University of Connecticut Top Questions

Be sure to visit the campus while students are there and talk with the students. Sit in on a class in area of interest to you and meet directly with a faculty advisor in your chosen field of study. Give yourself time upon entering the college to meet people and make connections before committing to fraternities and sororities. Give yourself a full year in the college before deciding if it is the right fit for you. First semester is always difficult to adjust, don't react too quickly if it is feeling like it is not a good fit. If you are in a big university try to find a place to belong to that is smaller and more personal. Parents, encourage your child to be independent and make their own decisions!

I think that most students are so eager to leave home that they do not think of logical choices right in front of them. UCONN was not my first choice, but it ended up being the best decision I have ever made. If you are pressed financially, look for a college in-state, that is affordable and will also give you the college experience of meeting new people and living on your own. As for life on campus, making the most of it is easy--leave your dorm door open; people will pass by and stop on in and you'll meet some great friends that way. Go to involvement fairs and see what is out there. There are great clubs and jobs available on every campus. And lastly, a balance of a social AND academic life is crucial. You won't be successful without either. ..oh and parents...they'll be fine, you raised them well enough to make it this far...they'll find a way to make it. STAY POSITIVE!!

Be active and be open. You may wish to focus in certain areas which is wonderful, but please understand that college is here to open your mind and your options to a whole new world that you may have never considered before. Take chances you may not have before and try as many new things as possible. Meet as many different people as possible and get new ideas, opinions and courses of travel as you can.

Sometimes it can be difficult to be certain of what major you will ultimately pursue, so keep and open mind and try to look for a university that has a broad range of challenging programs. However, this advice might not be applicable if you are certain of what your career path will be. I would advocate keeping an open mind. Also, I think that prospective students should be careful when weighing different considerations in choosing a school. A nice city, a good sports team, US news and world reports rankings and other factors can be helpful in choosing a school, but ultimately I believe that the professors in the classrooms are the most important thing to consider. Do some research on the faculty -- what have they published? What can you find out about them? This is important because you will find good parties and interesting people no matter where you attend college, but the single thing that seperates a mediocre from a world-class education is what happens inside of the classroom.

I would advise students to strongly consider how the feel about being far away from home. This will help narrow down potential schools. I have found that many students who feel convinced that they will not be homesick at a school far from home, do get homesick, and transfer. I would also advise students to consider strongly if they are looking for a large or small school. I automatically assumed that I wanted a larger school, because I did not want college to resemble high school in any way. However, now I see that I may have had more academic success in a smaller school. 300-person lecture halls are somewhat overwhelming to me. Finally, I would encourage students to choose a school with a good amount of flexibility. Often, students enter college thinking they want to major in something, but then change their minds after taking several classes. A student should consider a college that offers majors in several of their interests, so that they may take a variety of classes.

Do your homework! Make sure you know what the college and campus has to offer. Research the school's academic goals, extracurricular activies, athletic reputation, or whatever interests you! Also, research the area the school is located in. Do you prefer the city? country? A large campus? Small campus? All of these things make a difference. Most importantly, make sure you visit! Take a tour of the campus and talk to some students if you can. Ask what they like about the school and their experiences...they are your best sources for information! Also, be sure to attend the orientation session of your school offers one. These sessions offer lots of helpful information in addition to what is most likely your first experiences on campus. Don't forget to follow your gut instinct. If it feels right, then go for it!

I would recommend that the parents take into consideration the cost of the school versus the education the student will received. The student should do the same. In wealthier areas, there is a lot of emphasis placed on the name of the school, however, in my experience attending the state school was the best decision I could have made. I looked at the price of my top choice school, and it would have been difficult, if not impossible, to ever pay off my debts. Now, however, I am learning and growing in a less money-based environment, and I could not be happier about my college experience. As for making the most of the college experience, I would tell the parents to allow their child to become an individual and let them go, and I would tell the student to have fun, but be rational as well, and work as hard as they will play.

