University of California-Santa Barbara Top Questions

Talk to people who attended the school. Only they can tell you the truth about it. And once you are in college, try everything and be open to meeting new people that seem nothing like you. They could very well become your best friends!

My college experience has defined who I am as a human being. Before coming to UCSB, I thought I knew myslelf. However, what I believed then is completely different from now. My advice to students would be to choose a school where you feel most at home. Don't pick a university because of its prestige or reputation, its cost or distance from home. Pick the school that you feel will allow you to be yourself when you ARE NOT IN CLASS. Most of my growth as a person has been due to experiences outside of the lecture hall. In my opinion, if you cannot connect with the people, you cannot grow as a person. You will be spending the next four years of your life there, and it would be a shame if you don't enjoy it. For parents, don't let your personal beliefs or expectations get in the way of your child choosing the best place for them. As much as you think you know your child, you cannot predict who they will be in four years. Be supportive, and as much as you love to offer advice, only give it when asked.

Apply to a variety of schools and leave your options open. Once you get in, visit the school's website, check out their course catalog, visit the campus facilities and chat with the current students. You'll be with these people doing exactly what they're doing for the next four years of your life so see if you like being around them. Make sure you can handle the weather and the scenery before you sign up. Check to see how easy it is for students to study abroad if you mght be interested. Once you've decided on a college, get involved and find people you enjoy spending time with. College is undoubtedbly about education, but social atmosphere is important, so find friends who share interests with you. Join an intermural sports team or an a cappella group or an outdoors club or a campus organization. It's also a good idea to remember your decision isn't set in stone, so relax, take a look around and try to enjoy everything that's coming your way. If you let them, the four years at college will become lasting memeories pf social comfort and self discovery.

Do not base which college you should go to on the hype, rumors, and stereotypes of the colleges, but personally go and visit the campus and check out the people, classrooms, and campus. Choose the college that best suits you, your personality, and your needs. To make the most of your college experience get involved with the students, classrooms, community, and different campus events. Meet a lot of people and take advantage of the different resources provided to you by your community and campus. Don't let the campus define you, but you define YOUR campus. Leave an impact on your school to say that is your school and you are proud to be a part of it. Succeed in every way possible: in sports, with your studies, with the people around you, with your environment.

Find the college that fits the kind of person you are. I always knew that I wanted to go to a college by the beach, so I immediately felt comfortable when I visited UC Santa Barbara. Make the most of your college experience. Join a fraternity or sorority, and meet all kinds of people. Try a variety of classes to learn what fields interest you.

Don't limit yourself to your "top choice" college . I was hell-bent on studying public health at Berkeley, but I didn't get in. My last choice was UCSB, and I love it. I'm so glad I wasn't accepted to Berkeley. Once at UCSB, I put my long term goals in perspective, not just my career goals, but my visions for the future of the country and the world. I realized the best way to enjoy my life and to maximize my potential effect on humanity was not through being a doctor, as I had decided before, but through rationally analyzing different situations, and deciding the route to take afterwards. The first step to achieving these goals was to start my own environmentally friendly restaurant. Through the opportunities in this school and a little networking, I was able to start my business within a year of my decision to do so. I don't believe this would have happened at Berkeley or UCLA. Looking back, I realize how naive I was to limit myself to one school and major. If I had been accepted to my top choice, I wouldn't have the opportunities I have today.

Fisrt of all, I highly reccomend that students and parents visit the schools before making a final choice. It is not the same to see it on a website and see it in person, this way tou get a feeling of the enviornment you will be in for about 4 years or so. Y ou can see the neighborhoods and the expense of living in that area. Also i advise students to take into consideration that quarter schools are very fast paced, you cannot procrastinate because there is a work load..its not highschool anymore and it is not easy yto catch up. In a quarter school especially if in in the science programs you will have midterms almost every two weeks, make sire this is something you can handle. learn to have a social life as well because you need it. Finally, get involved and take advantage of all the academic help offered. School is tough but there are lots of programs that help you in your education. Get to know your professors and ask for help when in doubt. Remeber there is no dumb question and we are here to learn.

