University of California-San Diego Top Questions

visit the campus and research the schools beforehand, make sure it's an environment that you'd enjoy.

College is not only encompassed of what you learn in a classroom. It is a one-in-a-lifetime experience, where you acquire important life lessons as well as academia.

Let the kids choose. Be happy.

be there physically and talk to the students.

Parents should allow their child to choose the campus that is right for themselves because it is the child that is going to the campus and not the parents. When the student is able to make the decision, they are one step closer to individualism and the student has no regrets because choosing the campus is their own choice. When choosing a campus, the student should look at the campus that fits their dream job. If the student has nothing in mind, they shouldn't worry because no matter what campus they choose, in the end, everything will run smoothly. Also, when choosing a campus, the student should not let anything influence their decision, such as boyfriend/girlfriend or money problems. When starting college, it is best for the student to be friendly and not keep to themselves. The student should excel in academics and also balance a healthy social life. If the student's campus is close to home, do not go home every weekend because it takes time out of studying and the student doesn't meet as much new people in their new school.

College is supposed to be the most enjoyable academic experience that students are supposed to have. Make sure that you find one that fits your needs or can provide you with the right type of outlets for you to explore.

Don't pick a college based on prestige or name. Its more important that the college appeals to you in all aspects, not just in academics. Look into the environment, the social crowd, the resources, and the food.

No matter what, go somewhere the student could feel comfortable. Too many of my friends went out of state just for the rank or name of the school, but ended up hating it and transfering back near home. As long as you do well and feel comfortable at the school you chose, you can still be have great success in life.

Visit the college before you enroll.

The college experience is similar to a tapestry or a rug in the sense that many different threads all entwine to for one beautiful piece. These numerous threads, when looked at closely, do not provide any insight to the larger picture at hand, but are necessary in their littleness. In the same way, small things such as dormitory life and food quality have a lasting impact in the experience of school. But sometimes these imperfections provide character, and in retrospect add something that gives a feeling of solidarity. For example in my second year, on my floor there was a shower which always flooded, causing annoyance, but looking back, without it how would those epic water fights have happened? This is a small example, but an important one that shows the need for perspective: to mold a situation into something more than just a working shower; to look at the tapestry with broken threads and fix them even with a different color if necessary. My advice is this: don't let underwhelmed expectations, pressure to succeed, or any other adversity get in the way of your masterpiece. Once the tapestry is completed, even the flaws will seem important and necessary.

The right college has to be some place that you can picuture yourself in for the next four years. It needs to suit your needs and goals. Dont chase after well-kown or so called "good schools" just because your parents expects you to go to the best college you have been accepted to. If you dont hold well under tough competition, you may want to go to more relaxing college and study your best under less stressful situation. Because at the end, what school you graduated from doesnt matter. Only how much you enjoyed and learned from your college matters :) College experience is one of the best times of the life! take enough consideration to choose the best school for your and make sure to count YOUR opinion! not only of those of parents' or teacher's.

Finding the right college is tricky many times...the best advice would be to visit the colleges and talk to current students.

I wish that parents would allow their children to make the decision of which college they want to attend. I find that all too often a student will choose a certain school because their parents want them to go to that school or because it is known as a "good" school by everyone else. Making the most of a college experience is based on the student. The student needs to be open to all kinds of activities. There are always chances to make friends and/or reach out to the community. Parents should leave the child to make his or her own mistakes during the first year, because that is how most people will learn and grow from those mistakes. Academically, the parents should let the student study in their own fashion and let them find their own groove of studying. Usually a student will take 1-2 years in finding that groove, but once they do they will get better grades. Parents shouldn't pressure their children too much about grades. Let them have fun and live their own life.

Get involved, in whatever it is that you like or you feel welcome and like you belong.

I would advise the students to first visit colleges that they are contemplating on attending. Campus Tours can give you a great feel for what the campus is like, so you will be able to gage how much you would like attending that particular college. Make the most of your college experience by becoming involved. Sign up for clubs, do community service, sign up for club sports teams. Universities have an vast amount of resources which will make your future. Use career services, academic advising, to find that perfect internship. Just don't take for granted the four (or so) years you have in college because they make some of the greatest memories of your life.

First students should apply to as many colleges as they want. Do reseach on the colleges and see what kind of atmosphere they have. They should aslo go visit the colleges that they applied to. They'll most likely figure out which college they want based on the visit alone. I know that is what happened to me. I was dead set on going to UCI but when I visited the place I hated and fell in love with UCSD instead. You're going to college to learn so LEARN. Don't just do the work because you have to, it makes things rather dull and boring. Oh and definitely have a life, have fun with friends, but be very concious about school cause you are ultimately there to learn. GOOD LUCK!

You, as a student, will be exposed to numerous colleges through advertisements and people's encouragement. Do not let the name of a college or the prestige it carries along with it be the deciding factor. Everyone's expectations and satisfactions are different. You are no exception. Whatever college holds your interest, visit the school if possible. You will know which college is right for you when your heart and mind are both satisfied because it suits YOUR needs and not the needs of others. For many students, the college life is different from the high school life. Every student wants to make the most of their college experience, but that does not mean you have to become someone you're not to fit in. Be yourself and do the things you want to do. Do not let others pressure you to be someone you are not. Make your own choices. Choose the major YOU like. Join the clubs YOU are interested in. Pick the friends YOU are comfortable with. It is all about you now because you are an adult who can make his/her own decisions. With this in mind, never forget to relax, enjoy, and study hard!

Be sure to look at websites and visit the school and know as much as you can about where you plan to attend.

For me the most important factor in choosing a school was the quality of the department I would be most involved with. In this case it was the archaeology department. You also want to make sure you go to a school where you will be comfortable. When I say comfortable I don't mean everything will go smoothly, but you should be able to walk on campus without having a nervous breakdown. Once you have been accepted you should join as many clubs as possible so you get the opportunity to meet new people. I believe this is especially important if you go to the same college as many of your old friends. The best part of the entire college experiance is making friends, and enjoying new experiances. But, you always have to remember to keep your life balanced so you don't become overwhelmed by school.