University of Denver Top Questions

When I was searching for the right college, I was unsure of what I was looking for in a school. I visited and applied to state schools, private schools, large schools, and small schools. I would encourage those who are searching for the right school to keep and open mind in order not to limit potential options. Do not be afraid to take a chance- it might be the best decision you will ever make. While leaving home and your comfort zones may be scary, some of the best experiences come from taking chances and trying new things. For those who are worried about cost, apply to the expensive schools anyway. Financial aid is available both through the school and through programs like this one. While some schools may end up costing too much, the opportunity will not present itself unless you give it the chance to. The most important process in finding the right school is giving yourself multiple options through visiting and applying and having an open mind about what the future may hold.

The best advise I can give is to visit the campus, and make sure you like it, get to know the city its in, and talk to the faculty and students in the program that you are interested in. They really do know better than anyone what sort of experience college for you might be like.

I would say that it is very important to find a school that you truly like for your own personal reasons. Do not follow your friends or significant other to a school, and never let your parents make the decision for you. Do a lot of research on all the school you are interested in, such as looking up clubs, fraternities and sororities. Make sure that if you want to major in a certain subject that they offer it. Once you get to college, be responsible. Going out and meeting new people is very important, so if your shy try hard to break out of the shell a bit. Try hard at school and do not skip classes for no reason. You are paying to go here so make the best of it!

Find out what you want to do later on in life and declare your major soon so you don't waste a lot of time and money in school eventually you do want to get out of school and into the real world.

Get a good college councelor.

In order to find the right college, it is crucial that campus visits be made. Colleges and Universities can make themselves sound as good as they want online or in a pamphlet, but a college is only as good as they really are. One can only know how well they like a place if they are actually there. it is also important that visiting a college campus can give an opinion of actual life on campus. Reading about a college online cannot accurately show or describe the many students and how they interact with one another. To make the most of a college experience, one has to feel comfortable. getting to know the campus, faculty, students, as well as the surrounding areas makes an experience that much more comfortable. Getting to know what you are going to be in for will make a campus arrival an easier adjustment. Every person is different. In most cases, just stepping into the right campus will feel right. Never choose what the parent feels is best or where your best friend is going. Never ignore what the heart desires. The decision lies within the perspective student.

College should be something that every student looks forward to after graduating from High School. College is where one makes lifetime friends and edge themselves closer to their career and life goals while having fun. You want to select a college that is right for yourself. This means looking at the financial aspects to make sure you don't have to worry every year about paying for tuition. You want to clear your mind of any stressful financial dilemas and concentrate on your education. On that note, one cannot just pick a college if the only aspect you enjoy about the college is education. You are choosing to live there and assimillate into the community, so you want to select a campus that accomodates you and not the other way around. Therefore, you have to make sure it's the right sized campus and if the atmosphere of the college makes you happy. When I applied to the college I am currently attending, I knew it was the perfect college for me. I made sure that the college was affordabe, the education exquisite and pervocative, and that the feel of the community and the location met my needs.

College is what you make of it. Any college that you pick you have to make the most of it. Be out going and willing to be open to new ideas. It is the time you learn the most about yourself. Good luck and have fun! =)

Make sure that whatever the prospective student wants to study for the time frame committement, is genuine. Be committed, work hard with integrity b/c this education is something that the student gives to themself and that it can not be taken away, ever, by anyone!!! and last but not least GIVE BACK TO COMMUNITY.. b/c remember, you did not get here alone..you got help...

Encourage your students to work on campus, live at home, and take full advatage of scholarship opertunites.

Go not for the best academics, but the most comfortable setting. The student should realize that college is not only a academic journey, but a personal one as well. Consider all factors, and talk to people on campus. Ask them about the things they like and more importantly what they dislike. Take the decision seriously, and make sure you make the right choice.

Look at cost, financial aid, career services, and how the community is. But trust your kid. Let the grow.

Visit the school together, get involved when there, meet people, have fun

Make sure you focus on what is right for you as an individual rather than the sports programs, social life, etc. Anywhere you go will be an adjustment, but if you pick the right place it will make the adjustment much easier. Consider the environment surrounding the school and try to match this with your interests/hobbies. Definitely make sure you visit the school ahead of time and see if you can sit in on any classes to get a feel for the academic environment. Keep in mind that this is a chance for you to grow and expand your understanding of the world and yourself. Find a place where you feel like this can happen. While financial issues are important, the right school will be worth any necessary sacrifices. Choosing a college is a big decision, but remember that if you choose one that doesn't seem to be the right fit, you can always try again somewhere else. This might take some of the pressure off. Most of all, enjoy the process and get excited about this huge development in your life!

