University of California-Santa Barbara Top Questions

Before deciding on which college to attend in the fall, be sure to visit the campuses that have accepted you. It is of utmost importance that you visit your school of choice before acutally deciding on it because it may not be what you expect it to be. Also take into consideration the selection of majors that are available and be sure that you are interested in a few of those majors. The key to making the most of your college experience is to be open to everything. Be social, be active, and be studious. College is about finding yourself through the actions and decisions that you make. Challenge yourself with stimulating courses, challenge yourself to join an intermural sports team, challenge yourself to step outside of your comfort zone. The more challenges you conquer, the more satisfaction you will gain out of your college experience. But beware, do not overwhelm yourself with too much to handle all at once--not only is it important that you challenge yourself in college it is even more important to find a balance between all the challenges that you choose to pursue. Remember to breathe and take one day at a time!!

When looking for a college, the main thing you are looking for is the right college for YOU. Make a list of what kind of college you are looking for. Do you want to attend a large school? A small one? Do you want diversity? These things will help you research schools that suit you the best. Then go and visit them! Go on a tour of all the schools you apply to. This is the only way of feeling the atmosphere at each school. Every school is different and has certain good and bad qualities, it is your job to decide what school suits you the best. Once you find your dream school, your opportunities are endless. I have found that getting involved in your school is the best way to meet new people and have some fun in the process of graduating. There is no rule saying you cannot have a good time while still studying your butt off to get those good grades we all want. Even if involvement in school is not your thing, then just try to get out of your comfort zone as much as possible to fully grasp your college experience.

Be able to try new things!

I believe that it takes time to find the right campus that fits you and the learning experience you want. Large campuses and small campuses offer completely different learning experiences, but all offer a level of education unmatched by any other level of education. I would suggest visiting the campuses you are choosing between during the school year to see what student-life is truly like. Good luck and enjoy your college search!

It is so important to visit the actual campus of colleges students are interested in. Research all the information needed that appeals to a college experience the student would enjoy. Look for qualities such a social aspects, location, weather, and major/minor studies because these are integral factors that will affect a student's college life negatively or positively for the next four years of his/her college career. When you get to college, be POSITIVE and brave about your new life. It will be intimidating, challenging, and sometimes lonely but you will grow and learn about yourself so try new things, make new friends, have fun, and claim your OWN future. Never let anyone tell you no : )

College is all about academics, but in order to do well in academics the environment has to be right! Check the surroundings of the off campus life! Check what ways people get around, what activities are apart of the outside life. Check how high academics are enforced as well and check the statuses of the professors rank by students that have taken there classes.

I would encourage parents to have their student work part time. I have been working Part time in the campus dining hall all year. It allows me to save money to pay for college and it also gives me a real sense of what life is like. I see many students who don't work, they have too much time on their hands and end up partying all the time. By working 15-20 hours a week I can still maintain a 3.3 GPA and earn money to pay for part of my education. I am also still able to have time to do some community work through the Boy Scouts.

Look into places tou may have never heard of. I hadnt heard of UCSB until I started filling out the application for a UC. Now, I am so happy to be here, we are the only campus with our own beach but we dont have a football team to make it known. There are ups and downs to all universities, but you just have to find out what the other students do about the downs. I mean, did you know that more people in Ireland know about UCSB than in California? Its because our soccer team is bomb and the students who study abroad in Ireland are fun-loving and enjoyable people that welcome people from around the world to just come and visit for a week in the summer! Talk to current students about their experience before you set your heart on a university that could effect the rest of your life:)

I would say that visitng the school is very important. Also making sure that you're going to the school for the right reasons and that it has the major you are trying to study in.

Make sure to try to visit each university or college and get to know everything about the places and people there before making a final decision on where to attend. As for studies, make sure there is a wide variety of studies for students to pursue. Knowledge is limited lately because of funding, so it may be a bit difficult to find a place that fulfill's a person's educational needs.

Sometimes, it's better to not get into the school that's your number one choice. You will end up going somewhere unexpected and truly find who you really are, not what you thought the campus would be like. Come to college with an open mind, if you're set on not liking it, then you really won't. Understand that your parents are there to help you and want you to have the greatest and safest college experience.

