University of Central Florida Top Questions

Visit colleges before you apply, and pick a school that is right for you.

Please research! There are plenty of opportunities that just throw themselves at you whether they are online, in a counselor's office, or even in the newspaper. Scholarships, the multitudes of school choices, and more are waiting for you and, unfortunately, I did not do my research as well as I should have. I am very happy with my choices, but with more dedication and insight on what my future academic career would consist of would definitely have landed me in a different spot. Therefore, the best thing you can do is prepare. Prepare yourself, prepare your kids, and prepare your friends to research these subjects. With a little effort, the right choice might be right under your nose.

I would advise them to research all of the criteria that make up a good school: cost, housing, scholarships, academics, sports, extra-cirriculars, and campus life. I think many people worry over picking the right college, so it helps to contact administrators and counselors in order to assist your decision. As far as making the most of the college experience, it's simple: study hard, find out all you can about anything that interests you, make connections with people that might mentor you, and have fun. Most students are young and still finding their path through life. College provides a basis for learning and growing as a student, a person, and a friend. Once you find a balance within your school, your academics should come easier and you should be able to make your own goals and decisions about your future. College is only the beginning, but it is a beginning to a new and better life.

Apply to the best colleges you can. When you actually do get to college, work hard and STUDY STUDY STUDY. Don't let yourself slack off, like everyone does their freshman year. If you want to be sucessfull in life, you need to work when everyone else is taking time off. If you hit the ground running it will make things easier for you later on. Also, don't let academic advisors indimidate you by telling you that a certain major is too hard for you and you should change. Work HARD and prove them wrong. This is a critical point in you life when you hold the key to your future in your hands. Don't take this opportunity lightly. It is up to YOU to make something of yourself and nobody will do it for you. The world is ruthless and unforgiving, but it is also very rewarding to those that are willing to do what it takes to suceeed.

focus on studies, budget money

What does it take to graduate? Thats what students and parents need to consider when evaluating each college. Many things must be considered such as cost of tuition, housing cost and the surrounding environment. Parent's must consider what the city is like around the campus, is it safe? Are necessary facilities such as grocery stores, banks, and medical facilities nearby? Are they easily accessible? Students need to consider what the school offers in terms of classes and advising that will help him/her succeed. Student's should also consider what extra-curricular activities and entertainment is like in order to unwind after long days of studying. Are there concerts, fairs, clubs on or around campus that will expose the student to different views, cultures, and ideas in order to broaden their perspective? Colleges have a lot to offer if you explore and make the right choice.

In College there are many opportunities to be a part of the community, make friends, have fun, and even make a difference. To become truly involved and have leadership roles as a Freshman might not seem possible, but it may be easier than you think. Volunteer for things you want to do, but be honest about what you don't want to do. If you are asked to do something that will stress you out or that you will be unable to do...say up front that you can't do it. Get to know your professors, they are the best source for information, and the more you get your name out within the University, the more opportunities you will have for graduate school, letters of recomendation, and you will build a lasting reputation that will follow you through your college career. Make sure you go to class, even if it is boring, its worth it in the end. When looking for housing, make sure you meet the potential roommates before hand, to see if you will be able to get along. There are millions of resources on campus, make the time to use them. Be safe, Have Fun, Enjoy!

Firmly decide what you want out of your college experience before you enter college. Don't be naive to the importance that fraternities and sororities play in determining your social life and get involved!

I would advice students and parents to visit the school campus they are thinking about and learn as much as they can about it. I would also advise them to talk to some of the faulty and find out about the extra curricular activities available.

make sure the college focuses on your type of major, carefully plan where you will be living, be well prepared for each year: it become progressively more difficult, learn to balance your academic and social life

To understand its about school and studing not about going to bars and partying. Also to get involved.

