University of California-Los Angeles Top Questions

There are so many colleges to choose from today and even online. My advice would be to invest in your own education always over anything else. If anyway possible DO go to college, physcally attend classes. Classes can be augmented by online course work and lectures but the experience of learning in the class room and lectureds given, the interaction with other students is just as much a part of learning as taking in the information. Nothing compares. Because of the huge selection it is Great to be a student today. Be open but select on the basis of your own individual preferences/characteristics. Put your all into your college entrance essays, they let the college know who you are but they also help you define who you are for your self.

Please visit the campus. When I visited UCLA, I fell in love with the campus and the people there. The moment I stepped inside that campus, I thought to myself, "I'm going to come here no matter what. I'm going to be one of the students at UCLA!" and kept telling myself that until the results came in the mail. :) And I guess that worked! Anyway, please, visit campuses, because if you're going to be there for 4 or maybe more years, you might as well go to a campus that you love to be in.

A huge part of college in my opinion is getting away from your family which will act as a crutch in developing your independence. Go somewhere that you will fit in, but that will also push you socially and mentally. Dont back down from a challenge. Stay where you choose at least 1 full year before transferring, and allow time to adapt to a new environment. For parents, support your childrens choices, discuss with them logically not emotionally so that your own opinions and wishes dont end up making the decision for your child.

Don't stress, you should never feel stuck in a situation. You can always change if you are unhappy. Find schools that have a wide variety of majors to choose from so that you can dabble in somethings before you make your choice. And if your major is small and/or tight knit contact the professor you will be working with for a meeting.

find the college that has the major you want and apply under another major then switch

Make sure that where you choose to go to college REALLY offers what you are interested in studying, especially if you have multiple interests and haven't decided on one yet, or incase you change your mind once you get to college. Don't go somewhere just because of one aspect, like the location of the school because it is either close to home or extremely far from home. Make sure you are comfortable with all aspects of the school you choose to go to: are the students there happy? what kind of campus life does the school have? do the professors seem distinguished? do you have any idea what kind of classes you will take once there? how will this school help you in your selected carreer path, or help you to find one? can you realistically afford to go to this college? If you feel like your 'dream school' has several aspects that you have decided to ignore, or make you feel as if you are compromising by choosing this school, then you NEED to re-evaluate what your 'dream school' is. Otherwise, you may end up transferring to a college that better fits YOU, as I did.

I have been to three colleges, and I would suggest to follow your heart no matter what society (or your parents) dictate. Going to the "best" ranked school with the best repuation will not necessarily mean a happy, fulfilling college experience right for you. Students needs to tour colleges and choose the school the best see themself attending, not the one that is ranked highest.

Don't worry to much about rankings- you willl end up in the right place for you! Don't be scared to apply (or even attend!) a college you never really considered, because it just may change your life. College is all about learning and experiences, and no matter where you go, the experiences you have will be unforgettable and teach you everything about life. I ended up somewhere I never expected, and while the past two years have been far from perfect, I would never, ever trade them for anything! College is the last time in your life someone else will pay (or at least help) for you to take a wild risk- so go ahead and take that chance and never look back.

Pick a school with a wide variety of majors in case you change your mind!

I would say that it is important to not forget about self-growth, and maturing into that man, or woman you want to be. Schools sell on the importance of social life, but the truth of the matter is, your social life is based upon yourself, your eagerness to be outgoing and friendly. No school alone can better you, no structure can guarantee you happiness, self-clarity, or a sense of direction; it relies solely on you. Find a school with so many opportunities it almost makes your head turn. The beauty of life is the variety of outlets you have to make your own stand, to be your own person. Do the research and find if the schools you are interested in, offer you a broad selection of interests and opportunities, because what you could be interested today, might be different tomorrow. Take the time to think about what you really want to study, because that is half the battle. If you study better in a specific environment, factor that in, because distractions only get worse, and you don't want to loose the main focus. Finally, allow yourself to be happy with whatever decision you make.