I think the most important thing to think about when choosing the right college is to visit the college and really try to get a grasp of what life would be like if you lived there. It's always best to go with your gut because that's how you'll know that you're meant to be somewhere. Choosing the right college is difficult but the most important thing is to stay true to yourself and to make a decision that you know you'll be able to live with for the next four years or so of your life.

It is absolutely crucial to visit the campus, because that is the only way to get a real feel for the school. Choosing a college that provides a really good education is very important, but college is more than just school. It is an experience, a place to grow and change and learn how to be an adult. Students will do better at their studies when they are happy and comfortable at the place they live. Also, it is easy to get overwhelmed with all the course work and the fast pace of classes compared to high school. Make sure that the student takes breaks from studying to take part in fun on-campus activities/athletic events, or just some quality time with friends. It will take some time to learn time management and study techniques, but it is very important to maintain a balance between work and play. Try to enrich your life by meeting new people, participating in cultural events, studying abroad, etc.

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The most important advice I would give is to choose a University that offers the majors you are interested in, don't chose a University because of prestige, location, etc.

I would tell students to really think about what atmosphere they want to live in before they choose a college. Find out what activities there are to do when your are not in school. Do not make a college decision based on one reason. It has to fit with you socially, location wise, and academically. In order to make the most out of college, you have to be active. Find something to do other than just going to school. Find a job, a club on campus, a sport, an internship or something that gets you involved with people who have simillar beliefs as you do. You will enjoy your college experience the most if you have supportive friends around you to help you succeed. Being busy is good, but make sure you also take time for yourself. Do not be afraid to say no to your friends, they'll understand. Try your best all the time, work hard, enjoy being with your friends, and do not forget about your family. College takes a lot of effort to just balance everything, so manage your time well and you will succeed.

I would ensure that your child is absolutly ready for college, and has personally chosen their field of study. College is not for those who do not want to be there, because they will not fully apreciate such a valuable thing as a higher education. There are plenty of those who do have the drive to learn and truly enjoy being there. Support you child in whatever field they choose so that they do not feel pressured into something that they don't want. Encourage financial responsibility in your child and emotional independence so that they will be better equiped for life in the "real world."

Tour all colleges you are interested in. I thought I knew what college I wanted to come to until I toured UCSB. When you find the college that is right for you, you will just know it because it feels like a home away from home. Also there are so many colleges out there, so make sure to research alot of them because you never know which one has the criteria you are searching for. When you get to college, get involved. Join clubs, go to events, get out and meet people. Everyone is just as nervous as you are and everyone is looking to make new friends.

The most important advice I can give to parents and incoming students is to make sure to go and visit the school, and not just for a day. It is important to see the school during the semester to see how the students interact. It is also good to sit in on a lecture and see if that style of class is good for you. Going to a sporting shows the school spirit and camaraderie of the class. It is also important to see what happens when class is over and night falls, because some people might be uncomfortable on certain campuses regarding the night life. Overall, visiting a campus is the most important thing a prospective student can do.

Tour every campus you apply to. Talk to students and ask them how they feel about the school. Most professors will even allow you to sit in on big lectures to get a feel for everyday life as a student on that campus. Most importantly, follow your heart.

In order to find the perfect college, one must become familiar with his/her options. Location is one of the most important factors. This determines distance from his/her hometown, the lifestyle, and what the weather will be like. Size is also very important. Some people will be much happier in a smaller, more personal setting while others like the feel of a large and bustling institution. Future college students should also assess their ability to compete academically. People can become discouraged in a cutthroat academic environment or find a lack of challenges in a more laid back setting. Students at the right college are eager to learn more as each day passes. The student will know that he/she has chosen the perfect college when they can consciously observe themselves growing intellectually. Although a large amount of time will be spent in class or studying, the real lessons to be learned are ones that the student discovers by becoming more self aware. This happens when a student takes pride in their schoolwork, becomes involved in the college community, and reserves time to reflect upon how they are growing and changing into the person they want to be.