Research, time, and visiting the campus.

With all of the information availble, the best advise I could give is to really think about what is important to you and then go make your life around that.

1-make sure you got to the college and visit, because for me the schools that always looked good on paper were not always the ones, I liked the best or could even see myself going to; 2-really talk to students, it can be really awarkward and difficult, "uncool" but for me I wish I had taken the time to talk to students about thier experiences so that I would have had a better idea of the school I was going to; 3-leave your options open, apply to as many schools as possible, and have a criteria for all schools, lastly, always remember that no matter where you go, an education is what you make it, everything happens for a reason! I spent literally 5 mins on DU's campus and said heck no! But here I am and I have made the best of it, espeically because I am in an environment where I am suceededing and in one of the top programs for my major (INTS). There is never a perfect fit but always a school that will work and allow the student to succeed, grow and learn in and outside of the classroom.

Pick one that fits for the student. But if the student is financially dependent than, the parents/guardians have a say as well. You're looking for a school that will fulfill what the student is ultimately looking for.

Even if you don't know what you want to pursue, make sure the college has a variety of subjects to help you find what you enjoy and that it's the right school for you in terms of location, size, activites, and so on, as well as your financial situation.

I would say that, for me, finding the right college was all about the visit. When you visit campus, you're able to feel whether or not it's a place you could see yourself. It's also best to visit the college when school is in session to see if the people who attend the college are the right people for you. Once you've found the right college for you and begin your experience, don't be afraid to go outside your comfort zone and try new things and meet new people, by doing this you'll meet people you otherwise may not have and will meet more friends to start your college experience with and who will often remain your friends for life.

Find something that fits your needs. If you go visit a school and think, "this is the place I want to be" or "this feels right" then it probably is. Don't get too absorbed in the financial aid etc. or you might miss the perfect opportunity.

Visit the place first, talk to students, but not the ones that are assigned to you. Find students not sent to give tours who will truthfully tell you what the school is like. Try to find a person you might identify with.

Research, research, research! Before applying to and choosing colleges, take the time to review your desires and your priorities. My biggest regret is that I only applied to one school. I am relatively satisfied with my university experience, but there are many things I wish were a bit different. In order to avoid these sorts of regrets, choose the college that is truly right for you. My biggest piece of advice is not to underestimate yourself. Think going to college out of state may be too hard? Well, yes, it may be tough. However, it may also be an incredibly rewarding experience, so try it! Don't be afraid of rejection. My dream was always to go to Yale, but I was too doubtful of myself to even apply. Once you are there, be open. Make friends with people you normally would not. Take classes in fields outside of what you think you want to major in. This is your one chance to truly explore. Most importantly, push yourself. The four years go by fast and the only way to get everything you want out of them is to take control and be in charge of your own destiny. Suerte!

You should look at a multiplicity of schools and really get to know the programs and what is offered before deciding where to attend college. It is important that you find a school that fits your personality in order to emerge yourself into the college community. Additionally, you should look at what activities are offered on or near campus that you might be interested in. Study abroad is also a great experience, and if you are interested in that area check out the study abroad programs that are offered. You really want to attend a school that will fit your personality and desires.

It is vital for the students to participate in a sanctioned tour of the university. A guided tour provides a better feel for the school. A personal walk through without a guide is not sufficient.

Go where you will be happy. Not the most prestigious college you get into.

Find a place where YOU want to go, not where YOUR PARENTS want their child to go.

Do what's right for you. Don't worry about the name, or where your friends are going. You don't have to go to a big school, or a school with a party reputation just because you think that's how college is suppose to be. Make a list of the qualities you are looking for and narrow it down from there. Don't be afraid to follow your heart and do what's right for you. Don't think that any detail is not important. Think about location, size, campus community, dorms. It's a place where you are going to be spending the majority of your time at for the next few years, so make sure it is a place you are going to enjoy being at. And if it turns out its not for you, remember there is always the option to transfer, though, you'll have a better experience if you choose it right the first time. So take your time, keep an open mind, give yourself options when applying, and do what's right for you!!!