The student really should think about what conditions will make them thrive. Irregardless of what a parent wants, the most important factor is always going to be you, the student. Of course, if your parent's requests are reasonable, like staying close to home or financial contraints, you should probably heed such demands. However, if there is a school that you HAVE to attend, you can probably find some way to finance your education. Don't be fooled by the name of a school. Just because it is well known does not mean it is right for you. I suggest making a list of all the things you look for in a school (small classes, $, faculties, social life, good counseling, etc.) and make a check list for each school and what they have. Once you attend the school, make sure you take advantage of all the elements on the list. After all, you are paying for it.

If you have an idea what your career goals are you should search for the school that is best suited to assist you in attaining those goals. If you are planning to go to graduate school this applies to the prospect of admission into grad school. Research and visiting several schools is the best advice I can give to any prospective student or parent.

To parents and students who are searching for the right college, I would tell them to really check out the schools you are considering as much as possible. Don't just do the campus tour and ask questions to the people that are hired to give tours-- they will likely only tell you the best things about the school because they want you to come there! Try to have your student sit in on some classes and talk to current students. If they know someone who currently attends, have them spend a weekend that person to get a feel for the social life. To students already in college: try out as many new things as you can! Don't live in your books. Check out clubs and other organizations. Find a few activities that you really like and stick with them and get deeply involved. Also, definitely take a few summers to hold internships, preferably in careers that interest you. Lastly, if you can afford it or get a scholarship, STUDY ABROAD! This was one of the best things I did in college. Go for at least a quarter/semester. I did a summer program---it wasn't long enough.

All I can say is visit the campus you are interested in first-hand to see if it is where you want to live the 4 or 2 best years of your life! Talk with current students, faculty, the administration office, and locals that live around the area. Do not skip out on this process or you may regret you decision!

I would tell students to visit college campuses as best as they can, which means maybe staying over for a few nights. Try to get a feel for what the campus is like, and if you see yourself fitting in. I would also advise students to find out what is important to them - sports, clubs, volunteering, etc, and see what the campus has to offer. If the school has what they are looking for, then it will be a good match. Also, location is very important because it sets some of the atmosphere of what college is like. It will determine how social life is going to be, and it may even reflect study habits. When choosing a college, it is most important to feel as if you would be comfortable being at that school for the next four years. This means feeling comfortable with the crowds, atmosphere, location, and even the buildings. If you feel that it is a good fit, then it is probably the right school for you.

In the most general sense, choosing the right college goes along with the pursuit of happiness. Do not base your selection on reputation and prestige. Base your selection on what fits you and your ambitions best. The surrounding environment and social life around campus are important as well. Education is not limited to books and lecture halls. A healthy social life and new experiences are just as important in self-cultivation. I definitely recommend campus visitations and active research on campus life.

I would advise parents to let their child make their own decision of where they want to spend the next 4 years of their life, whether it be away from home, or close to home. They shouldn't be driven by the prestige of the school. I would also advise the student to try out different things, especially during their freshman and sophomore years, because when you try new things, you gather knowledge and discover new things about yourself that you wouldn't have figured out otherwise. Goodluck, everyone! This will be the time of your life!

The advice I would give parents and/or students about finding the right college is to gather all the necessary information and to analyze that information with an empty cup - meaning that to look at colleges without the bias of popularity, ratings, etc. The choice of choosing a college should be based on what is best academically and what will most prepare the student for his/her field. The decision of choosing an undergraduate institution should be consulted between parent and child but the parent must not put pressure on the student. The ultimate choice is vested on the student because he/she will have to write the personal statement and a personal statement has more meaning when there is passion iterated through the writing - it conveys sincerity. The student will enjoy the experience of attending a university if the student makes the choice based on all gathered information and has thoroughly examined the facts and pays a visit to the institution to understand the atmosphere. When visiting an institution, there are three things to look out for, the food, campus postings, and the bookstore. The aforementioned will give you a thorough idea of what that university is like.

Visit all of the colleges upon admission to ensure that you give all of the colleges a fair consideration.

It's important to know what kind of college experience the student is looking for. If they are very dependent on having specialized attention they should go to a small college, however if they are competitive and strong willed, a large public university could be a great fit. At larger schools, there are team sports, and tons of clubs that make the large campus feel smaller. It is also important to visit the campus and see if they feel at home. Most students have a gut feeling about whether or not a school will work for them. It is also important to remember finances and choose wisely based on what works for the family as well. Big schools are harder to adjust to at first but I think in the long run can be a better overall experience and challenge the student to grow and learn how to make friends, keep in touch, and excel in a competitive group. Small schools are an easier transition but after a few years can become somewhat boring and repetitive.

study hard.

