University of Colorado Boulder Top Questions

To visit the schools they have in mind and try to go out at night in the town and see if it's the right atmosphere they're looking for. If they have careers or fields of study in mind - to look into which school has the best departments, but not to get too hung up on that unless it's very competitive... you have to be happy in your surroundings to succeed and thrive in school

I would say visiting the campus and doing the tours are always a good start to see how the campus and university is. That really gives you a good idea of what you think about the city and campus and a good idea of if you could see your self attending the university or not.

I would tell potential students to not be intimidated by the future. There are so many expectations it seems, but I would tell students that they should just take their time and find their niche in the community. Through interactions with other students, find what you are passionate about and stick to it. Your values will carry you through the rougher times. Additionally, no one will create your college experience for you, so be brave and step forward towards things you thought were impossible. And even when school gets stressful and you're feeling overwhelmed, never ever forget about the lines of people on both sides of you who are cheering for your success.

As you search for an institution of higher education, be sure to have an understanding of what you want to do in life. This will not only narrow your search but allow for more detailed characteristics with which to judge the fit of potential schools. Explore the practical schools, and look towards the specializations within them. Look for schools with high professor interaction. Look for specialized career services departments; ask about their efforts to bring new companies in to hire students. Look for schools with the atmosphere you want, but large centers of business nearby so as to allow for internships and work experience. Look for culteral fit for your family versus the area the school is in. Look for campus opportunities for involvement, whether that be student orgs, religious orgs, sports orgs, or intramural teams. Look for a beautiful campus to set pride in the school, and admire the beauty in the area. Look for housing right away as it comes to later years, it will matter. But MOST of all listen to yourself or your soon-to-be student and how they think they'll fit in to the campus., that's the only thing that matters.

Visit

Since the college you pick is going to be basically your home for the next 4+ years, pick somewhere that brings out the best in your personality. You are aiming to get a good career, so don't pick a school just because all your friends are going there. But also don't pick a school you are completely uncomfortable attending.

Investigate what is to be expected of you in order to complete your major. Try to find ways to establish a good group of people to rely on for socialization, support, and studying-- having someone to share your ideas and thoughts with constantly is a good way to stay encouraged and focused. Partying is fun, but in moderation-- school is for studying and creating your future. Partying should act as a reward, not a must-have. Don't believe everything you hear; find the facts out yourself and then form your opinion--especially when it comes to politics. Too many people are followers and not leaders; be sure that if you are following someone, you have an idea of where they are going to end up.

For me, I applied to tons of schools that I thought I had interest in. In the end, the right one chose me. You may not get accepted into every school that you want, but you should always keep an open mind because the school you may not consider could change your life. I didnt even know about the University of Colorado until January of my Senior year of high school. Now, that I am here, I can't imagine my college experience to be anywhere else. Visiting the campuses before choosing is also so important. You should get a feel for the culture, population, size, and attitudes before ever picking a school. It is a really tough decision, but just know that everything happens for a reason, and you may not get into your dream school, but there is an alternative waiting out there to give you something you probably never expected!

I think parents and students need to find a stimulating environment when they choose a university. The university you choose should be the center of your world while you attend it. Whether you choose to really dive into research or join a fraternity or sorority or get into cultural events and social responsibility, the university you choose should be a place where you can develop yourself personally as well as academically. Students and parents need to find a university that has enough going on that kids don't have to party every night (although the occaisional party isn't a bad thing). The university you choose should really pull you in. It should be a place that you are enthusiastic about committing the majority of your time and energy (not to mention money) for four years.

For the average high school senior trying to pick a college--he or she does not know exactly what they want or where they want to be in five years. So yes find a place where you feel comfortable and that offers lots of different opportunites, because college is not about finding a career, its about completing an education. The best thing you can do for yourself in college is try new things, whether that be picking up a new outdoor sport or taking a class about Vikings, or just striking up a converstation with the kid next to you. Don't be afraid, branch out, don't put yourself in a box. It won't be easy though, but never stop striving to shape your mind the way you want it to be. Don't forget though that every action/decision has a consequence, good or bad. So make small goals, take each day at a time, don't be pressured into thinking that you have to have everything figured out, because that's what college is for--helping us become who we will be for the rest of our lives.

My advice to parents and students about finding the right school is to focus on a school that will fit your personality. Big schools are not right for everyone, and the setting and focus of schools are different. It is important to go to a school setting that is going to fit your personality and make you happy and excited to live in that location. My advice about making the most of your college expirience is to get involved early. Connect with people in the residence hall, and find clubs or organizations that fit your interests and get plugged in to campus. Even the biggest school can feel like a small tight community if you are plugged into a group.