When you are applying to college, a lot of people will tell you what you "should" do. You should go to a school with rigerous academics, you should challenge yourself, you should consider extracurriculars, and you should go somewhere with "a name" so that you can build the best resume possible. While all of this may be great advice, it's not always applicable to who you are as an individual. I think the most important aspect of college admissions that often goes overlooked is that you really just have to be yourself. Present yourself to potential colleges as who you truly are - don't pretend to be someone you're not just to "get them to like you," because they will admit/waitlist/reject the person you act as when they first meet you. If you present yourself genuinely and your dream school still rejects you, then it might not have been the place for you. Don't be narrow-minded in your selection, because there are always surprises. And finally, don't sacrifice your dreams or be afraid to think outside the box, because any college you go to will truly be the experience that you make it.

My best piece of advice is go to the school. Make sure you get an accurate idea of the campus, the size, the area, surrounding businesses, and how far it is to the closest grocery store, or shopping mall, stuff like that. And don't just listen to what the tour guides have to say, find some students to talk to. Also, carefully check out the reputation of the program you will be entering, because thats what will really help you get a job. Finally, look into the number and variety of student organizations. If the number is low, chances are the campus will be really boring, and there is a huge lack of student involvement. If there is a lot for you to do on the campus, chances are you will have things to do on the weekends and evenings, and the truth is, getting yourself involved is the biggest step towards making friends, and having a fulfilling college experience.

Most people should be able to be happy wherever they go. Decide what you want in a college, then narrow it down from there. When you get to college, immerse yourself in the classes and extracurriculars. There are plenty of amazing people out there, and amazing things to learn and do. Make the most of the resources you are offered. Study abroad, take an obscure class, try out a new club, write for the school paper. You may be surprised at what you'll find that sparks your interest. Don't be afraid to try new things, or to completely change your plans. College is preparation for the rest of your life. Don't allow yourself to leave with any questions of "what if?" If you wonder about something, check it out! Don't worry about what others will think of you. Follow your own path, and you'll be surprised how many people share your same passions. College is an excellent transition to independence, and a great place to discover who you really are.

I think one of the most important thing that helped me decide the right college was the visit. I fell in love with the campus at an open house and sent my deposit right afterwards. I'm happy with my decision. Another important thing is not to think too much about the school rankings, the most important thing is to feel comfortable around and on campus.

I would give the advise to parent and students to research the background of the college you are planning to attend, speak to students who are currently attending if you have the chance. Find out what you would like to major in and look into the programs that the college has to offer. Also when choosing a collge sometime a college or university in the state that you live in can save you money rather than going to school across the country away from home.

I would say that the best way to evaluate schools you are looking at and to narrow your options would be to make a list of the attributes you most want in a school (such as a big or small school, distance from home, city or rural, spors program, major options, etc) and evaluate the schools you are looking at on a 1-10 scale of how much of these qualities each school has. Then add up the scores for each school and look more into the one's that scored the highest.

Visit the campus twice and go to the open house. Make sure that the size of the school fits your personality

Dont look at cost ... choose whats right for you.

Definitely visit the school. Choose somewhere that feels really comfortable expecially if it is a 4 year school. If the student feels uncomfortable the first semester, still give it a chance...if by the end of the first or second semester it still doesnt feel right then change. Dont make any heavy decisions in the first few weeks-we need time to adjust. Definitely get involved in activities and dont let work build up because catching up is the worst but you'll find it happensmore than you want it to! It is ok to not know your major-I'm a graduate with a degree I absolutely love but I was in the wrong program for my first year and a half and it took me that long to realize i didnt like it, so its ok to change-do what feels right to you, not what everyone around you says to do or what society says- we'll reach our goals eventually no matter what route we take! Savor and Enjoy!!

The best advice I can give is to be in touch with your child's individual interests and aspirations when looking at colleges. For example, I am very interested in music and politics and in choosing UCONN, I assumed the large student body would provide plenty of people who share my interests. However, many of my classmates are extremely politically apathetic and are not very interested in the arts. When a student is in an environment that provides the opportunity to pursue individual interets they will be much more comfortable and happier while in the classroom.