Choose what is right for you, the student. Do not give in to parental pressure. When you choose the college, make sure it is what you want, not what your parents expect of you.

First of all, I believe that parents shouldn't impose their own decisions on their children. Students have to decide for themselves on where they want to go, because they are the ones who will be attending the college for the next four years, not the parent. Aside from that, I think the most important advice is to actually go and visit the schools and ask as many questions as possible to get the feel for it. Students need to be able to see the campus firsthand and decide if the environment is right for them. They have to be able to see if it feels right--if they fit in--otherwise, they'll be miserable. To make the most out of college, students have to get out of their comfort zone and try as many new things as possible. College is a time to experiment and grow, and broadening your horizons is the way to go. These experiences will shape the rest of your life, because afterwards you're expected to jump into a career. Make the most of it while you can, and have as much fun as possible because you can only do it once.

Attend a place that will enrich you and take you out of your comfort zone. The people that succeed are the ones that put in the extra effort and time in the present so that they may have more options in the future.

My advice to parents would be to empower their children with as many tools for researching and exploring all of the different options there are for college and, as hard as it may be, to take the passenger seat during this critical time in one's education. It it important for prospectives college students to learn how to be proactive and take matters of life into their own hands. However, I do feel that parent involvement in the process is very important, because parents certainly do know a lot about different schools, and every student's situation regarding finances and other family matters is different. Too much pressure from parents to go somewhere specific will significanly reduce their student's experience; the majority of people I know who faced such pressures at home are usually the most depressed about their majors and social lives, and are resentful towards their parents. The most successful students are the ones that discover their passions on their own since they have the inner drive to do the most good and don't feel forced from the outside to live up to unrealistic expectations.

Definitely visit the campuses and interact with the students there as much as you can to get an idea of what it is like. Remember to take into consideration the surrounding areas, and the available housing. Also, the weather. If you hate snow, don't go to school in the midwest, for example. As for making the most out of your experience, try new things and don't be afraid to explore different areas of interest. Also, don't worry about "making the most" out of college. You'll do that naturally! There's nothing to gain from feeling "guilty" that you're not "experiencing" everything. Just do what makes you happy. Go where you think you'll be happy. That's the most important thing. College is a time to discover who you are and to grow as a person.

Definitely visit the campus and see if it feels right. When I visited UCLA I just knew that it was the place for me. Take into account academics and what you want to do after college. Pick a college that has a good program in the field that you're interested in. Also, try to get a feel for what kinds of students go to that college and whether or not it's a good match for you.

Visit the place and talk to disgruntled students.

Make sure to visit the campus and really get to experience the evironment of the campus. Although academics are very important to choosing a college, the environment, the people, and the opportunities really make a college career a great, life-long experience.

Make sure you know what you are looking for. Is the location right? Do you want a big school or a small school? What kind of a course load are you prepared to take on? And once you're there, use the resources provided. Make study groups, use the library, go to the types of parties you're comfortable with, make friends, be social, study, do well.

The most important thing that one should do is visit the school and sit in on some classes. You need to know if the school fits you; otherwise, you might end up being unhappy with your decision at it'll already be too late.

Advice to find the right college: Consider reputation, size, and quality. My college had a great reputation but I underestimated the impact of its large size and less than expected quality. I advise that parents and students visit the college before choosing which college is the right one. I did not pre-visit my college and I am disappointed in the conditions of the surrounding area, Westwood and traffic. Be sure to consider all aspects of the college, class size, dorm room, food quality, staff quality, and availability of job, research, and intership opportunities. Regarding making the most of college experience, that is completely up to the student. College is whatever you want to make it. This is the best opportunity to become any person you dreamed of. Your history is cleared and opportunities are everywhere. There really is no succeed or fail, just as long as you carried out your college life the way you wanted to have it.