College is really what you make of it. Choosing the right college is contingent upon many things. Financial, social, academic, and distance from home should all be carefully considered. Although there may be rumors about the school being a party school or conversely being a very prestigious collge, each and every place is full of a combination of the two. The college experience is unique to each individual. I believe it is up to each and every student to follow their hearts and minds to find the balance between social and academic realms of their lives. College is a place full of opportunities and as adults, the responsibility lies within each student.

NTR

It's important to visit the schools and first decide on the size. Next, once you've decided on size, I'd suggest you visit schools in states that most interest you. Once these are identified a visit to each school really helps because you can see if there are students there that a like you. Also, it is important check to make sure the school offeres the degree or classes you are interested in studying. I remember when I first walked on the CU campus I know I wanted to go there. So, going with your gut feeling is important as well. I suggest the parents let the student make the decision. I know many friend whose parents would not let them go to Boulder, but I know they were the right fit for CU. Thats it!

During my junior and senior years in high school, I set out on a search to discover where I would spend the next four years of my life. I knew I wanted to go out of the state of New York, but I was having trouble deciding where to go. The qualities in a university that were most important to me were probably very similar to the qualities that other students may look for in their college search. I think it is important that a university has a strong academic program, not only for the studies that you want to focus in, but just in general. You have to think about the fact that you may not want to continue in the same major you declared Freshman year, so you will not want to have to transfer to an entirely different school. A college also needs a good balance between acadamics and social opportunities. You should not look back after graduation and regret not being able to go to football games or attend club activities that your college may not have offered. In general, I believe that you take out of college what you put into it.

An individual will find a place for themselves at any college they attend. Simply because a university has a certain stigma attached to it does not mean that that university is the right place for a student. College is a place for a person to find themselves. They will find the best friends, develop their personal and political views and grow into a responsible adult. As long as a person takes initiative and is determined to succeed, they will have a college experience that they will cherish for the rest of their lives.

Go away from home and your comfort zone of high school friends. Go a state or two states away or even across the country. Now known anyone is part of the college experience of meeting new people and living on your own without the posibility of going home over the weekend. Visit the campus; this was my deciding factor. Look for somewhere that revolves around the college and a school with a ton of spirit. The first week of school put yourself out there to meet new people, everyone is just like you and doesnt know anyone.

My advice that i would pass on to students and parents about finding a college that works for them is to look around. Travel to different colleges and just sit in on the action. I feel that the only way that you are able to know if you fit in at that university and if you are going to enjoy your time there is to be in that environment. Walk around campus and see if you enjoy the scenery, the size of the classrooms, how close your classes are going to be to eachother, the people, the transportation, the subjects they offer, and how close your house or dorm is to the activity on campus. If you find a place that you feel really comfortable at and you can see yourself walking around, sitting on a field on campus hanging out with your friends, going to social events like football games or just enjoying the scenery you will enjoy your time at that university. This will in turn help you recieve high grades because you enjoy going there, and ultimately that is what you want out of your experience! Enjoy your search!

I would advise a student to go and stay with someone that goes to that university for a couple days to interact with the people that go there and see if the classes are right for you. I would definitely check out variety of colleges and not just have your heart set on one. I would also recommend being open to people's ideas and values because you will learn a lot from people different then you, and they may even become your good friend. Always be open to have a good time and try not to judge people right away but let them prove to you who they really are. Don't use stereotypes, and form clicks.

When finding the right college... Be Patient-It may take a while to find the perfect school for you, but its worth it to look into multiple schools and then narrow down from there. Be Practical-Apply to colleges that you can afford, ones that have your major, and ones that you would be comfortable going to. Visit the campus-This seems like such a simple aspect, but visiting a campus can change your view of a school. I was torn on a few schools but once I visited CU boulder I knew that it was perfect for me. To make the most of your college experience.. Get involved-Joining intramurals or a club on campus is a great way to meet new people and adapt to your new atmosphere. Having something extra to give your mind a break from school work is also a major plus. Stay focused-There is always a lot going on, on a college campus. Learn how to manage your time allowing for school work as well as a social life. While its important to have fun in college, just remember that the main reason your there is to get an education.

Go with whatever your instinct is.