Do not pay attention to rankings when selecting a college - find a fit for you. Talk to a variety of students on campus and find out what they like most about their experience. Explore the area around campus. Keep an open mind, take classes in a variety of subject fields, utilize campus resources, and be social!

take your time. Make a list of all the things you and your parents are looking for in a college education and then research establishments that are similiar to your list. Always check out a school and the specific department that you are interested in, it will help you prepare academically and mentally for the 4 years you have ahead of you. Don't be afraid to ask advisors or fellow students of the university as many questions as you see fit to make you feel comfortable with the place. Most current students are very welcoming to people asking them questions. They have been in that same position and know just how it feels. Be open to meeting new people. Generally the people you meet in the first week of school are people that you will be friends with your entire time at the university. All of those students are going through the same thing, so just be open to meeting them and getting to know others better. Don't be afraid of new situations, embrace them and welcome the challenge. Just remember though, you are mainly there to learn, so don't let the academics slip between the cracks.

It is so crucial to find a campus with extra-curricular opportunities that you are passionate about. You need to be more well rounded than just a stellar intellectual, and you need to make sure the extras are things that bring out the joy in you. Otherwise, you will be less ready for the world, and less satisfied with how you spent four long years in your life. Enjoy!

Buy a bike as soon as possible. You will need it for the next four years! Don't get caught up in the party scene. UCSB offers a great education for your money and if you party too much and not go to class, you end up missing out in the end. Get involved. You will meet amazing people in the process.

Take your time and look at all the information you can, not just from the schools themselves but from other sources. For example, I knew all about UCSB's academic successes but I had no idea about its party school reputation. Although I enjoyed my experience in college very much, I do think that some people look at my degree differently due to the school's reputation. It's ok to have dreams about going to one school or the other, but make sure your ideas about the school are based in reality and not just some media hyped version. Also, apply to as many schools as you can, often times you don't really look into the schools until after you've been accepted and you are trying to decide where to go. There are definitely schools that I wish I had applied to had I known as much about them when I was applying that I did after applications were already submitted. Start your research early so you know what kind of school you're looking for. But most importantly, do everything you can to enjoy whereever you choose to go, don't live in regret.

Don't be afraid to apply to schools that you think may be beyond your reach, and always follow up on the application process with appeals if you feel strongly about a school you wish to attend that may have rejected you. To make the most of your time in college, learn about time management, and don't waste all of your years in college studying, but do stay on top of your work. Take advantage of any programs offered, such as studying abroad or special research projects; they will make an excellent experience invaluable!

The process of finding the right college for parents and highschool seniors can seem like a Cinderella story, searching for the one special shoe that is made to only fit you. In retrospect, one realizes that it was more about you and less about the shoe, if even at all. The general concensus among my peers, whether they attended community colleges or ivy league univeristies, in-state or out of state, public or private, large or small, was usually the same. We all got out of college exactly what we put into it. In other words, no matter where we all ended up, we all had many wonderful opportunities available to us and it was up to us alone to take advantage of those opportunities. Sure, there were different themes and milestones to each of our experiences, but one common thread was making a sincere effort in whatever we were trying to achieve and always trying new things. So, instead of waiting for Prince Charming to show up with the Glass Slipper, college becomes more about self-discovery and having the confidence to storm up to the castle without the precious footwear.

It's all about balancing your social life and your studies. Grades are important, but you only get to do college once so you might as well enjoy it. Work hard and play hard, too. Explore everything your college has to offer because it is a time to find yourself and your friends for life.

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Find a school that has the best program for your major and/or your personal lifestyle so you don't feel out of place.

There is no right choice, only a choice. If you have eliminated your options down to several universities and can't decide which one is the best choice no matter what, they are probably equally good so just pick one and hope for the best.

Find a place that truly allows you to be comfortable with you who are and also to express yourself freely.