Go where you feel you will be able to grow. Dont look for big name look for a fit.

Definitely tour the school and ask people you know you go there what its like.

I would tell the student to spend a day touring the school and even possible staying there for a night and have a tour guide show them around. Try hard to make a friend before choosing that school to get an outlook of it without a biased opinion of paid guides. I would also tell students to choose a school that not only do they feel comfortable with but one that is cheaper because school has become incredibly expensive and they will ultimately be paying for it once graduating.

a public university is just as good as any private.

visit the campus at least once, and dont bring everything, bring min of stuff because you can always go back home and get more if you need it.

For students, understand your strengths and weaknesses and figure out what you like to pursue after college. Do extensive research on schools you want to apply to. Speak to someone that attends that school. Figure out your reach schools, schools you would be guranteed admission based on your academic records. Apply to those first and then to schools you wish to attend. Make sure when you choose a school, the school will have accommodation to your needs. For example, you might prefer a school that offers tutoring for students in subjects you are weak in. This will help you succeed gearing you toward your goals. When you research schools, try to find out its ratings and reviews on various areas. Such as, do most students get a job after graduation in the area they receive their degree in? Are professors helpful and available to students when they need help? Most of these things you might find on alumni forums and discussion boards online. Do not feel pressured to attend a particular school because your parents want you to. You are a better judge of yourself than they are of you. You want to succeed and make your time well invested.

I am currently a sophomore at the University of Connecticut located in Storrs, CT. I can tell anyone right now that I have made the mistake many freshman make coming into college. Most high school students have been under the guidance of their parents that have been there to steer them along the right road for probably well over 17 years and this is their first years away from that, it is the onset of their freedom. Nine times out of ten, this freedom is what causes many students to go awry, me being one of them. It is highly important to keep and maintain communication to the same degree as during high school.

I would tell parents and students to find a college that emphasizes majors they are interested in and to find a school size comfortable for them. Coming from such a large school where all of my classes are big lecture halls, I almost wish I went to a smaller university. Once accepted into college, I would advise students to make the most of their college experience by balancing their academic and social lives in order to maintain a stable stress level and be relatively happy and motivated. I would stress the importance of studying to keep up with the material and receive high grades but it is also important to have friends to trust and have fun with when feeling burdened from the pressures of family and school. I would tell parents to keep in touch with their students on a timely basis but to allow them some space and opportunity to experience what life has to offer while they are at college so they can get valuable firsthand experience.

Initial acceptances are great, but remeber upkeep is key GPA has to stay up and you more than likely will never get the same amount of financial aid you got your freshman year i.e school get more and more expensive, plan wisely.

Work hard!

Making the most out of a college expirence has a lot to do with having a family and friends who strongly support you. Finding a comfortable atmosphere is also very important, because if you're unhappy with your environment, it can have a strong effect of your school work and social life.

My biggest piece of advice would be to follow your own path in life. As much as some school's may seem better than others for personal reasons, such as a parent may have gone to one or another, your child's life is their own. As much as it hurts to let a child go away from home for the first time, it's always the right choice. As for students, the decision to attend or not to attend a school shouldn't be determined for relationship reasons. Many friends of mine have chosen to commute to school solely on the fact that they do not want to leave their partners behind. It's never a sure thing when you leave for college if you're life is going to go as planned. Make your own decisions based on your own beliefs and goals in life. Don't let anything hold you back is my biggest piece of advice.

I would tell anyone looking in to going to college to keep an open mind. Find a school with a good orientation program as that best helped me get familiar with my campus and meet friends right away. Most of all, do not be afraid to make the wrong choice. Many people choose schools just based on how the campus looks, but this is not always right. I know many of my friends who have transferred from other schools and are now happy. If you don't like the school you chose the first year, do not be afraid to admit it and look inti going somewhere else. As far as being in school, get involved! No matter what college you go to there is so much to do everywhere, join a group or organization, do extracurricular activities such as sports, and be self-sufficient in making friends. The college experience is not just what the college provides to you, it is how you take advatage of what is provided! So don't be afraid to try new things and meet new people!