The greatest advice I can give about picking the right college, is you need to actually visit the school you're interested in. Most schools offer tours for perspective students, go to them. For three years of high school, I knew I wanted to go to one of the most prestigious schools in Florida. My parents and I took the tour of that school. And it was then I realized there was no way I wanted to go there. It was too large, and the school's layout spread over the whole town. I also visited a very small private college, and realized that it might be too small for me, and not enough of a community. But, once I took a tour of the college I am attending now, I knew this was the one. I loved the layout of the school, I loved how many people were here and the diversity. You need to know you'll be comfortable in the school's environment, or there's no way you'll survive the next four years. Go on the tours and ask questions of the students giving the tours.

Look for somewhere you can focus yet still have fun

I would suggest to make up you mind about what you want out of your college before you choose. Take tours of different types of schools and decide where you feel most comfortable. Try to have an idea of what your major will be but don't be completely tied into it. Take a few courses in your freshmen year that are different but interesting to you. Obviously, take price into account, but remember you get what you pay for. Just take your time and make sure the school you pick is exactly what you want.

If you enjoy extracurricular activities, definitely find a device to help ferry yourself back and forth from campus. I learned that, as close as I am to campus, the walk seems a lot farther at 2 in the morning when clubs end. Also, if one intends on getting a job, it's hopeless to find a job within walking distance of the larger schools unless you apply and work over the holiday break. Make sure it's affordable. It's a good idea to check the number of scholarships the universities give out, and for your major, as well as when you are eligible to apply for them. Location is definitely another factor. If you want to be going to clubs, you'll want a metropolitan schools, in the thick of the city, whereas some schools are located on the outskirts of town to give the university a lazier atmosphere. The distance from your home and how often you expect visits or to be visiting plays a role too. College is supposed to be fun and a learning experience, but I know that these were a few of the things that tripped me up that I wish I'd discovered.

First thing to do is apply early, then check out the college. Do lots of research and make the right decision.

The advice I would give to parents and students is to follow your dreams. You should visit the campus beforehand and see the social activity and understand the history of the campus. If you feel slightly uncomfortable at a campus, don't go there. You must feel comfortable at your environment. When your advisors say, location is so important, it is. Observe, read, and follow a student around, to see how life as a college student is really like. Find out about the clubs and what not. Make new friends and understand that everyone is different.

I would say that you really need to follow your gut. When I applied to college I had no idea where I wanted to go and ended up getting in to all 7 schools I applied to. The only way I could make my decision was by visiting each campus a couple of times and trying to picture myself there. I would try and see if I could picture myself walking to class on those sidewalks and living in those dorms. Of course I took into account the academics of the school, whether they offered a major I was interested in, and what extracurricular activities they offered but I firmly believe that if you pay attention to whether you feel comfortable on a campus or not you will make the right decision.

Visit all the colleges you want to attend and go with the one that feels right to you. Most colleges are pretty much the same when you get down to it, and anyone can have a good college experience at any college, so pick the one that feels right to you.

Make sure you take the time to visit a campus before deciding and to look at what is offered. Does it really suit you and do you feel like you will be able to succeed?

I advice parents and students before students graduate high school to start filling college applications and scholarships. Please do not wait until last minute to do all does things. Is never to early to start filling applications.

Definitely visit each campus you're thinking of attending, make a list of pro's and con's, be serious when contrasting and comparing. Especially remember to apply them to your own ways of learning, living, and working. (that was the mistake I made, I forgot to make them applicable to me, not every other prospective student.) Also think out where you would live. Consider off and on campus living and make a pro and con list for those as well. The city where your college is located also can have a major impact on your experience. If you're not a big city person, go to a school not located in a city. Simple things can really make the difference, its not just the reputation of the school that matters in your decision. The most important aspect should be if you LOVE, not just like, the way you could see yourself living in and around your campus.

When looking for a college for your child make sure the school offers a good academic program. If your child is interested in sports make sure the college has a good sports team. It is very important to take trips to different campuses with your child to determine if they like it or not. Honestly finding the right college depends on what your child wants and is interested in. It is up them to decide to find a reasonable college that is suitable for them.

