University of Florida Top Questions

When choosing the right college, the most important thing is to visit the campus itself when it is in session. It is important to feel the atmosphere of the university because that, more than anthing else, affects how your first year of college will go. When visiting the campus, the campus tours are nice, but a college is not in the way its buildings look or how nice the libraries and computer labs are, but in the attitude of the students who use the buildings and libraries and computer labs. When visiting, its important to find a good place in the middle of campus and simply sit and watch the students go by. Gauge the topics of their conversations and from that, more than anything, you can truly understand the atmosphere of each school. Because all the numbers and nicely built buildings that they throw at you during tours is nice, but it is really the attitude of the students that you will go to school with that will either make or break your first year college experience.

College is one of the most important and most fun experiences in life. It should not be taken lightly and it should not be rushed through because once you are done you will not have a chance to go back. When deciding on the right college you first need to decide what is important to you as a student. Are you fully academic focused? Do you want a wide variety of options for extr-curricular activities? Do you want a place where you can make lots of friends? Or do you want a place where the classes are small? You have to ask yourself all this question weight them by importance and see which college has all the things you are looking for. Once you actually pick your school and start attending everything that you deemed important to you start taking full advantage of them and search for what else the colleg might offert that you may have missed. You might be surprised at what you find. Don't ever be close-minded about anything. If you do that you will never gain the full college experience and you will definately regret it later one in life.

The easiest way for all students to maintain an appetite for success is by enrolling in extracurricular activities and community service. Personally, I hold a higher regard for students who wish to help others and their communities over themselves. Test scores and grades are important, but our nation has reached an era where making a difference in the community makes you stand out from the crowd. Also, challenge yourself. Apply to a few of those out-reach schools, because you do not know how they go about choosing students. I regret not choosing my dream school for the reason I didn't beleive in myself. Now I know I would most likely have gotten into that school. I had the grades and effort they were looking for. Well-Roundedness is the key to getting into any college, not matter its ranking nationally!

visit the campus and the place you're most likely going to live in. research the rankings of the programs you may go into.

My advice to any student and/or parents seeking the right place for higher education is to choose a college atmosphere or campus that suits the student, so long as it doesn?t exclude or inhibit a desired area of study. If you are like me you will change your major more than once, so it is often more important to feel comfortable with where and how you are learning rather than what you are learning. One can excel in any type of education and future career when they have received a quality education in an environment that stimulates sound learning, deep and creative thinking, and preparation for the future. For some that will be a small, private college and for others a larger university, but that is why it is equally, if not more important to match the college to the student rather than the major.

You (the student) needs to decide what is right for you. Let your career path influence you on where you want to go to college. Research the college and use that information to make the right decision. Pick somewhere where you will have fun as well get a great education!

In general, if you want the best for you out of live, you must have an open mind that is unconditionally willing to venture out to not only consider, but to also try new things. This is the best advice that anyone can give about life and making the most out of your college experience. From the time you begin to consider about possible college choices, you need to have an open mind that is willing to consider options that may not be the popular choice. It is important to quickly learn that the college that was catered to your parents or best friend may not be the choice for you. You have to be willing and brave enough to step out on your own; the risk is worth it! Once you?re in college, you?ll be surrounded by new people, new cultures, and new point of views. Have an open mind and be willing to listen, be willing to learn. That is what your college experience should be all about ? learning, not only in lecture halls but in everyday life.

none, just dont worry they'll be fine. College life is a learning experence and there is alot of learning that goes on at this college.

Don't get your heart set on a particular institution based upon its supposed laurels. Often times in the college selection process can involve heartbreaking rejection: take this rejection in stride and have faith that you will end up where you are meant to be, and, once you are there, you will get out of this experience what you put into it. Every campus has a niche where you will thrive, and every course has something unique to offer you. Soak up the experience, for you are only here for a short time, and these will be the best years of your life.

Look for scholarships. Once in college be involved but remember that grades are THE most important factor.

Be sure to check out the campus and make sure that they are accredited to award various degrees. Also, make sure that the school you choose has your major and has plenty of opportunties for internships and scholarships to help you succeed in college.

First of all, while searching for the best college, the student needs to consider his/her educational and career goals and seek a college that provides top-notch programs in the areas in which he/she houses especial interest. The student and parents also need to consider their financial standing and research the amount of financial aid a school is ready to provide. In addition, the student should evaluate the pros and cons of the school?s location. Finally, the student would want to ensure that the college offers ample opportunities to get involved in the community, while providing a variety of leadership, research, and extracurricular opportunities. From my experience, one should make the most of their time in college by making every effort to utilize all of the learning resources offered - attending classes, completing readings and assignments, and performing as best they can on exams. The student should also strive to participate in organizations/activities that will help them delve into their interests, to network, and to make them a more competitive applicant for a future job or graduate program. At the same time, they should take advantage of extracurricular activities so they can relax and have some fun.

The best advice I can give to both parents and students is, "Go for it". This is not the time to hold back. It is a time to try something new, see an exciting place in the world, join a new club/sport, and best of all, its a great time to meet new people. College life is a time to grow for students and college is a time for parents to let go. They will call, don't worry. As my mother told me, part of being a good parent is knowing when to let go. I thank her for that. College is the foundation for the rest of your life, so in these four years, take the time to make it strong. These four years can lead to a LIFETIME of success if you play your cards right, but don't forget, its also your only time to enjoy saturday football games, too!

