you imagined, find something about the campus/place that you like, and enjoy doing, and focus on that rather than the negatives, whether it's a sport, or community service club. Going to a large university, i've discovered that while they seem overwhelming and may make you feel miniscule, they give you the ability to have tons and tons of options when deciding what you want to spend your time doing. Before I left for college, I was told, while there's tons of work to focus on, you'll have more free time than you will ever have the rest of your life, and you should make the most of it. Better yourself and think about the things you want to experience and just go for it.

My advice: Don't get caught up in rankings. I was in the top of my class when I was in high school and I felt like I needed to go to a school that topped U.S. News rankings. I mentioned that this was a factor weighing in on my decisions to one of my high school teachers and he reminded me that they factor in a lot of information in their rankings that wouldn't apply to me. For example, a top school may get points for having an exceptional engineering program, which is great for all the engineers going to that school, but would do nothing for me, a social science major. The important thing is that the school you choose is one you feel comfortable at and one that you feel you can excel at.

This was difficult decision to find the right college. When I was in high school, I expected that my life would suddenly change after I got into the college that has good reputation. I was addictive to the flash movies from internet so that I couldn't stop watching it until my parent told me to stop it. So, this bothered me from having life experiences such as hang out with friends, play sports, do well on the school assignment. Since I was addicted to mass media, I couldn't even focus on preparing for my future such as apply for college, job, or learn the leadership by joining certain clubs. Fortunately, I got into UCLA by my parents assistance. After I got accepted from there, I expected that I would change my habit. However, it went to opposite from my expectation. Since my parents were not there, it was difficult to control myself so that nobody cares about my life. College life is mostly fighting against myself. If I don't control myself, then I would definitely screw up my college life. I think the good college provides student to control themselves from doing whatever they want.

You should always try to visit each college campus that you are considering. Visiting the campus will give you a feel of the students that attend the school and the ambiance of the school. You will feel more comfortable in making your decision. When you're a college freshman, make sure you involve yourself in school activities!! Join a club that you're interested in and you're bound to make new friends in a snap! I know a lot of college students like to skip classes and think that it doesn't make a huge difference in your final grade, but it does impact your grade. Going to class helps a lot because you're able to see what the professor places emphasis on in the course and it'll ultimately help you in the midterms and final.

My advice to the future college seeker would be to become part of the campus before you enroll. Looking at the ranks of the school and going on their website is fine, but it's not the real thing. You won't know how the campus truly is by reading about it over the computer; walk around the school, ask the students and professors questions about their feelings of the campus. Think about the major you want and ask a counselor about how competitive it is and if it's the right choice for you. And when all of that business is done, walk around campus and look at the activities and clubs that the college offers. See if there are any teams or fraternities/sororities that sound interesting. The most important thing about college is not just studying; it's meeting new people and finding out who you are and what you want to be. If there is anything to emphasize to the college students of tomorrow is to have fun and DON'T STRESS, everything will be okay. Just take things slow and work hard at it.

Finding the right college can be a diffucult choice but it is also very rewarding. I believe looking into a school for the area of study is very important. Next would be a visit to the campus and the surrouding area. Lastly, would be the student organizations and people. These three should be very important to students. When it comes to parents they should help their children with this and also factor in financial need and aid. Making the most of college is up to the student. I believe that a student will only receive as much as they supply when it comes to a college. A student should be involved, active, and contribute to their school and they will see the rewards.

keep your options open, try looking up all sorts of schools in a few diferent loctions as well

College is about self-discovery and enjoying activities that the students want to do. Parents should accept and stand by what their children want to study in college instead of forcing students into something they won't be happy with. A student's cultural background is important as well; that is what makes them unique. Also, the college should not emphasize bureacracy; instead it should emphasize student growth with diveristy in all avenues of the word. Smaller classes and student to teacher ratios are integral to student learning as well because it emphasizes a different learning method than that of larger classes. Different teaching methods are very important as well. Never settle for anything less than you want.

Base your college chice upon your field of study and location. Many schools are strong in overall rankings, but lack in certain departments. By researching the different college choices different fields and seeing which one is best, you set yourself up for success and a much better experience educationally. Field of study also includes extra carricular activities involved with that field. Look up local opportunities for internships or jobs related, because this will provide the best hands-on experience. UC Berkeley is a great school (almost always ranked as the highest public university in the world), but UCLA has a better undergraduate life sciences department. The opportunities at UCLA for internships are also incredible and life-changing. The location of the school will tell you about the type of social life there. Is it glitzy and glamorous or is it kick back and countryside? This will tell you the type of people you will encounter and you can see if the location fits your personality. Again, Northern California has a more laid back feel than Los Angeles, which has a more high-society aura to it. This told me the type of people I would encounter on both campuses.