I would tell parents and students to search far and wide for colleges that fit all of their criteria. Then students should do as many scholarship applications as possible to help out parents with the financial costs. Then parents and students should sit down together and decide which of those colleges would be the best decision for the future. When the student gets into college they should spend the first semester concentrating on accumulating themselves to the school by studying hard and trying to make friends. After that semester, then i would say go out and join a club or two or maybe a greek group to make long lasting friends and potential study buddies. But always keep a good balance of school and play because that's what college is all about.

Be ready for an experience way different from High School! You are faced with so much more free time and is is most important to plan and use it efficitntly. A date planner is wonderful to schedule study time and be prepared for upcoming events and tests!

Finding a perfect match when it comes to college is not easy. There is so much to consider. Will financial aid cover enough of my expenses? How far away will I be from home? Am I ready for the new found responsibility that this experience will bring? I think when making an attempt to find the college/university that will fit, you have to keep in mind a few things. Always take a tour and ask questions (especially of students who currently attend). Inquire about opportunities to get involved. Nothing is worse than a student who only studies, and has no social interaction. Most colleges have a plethora of choices from students to choose from; if they don't like what they see...create a group! Make sure the school is adamant about healthy living (diet/excercise). Above all think about the cost of attending and measure it up to what the "representatives" of the school are telling you. If it feels like it's worth it, chances are it may be right for you. Making the most of the college expereince = hard work + social life + heartbreak. Remember to dream. The school that fits should help you achieve them.

Choosing the right college can be very difficult, but it can be done. My advice is that you visit the college site and stay there for the day. Find students, faculty, and other people on campus to ask questions about the campus. They should have good information about the school. Also go on the school's website. There is a lot online about different schools.

look for resources on campus

There are so many colleges available throughout the nations for the student to choose; but pick the right or not it's depends on the student. Many students are struggling in school and unhappy with their campuse because they have made the wrong choice of college. To unsolve this problem students need to be more patience, do more researches, and be more specific with their interests.To find the perfect college, first, the student must be patience and take time to search as many colleges as possible. Students can use search engine from websites or ask their advisors. Once they gather the list of colleges, they must go to the campuse to check out the site and ask many questions of the place as possible. Students need to make sure the college match their preferences and interests. It is very important for a student to choose the right college because it will effect the student's acadamic goal. For example, if a student attend to a discrimation college or a very high expection will gives the student stresses and less focus on school works. The right college will give the student a better chance to be successful.

My advice is for future students. When choosing a college or university to attend, really find a school and program to study that meet your needs. My problem initially was that I started in a large school and had no idea what I wanted to do. So I became unmotivated and in involved with my school. Finally, I decided what interested me and that I wanted to become a teacher. Now that I know what I want to do and study, I am able to enjoy the college experience. Get involved! Join clubs or Greek life! I have made so many friends by getting involved and you can too!

I used to think the most important thing about college was the status of the college. Since graduating high school and attending a top tier school and then a state school for my senior year, I have learned that it is not the college that makes you great. School provide a lot of circumstances that may direct you, but you do not need an Ivy League school to make you great. There is so much more about success and life than the name of where you went to school. When picking a school, students should think about what kind of work they like to do, where they want to be, and how they learn the best. Small class sizes can mean a lot and allows you to develop the relationships with teachers that result in excellent recommendations for graduate school. When picking a school, students don't often think about their relationship with their teacher as anything besides a grade. Your teachers are your best bet as mentors. If you succeed in their classes, get their advice, volunteer and interact with them, they will be more willing to help you in the future and put you in their networks.

I could sit here and say that you should choose to attend a college based off of its location, size, available programs, and cost of tuition. For these are all reasons why I chose to enroll at the University of Central Florida. A year and a half later, here I sit getting ready to transfer out of UCF to a university that is going to nourish and aid my own morality, values, ethics, principles, and beliefs. A prospective student should decide upon a college that matches his or her personality. Personality in the sense of your values, ethics, principles, and beliefs. It is these four criteria that need to be examined in order for a student to find "the right" college. A persons college years are the most influential in shaping and developing their persona. If someone chooses to enroll at a school that mirrors his or her philosophy of life, the above criteria, then he or she will inevitably and willingly become involved with the institution, thus making the most of his or her college experience.

