University of Colorado Colorado Springs Top Questions

Make sure the students knows what they want to do with there career. I would suggest a career class in the first semester. It also is very important to look at the cost of attending college.

Students should pick a school based on their interests first. If they want to go into journalism, they should seek schools that put students in that field. However, this can be rather flexible, since oftentimes, students change their minds about what they want to do while in school. Thus, I encourage students to also seek out schools that offer a variety of degree options. They should also seek information about campus activities, including the types of organizations already established on the campus, as this often largely affects the overall college experience. To make the most of the college experience, I would encourage students to get involved early. Go to club meetings right after starting classes, and seek out various interests. That's one mistake I made; I didn't get involved my first year in college, and I feel my experience was dampened a little because of it. I made many friends my last semester in college because I was willing to broaden my horizons and try new things. New freshman shouldn't make this mistake; start early and have fun. It's not a good college experience if you don't have a little fun in the process.

FInd a school that fits the class size your student wants. I love small class sizes they are more personal and the instructors know you more than just a number. Some people though like really large casses so it really depends on the student. Parents let your student make the decison it is their school and their future not yours.

Perosnally, coming from a middle class family raised by a single mom, money was tight. I think it is critical to take into consideration you and your family's financial situation, then from there see what two or three schools in that budget offer the most diverse or engaging faculty/campus. It is important to attend a school that focuses on creating relationships with other students. I found it especially helplful to make friends with students working on the same degree as myself. It was beneficial to have others to study or do homework with, or maybe bounce some life issues off of. Parents, let your kid find him/herself in their college years, college will truly shape them, not high school. Be available when they need you but let them start to figure things out on their own. Help them to prepare for the real world and their career after college without handing it to them on a silver platter. They are an adult, treat them like one, but never, ever, forget to show them love. It really helps us get through some of our darkest times that you might not even know we are dealing with. Thank you.

It isn't always about the tree-lined walkways and hip frisbee sessions. Sometimes its about being able to walk across campus and know everyone you see. Its about feeling free to talk to professors about anything and everything. Feeling safe in your home should never be an issue, so why should it be in your dorm room? Make sure you know how well your campus measures up on all of them... don't just ask the admissions director and the kid giving you the tour, feel free to walk into a class that they don't assign you and sit down, see what it feels like. Talki to freshman on campus, make sure they wanted the same things you do. Ecven when money's an issue, don't give up that dream school just because you have to sign a loan- that is what the future is for.

I truly believe that College would be miserable experience if students don't get involved. The first year I attended this school, I merely went to class, then work, then home. I did not enjoy school or really anthing for that matter. The next year I played intermural volleyball, joined student Government, Chaired the history club, and worked in the University Center. I love college so much at this point, that I really do not want to leave at all. I think that goes for any school in any city of any size. GET INVOLVED! Secondly, get to know your professors. I have made great friendships with my professors and I will spend hours in their offices discussing projects, politics, history and life. The bonds that I have made will always be special to me, not to mention the networking capabilities that they provide. I feel that I have learned more from them personally, than I did in the classroom. =)

The advice I would give to parents and/ or students about finding the right college is to visit all the colleges the students/parents are interested in and to communicate with each other about what school is the right one and why they think so. I would also advice the students to get more involved on campus. I would recommend students joining clubs and participating in events they are interested in. The more work you put into college, the more you will get out of it.

I would tell parents that they need not pressure their children in to going to college directly out of high school. It is a very important decision that the students need to make and it is hard to decide what you want to do with the rest of your life when you are 18. Give your kids time to think about when and/or where they want to go to school so they don't end up like many other kids who graduate with a college degree that they don't even use. A college degree is a great assest to have but it isn't helping you or anybody else to waste that much money on something you aren't going to use. You wouldn't buy a 50 thousand dollar car without researching it and thinking about your purchase as you shouldn't pick a school and degree without doing the proper research first. The students I would tell that this is probably one of the biggest decisions that you will make for the rest of your lives so you need to treat it accordingly.

I would advise students to find a college that best fits their life style and would ultimately help them succeed in life after they graduate. I currently attend a college which I regret attending and I dont want anybody else to suffer the same mistake as I have. For parents, it would be wise to listen to your child and let them go to the college they best feel would benefit them, not what you personally feel is right for them. College shold be one of the best times of a students life, so make it count where they can be happy and free to learn and live to their potential.