It's strange to think now, in my year after graduating college, about the anxieties and pains of choosing the right college, because so much during my undergraduate career went so right. In order to choose the right place, my best advice is to do your research, visit your top potential campuses, and go with your gut. When you do that, though, keep in mind that when you move on to college, especially in a different state, your past doesn't matter AT ALL. Go with the option that gives you the most freedom, academically and financially, to develop as a person only just beginning to grasp what it means to be a morally responsible and psychologically complicated adult. It can be a very difficult transition, and you want to be in an atmosphere that nurtures as many different points of view as possible, because if you don't at least entertain the thought of these different ideas, how can you be sure that you're moving in the right direction? It's better to move forward than to feel safe in your past, because your concept of the world at large is about to EXPLODE. Keep your options open.

I would tell them to check out the school thoroughly to make sure it is a good fit. Ask many questions and attend information sessions to help make the best decision for themselves or their child. It's a good idea to look into things like whether the school has a good track record for placing their graduates into jobs right after graduation, as well as whether students will have the right tools to help them succeed while attending the school. Also, make sure that the school they attend is affordable and what kind of repayment terms the financial aid awards require. Personally, I waited several years after graduating high school to begin attending college. Many kids waste a lot of money trying to figure out what they want to do, or they do not understand the actual privelege it is to have the opportunity to attend college. I believe it is most important to make sure you are ready before jumping in head first. After all, college is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make in your life. It is the beginning of the rest of your life!

Let your kids do what they want, don't steer them they'll figure it out for themselves.

It is so important to visit your prospecitve schools. If they have a campus tour, go on it. Take a look at the dorms if you're planning on livin in them. Find out what kind of career placement the school has, and what they do to help you your career. Also, heavily consider what it will be like to go to an out-of-state school versus an in-state school.

Finding the right college is something that kind of just happens. There is no right way to find a college that will be perfect. What someone who is looking needs to do is visit the schools that they are interested in, talk to the students who go there (and not just the students running the tour or whatever) and get their opinions of the school. If the opinions that the students gave you are not ideal for you, then don't look there. Don't pressure your kids into going to a school. Let them choose. College is supposed to be an experience that allows you to figure out who you are and what you want to do with your life. So it is your decision as to where you go and what you get out of it because each college is different in every aspect and the experiences can differ drastically from student to student.

The first advice I would consider giving students is to consider how far they would like to live from home . I know a lot of students who transferred schools because they were home sick and were attending a school that was really far from home. Another piece of advice for students would be to get involved in their schools community: join a frat, a soriety, a club team, a group on canpus, and etc. Gettting involved in your schools community helps and allows you to meet new people and to network yourself. The final tip I would give would be to live on campus during the first year of school. Living on campus the first year of school is the best choice any freshman can make because there is no commute to school, all the resources students will need to succeed their first year of college are right on campus, helps students meet new people, and students will get their first taste of freedom and independence.

The advice that I would give would be to visit campuses. Sit-in on classes if you can and most definitely stop students and talk to them. Talk to professors, administrators and other staff. Get the first hand experience and visit, visit, visit!

Be a yes person and just pick the college that feels most comfortable with you.

Go somewhere where you feel comfortable. Keep in mind this is were you will spend the next four years, and make sure there are things that are there to do besides for school.

It is really helpful to already have a major in mind when looking for college's, that way you can find one that best suites your needs. Really you should be thinking about what you want to do with your life senior year of high school. Transferring after the fact is always an option, but it's a pain and time consuming. I chose the University of Denver because it has a great Audio Production program that also focuses on music. It was the perfect fit for me.

It is important to go and visit the college to make sure it is right for you. Touring a university is a must.

The biggest thing to keep in mind is that no one college is perfect for everyone--everyone is suited to a different type of college. You need to go out and do research (there is no such thing as doing too much of it) and figure out what you want in a college. Think about academics (class size, strengths of the college, etc.) as well as social (student life) and geographic aspects (location and size of college). Go out and visit the college--you can't ever get a true feel for it from just a brochure. Actually take some time and sit through a class you're interested in. Yeah, I know--more school. But the only way to tell if it's right for you academically is to experience the academics firsthand. If you can, break away from your parents and spend some tme with the students to see what they're like. And finally, when you do decide the right college, apply early if possible. Once you're there, try to meet as many people as possible early--it really helps. College is fun, but difficult. Just remember to go to class and you'll be fine.