Students: Don't pick a school just because friends or boyfriends/girlfriends are going there. You'll learn more if your thrown into a situation where you have to make new friends and meet new people. Have an open mind about things, and experiences, but at the same time don't disregard the morals and values that your parents and family instilled in you. Get involved, both in and outside the classroom. Parents: Encourgae your child to get involved in school. Visit the campus with them. Show your support, but let them make thier own decisons.

A lot of factors come into play when choosing the right college. First, is education. After all, that's what you go to college for in the first place. Just because a college has a great program in one area, doesn't mean it is all perfect. You need to make sure your chosen area is up to your standards. Second, location is also important. If this will be your first time away from home, maybe you should consider a college within a few hours' driving distance. Third, are extracirricular activities. It is hard to live on your own for the first time. Choosing a club or sport instantly puts you in a group of people with similar interests to yours. I chose to be on UCF's rowing team and I attribute that to how well I adjuested to college. I had something to do outside of class and I made a lot of friends to do it with. Keeping these three factors in mind will help you choose the right college.

When it comes to making the right choice for picking the "right college", it all comes down to what the student wants. College is about choosing a place that you feel you could make the most impact in. You want your student to enjoy every minute he or she spends at their university. While factors like: location, cost, class size, and campus life do have a major say in the final decision. The one factor that changed everything was the smile that was placed on my face when I finished the tour and talked with several of the students and professors in my university. Never have I felt more at home then I did after looking at the university. College is a home away from home; make sure that it's the student who feels that way as well. It is up to them to make the most out of their experience but if they are motivated by the university or the activities they are in then it will come naturally. For in the end, all parents truly want is a smile on their child's face.

I think it's hard unless you've attended the college, honestly. I would visit the prospective colleges, and try to figure out what kind of people go there. If you have a good idea of what you want to do or major in you can ask a lot of questions about those particular classes at the college you're thinking about going to. Try to find a college that will actually help you get a job.

A helpful advice for any upcoming students that are looking for the right college and making the most out of their college experience will be to enroll in any type of organization, club, and also volunteer and interact in all events that occur on campus. By means of enrolling, helps the student network and socialize and meet different diverse groups of indivivuals. ALso, enrolling in clubs that are based on the career path that you decide will give you more input on the career and help you familiarize with what will help you succeed and become a well known strong candidate in the market position when looking for a position after finishing college.

going into college. so many things are going to be different from how they were in highschool. as long as you keep an open mind and have a positive attitude, you will be okay. it is important to get involved, whether that means joining greek life, a few clubs, or SGA. if you dont get involved, you will feel lost in the crowd and have trouble enjoying all that college has to offer. the classes are great and really intellectually stimulating but make sure you pick them right away so you can get the best teachers and time schedules, (i would suggest ratemyprofessors.com also). thankfully it is not hard to make good grades because of all the resources available. also, we have an amazing student government who is always giving away free things and putting on events that makes it easy to meet people and have fun. overall, you will get out of college what you put into it. if you are involved and try to have a good time, then you will. but if you seclude yourself and put in no effort, you will not be happy anywhere you go.

There is much advice I could give to future college students and parents. First, apply for as many scholarships as possible; it is definately worth the work. Even if you must write essays or do volunteer work, do it! Next, apply to all the colleges you are interested in, even if you are afraid you cannot afford it. There are people out there who just want to give you money. Plus, you should never deny yourself of a great education becasue of fears. Finally, have fun when you do get to college. Those four years will fly by before you know it. Just work hard and enjoy yourself. Make friends, join clubs, go to the sporting events. Most importantly, you do not want to leave anything for regret. I gaurantee you will regret what you did not do more than you will regret what you did do! Go for it, study, work hard, and play hard! If you follow my advice, you are sure to have a great time at whatever college to attend.