As far as the preliminary choosing a college goes, I would tell parents and students to visit everywhere that you think is a possibility. It's important to visit multiple times during different seasons to see what the weather is like throughout the school year, so start looking during your sophomore/junior year. Also, look through the different academic programs that are offered because you'll end up changing your major at least once and you don't want to have to transfer schools if your school doesn't offer another major that you'd enjoy. Lastly, don't let money deter you from your first choice; financial aid is always available. Once you get there, keep an open mind. Take classes in all different academic areas in order to help you make the best decision you can about your major. It's important to get involved, whether it be in clubs, sports teams, or just simply going to athletic events. Another good idea is to get close to a few of your professors so that you'll have people to write letters of recommendation for you. Also, use all of the resources the school has to offer.

Don't follow your friends but don't try to allienate yourself either. Whatever school you end up at you will make new friends have enjoy new experiences but you have to be willing. It's ok to take some chances in college, like joining a club or going on a road trip, just stay focused on what you're doing and don't let bumpy roads get you down. No one is alone in college, no matter where you go there will always be someone to lend a hand.

In searching for the the "right" college, there are many factors that contribute to one's decision. First of all, there are two sides of the argument to look at: the responsible, parental outlook vs. the college-kid, party mentality. The first and most important aspect when looking for a college deals with finding a place that you, the student, can be happy on a daily basis. This place must also be able to support a healthy working environment where one can get work done when needed. On top of facilitating a working environment and being able to foster healthy habits, the school should have an abundance of social activities. Socializing, making friends, and having a healthy lifestyle, such as going to the gym or playing flag football, all contributes to a positive college experience. The ideal time at college focuses on maturing, getting work done towards a professional goal, yet still having fun in the process by learning to balance work and social life.

College is what you make it. It doesn't matter where you go, if you can get involved in something you love, you will make friends and have fun. You will be surprised that not going to the college you dreamed of can still be a rewarding experience, and you may even have more fun. It is also important to step out of your boundaries and try new things, you never know what or who you will find. In making the most of your eduation, have a good rapport with your professors. They can teach you more than you will know, not just educationally, but with life. Strive for the professors that push you. You may complain about the workload, or their teaching method, but you learn a lot about yourself and you will learn way more than from the professors don't even know who you are. College is your one and only chance to start becoming an adult, don't spend it on the couch at home, live in the freshman dorms and take advantage of all the new friends you will make for life.

do lots of research, visit schools, make sure they have everything needed to live away from home and get a good career

Before applying to any colleges, first think about what kind of person you are. Do you think you'll focus when in a 400+ student lecture? Or would you prefer a 15 student classroom with lots of individual focus? After thinking about the size of the school and all that goes along with it (academics, social life, extracurricular, sports, etc.), I feel that the location is a very important factor for what schools to even apply to.. Will you be happy with going to the school that is a 10 minute drive away, or would you prefer a school that takes a 6 hour drive, or a 3 hour flight? There are so many things to take into account, and your happiness, not your parents, teachers, siblings or family's feelings; your happiness is what makes the college experience seem worthwhile, as opposed to four years of wasted time.

Talk to students who attended or are attending the school about academics, housing, safety and social life to get a good feel of the school before attenting.

In my personal experience with the college search, I noticed that the school I chose was the only one I could really imagine myself at -I just got this connection or good feeling about walking around the campus, and I knew it was right. When searching for the right college, make sure, of course, the school will offer what you think you will need to get the career you want. Also, make sure you think about things like location (how far from home), things to do outside of the classroom, and activities available that interest you. Get involved, and take advantage of everything your school has to offer whether it be resources, connections, or opportunities.

Visit the schools you are interested in before enrolling in any of them.