Visit before accepting, so you know if you fit. Try everything at least once. I knew UCLA was right for me the moment I set foot on campus, so visiting helps a lot. Know how the weather in the area works and plan for it. Nothing's worse than not having an ubrella when you really, really need one. Don't be afraid to learn the names of the people next to you in class. That's the best way to meet study buddies and make new friends. Be clear with your room mates when something isn't right, other wise it will just excalate until you can't stand the sight of each other. Do a walk around of the campus early if you have a chance, to learn where things are. It's awful to still be wandering around in the middle of the year looking for the library! Go to office hours, meet your teachers. Don't spend all of dead week studying for finals, take a break and do something fun too! Explore the city around campus, there's probably something there you'll love. Don't spend every weekend partying, there's other stuff too.

I think the most important thing a student can do to decide on the right school is to visit it. This allows a student to get the feel of the campus and see what is available for them, and what they might like to get involved in on campus. Once I visited UCLA, I had a really good feeling about it, and that helped me make my decision. I think the most important thing to do at a school is to get involved with clubs and other extra-curricular activities. For me, I'm very involved in my church and my sorority which I joined immediately. Being so involved helped me tremendously in finding friends and feeling like I belong. While getting involved is a great way to make the college experience enjoyable, of course, do not forget about studies. Part of college is learning how to balance everything, a skill which I am still working at perfecting.

appreciate the opportunites you have now, seize the moment and live with no regrets

make sure it is in an environment that will make you happy like if you prefer a city, small town, hot or cool climate.

During a student's senior year of high school, deciding what to do after graduation seems like a matter of life and death. My advice to parents and students facing this decision is that whatever you choose will work out. If dreams seem shattered because of insufficient finances to attend that dream school, I guarantee that the alternative is going to be a great experience. Enjoying college starts with an open mind. If you keep living like it's high school, you won't find the best friends or the best major. But if you let yourself hear about a club that interests you, if you talk to the person next to you in class and if you look around and see that your campus is full of opportunities, you'll love college. And more importantly, while having fun, you'll grow as an individual and graduate ready to face the world. So the right college might not be the best college, but the college that accepts you and fits into your budget. Just make sure that when you arrive at schol you open your eyes and ears so that you can find the experiences that will make college great.

Make sure you know what you are looking for in a school. You need to visit the schools you are considering to really get a feel for what they are like. In the end, you have to go with your gut and your heart when picking a school.

Choose a college that is right for you. Don't pay attention to what others are looking for or what others say about each school, go with your gut and do what is best for you. The rest will fall into place.

Really search out colleges you could see yourself attending. Find out where you would be able to learn best and have a great time. No matter what college you choose you will be able to find the crowd of people you want and what you want to do, if you want to party or to study or to date or hang out with friends. Think about and realize what kind of college experience you want at school; big city? Gorgeous campus? Thousands of people? Amazing sports? Laid back? Studious? Meet new people? Keep old friends? The location I think is key for a college choice. Whither you go to college close to home, go home often, and keep in touch with high school friends or go to school far away, are alone for the first time, have to meet new people and friends, get along with others, see new country and explore, find out who you really are inside and who you want to be, feel free and figure life out by yourself. So location not only determines your choices in activities on the weekends and with your friends but determines your future life to come. GO UCLA BRUINS!

The best advice I would give is to visit every school you consider attending among those that accepted you. Do not only visit the campus, but take a look at the surrounding areas, especially if on-campus housing is not guaranteed. Remind yourself that you will be spending your next four years in this atmosphere, so you must find out how comfortable you will feel. Secondly, evaluate to the best of your ability how attached you are to your family. Out-of-state colleges can be quite an adjustment for those who have spent a vast majority of their lives cooped up at home, and this adjustment can mean poor performance for the first year or two. Thirdly, try to decide a general area of study earlier in time; although college is about experience, a more competitive applicant is typically one who had completed steps geared specifically toward his/her chosen field earlier on. In addition, an early career decision can mean applying for colleges better suited for this career goal. Finally, it is important to understand that the college you attend should be your own decision. Take others? opinions into consideration, but do not let them overcome your own.

To parents, I'd like to tell them that it's crucial for their kids to choose the right college to attend based on their own agenda. It's not about the prestige name of the college, but rather, the right environment of the college for the kids. Once enrolled, whether students love or hate the school, they should push themselves to become involved in extra curricular activities. To make the most of the college experience, they should engage in organization(s) and find friends with similar interests. Academic goal should be their priority, but there needs to be a balance between academic and social lives.