Visit the campus and while on the tour try to imagine you, or your kid for the parents, living, studying, and hanging out there. The school may be the greatest in the country but if you're not comfortable you won't learn and will be wasting your time and money.

The most important thing about college is not where you go, it's your own personal experience there, and only you can make that. A school can look fantastic on paper and during your visit, but unless you're willing to open yourself up to see, do, try everything you can, you'll miss out and it will no longer be as fantastic as you imagined it to be. That school which doesn't seem that distinguished, perfect, or whatever else may just end up being your perfect fit. Take some personality tests! Do you like lots of people? Do you want to join any clubs? Are you going to play sports or be involved heavily with the school? Would you like living far away from home? There are many such questions one should ask yourself. Visits are great, try to sit in on some lectures (are they interactive? your learning style?), talk to some students (the best indicators are always those students you just catch walking around on campus, who aren't affiliated with the admissions department)... And lastly, don't forget, you can always switch schools after a semester or two, you might learn even more this way.

Visit schools you are interested in before making a decision; some schools may pleasantly surprise you when you visit. You can only go to so many colleges, and come senior year you don't want to regret your decision. Be willing to invest time into relationships at the school as well; everyone is in the same boat and it helps to have your classmates to help you out when you need it, and opportunities for you to serve your classmates will arise as well.

The best advice I could give is to go on a college tour and go off of the vibe you get from each campus. Don't choose a school because your friends do or because you want the name on your diploma, because chances are you won't stay friends through out college and once the novelty of the school's name wears off you will really only care about the education you're getting and the experience you're having. As for getting the most out of your experience I would say this: get involved! That is the best way to go. You will meet more people, connect with faculty better, and get better grades. Not to mention you will make some really incredible friends and great connections for your future.

CHECK MANY SCHOOLS. KNOW WHAT YOU WANT IN AN EDUCATION, COLLEAGE EXPERIENCE, AND HOUSING. MAKE SURE YOU WANT TO BE IN A STATE OR AREA THAT YOU LIKE. VISIT THE SCHOOL OF YOUR CHOICE A COUPLE OF TIMES DURNING DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE YEAR. BE PREPARED ASK QUESTIONS.

I would advise people to go out of their comfort zone when choosing a college. I think that it is important for people to see different angles of the world. It helps people grow in understanding of different cultures, ideas, and ways of life. Also, people grow in understanding of themselves.

Pick the college that you think will make you the most happy-- this is in terms of your professional career goals, scenery, campus size, campus diversity, availability of clubs/sororities/fraternities/honor societies that interest you, campus services (academic advising, tutoring, library), and city/town location (bustling or small-town, etc.). It's all about finding the right combination because if you go to a school for only one reason, like the academic program, you may be dissapointed by everything else and these dissapointments can make for a miserable college experience. College is about more than just classes, even though that is the major part. You want a school that best fits your interests, both academic and personal. You want a college where you can thrive and be challenged to be the best, both in academics and extra-curricular activities. Most of all, to get the best and make the most out of your college experience, you have to be willing to try new things, make new friends, and spend the time to study. It won't be easy at first, but it will come with experience. You will learn what works best for you and what school really fits.

The most important thing for the parents to do is to let their child make their own decision on the college that they attend. This is so important because if their parents make the decision for them they will not enjoy their college experience as much as if they picked it themselves. The students need to know that their time at college is very precious and that they need to really buckle down and only focus on school, because if one were to mess up their first year it is very difficult to catch yourself up after that. It would also be recommended to be in all the extra curricular activities because it is a great way to meet potential friends. I found that the best way to study was to go to the library with a friend from class and ask each other questions about the things they are unfamiliar with. This method got me some really good grades on some tests.

I transferred to my current school and it has been one of the best decisions that I have made. The school that I was at before was very conservative and had so many rules and regultations that I felt like my classmates were becoming robots. They followed in the footsteps of those before them and let themselves fall into those pre-set roles. I was falling into that same routine and finally left because, as an experiential/kenetic learner, I felt stifled. I think it is most important that as a student choosing a school , that you should choose one that best suits your personality. If you are a flexible person and do not do well with regimented hours it is probably better that you go to a more flexible school. If you need structure and cannot live without your dayplanner and book bag, then a school requiring some one with the discipline that you have, would probably be where you are most comfortable. Even if the school is 1000 mile away from home, go. If you are more comfortable with the environment there than with the college down the block from your house, Go. Do not hold back, Go.