Parents and students should keep in mind that choosing the right college is a vital and enrichening step in shaping the rest of a student's life. Students should look for a college that offers opportunities for the growth and development of their interests and hobbies, and that will encourage the student to expand their horizons to experiment with new persuits. It is also vital to keep an open mind and realize that while some things may not occur as one may have originally planned, new windows of opportunity will open to the persistent and ambitious. You may have come in pursuit of one thing, but new developments may inspire you elsewhere. Don't be shy about trying new things, because you might end up depriving yourself of novel experiences. At the same time, establish goals for yourself to aim for and achieve. Remember the reasons that you are applying to college in the first place, and stick to supporting those reasons, be they academic, artistic, athletic, or explorational. College is full of choices to structure your life ahead of you; only you can make college life what you want it to be.

It is important to be willing to understand oneself. It is also important to understand the extent to which oneself can handle the perspective of oneself being challenged. The culture of college is largely centered on challenging one's persective; this is often percieved as threatening while getting to know the campus, and getting to know yourself. Rather than allowing this to be a depressor, utilize the surrounding culture as an excitor. Get involved in activities that do and don't challenge your knowledge. Be willing to stand up for your own views or even change them. Take college as a challenge. It's challenging your habits, your perspectives, and your personality. Make sure to challenge yourself to make yourself better in every aspect of your life. Take advantage of all the opportunites college has to offer you to establish who you are. It's tough to let go of what you grew up with, but it's time for you to understand for yourself who you are, who you want to be, and to make youself that person! Good luck!

RIGHT NOW, relinquish all hope of honing in on the right school or right program based on criteria you think you already have all figured out. Not only is it impossible to find the "right" school or right fit based on your dispositions of what you (as students AND parents) think you want, it would also be detrimental to the experience. This point relates well to making the best out of the college experience once you are there... You got 4 years. Or 2. Or, if you're lucky, 5. This is (assumably) a one-time experience. Do you, Mr. Well-Rounded, Ms. Driven-til-the-End, want to devote this time to the strong influence of a future cause? Well...yes, if you want to make an investment, which you do, but in the end, you will MAXIMIZE your ability to do what you love and make a positive impact by studying and experiencing what interests you and makes you twitch with excitement, NO MATTER WHAT IT IS. This is especially true at UCLA, because in a school with so many resources to offer, it would be a crime not to make full use of them.

Do what you love. Don't settle for second. Don't leave home unless if you struggle with constantly making bad choices. Don't rush into anything.

You will enjoy yourself anywhere. Good luck and don't stress too much about it.

Students and their families should work together and do research on every college they apply or are interested in. Definitely make a point to visit the college, check out the facilities, the dorms, the food, and the surroundings of the campus. Make sure to attend welcome events or open houses and talk to the students who live there now. Shadow friends who go to the school and make sure to find out about class sizes, teachers, walking/parking issues, and campus life. You should feel secure and happy wherever you go, and the best way to do that is to visit the campus.

College is the experience that people always say is the 'best years of your life'. Honestly, picking the right campus is important but it's really what you make of it. People who graduate from the most prestigious schools sometimes don't even find the right jobs. If happiness is what you seek, in which case most people do seek, I suggest you find purpose in your life first. If you do not have purpose, I suggest you go to a college where it will best help you find your purpose in life. So in terms of the 'best years of your life', heck why stop at college? Life is what you make of it. It is not simply the American dream that if you try hard you'll be sucessful, it's simply what makes you happy, what pushes you to keep going, and the ansewr to that is purpose. Find purpose equals finding the right college, equals finding life meaningful and full of surprises.

I would tell parents and students that it's very important for students to not only visit every campus that they are considering going to, but that they should also talk to multiple people that personally attend those schools and that are from different years. Also I can not stress enough the importance of going to a school that has the major you want. That part is crucial because not only is each major vastly different, but the testing styles are as well. For example, do you prefer to write timed in-class essays, write long take home research papers, or take multiple choice tests? Because certain majors at my school have majority of classes prefering one of those testing styles, while another has a completely different type. And that can play a major role in how well your grades are and how successful the study techniques you have now will be. Finally, I would suggest you take serious consideration before going to a large school with large class sizes, especially if you prefer a more passive role in class and don't take it upon yourself to get to know your teachers in office hours.