In finding the right college, I would say be true to yourself and your career goals. That is what will make you ultimately happy. Find the school that has the best program for your career goal and go from there. To make the most of your college experience, study abroad and do the best you can in all your classes. Work hard,but play harder. Get involved in campus organizations that give back to the community. Live in the dorms for at least one year to gain that experience because you'll never forget it.

Your college is more than just a place to learn. Academics are important, but you probably don?t realize that your choice of school will determine who you meet, what you do for fun, how hard you will work, and how happy you will be. These experiences will change who you are and how you view the world. So even though looking at a list of the ?best schools in the U.S.? can be fun, you have to see beyond just academics. Make sure that you will enjoy the campus, the surrounding area, the weather, the other students, the sports, and everything else during your stay at the university. Visit the campus. Sit in on a class. Talk with people, even people you don?t know. Attend a club meeting. Go to a school event. If even for one day, try to live as a student would live and ask yourself ?do I feel comfortable here?? A school is more than just a place to learn new things: it?s going to be your new ?home.?

Of course, the academic reputation and majors your college offers is an important thing to consider. But also remember- that you're spending 4 years on the college campus you choose. So you really want to make sure you choose a campus location that you love, and know what kind of people go to college there. That way, even if you feel stressed with college sometimes, you'll feel so much better by realizing how much you love your campus and the friends you're surrounded with. To make the most of the college experience, be sure to get involved with something outside academics. Even if you're not that social, you'll be sure to find something that sparks your interests, and find others who enjoy your passion as well. That's where you really meet people that you'll keep in touch for life, and stay connected to them not only for networking purposes. Take advantage of what your college offers, and use it so that it'll benefit you in whatever you choose as your future.

Finding a college is not easy. It is similar to finding a car. It takes time, patience, and most all committment. You have to want to find the college that will best fit you just as you want to find the perfect car. You must take into consideration all about the college, its surroundings, and resources offered. It is very important to look at the city in which the college is located. Although a particular college may be your number one choice, you may hate the city and environment around it, which will drastically change your college experience. It is also crucial to see what the college offers outside of academics. How can you get involved and make a lasting difference on that campus. The most important question is, where will I be the most happiest? It is vital to pick a university that is all around. No place will be perfect but you want to pick a college that best fits your personality and most of all that makes you happy.

Don't just look at one aspect of the college when making your decision this spring. For example, the location is not the only thing that matters.Consider things like the diversity of the student body: will your experience be enriched by exposure to a variety of cultures, or will you find yourself lost amongst exotic classmates and not get the attention you need? What about drugs and alcohol? You may not want to go to a school that has trouble keeping its students sober, because that may translate to a problem keeping yourself sober.An important factor that I ignored was class sizes. If you find it easy to lose yourself in a crowd, then you may want to rethink your decision to go to a large school. Your college experience needs to be about you. Keep in mind that if your professors don?t know who you are, they can?t write a letter of recommendation for you when you?re applying for jobs after college!You will be learning so much more than just what is taught in class. It is important that you make a conscious decision about what those extra things will be.

One of the biggest factors students should consider when choosing a college to attend is its location. This is particularly important for students with close relationships with their families. Not being able to manage living far away from home would only add to the number of stressors that go along with entering college. However, it is important that students in this situation understand that living extremely close to family may also contribute to stress. One needs to be able to remain focused in school without distractions. It is an important time in students? lives to become more independent. Being away from family may be the only way to allow some students to do so. Students should also choose a school where they have visited and feel comfortable. Four years is a long time. The college will be their new home. Therefore, they need to realize that the school?s rank or the number of high school friends attending should not influence their decision. It is more reasonable to choose an institution where you will enjoy being a student. The college that delivers an enjoyable experience will cause you to want to participate in more activities, further enhancing your college life.

Undergrad doesn't even matter these days in this economy, so don't fret. Make the best decision that you can, stay focused and choose somewhere where you can experiement and grow as an individual.

One of the biggest factors students should consider when choosing a college to attend is its location. This is particularly important for students with close relationships with their families. Not being able to manage living far away from home would only add to the number of stressors that go along with entering college. It is important that students in this situation understand that living extremely close to family may also contribute to stress. One needs to be able to remain focused in school without distractions. It is an important time in students? lives to become more independent. Therefore, being away from family may be the only way to allow some students to do so. Students should also choose a school where they have visited and feel comfortable. Four years is a long time. The college will be their new home. Therefore, they need to realize that the school?s rank and/or the number of high school friends attending should influence their decision. It is more reasonable to choose an institution where you will enjoy being a student. The college that delivers an enjoyable experience will cause you to want to participate in more activities, further enhancing your college life.