You must look hard to find the school that fits you well. Think about what your ideal experience, not for college but for growing up would be, and actively search for a school in a region that will facilitate these desires. If you want to see the world, come into contact with people you might not meet otherwise, pick up a new sport, make lifelong friends, challenge yourself intellectually or get rich, make sure that you consider these things when choosing a school. Find one the right distance from home, with the right mixture of individuals and paths of study conducive to what you want to accomplish in the next stage of your life. Wherever you end up, giv eit a fair shake and try to make the best of your new situation. Be flexible and strive to put yourself in unique and, if necessary, uncomfortable situations that will stretch you into developing as an open-minded and inquisitive human being.

I would suggest that you really consider what you want most out of a college or college experience before you start looking into anything. By knowing your priorities and values, you can then do more effective research about your college choices.

When selecting the right college, it is important to go on campus tours and meet current and former students. The Princeton Review or any other college analyzing resource can outline a picture of what a college seems like, but seeing it for yourself and recieving the stories of actual college students is the only way to fill in that picture with color. The union of a student to a university is not something to go about without doing plenty of preliminary research. Decide what you are interested in and create a checklist. Going on campus tours is like going on multiple dates. Before you commit to that kiss of enrollment, make sure you know all of your options. There may be some prettier college under your nose that you never even knew about. Also, talk to professionals in the field you plan on going into. What do they look for when they are highering an employee? Will your college refine you into that perfect job candidate equipped with the brawny business biceps that make women swoon? If so, then you have found your college.

Elenor Roosevelt once said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent". Every person has thier own individual strengths. It is important to recognize those to set yourself up for success and happiness. Do not assume that a college with a noteable reputaion, status or hype is the one for you. It may be but give yourself the chance to find out. Visit schools, talk to students and professors. Look at colleges that deliver programs of interest to you. Know your comfort zone and also be willing to take a risk. You will get value out of an education that fits your character and interests you. Take classes in areas that appeal to you; don't just take a class because "you have to" or "it fits your schedule". Learn to love learning. Your education is invaluable and will motivate you for your future. Give yourself the chance to meet people; offer your knowledge and accept thiers. You will learn from your peers; good friends will be with you long after college. Know your boundaries, when to say no to challenges that arise in college, but also know your goals; take on a career in what you love.

In your heart you know what is the right school. Don't let money be a problem in picking the right school- get in touch with the academic advisors because they can help you. Picking a school is hard, but don't forget you can always transfer. Always remember all the freshman are in the same position as you. Let that be a bonding experience, meet as many new people as you can. Although college is about learning and getting a good education, it is also some of the best times in your life. Enjoy them!!

Research and choose a college that will cater to you and not the other way around!

Make sure to research what you would like to study and what schools woudl best fit your personality and educational values.

I would advise students to visit campuses that they're seriously considering. So many times once you get onto the campus you just know that's where you belong! Also, I advise parents and students both to ask lots of questions. Advisors at the school love to help you out and it meant a lot to me when students could answer lots of questions regarding their own school. Ask lots of questions about things that are important to you like class size, activities on campus or about your major. Once you get into the college life, I feel it is extremly importnat to jump right in and make the most of your experience. Go try out different clubs and/or groups. Leave your dorm room door open and make the effort to go talk to new people. It takes a lot of effort to do this, and even may make you feel out of your comfort zone, but it's totally worth it after you have a large network of friends right off the bat! Try new things every day and take advantage of everything that your college offers students. Have fun-it's the best time of your life!

I think personal goals are the most imporant factor in choosing a college. I chose to transfer from a community college into a prestigious private university close to my house, for the best combination of academic and financial results. This hasn't really helped my professional and social life, however. To make friends you really have to spend more time on campus than I do, and to get a well-paying job you need a professional rather than a liberal arts degree.

Unbeknownst to me at the time of applying, the best decision I could have ever made when deciding which school to go to was going out of state. I have been exposed to so many different and exciting things that friends that stayed local missed out on. Also, I have learned how to deal with things on my own, figuring out things without leaning on my parents for help.