The advice that I would have for them is mainly for the student because in the long run it is going to be the student who will be attending that certain college, not the parents. I think it's important to get the parents approval, hopefully, but really it should be up to the student. And when they are choosing a college they need to look at every aspect of that school. Not just the "fun" aspects of the college. They need to look into the classroom sizes, all the classes that school offers, the library and other resources, the living accomodations if he/she will be living on campus, and most of all the social life aspect of the school. It is important to see if all of these things that school offers are similar to what he/she is looking for. If the school is too big and the particular individual prefers smaller classroom sizes then that school may not be what he/she is looking for. To the student, take your time in deciding and really, really look into it. Don't feel rushed or pressured by anyone to choose school. But do get your parents discretion.

Choosing a college is one of the most difficult choices that a student has to make. As a college student, I have gone through the processes of searching for schools, applying for scholarships, and adjusting to college life. The best advice that I would be able to give parents and students would be to find a college that is upbeat, friendly, and offers programs and courses that will best prepare the student for their future. College should be a great experience where you meet new people, adjust to adult life, and study what you love. Get involved! Colleges offer ways to get involved within the community and also within the school. In this way you will make friends because you are around people that share your interests. You will also want to choose what is best for you academically, since this is what will set your desired career in motion. It may be easy to choose a college based on price and convenience, but believe me when I say that a cheerful environment can help students learn more and will make them want to keep pursuing their college education. And for you future college students?good luck and have fun!

Student need to find a college campus that makes them feel comfortable. Being in a college wherethings make you feel uncomfortable creates more stressful situations that could have been avoided. When the students feel comfortable they seem more willing to go out and try new things such as joining clubs or start playing a sport, which will help students meet new people and possibly create friends that could last a lifetime.

I would recommend that both the student and the parent take a tour of the campus and do a large amount of reearch on the schools they are interested in. This i an extremely important decision that will influence both the student and the parent for several years. Making sure that the tudent is happy and feels comfortable at their school is very important and I think that has a great deal to do with college grades and that students career opportunities after college.

The college itself and the community surrounding it are equally important. Not only pay attention to the school's faculty, academic record, classrooms size, facilities, and course offerings, but also be sure to check out the surrounding town. Take into account demographics, political viewpoints, size, and social services and institutions around the city. Make sure that you are comfortable not only with the college, the professors, fellow student demographics, curriculum, academic reputation, and school services, but also comfortable with the surrounding cities services, activities, population, and any other economic or personal concerns. Schools, in my opinion, should foremost be centers of learning, excellence, and preparation for adulthood, and the cities around them should only help in those regards. No matter what, always keep in mind the student's personal preferences and don't be pressured into a school decision by statistics, parents, popular culture, friends, or any other resources beside yourself. Listen to what your mind tells you, and remember, research, research, research, and you'll be more satisfied in the long run!

Being a Resident Assistant my self for a while I feel like I got some good experience helping incoming students. The main thing to keep in mind is to be open to a school and what it has to offer. Just because it looks like there is not a party every night does not mean it is not the school for you. The next most important thing would be to look at the classes, are you a student that does better one on one with smaller classes or does big classes work for you? Try to meet some professors it will sever you well. The last and to me most important part is where the school is located and if that fits your life style. More of what I saw students be unhappy with in there first year was the campus and city were not there type or they were not comfortable in the dorms. Remember that what goes on outside of classroom will effect you in the classroom. Over just pick the school that feels right and can offer you what you need.

Make sure that you find a campus that really fits your personality! If you are a social butterfly, it would probably be better to live at a campus that has a lot of dorms and that is really big on college sports! Also, chose an area that you like! If you are big on the outdoors, then maybe living in the mountains would be a good idea!

To have faith and not to stress. Everything always works out for the best, even if it is not apparent at the time. Also be honest with yourself. If you thought throughout high school that you would go out of state and your senior year not felling so sure about living far away, be honest. No matter where you go you have the potential to graduate and enter the work force. The school you go to will not necessarily make or break your future. Also never forget that if you are truly not happy at one school there are many others that you can transfer to. If you continue on the path to a degree, no matter where you go, how muh money you have, or how close, or far, away from your mother you are you will graduate.