Parents should always help their children and try to guide them in directions they think best, but it's important for students to make their own paths as well. Parents need to understand that their children will always be their children, but college is an experience that they need to have happen on their own. Students can have reminders to stay focused and on task, and they should get the support they need from their parents, but parents should never nag too much or highly discourage extracurriculars or other activies students may want to participate in. Parents should push their new college students into the right direction by finding out what services their campus offers in terms of community and involvement, and suggest those clubs or organizations to their student as a way of getting involved in their life without being to forceful. Suggestions are best, and parents may be demanding, but as their kids become adults, it's important for both parties that the amount of involvement in one another's lives is lessened during this experience.

Know that it doesnt matter which school is the right school because there's usually a very diverse group of students in every school. It matters where the school is and what it has to offer because in the end, you're coming to the school for an education. You will find a social life anywhere.

I think that student get trapped into the glory of picking a college. Many students want to go to the big name schools -- UCLA, Harvard, Stanford. Of course those schools are incredible, but I think that students worry too much and get more upset than they should be when they aren't accepted. Parents and students need to broaden their horizons and look at other schools than just the big name ones -- there are so many universities out there that offer excellent programs for a wide range of majors. Everything happens for a reason, and no matter where the student ends up going could be a great opportunity; just be positive and ready to adjust!

Check out the campus, know if the campus/town is the kind of place the student would want to live. Know what activities go on at the campus (sports, academic, etc) and see if the student has any good friends going also.

When looking for the right college, focus on what you are sure about in what you want to do in the future, but also look at the programs they offer at the school, such as clubs, activities, and volunteer work. Parents, one's financial situation should not be why you son/daughter can't go to a particular school. There are lots of scholarships, grants, and help out there. Your child's education is the best investment. To make the most of your college experience, get involved with programs and clubs that allow you to venture out of your comfort zone, but also challenge you. Also be open to new ideas and opportunities. Have fun, but also remember why you are coming to school, to succeed in life and uplift your communitiy, not to drink your four years away.

Go and visit all of the colleges you get accepted to. Once there, talk to a few of the students or some of the professors that teach your major. Just get to know the campus and relate it to the things you are looking for. College is supposed to be in a learning environment that you enjoy, and you won't be able to know that until you look around a little bit. Din't be afraid to leave your hometown, you might be able to gain so much more

Most parents are worried about their kids going to college, understandably because it is a huge decision and potentially a life-changing one for their child. My biggest advice would be to relax and let the student feel it out for themselves. It's not going to be easy adjusting to a new school no matter what, but I would say the single most important thing to look for in a school is a place that you feel comfortable and feel that you could potentially one day call your home. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter how good of a football team the school has, how pretty the campus is or how many different books the library can brag about. It's about what makes the student feel at home, what gives them the feeling that this is a place where they can accomplish their dreams and make the world a better place, and a place that will one day be remembered as the stepping stone of learning and becoming your own person - a place where the best four years of your life will take place. After all, isn't that what college is about?

When students think about what college to choose from, they have to think about their academics as well as their college experience. If they only consider colleges with great academics they might end up at a school where they will never get that "college experience" that all their other friends from different colleges are talking about. From this, they might feel out of place and can begin to slack off at their college trying to discover their experience. On the other hand, when students only consider colleges with many parties and lack in academics this will also turn against them because they won't be learning the most that they can. Also, partying all the time may hurt their learning abilities.

Visit each campus and talk to the students!

Visit as many places as possible and attend the school in which makes you feel comfortable enough to grow and become the person you truly would like to become. College is about realizing who you are and reaching your potential as a well-rounded person. Finding the most comfortable situation is important because you are going to try and succeed at this place and if you feel you can't do so in a certain place, you probably shouldn't go there. There is a place for everyone regardless of who you are, what ethnicity you were born with, or your socioeconomic status. None of those things matter, what matters is that you succeed and that you do everything you possibly can to succeed and reach all of your goals. The first step to reaching success is finding the college that makes you feel at home. So, take your time and visit as many places as possible. Leave no stone unturned, you may be overlooking "the greatest intitution for you to learn". Also remember that everything happens for a reason, if you don't get into your first choice, there may be something much better for you. Good luck!