Don't make a decision too quickly. Be realistic - pick a college you can afford. Don't be afraid to meet new people. Don't spend all your time in the dorm room. Join campus clubs and activities and get out on the weekends. Work really hard and play hard (sometimes). Take advantage of the opportunities that are given to you, such as studying abroad. Go for it!

Finding the right college is an extremely important decision that can often feel overwhelming. To begin, you should determine what size school would best suit you, and what geographical location you wish to live. From there, you can visit the schools in the area, and get a feel for what life at those particular colleges and universities is like. After you apply to the schools that you can "see" yourself in, financial aid packages and scholarships will be awarded, and can assist you in making your final decision. My advice would be to select a college that will not bind you in to a specific major, because most college students change theirs at least once. You should also make sure that the college you choose has opportunities for you to do activities you enjoy, like athletics, community service, etc.

Get involved.

Relax. College hunting can be stressful. take a thoughtful holistic look at each college that interest you. there's no perfect college, but there is a college that will best fit you. The keys to keep in mind are academics (that's why you are going, to learn!) and the social scene. parents like to think that the social scene doesnt matter, but good friends will help you through tough times in classes and outside of the classroom. with that in mind go to a school that will challenge you academically also, if you just go to party you will fail miserably. College is a great time to learn and grow! No matter what it will all work out in the end. good luck!

Go with the college that you want to go to regardless of whatever others think. Don't sell yourself short, even if you don't into the college you want or have to go to the regional campus...make the most of it. Enjoy yourself. Don't stress too much about your grades, but work hard. Don't get to engulfed in the social scene either, because your grades might suffer. Learn the art of a happy medium.

I would just tell everyone to visit the college you would like to attend. My school has a program called "Husky for a day" in which you can shadow a student at UConn for the day. It is an incredible program. Once you have actually been admitted in a school... GET INVOLVED! College is the place to make life long friends. Take advantage! :)

There are a few things that are key when considering which college to attend and the experience that your child will have there. First and foremost I would say financial aid is a huge consideration. With the economy today, unless the student absolutely hates the school, then take the best deal financially! An experience is what you make of it, but money doesn't appear just because you want it to. Second, I would suggest that the student do a lot of research on the academic program they will go into or are considering and, most importantly the opportunities offered by the career and internship department at the school to get into the field while the student is still in school. Look to see if the opportunities are local or not (if not, can you/the student afford it?). This will literally guide your future. Courses and opportunities are everything. And of course finally social life is important. Look for a school with fun groups that they will join (but don't get too involved) and look for a fun atmosphere the student will enjoy. Those three things are key to a great experience!

make the college experience one that will work for you and don't think that there is only one way to expereicne college.

When it comes to choosing the college that is right for you, I think that a person needs to visit all kinds of schools. These schools should include small, medium, and large, city, urban, and anywhere in bewteen. After deciding the location and size of the school they desire, the person should then consider a major. If they are undecided they should consider what they think they may possibly want to study. After all this is considered you should go and visit each school again and see what you like and what you don't like about the school, from everything like the people, food, to the grass. They should also consider if they like a school that has strong school spirit and likes to attend sporting events. Finally they should consider the distance from home. Speaking from experience, it is possible to be too far from home.

While factors such as majors, location and size seem to matter most to students when they are choosing a college, I have learned that the most important element is not based on the college at all - it is based on you, the student. The student is the only one who can bring enthusiasm to learn and determination to succeed to the college campus. The student is the one who decides what is most important to them and how they are going to allocate their time to get the most out of their college experience. So while choosing a college can seem like an overwhelming task, just remember that no matter where you end up, your experience will depend heavily on what you make of your college years. Choose a campus where you can see yourself exploring the different facets of life and take the opportunities to when you are there. Challenge yourself mentally and get involved around campus, but always set aside some time for yourself. After all, you are the most important factor in making the most out of college.

When looking into college, take into consideration the college campus (urban, suburban, or rural), the class size, the cost, and the academic education you will receive in the years you will attend a specific college. All people are different and all colleges are different. There is not one college for every student and there is not one student for any college. It is a personal preference.