From what I have heard from my friends and what I have experienced myself I would say that you need to relax. In the end everyone's college experience is remarkably similar. I have not seen evidence that there is a significant difference in term of the level of education that various universities provide. The advice that I would give is that you need to choose a school that matches your personality. You should not choose a school just because of the prestige that the name carries with it. As far as making the most out of your college experience, I would say don't take it for granted. Time flies by and there are so many opportunities to broaden your perspective that you shouldn't waste it partying every single night.

Apply to as many schools as possible! I simply messed up the application process and ended up not getting into my top school because I didn't allow myself enough time. Start researching early so you know what you want. (That's a big one; I waited too long.) And really think about what size school you want and what kind of city you want it to be in. Even though my school is massive, I really love that aspect of it even though small schools are highly praised. And definitely check out the transportation in the area surrounding campus and make sure it's accessible. Basically, allow yourself a LOT of time to figure out what you want most so you can make the best decision for you. And again: APPLY TO AS MANY SCHOOLS AS POSSIBLE!!! *Then* take time deciding.

DO NOT GO TO A SMALL LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE!! go somewhere with lots of grad students. find something that you are excited to learn about and that you think could lead you to a career, then follow it. ---------GET HELP! go to office hours. take classes that will teach you new things and challenge you in ways you could not have imagined in high school. get a bike if there aren't lots of buses around the city, explore your new city.

If you can, visit the college you are planning to attend (many schools have programs for prospective students) and check out the department you plan to be studying in. If you don't know what you want to study yet, try a bit of everything you're intersted in. Read throught the class catalogue and see what pops out. Then picture yourself there as a student. Your perfect school will have you thinking "I was meant to be here." Chances are, you'll know right away if the school is right for you, just by how excited you'll be about starting college there.

Do not go where your best friend is going. Go where you feel in your gut instinct that you belong. I have made all of my best friends at College and have become so in love with Boulder, that I could not imagine being unhappy or going anywhere else. And for the parents, don't convince your kids to go where you want them go - let them decide.

visit schools - talk to the students!! stay in state!!!!!!! especially if your not sure what you want to do

Let your kids find themselves in the four years they have at college. Not only will it be the best four years of their lives but they will find themselves in way never imagined possible. You find you at the end of those four years. Dont decide their future. let them decide on their own and let them be happy. You've already lived your life. Let your kids life theirs.

Visit the campuses you are interested in and meet with the faculty members of those campuses.

Do a lot of research about the schools and more about the social environment and the availabilities the school offers. The environment is very important because if you do not like your environment, you will most likely not like school. So make sure to find an area where you will feel comfortable, happy and able to enjoy the people and environment around you. Also take size into consideration when applying to schools, because that will directly affect how large your classes are and how much help and attention your professors will give to you as an individual student.

Make sure that you visit all the colleges that interest you before making a decision. It would be a good idea to spend a weekend there, getting to know people, sitting in the classrooms. It is important to know exactly what you want and researching everything about the school and getting s feel of the enviroment is the best way to do that.

The most important part about choosing the right school is starting out with no limitations. If your parents want you to be a lawyer but you have your heart set on being a broadway performer, make sure the places you choose have an opportunity for both. There is no way you will be able to enjoy what could quite possibly be the best four years of your life if you are there for the following reasons. Once you are there, be sure to take advantage of all the lies before you. Hundreds of professionals and guest lectures visit campuses all around the country for free and quite often students miss out because they do not seek out these events. Seldom do opporunities like this occur after college life and it is shame to waste them. I would say try and find one event every week outside of your major field of study and attend. You will find that you have a more well rounded and more enjoyable college experience. Best of luck!

Location, location. Go some where that makes you feel good. Places where you have interests.

Look at everything a school has to offer. Are you interested in sports, music, strictly academics? Sometimes even if you are only interested in going to school for academics, a school that has a lot of extracurricular activites can be great. Also, look for the overall feel of the campus, is the campus inviting, does it "feel like college." Some students do not do well with big schools and large lecture style classes, while others excel. At CU-Boulder, there was a variety of classes and class sizes, I found that I could get lost and be introverted when I wanted to, but I campus always felt a bit smaller because I always saw someone I knew walking to and from classes. Look for positive dorm life, and live in the dorms your first year!!! This is when everyone is just as scared as you are and you bond in a way that will last for a life-time. High school friendships fade, but it is the friendship you make while at college that will last forever. Get involved in your classes, take them seriously but enjoy them too! Take a "hobby class" and mix up your schedule. Good luck!

Take a week off school and visit the schools you're seriously considering during the week while classes are in session--not a weekend, not a break, not summer. If you don't get into or can't go to your first choice school, don't get a chip on your shoulder about it. College is so much more about what you put into it than where you are.