I would suggest that students go with their heart. The whole point of picking a college is to find that one that identifies most closely with their own morals, ideals and visions of the perfect campus. My college was the only campus that I applied to because I just knew it was perfect. In order to make the most of your college experience, make sure to be talkative and open up your mind to different people and attitudes! Do not be afraid to talk to the person sitting next to you and make contacts with your professors. You definitely need to make the effort in order to have a great college experience.

Do what feels right! The minute you walk onto the right campus, your heart and soul will know. You should feel comfortable and excited to participate and excel in your new environment!

I would say that parents should let their children decide where they want to spend their college years. College is an important time in every person's life to grow and succeed in their studies. While attending college, parents should not forget to remind their children that they should get invovled with their school as much as they can. You only get out of college what you put into it, and you only attend college once. So I believe that no matter where a person goes to college, parents should always remember to remind their children to make the best of their 4 years of college.

Go to school for education, not to party all the time. Talk to various students in person about their experiences and they can tell you everything you will need.

I strongly advise students to visit a college campus before deciding to enroll for the school year. Many times people have not felt safe in their environments, if they prefer a smaller school set in a rural area, they should not opt for a bigger school in a big city. I also strongly encourage that you be open to others, especially if you are living in the dorms, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and lonely the first couple weeks of school, so by looking for friends in your own area you are saving yourself (and them) from having to face the world by yourselves. Learn to manage your time, and money wisely. It is easy to get carried away by the social scene, so make CONCRETE study time. If you cannot study in your dorm, or house, make sure that you try the library, a coffee house, or somewhere where you know you will not find distractions.

I would make sure that your child visits the school more than once and sits in on a class or two, talks to current students about the activities they are active in. Also look at what is around the campus and the possible activities going on, the living accomidations and how friendly non college people are to college students. Also make sure that the choose is made by the student. Do not pressure you child to go to the school because it is close to home, where you went or is your first choice. They are trying their best to please you but let them choose what school is best for them and they will be more successful and happy.

You'll never really know how you're going to fit into a new school environment until you experience it yourself. Visit the school, does it click with you? Does the environment feel comfortable? Does it have the kind of classes you could see yourself enjoying? College is what you make it. You're on your own now, you're the one driving your life forward, calling the shots and steering yourself in a certain direction. The more energy you put into finding out what makes you happy and the harder you push your abilities without overworking yourself, the more you'll get out of your time in college. This is an opportunity to expand your horizon, develop your views about the world, but most importantly learn about yourself.

You will like any college you pick for the most part, you just have to make the most out of your experience.

Listen to your gut. I did, and it turned out great. To make the most out of your college experience be outgoing, take risks, and meet people. don't be judgemental. if you need help with anything, get it. there are resources all over campus for all your issues, you just have to find them. parents, let your child make mistakes, watch them, help them if they ask for it, but let them stand on their own two feet our they'll never learn, and you'll be stuck with a 21 year old you can't take care of themselves. kids, be independent.

College is all about figuring out who you are. A student wants to pick a college that will really challenge and stretch him. Whether that means going somewhere that is academically rigorous or has a diverse student body that the student is not used to. It's always best to find a college that has a lot of options because most freshmen don't have a clear idea what they want to do with their life. So if they go to a school that has a lot of other choices when they decide to change majors, they'll be better off. Location is also a huge factor in picking the right college. A student should carefully consider how affected they are by weather, being in a noisy city etc. because if he goes to a place where he can't acclamate, his next four years will be absolutely miserable. Lastly in order to make the most of the college experience its important to have fun, get out and try new things. A student doesn't want to look back on college and regret staying in to study instead of going out or sticking with activities that he's comfortable with.

Make your choice based on what you really want to do. It does not matter if you start off at a four year university or community college, as long as you do what you are passionate about. In the end, if you are determined to get what you and willing to work hard for it you will find success. Never settle for second best, trust me when I say that you will find nothing but regret in that. Finally, prepare for the best and worst experience of your life because college is not easy, and it will test the very foundation of your being, in the end you are the one that controls the outcome.