When finding the right college, make sure it's what you want. Forget about any external influences -- what your dad says, what your teachers say, what has a better name -- and make sure you think it'll be a place you will feel comfortable at. Don't settle for a compromise, and go to the school that excites you the most. When making the most out of the college experience, just stay safe. There are always parties, but there are always chances when you can just hang out with your friends. Alcohol is often abused in college parties, and too much of this behavior can really have an effect on your schoolwork and who you are as a person. Remeber, school is always your priority -- that's what you're paying the big bucks for -- but don't forget to have a little bit of fun!

Ask yourself key questions. Do you want to go to business school? Look into schools that offer practical courses that will help you get into one, as well as schools that have their own graduate schools of business. Medical school? Find universities with high acceptance into medical schools, with opportunities like a student Emergency Medical Technician program. Do you want to do social work? Look for urban schools with active campus participation in such activities. Still entirely unsure? Find a large school that will help you decide, by offering variety: of courses, counselors (each with their own experiences), and campus organizations (which can spark your interest in a field you never considered, and connect you with professionals in any field). You'll choose your top school based on many qualifications, including the campus, classes, and people. But it isn't the only school. Your second, third, and even last choice schools have interesting and unique cultures, alumni and opportunities. With determination, you can reach your goals (and discover new ones!) at any school. Don't immediately decide to transfer. Allow yourself to see all sides of the best school that accepts you, and give it a chance to be great.

I think students, when selecting a school of choice, often do what they think everyone else wants them to do. In actuality they should be judging each campus according to their own needs and wants. Just because a school has a prestigious name does not mean they should be attending that school - in fact they'll probably have a miserable time if they don't like the location or the typical student that attends that school. It is important to "look at the big picture" when picking colleges because while the academic side is very important the social side is also. It is almost impossible to get through college withing making a few friends, but parents are constantly worried that their child is going to a "part school" and won't get any real work done. And i think that, and all other issues regarding how much studying/learning their student actually does, is up to the student. Every school is a party school if you go to the parties, and no school is a party school if you don't go to any parties.

College is the time to discover one's self. From your interest to the environment that you want to be in. You want to maximize your exposure to what is out there. This is done both intellectually and physcially, so please assess your abilities and expectation and choose your college according to what it is and it is not able to provide you with.

Keep in mind the geographic details of whatever school you want to go to. If it is far from home, make sure to visit and really get a good idea of what you'll be getting into. Also, make sure to be actively involved, people always say this but it is very true. Make as many friends as possible, because this completely unique experience will only last so long. Get involved with programs or clubs you're interested in and take this opportunity to find out what you really want to do in life.

The student really needs to know themselves in order to make sure they take full advantage of what the campus offers. But if they're still trying to figure that out, a big campus with lots of things to offer is a pretty big help.

make the best of it

I would advise parents and students to try to visit the colleges that they want to apply to, if at all possible. Apply to the colleges of their choice early. Apply for as many scholarships as they can not just one or two. Fill out FAFSA before the deadline for financial aid.

Dear parents and students, Choosing the right college is not an easy decision. In fact, it is probably one of the hardests made at such a young age. When selecting a college, one should ensure that the environment is suitable for the student. Various questions can help determine this. Some examples include: Do I want to live near home? Is there a particular weather that I prefer? Would I want a private college or a public college? Do I like smaller classrooms as opposed to larger ones? Do I want a college that offers multiple resources for me to succeed? What social life will fit me best? As you can tell, these questions help determine the lifestyle the student will have in a particular college. Keep in mind that private colleges often have smaller classrooms sizes and that there is often more interaction with staff members in smaller colleges as opposed to larger ones. As a result, private colleges tend to be pricier. Nevertheless, regardless of your college selection, always take advantage of your college years. School becomes smaller when you join clubs and become involved in events. And also, your time goes by quicker. Good luck and choose wisely!

Pick something that gives personal attention to your major, not just because the school has a big name for itself. My first choice was UC Santa Cruz and I think I should have stuck with it because my major is much more hands on there, here it's so much theoretical stuff that I easily get lost in all the jargon.