Before you visit colleges, visit yourself. What kind of person are you? Are you outgoing, introverted, active, outdoorsy, musical, a gamer, a surfer, artsy? Really sit down with yourself. Then, when you visit colleges, look to see that they reflect you. You will know which is the right choice, because you will be able to see yourself reflected through it. When you begin college, burst out of your comfort zone. Join 30 clubs, go exploring, talk to random strangers; they might be your friends for life. Stay up late, wake up early, meditate, scream! Go full throttle and never look back. Never look back, that is, until you don your cap and gown, receive your diploma, and realize you've had the best four years of your life.

find a location you like, a topic you are willing to spend a lot of time on, the competition that you can handle, and ultimatley where you feel most as home with!

Visit all of the campuses you are deeply considering and choose the one that makes you feel the most comfortable. You don't want to end up at a school where you feel uncomfortable with the environment, this will be a distraction and may ultimately hurt your entire experience (including academics).

I would tell students that the college experience would be exactly what they make it, nothing more and nothing less. I think there is a great opportunity for success, as long as someone as the drive and determination, otherwise, it is not worth the expense.

Choosing the perfect college is a mix between finding a major that interests you and also finding a campus where you can enjoy living for four years. Finding a school with a good department for your major of interest is very important, but I have found that the time spent outside of the classroom is just as important as the time spent inside of one. I have received a great education here but I know that it is not just my education that has shaped me into the person I am today. Also, to make the most out of your college experience you must get involved. I have joined a fraternity and have played for the University's Club Soccer team. These are not the only ways to get involved of course but by doing so, I have met lifelong friends, further developed my social skills, and have truly gotten the most out of my college experience. In closing, attending classes and receiving good grades is the goal in college, but it is just as important to take advantage of all that your school will offer outside of the classroom.

The single best process that happens in college is getting to know your own self. In reflecting upon my own experiences I submit that the process begins before you move into that dorm room or get that big acceptance letter. Finding a college that is a great fit takes a little contemplation about who you are, what your values are, and who you want to be. This may produce conflict and be a difficult process, especially if your answers differ from your parents or friends. However, once you have matched your values and goals with an institution that can help you achieve success (how you define it), knowing which schools to apply to and what to emphasize in your essays will come naturally. Thus to parents I offer this advice: encourage your student to be active in both college and self-searching. Even after their admission, continually promote active learning, active socializing, and active participation in everything the university has to offer. In my opinion, getting to know yourself is what college is all about and it begins by being active from day one of your college search.

Finding the right college is a process that should not be expedited. It is important to understand that the college one chooses will be where one spends their life for the next few years. Hence, one should take their time in chosing the suitable place for them. I would say there are several key things to take into consideration when applying to college, size, location and overall atmosphere. Students have to enjoy where they are if they are to enjoy their overall experience. Further, smaller and larger college communities have different dynamics. Students should choose approporiate conditions for their personality. However, the most important thing a student must do before choosing their campus is to physically step foot onto the campus. By visiting a campus, potential students can get a true feeling of the atmosphere of the campus. Once a student has chosen the right college, they should be prepared for the fact that college is completely different from high school. My advice, is to learn to balance! There is no reason for college to be all work and no play. However, there is good reason for it to be a balance of the two.

Let the students find their school. THey are the ones who are going to be living there for the next four years. I chose Santa Barbara and there is not a sign of regret. Find a school that inspires you, a school where you actually want to hit the books. You need to find a school with unlimited possbilities one with great fitness and health. A great research university where you can invent something more powerful than pencillin. Note that i just mentioned everything that Santa Barbara has :) as you already noticed i love this school.

Students should look for a college that caters to their lifestyle. In doing this, they will find other students to connect with. Making friendships are very important in college, especially when faced with the prospect of living away from any familiar faces. Academics is only part of the college experience, transitioning to another stage of life is the implicit purpose. The less alone one feels in this transition period, the happier and more successful they will be in college, and even in life.

College most likely will be a bit scary and overwhelming for both students and parents, at least initially. Have no fear though, you will look back when you are done and wonder where the time went and probably wish you had a little more. Parents, the nest will be empty and your kids will not need you like they once did, except for your wallet ; that they may need for a while! Trust them to make their own decisions and give them guidance when needed. Students, you may be homesick and nervous and the whole process of meeting new people and making new friends is always awkward but within a few weeks of freshman year, you will begin to form good friendships. On a big campus, there are so many people you are sure to find people you click with. On a small campus you really get to know your classmates. Know yourself as best you can so you know which type of school and location is best for you. Enjoy your independence, but be smart with it. Most importantly, don't stress, don't be nervous because in the end, I promise, college is way better than high school.

it doesn't have to be the most prestigious college that you get the best education, it's what you want in a college and your strong will.