When picking which college to attend, of course academics and extracurricular activities should be at the top of the list, but do not forget to think about the atmosphere of the college. Visiting the campus is essential, looking at pictures is not enough, you need to actually set foot on campus and look through the dorms and classrooms and get to know some of the students. A college may have the major and activities you want, but if you can't envision yourself walking through campus, living in the dorms, and interacting with the student community then it's not the place for you. Although academics is the primary reason for attending college, don't forget about your overall well-being. If you're not happy because you feel like you don't fit in, then your academics may suffer. As for making the most of the college experience, I would say keep an open mind, don't pre-judge people or events and allow yourself to step outside of your comfort zone, because you may discover something about yourself you never knew. College is about learning and new experiences, make the most of it!

The advice that I would give is to find a college that truly works for the student, not just picking one because it's an Ivy League college or ranked highest. If you feel more comfortable in a smaller school setting than that is the kind of schools you need to be looking at. However, if you relish the idea of going to a larger school than go for it but keep in mind that it might take some time to find that perfect niche for you. Which leads to what you should do once you start attending the school of your choice. You need to become active in activities other than your schoolwork. You have to join clubs, groups, anything that you're into. If you're living in campus dorms get to know your floormates and maybe join the floor government. This is how you're going to make your new friends. It's not like high school where you make friends in class. Most of your friends will be made outside of class. And last but not least, enjoy your time. You are here to get your education but that doesnt mean you cant have fun either!

Find the school where you can see yourself walking around and enjoying yourself. Don't rely on "big names" or anything else related to the reputation of the university. When you need to do your laundry at 2 AM and suddenly you remember that you have a paper due the next morning, you won't care if you're at Harvard or at a state school. Also, taking on a $50,000-$100,000 debt may not seem like much before you enroll, but think about having to pay that off when you graduate. You might be better off at a state school. In the end, where can you see yourself thriving, doing what makes you happy, and meeting people that you can see creating lasting friendships with? Where do you think you'll get the biggest bang for your buck? That's where you should go. And the school that fits YOU best won't necessarily fit everyone...so go with the school that's best for you.

Be flexible. College will not be what you were expecting.

Dont pick a major just because it will make you the most money later on. pick something you enjoy.

See them in person, and talk to college student you know, because they all have friends at other schools and have a better idea than many teachers/parents/high schoolers about what college life is like right here and now. Moving away from your home town is almost always a good idea, but that doesn't mean the change has to be extreme. Find a place that suits your social needs, and will have many people like you, but also enough diversity to keep you on your toes and help you become a more univeral person. Go with your gut, and try not to let something materialistic or irrational (like a relationship, money, fear) get in the way of what you really want out of your college experience.

There's a classic saying "Home is where the heart is" and you discover how true the statement is when you leave home for a long period of time. I cannot live away from home without a certain degree of anxiety. Thoughts of my families well-being fill my head, and a constant fear that I will miss out on my younger sister's hectic teen years influenced my decision on where to attend school. The closest University so happened to be the University of California Los Angeles, and this was my first choice for this very reason. Many individuals have told me I was foolish for turning down the University of Los Angeles Berkeley because their Anthropology department seems to dominate Los Angeles but the fact of the matter is, my family and friends are not within driving distance of Berkeley. My heart is not at Berkeley. It is here in Los Angeles. Medical doctors state that the Heart is the most crucial organ, aside from the brain, and a person cannot live for more than several moments without it. Home is where the heart is, closer to home the better I can live.

Smaller class sizes create more inducive environments for personal growth in subjects of interest. Furthermore, in such settings personal connections are more easily made, since there is no feeling of being another clog in the bureaucracy.

Take a campus tour during school!

Figuring out how will that person learn to accept fulfillment with new ideas of hope and encouragement for the betterment of that individual in a positive college experience. Parents should pursue a positive and introretrospective ideas for a college, not just for a high GPA. Focusing positive emotional reasons that will benefit the person long after they're in school and will definitly guarantee good performance for a strong GPA. Personal relationships with others should also be allowed to be expressed, too much of regression of a person's own lifestyle tends to be a priority in some institutions, freedom and safety should be also a priority, because that will keep the student there for the following years after and benefit the parents to pursuade the student to finish their degree at that college. Good relationships between the students, parents, and with the faculty will always generate an individual to perform better,that should a main concern when looking and choosing colleges. I have found that when a student needs a helpful hand and the student body obliges me with help, I succeed even better.