When looking into a school, go and visit it . Make sure you feel comfortable before you choose the school. Maybe if you are a highschool student go stay there for a weekend with a friend. College is what you make it and what fraternities, sports, how many friends don't determine what your school experince. Make sure you shop around to all the different activities and ask for help in every class even if your unsure. To save some money, watch you financial situation with the meal plan at your given school. Also, get to know your teachers especially if you have a large class because it will help your grade in the end. Ask residents how they like the on campus housing before you make any decision to live on campus or off. make sure you manage you time well and don't take everything you professor seriously. The syllabus is so important , go to class all the time, study more then just the night before , and enjoy school.

Do not be afraid to go somewhere that you never had considered. Also, do not be afraid to go somewhere that not a lot of your friends will be going. Choose the school before you choose being with your high school friends. You will learn more about yourself when forced to make new friends. Do not be afraid of it. There are plenty of people in the same boat as you.

GREAT SCHOOL!

First make sure the college has a program you are interested in that will help you reach your dream career. Then make sure that it has plenty of connections with on campus opportunities and off campus internships and job offers that you can gain experience while working on your degree. Also make sure that you can still have a life. Make sure there are non-class related things to do like sports either to watch or play or events to go to such as movies on the lawn. Your school becomes your home away from home and you should be able to have fun and live the way you want to while still being able to learn exactly what you want and need to, and work somewhere that will help you when you finally graduate.

Make surer you know all of the different educational tracks offered at the university. One that offers a lot of options makes it mch easier for students if they decide a little down the road that they want to change their major. Also, look into the location of the campus and walk around before committing. It is nice to have an idea o what life will be like day to day when you are committing to a school. I like to make sure that the area is easy to navigate and that the school offers enough campus activities and services that its almost like a "one stop shop". Short of a full groery store, my campus has everything that a student could possibly need. This makes it much easier for students who do not have a means of transportation and takes a ton of stress of the students.

Go to a place you get a good feeling about, hopefully a place where you know some people, but at least some place you know youll be happy living in day after day for one reason or another.

After selecting the school that best fits the qualifications of your future career, not immediate party desires, it is time to start planning!! Every school has good parties so that should be the last thing that someone should base their decision on. Having completed my 4-year degree at the University of Central Florida, looking back I give the advice I wish I would have taken myself. No matter what, live on campus the first year. Share your freshman experience by making new friends and attend every freshman event offered. Don't ignore getting involved no matter how annoying it is by hearing the O-team scream "Get Involved" every five seconds. The first year in school and giving yourself the opportunity to lay the best foundation for the next couple years is so important, and makes the rest of the college experience easier, funner, and so much more bareable when you go through homesickness, break-ups, and of course the best times of your life.

Make sure to go with your gut instinct. Don't stress out too much about a college's location and cost. Go with the college that seem the most right.

Think of what you want to study, then find up to 5 different schools that specialize in your intrest. If you don't know what you want to do, pick a school that you want to go to and apply, or think about a community college so you can explore different opportunities, and a communtity college is cheeper

When I first started filling out my application I didnt have any idea where I wanted to attend. I knew that I didn't want to go out of state, due to out of state tuition, but I wanted to be far enough from home. I think college visits are imperative. All colleges look alike on the websites, so it is important to get out and fully understand the environment you will be in the next four years. I also think that when choosing a college, make sure they have the major you want or are interesting in receiving your degree. When you establish this, see what kind of research opportunities they have. In four years, you will have a degree. That is it! If you participate in research, you will have a degree and research experience. The way the economy is today, things like research experience will put an extra boost to your resume. Money is a big factor, so before choosing a college see who will provide you with the most scholarships, bceause you do have to pay loans back. The last thing.. Look for diversity. You learn interesting things from different cultures.

Research and tours and the keys to making sure you find the right college for you. Taking a tour helped me with my decision with UCF because I got a feel of the college life as well as how the campus was structured. Attend seminars and other workshops that showcase the school's various organizatiions, this is a great way to get involved.