Your college experience is what you make it. Look for an enviroment that you feel comfortable in on campus and the surrounding area. You can thrive at any campus you choose, so just go with your gut. It will tell you what is best for you.

I would start looking at schools during high school and look at ALL of your options including community college. Once you transfer or start, University make sure you check with a counselor EVERY quarter so you know you are on track! Get involved with clubs, organizations!!!

Don't try to "fit the college" let the college fit you! :)

Finding the right college is a complicated task, because once in college, the majority of students often change their majors, and depending on the school they are attending the school may not offer that major, or be well known in that major. However, money should not be a deciding factor in deciding between schools. Because there are many scholarships offered which can help with tuition if the school may seem too expensive. The best way to remove doubt is to visit the different schools and decide which university or college is the most comfortable. And in order to make the best of college remember to have fun, but when it is time to study to study. And it never hurts to talk to professors and t.a.'s as intimidating as they may appear. They were once bright eyed students like us, wondering what they would do after they graduated college, and nervous to ask their professors what would be on the mid-term/final. In college, asking questions is the best way to get help on a subject matter during class. And go in with an open mind because college will show you many new exciting ideas.

To parents: Let your child feel things out on their own. Don't put any pressure on them but urge them to take school seriously. Once your child is at school, let them be independent. Don't call them every day- just once a week. Remind them that good grades are important to success after school but to make sure they have fun. Urge them to be outgoing in meeting people. To students: Don't be overly concerned with reputation. Visit schools when they're in session. When it's the right school, you know but do not get too excited for a school until you get in. Once you're there, try new things and meet lots of people. Don't expect your roomate to be your best friend. Take random classes. Don't ever try coke.

students: love your campus and know that its where you want to go! it's your experience! your life!!! be responsible! college can be challenging and hard a lot of the times and the decisions you make in collge can affect you in life so always be responsible and mature! there are alot of ways to get help or advice on campus. Parents: have good communication with your kids and treat them like adults.

It is important to start this process early to make it less stressful.About eight months prior to application make a list of the most important qualities in a school.This includes the size of a campus,location, weather,majors, and social life. Through the next few months visit as many schools as possible and make a check list. It is important to have realistic expectations and understand that the name of a school isn't what is most important, the school should just have the right fit for you. Make three categories of schools to apply to.Have a few "safety" schools which you are fairly positive you will get in. Also apply to a few "most likely" schools in which you fit into the criteria. Finally its good to apply to a few "reach" schools in which you are below the qualifications but would like to attend.Then start slowly writing and rewriting the essays the summer before applications are due..Once you choose the school that feels right transitioning is usually hard for everyone but you have thousands of fellow freshman that feel the same way so just stick with it and know you're not alone!

When you're looking for the right school, you want to keep in mind a school's reputation, but also to observe each place with an open mind. As I've discovered, people put casts around places that don't necessarily fit them. Go into a place with some expectations, but leave room to build your own idea of a place. Don't be lazy by relying on other's opinions of a school to to form your own idea of the place. Have a look for yourself! If you end up attending a school, remember that you are bound to meet all kinds of people and ideas that break stereotypes you maybe have developed. It is important that you approach people the same way I suggest approaching a school. In college you have the opportunity to be exposed to so many new lifestyles and opinions beyond that of your hometown. How you choose to view these perspectives can totally make or break your stay. I say: be open, don't be afraid to view things from every perspective and to create your own opinions. Having and sharing opinions is one of the greatest joys of an intellectual environment.

Visit as many campuses as possible and talk to as many students as you can! The only way to find the right fit is to get a feel for the atmosphere of the school. If your ideals and goals do not match with the campus you choose, you will be unhappy. Remember, you can go to college for as long as you want, but you're only an undergrad once. Make the most of all opportunities you are given, and have fun!

Make sure that you have no question as to your financial situation and always prepare your kids for college financially because universities are only concerned with people making their payments on time, regardless of their situation.