I would advise parents and students to visit the college campuses you are considering and look at which one you feel the most comfortable in. I was to choose between UC Berkely and UC Santa Barbara. I visited both campuses and felt the most comfortable with UC Santa Barbara because everyone seemed extremely social and intellectual at the same time. I felt at Berkely it was more of a commuter campus and I lingered for a strong community which I saw at UC Santa Barbara. It is important to put aside prestige and look at what campus you personally feel you will be able to be the most comfortable. Because an environment that you feel you are comfortable in is an environment where you can flourish and grow into a successful human being. After all, you will be attending that school for four years and it is important to choose a school you will thrive and be happy in.

Take it easy. It's not a life or death situation. If it's not what you wanted, then just try again. you'll find your niche.

To the parents, my advice would be to let your children decide for themselves what college they want to attend. They're the ones who are going to be attending the school so it should be their decision alone. To the students, choose wisely. Visit various campuses, talk to active students there, and get a feel for the atmosphere of the school. The school you select is probably where you're going to be spending the next 4 years of your life in. College is where a lot of people go through maturity into adulthood. Don't be trapped in a school that you hate and transfer if you must. Once in school, branch out of your comfort zone. Meet people you normally wouldn't meet because one can learn a valuable lesson from every interaction. Appreciate your professors. They know what they're talking about. College is designed to expand one's mind. Be open to different interpretations of life and appreciate those that you find truth in. Find meaning in your own life and strive to take all that you've learned in school to make a difference in your life and the lives of others.

The college that I currently attend was not my first choice, or my second or my fifth for that matter. My college counselor suggested I apply here and I did. When I came to visit I knew I had found my school. It wasn't the school I had planned on going to all through out high school but I love it here. So my advice is go wherever you feel comfortable. It doesn't matter if it's a big name school or all of your friends are going some place else. When you find the right college its like finding the perfect purse or pair of shoes. It's just the right size and it fits perfectly with all your outfits. That's how college should feel, like you found your second home.

Go with your heart. Don't make a decision based on anyone but yourself.

Sometimes your first choice isn't always the best fit. You never know what'll happen.

If I could offer future college students any advice in selecting their college and making the most of it, I would tell them: do your research. Visit the school more than once, talk to students who have attended/ are attending the school, check out the community you will be living in after your first year. Get a feel for the REAL campus; not just what the Princeton Review tells you or what the school publishes in their flyers. Your next 4 or 5 years will be spent at this place; don't go into it blind. Furthermore, when you do make your choice, be active in making it the best experience possible. Manage your time wisely. If you get your work done first, your can enjoy your free time while your friends panic because they procrastinated. As a college student you are one of the lucky ones who has a few years to postpone the real world. Don't fall into the trap of majoring in something simply because it will pay well in the future. Take risks, study something you love, and, most importantly, enjoy every moment. This is your first venture in independence. Make the most of it.

Parents should always encourage their children to pursue a higher education after high school. Parents and students should visit as many college campuses as they can together to try and find the campus environment that is best suited for the student. Choosing the right college would involve this as well as a college that offers the academic courses and programs that will benefit the student's overall career goal. Students should apply to their preffered colleges but also have backups that will work for them as well. After finding the right college, parents should allow the students to make the most out of their college experience by guiding them to be more independent. Parents should have good communication but allow the students to have the freedom to make their own decisions.

Visit the school first!

Students should choose their college based on their personal interests, not those of their parents. Students should take into consideration the environment surrounding the campus, in case the social activities of the campus collide with their academic pursuits. A professor once told his class that what someone takes away from the college experience is not what can be learned in lecture. The best way to make the most of the college experience is to get involved. Many campuses have many kinds of programs suited for people with all kinds of interests. Joining clubs, forming study groups, and talking to instructors are excellent ways to get involved with the campus, as well as getting the most out of your education. For parents, understand that you cannot live vicariously through your children. This is their time to learn about themselves and develop their own identity. Support them always.