Choosing the right college or university can prove to be a challenge for students and parents alike. Students and parents must face and compromise on important factors such as cost, quality, prestige, and even the distance of the the college from their home. The outcome of these compromises will make a significant impact on the educational and social development of the student. I would advise all potential college students to make a list of the most important factors they are looking for when selecting a college. The student should consider the cost of tuition, books, and living expenses and develop a plan for how these costs will be paid, whether it be through family contributions, student loans, or their own wages. Another factor to be considered is the college's focus on social activities, environmental issues, and campus safety. The focus of the college should be in line with the student's focus on these issues. Lastly, the student should consider the methods of transportation available around the campus or if they will have to provide their own. After considering the above factors, any student will be able to make the right decision about which college to attend. ~Kari Bowers

I believe that choosing a college is an individual process. Location, activities, sports and credentials are all important. Visit the campus and see how you like it. You should look at the dorm rooms and make sure it is somewhere you want to be. Check out the local area and see what kind of amenities are offered like transportation and health care facilities.

I have had an excellent experience at my college, and I believe that it is mostly due to the fact that, while it is on the newer end of the spectrum and does not have the long-established reputation of some other schools, it is a very personal school. It is small in size, allowing for better communication between staff, faculty, and fellow students. Personally, I would advise other students to pick a similar type of school. It may still be under construction in some parts, but it is far better to have faculty and staff who are both willing and able to assist students to the best of their abilities. It is far easier to learn, and to find resources you may need, at a school with such a strong sense of community. That would be my advice: don't look for a school, look for a home.

Spend lots of time talking to advisors and going to meetings that lay out certain degree choices. Think ahead about grad school and talk with advisors to help choose the best undergrad degree for your future school goals. Be prepared for hard work and be committed to never giving up, even when it's hard or else you're just wasting your time and will fail/drop out when you take a class you don't like and/or is really hard. Believe in yourself because you're capable of more than you know.

It can be really difficult for a senior in high school to feel confident enough to make the important decision of where to attend college. Make a list of the things that are the most important in your life, then make a list of the things that you would like to experience or incorporate into your life as a college student. This can include things like sports, academic focus, political views, cultural or outdoor activities, study abroad, even family. When you're researching and visiting colleges, keep a copy of your list with you and check off everything on your list that the campus offers. If you don't immediately find programs or activities that are important to you, ask someone! You'll be amazed by how eager the students and faculty are to help you get involved. When you find a college that has most of the things on your two lists, learn about scholarships and financial aid as soon as possible, so when you apply, you'll have an important advantage to help you get into and stay in the school of your dreams!

Know what you want out of the program you want to get into, and also make sure the surrounding city would be one that you would want to live in when you get off campus. And above all the college experience is what you make of it. If you choose to party that is what you will get out of it, a party. If you you choose to submerse yourself in something you love, you will succeed and enjoy your experience.

College truly is a unique experience and thus the institution should match your goals, dreams and personality the best it can. I have learned over the years that it is not just the program that an incoming student should consider, but the location, student population, faculty, and extra curricular experience as well. The program could be perfect for your education, but if you do not have the support of your professors and friends in an environment that sparks creativty and success, you will soon learn the experience is a lot more difficult than acing the program. With the love and support of my friends at school and the encouragment of my professors in a beautiful location I have been able to excel at college. Our campus is located at the foothills of pikes peak and we are surrounded by gorgeous views from our library and main campus classrooms. One day it snows a winter-wonderland and the next its sunny and shining; the environment is just as important because it speaks to your spirit and keeps you relaxed when school gets stressful! My advice would be: let the school speak to both your mind and soul-your intuition knows best!

Personally, I never feel their is a right or wrong decision for college. I feel that the real question is " what college will one get the most out of socially, academically, and for the future." Also parents and students should start looking at possibilities as the student is in the sophomore year of highschool. This gives both parents and students enough time to weigh out all the pros and cons of each school as well as to make the best all around decision to benifit the student.Another great tip is to visit the campus to make sure it is a good decision. For me money was a huge issue when it should not have been. Many schools have financial aid and scholarships avalable that students should start applying for as soon as possible. Higher education should not be about money, but instead about what will benfit the students the most as they spend time at the university as well as their future. For all students un-sure about where they want to go remember to think about which school will do the most for his or her life during college and after and the decision will become much easier.