Look at what you want to do with your life and select a school initially based on which schools have good programs for your major or area of interest. Visit those schools and walk around the campus and if possible look around the classrooms. If you like the feel of the campus, it has a good program for your major and is in your price range go for it!

Don't let your friends determine where you go, do what you think is best for you; you won't regret it.

Focus on your academics. Whatever you're interested in studying, students there will share your enthusiasm, so it's easy to find and make friends. Some people I know are so worried about their social life that they are missing the big picture of what college has to offer; the education. It's what tuition is for, so get the most you can out of it. This is the step in life that really matters, that will send you soaring into your future if you play your cards right. I only emphasize that you take time to choose your school based on what you want to learn, not who you want to hang out with. Once you start attending, look around to join clubs you might be interested in. These places are the hot spots for making lifelong friends and networking that will help you out years from now. Participation always looks good on resumes too! Depending on the club, they have nearly free trips around the country or even the world. Hard to go wrong mixing school and fun at the same time. But above all, appreciate where you are, most don't have the opportunity to get here.

I would encourage all parents and students to consider their personal expectations and desires for college while choosing their school. I believe that visiting several different types of schools will allow you to imagine yourself in each individual setting. You will quickly develop preferences as far as location, size, religious affiliation, etc. and once you find the right school you will be able to picture youself as a student there and know it's for you. You will need to take into account your major, hobbies, personal comfort level, location, and climate, among many other factors when choosing where you will spend four of the most influential and critical years of your upper-level education. In order to make the most of the college experience I would suggest becoming involved on campus. Whether that means becoming an activitst, joining a student group or organization, getting a job, or conducting research, etc. Many people find their niche on campus through becoming active and involved. Through joining these campus groups you will likely be surrounded by other students who share your same interests and beliefs allowing you to form key relationships and connections and increase your personal networks and future opportunites.

The student needs to select the school, not the parent. Your initial major course direction needs the students sole input. Don't be discouraged if you have learning disabilities as there are numerous excellent colleges and universities that will happily accommodate your needs in both testing and study areas.

Start visiting the colleges you think that you are interested early. Your freshman and sophmore year is really not to early. Make time when you're on vacations just to look around and see if the colleges there interest you. Once you find a few schools that are your top choices visit them while they are in session. An active campus is a different world compared to the summer "crowd". Visit the areas that interest you, college of business, engineering or underwater basket weaving. It doesn't matter, as long as you can get a feel for the enviornment and facilities. Keep an open mind. Not all things will be as they appear. Good Luck!

There is no one right college.

keep up with your work and have fun

Going to a large school was one of the best decisions I have ever made. At 18, most people have no idea what they want to do with their lives and a large school lets you experience everything. Choose a school in a location where you can participate in activities you enjoy other then partying.

Go to a small school.

When I was applying to colleges the best experinces I had was setting up college visits outside of the university orientation programs. Meet with some of the professors and students. Make sure that you like not only the university, but the city as well. To make the most out of your college experience, get involved. Join a Fraternity, Sorority, or club. the more you get involved the more people you meet, and the more you feel like you belong. The best thing to do is step outside of your comfort zone, try new things, and learn from those experiences!

Follow your dreams and your heart. If you think that you want to go to Stanford, apply! Don't let any conceptions about college change your mind. Your college experience will be what you make it and you have to make yourself happy. Taking the time to find the right atmophere and location is the best way to set yourself up for success. Constant optimism throughout the college process will allow for the best outcome. Everything works itself out in the end. If it's not all right, it's not the end. Everyone is special and has something to offer, even to the most pretigious schools in the nation. So listen to your heart, you will end up happy.

The most important thing you can do is tour the campuses to which you've applied. Universities like to build themselves up and only show you the glamorous aspects of their colleges. However, when you actually step on campus you will be able to get a true feel of what the community is like and that can make or break one's college experience. Furthermore, college is much more than just "academics". If you choose a school soley on its acadeic merit, then you might miss out on all the other great social dynamics of college life, and vice versa. It is crucial to find a university that has an equal blance of both so that your experience is rewarding in all senses of the term. Lastly, you have to get involved in your community. Be it a club, a school football game, or just going out and meeting new people, you get what you put into it and you have to be willing to put yourself out there and try new things if you want to make the most of the "college experience."

I would make sure you do the research all all schools you want to attend and make a list of what you want out of college and then see if the college that you got excepted into fits what you want.

Go to the school that feels the most at home to you. Don't listen to your friends, or your relatives. Go where your heart tells you to go and you will never regret it.