It's so hard to pick a good college, and there are so many things to take into account. My best advice would be to go with your gut. UCLA had always been my first choice of school; but when I got accepted into the other schools I applied for, all of a sudden I was unsure. Should I go for a different academic program? the school my friends picked? I wasn't sure. Finally, I decided that I should just go for UCLA after all. I had fallen in love with the campus when I visited, and it was hard to visualize my college experience in any other terms. And as it happens, I'm really, really happy here -- I wouldn't trade my experience at UCLA for any other college in the world.

It's very important to make the most of your college experience wherever you go. Become very active in whatever club(s) that you choose and try to be social, so to therefore have a well-rounded experience.

Figure out what qualities you want in a school first, then choose a school that will match.

My advice is, knowing what you want to get out the most in the next four years of your life. Some things to consider while picking the right college are the location, whether it has your major, its distance from home, and of course the social aspect of it. One thing not to worry is paying for college because it should be the last thing to worry about. There are various ways of paying for school, financial aid, scholarships and of course our last hope, loans. Most students make the mistake of not going to college because they cant afford it. Take out loans if you have to, because you have the rest of your life to pay for it, but you have only one chance to experience college, and every aspects of it. In order to get the most out of college, you need to use all its resources. You have to understand that it?s a lifetime experience, so might as well live it up. But sometimes student get carried away with socializing and forget about school. Have fun but at the mean time, keep in mind the real reason for being there, and that is to learn.

Make sure the school has a good academic program in the major you wish to pursue, or in the areas you have interests in. Visit the school before you decide; the campus and people there can have a major impact on your decision. Decide how big of a school you'll be comfortable with and how you learn best. If big classes and lots of people on campus aren't your thing, choose a smaller school. Apply to many schools and apply as early as you can. You'll never know which you'll be accepted into, even ones you feel are way out of your league. Cost can be a big issue. The cost of education, living expenses, etc. Does your top pick offer financial aid? Costs are only rising, so it is really important that you research and figure out how you'll pay for your education. Lastly, be bold. You only have one college experience, make the most of it. Explore the campus and what it has to offer you. Explore the area around campus. Make friends, talk with your professors. Engage actively in your environment to get the most out of your time in college.

In order to find the right college, I would urge students to do the following: 1) decide whether you (the student) prefer a big or small University. Large institutions tend to have very large classes and professors hardly give any undivided attention to students while small schools have much smaller classrooms and professors give students a priority instead of research. 2) decide whether you are rural or urban individual. There are so many universities in the US and you should make this a priority for the environment in which you go to school is very important. I believe that there is a direct correlation between being happy at a university and its environment. Thus, if you like your school and its surroundings you will be more likely to succeed academically. Lastly, I will urge all students to identify about 3 or 4 tentative majors and chose a school based on all those majors. Once you enter your school you might change your mind and it would be great if those majors are at your chosen university. Do not, however, close your mind to one major for you might change your mind and thus end up at the wrong university.

In my opinion, the key to finding the right college is to see as many universities as possible before the application process. College is an experience that will force you to discover yourself and challenge you in new ways, so the right school could be something very different than what you're used to. By exploring the campus you can immerse yourself in the culture and atmosphere and truly envision if it is the right place for you for the next four crucial years of your life. Sometimes you don't know what you want until you see it. Talk to different students and ask what they love most about their school. You can tell through the student's enthusiasm what the college can offer you. Through the process of seeing big schools and small, liberal and conservative, arts and science programs as well as various locations you will become confident in what qualities you want and don't want. Once you reach your decision explore your chosen university. With so many new opportunities it can be overwhelming so pick activities you are truly passionate about.

The single most important piece of advice i can give an aspiring college student is to find a location(geographically) that you could see youself living in for four years and then chose your school based on the pre-selected region because the rest will fall into place on its own. By "the rest" i mean friends and academics and everything else associated with college life. That being said to decide between colleges you should visit school durring the year, in particular durring the week, to see if you like the atmosphere of the school. One should go durring the week because if you visit the college durring a weekend or holliday you're not truelly getting what that college has to offer.

I have a running theory that finding the right college for you is like finding a wedding dress. When it's the one, it's the one. It fits, and you just know it. I would advise any prospective student to visit the college they are interested in before agreeing to attend - sometimes brochure packets don't cover what individual students need, and it's important to be on campus and feel in your gut that this is the school for you. Once you arrive, find one extracurricular to get involved in immediately. This makes the adjustment into college life so much easier. You will get the opportunity to meet people from different years, majors, and origins. I participated in my school's improv troupe, BUICK, for my first two years, and it was the most amazing experience. I got to perform all around campus, and expose something I am particularly proud and fond of to other students who didn't necessarily follow the theater community at such a big school. It was a great way to unite people from the small theater program with students in other majors who have the same interests.