The best advice I would give students and their parents is that if thier student (or the student themselves) didn't get into their dream school, it's not the end of the world. They should realize that sometimes things are not meant to be and look at the schools that did accept them and wanted them to become part of their student body. They should also focus on finding a school that will bring them the greatest joy to attend. I wasn't so pleased with attending UCSB but once I visited the campus I fell in love with the atmosphere. It was an undeniable energy the students and everyone on campuse possed that it was impossible to ignore. Everyone was very relax,(perhaps because it was spring/summer time) but the vibe was beautiful. Students should definetly check out the school they are planning to attend before they agree because feeling the vibe and feeling that sense of belonging will be a very wonderful experience. Once you feel like at home at your new school you know you have made the right decision and make the most out of the next 4 years of their life.

My dad always said that when it comes to college, there is a place for everyone. I remembered this when applying to schools, in hopes not of getting into the best school possible, but the one where i would fit most and ultimately be most happy. While my friends stressed over applications to Stanford, Princeton and Harvard, I already knew that I wouldn't want to go to any of those schools. I focused on the schools that met my own personal wants and needs, and ended up picking the school that fit me most. I can't describe how happy I am today that I went with my own gut instinct and chose my favorite school out of those that I was accepted to to attend. I now understand why they say that college is the best four years of your life. Everyone should be given the chance to have the best four years of their life, and it all starts with finding the place where you fit best.

always visit the colleges you are applying to. it is about feeling at home where you go to school. also get involved, whether it is sports, a job or a sorority. it helps to make friends when you stay involved in activities you are interested it.

Selecting a college can be an overwhelming experience for students and their parents alike. I feel that the most important step in selecting a college is doing research. Find out if the courses and majors offered are relevant to your goals. Look into clubs, sports, and the social life and decide if you can picture yourself fitting in. Visit the campus and imagine yourself studying in the library, or living in the dorms. Also, talking to current students is extremely important because they can give you a more realistic idea of the typical campus life. It would also help to visit the campus during a school day to watch the students as they go to their classes. Sitting in on a lecture or even talking to a few professors would also be a great way to help make a decision. The best way to decide which campus fits you best is to immerse yourself into the university. Whichever college you choose, remember to work hard but also make time to have fun. Making time to free your mind and relax every once in a while will make your college experience much more enjoyable.

Make sure and research rent prices in the area, and jobs available.

Choosing the right college is tough, not because there is just one out there for each person but because it is hard to recognize the right reasons for choosing a certain college. As hard as it may be, it is important not to let pettiness impact your decision. For example, prestige is not a measure of a college's worth and it is definitely not an accurate measure of how well it will fit you. Once you get there and start working, you'll realize that the playing field is totally different than it was in high school no matter where you go because everyone has the same goals. Competition takes on a new form in college: it is no longer about GPA, but rather what you choose to do with your intellect. College is about learning who you are through trying things you never thought you could. So, pick a place that seems inviting but at the same time full of people and activities that you aren't already accustomed to. The most memorable college experiences are ones in which you went out on a limb and found something out about yourself that you never would have guessed.

College is a once in a lifetime experience for young adults to expand their knowledge and ideas about people and the world, discover hidden passions and learn something new about themselves. In the process of choosing a University, students need to spend time thinking about what they know about themselves and their interests so far and what ideal environment they would be most comfortable and happy in for the next four years. I advise parents to listen to their children when discussing options for Universities and not push them in any way, unless they want them knocking on their door after calling it quits shortly after beginning their first semester. The University that students choose should entirely reflect their desires as they are the ones attending the school anyway. After picking the perfect college for themselves, not their parents, incoming students should enter into the completely new and often scary experience with an open mind. Open-mindedness and an appreciation for diversity, the opportunity to participate in unusual classes and have idiosyncratic professors, and the breadth of knowledge that can be acquired with a little effort drastically impacted my freshman year of college.

In order to select the right university for the student, apply to all the colleges you consider. The more acceptances you are able to choose from, the more likely you will pick one you can succeed at and enjoy. Visit every school you get accepted to and are considering. It's important to experience the place you may spend years of your life, firsthand. Talk to a student at the school, using any resources possible-- if you are not acquainted with anyone affiliated with the school, use tour guides, internet networking, and student employees at the school's offices. They will be able to provide the best feedback. To the parents, you must not pressure your child into somewhere you want them to attend. They will try to please you, but you may be forcing them into the biggest mistake of their life. Most importantly, the student and parents must work together to enjoy the experience of searching for, applying to, and visiting college. This is a huge step for students, and they need a lot of support and encouragement to make the right decision.