Looking back, graduating from high school was a proud moment for me, as it is for most. However, the thought of the next chapter in my life, the uncertainty of what would come next, doesn?t summon such pleasant memories. But having gone through the college selection process, I have gained precious incite on what to keep in the forefront of any college priority list: It is always great to make your parents proud, but when it comes to choosing a school, you are the one who will be attending. Choose a school that you want to go to. Your parent?s nostalgia is not as important as your fit into the campus. Choose a school that has your areas of interest. If you are undecided, as I was, be sure to attend a college with as many possibilities as possible. Don?t close doors before you have a chance to get started. Money is always a problem, but don?t let it be a deciding factor. There will always be scholarships, grants, loans, and work-studies out there for those who need them. The bottom line: Your happiness must be the priority. The next 4 years are worth it!

When determining the "right college", there are a few factors you need to consider. Firstly, the cost versus benefits should be evaluated. College can be an extremely expensive four years depending on the city, housing, and public/private institution you choose. Secondly, the distance away from your parents' home should also play a role. Finally, the size of the educational facilities should be tailored to the applicant. Different students thrive in different situations. A 200+ student lecture could be a negative aspect for a student that needs one-on-one attention. Coming from high school "senioritis", it is extremely important to emerge from your social hibernation and enjoy the vast amount that college has to offer. You should become involved in the campus and community from day one while taken advantage of the city's entertainment facilities. But one should be careful not to overload and neglect academics. Finally, college is not all about academics but rather about physical and mental maturation into the person you will become.

I believe that where a student attends college is not as important as what a student does with his or her degree after college. However, there are a few key factors to take into consideration before choosing a college. First, try to narrow down what field of study you would like to go into. It is ok if you do not know yet, but if you do know choose a school that has a strong department in the field of study you would like to enter. Get very involved in that department when you start college. Next, determine if you want to attend a large university or a small college. Keep in mind that larger universities usually have more team spirit when it comes to sporting events. This can play a large role in the overall college experience. Finally, analyze your financial situation. Choose a school that is affordable. If you want to attend a college or university that you can not afford then start applying to scholarships right now.

Research all the information you can about all the college choices, including tuition/housing/textbook/meal plan/other assortive fees; compare that price to scholarship awards and determine how much you'll need to pay out-of-pocket. Finances tend to play a large role in the selection process, especially if deciding between public/private or in-state/out-of-state. If possible, take a campus tour of the top choices; otherwise, scouring the university's website usually produces a wealth of information. Some colleges allow a prospective new-student to "shadow" someone already attending the university; doing this will help the high school student experience firsthand what a "day in the life of" is like on that particular campus. Other things to consider are the university's reputation (party school? high academic focus?), the number of students attending (big vs. small school), number of options (majors, minors, clubs, dorms), city area around campus (safe? are there things to do off-campus?), and the amount of diversity. Cater to the student's individual personality. As for making the most of the college experience, it is up to the student to get involved in various activities and balance those with coursework.

It helps to know what you want to do in life. Once you figure out at least what you want to study, look for the best school that teaches that subject. Decide if you want to stay home or move away for college. You also have to consider scholarship opportunities, as well as tuition cost. There's no point in going into debt so young if you don't have to. I imagine the education is much the same anywhere you go, so go to a cheap college. I got the {4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}100 tuition scholarship from the state of Florida called Bright Futures, so I took full advantage. I stayed home for college and I'm studying something I love.

First off, I think it should be up to the students; completly and totally. It needs to be where they feel comfortable or want to live and learn because they're the ones attending the school. By following this, parents should be the most at ease as their child will be happy and thus healthy. When touring a campus, ask anything and everything that comes to mind. Look over housing, meal plans, sports, you name it in addition to courses and majors offered; these are important parts of the experience. To make the most of the actual experience though, students needs to be open and flexible as so many things can happen; good or bad. Finally and most importantly, be yourself; even if those around you are not excepting, there are plenty others that will be and you have plenty of time to find them. Thank you, Mindi Friedman

I am a first generation college graduate of my family. I can say that education was the greatest focus when it came time to applying to college. My parents and I both had the understanding that the basic purpose for attending college was to receive a degree and then find work. Now having graduated with my bachelor?s degree, I have the benefit of hindsight. I can look back and see that yes, I did receive an excellent education from the college of my choice but I also gained so much more than that. College is about life experience. It is a time for a student to become independent and to really explore and find their passions in life. I would tell any parent or student who is seeking the right college to not only consider the academic standards of the school but also to consider the variety of student life offered on and off campus. Consider volunteer opportunities found in the community, study abroad, research, interest groups and clubs, recreation, etc. The "right" college offers well-rounded experiences and opportunities rather than simply a narrow focus. In the end, any experience is what you make of it. Take advantage!

College is a learning experience. When I first got to college, I thought I knew what I wanted to do, but as I soon learned you really do not know what you want to do until you have experience at least a semester in college. It took me my freshmen and sophomore years to figure out that I wanted to be an Occupational Therapist. Before I even made it to college, I wasn't sure where I wanted to go, but you always pick the college that has the best opportunities for you like scholarships or paid tuition. Parents need to let their kids pick their college on their own because it's a part of independence. To make the most out of college join as many clubs as possible and apply for honors. I am in Delta Epsilon Iota and Mortar Board and have met very powerful people through these organizations.

It is absolutely inadvisable to slack off during your first year in school, no matter how easy it may be to do. Friends are easy to find, and getting lost of campus isn't as much trouble as you think it is going to be. People will tell you to try to get to know your professors. This is good advice, but much harder to do that you might think because many of them are intimidating and busy almost all of the time. Faking interest in a subject does not work for very long in college. Be sure you're doing something you enjoy. There is an extra-curricular group for EVERYTHING and you are NEVER the only person who's "into what you're into". College is huge. You'll love it, and you'll hate your homework more passionately than you ever thought possible.

Picking a college or university is one of the biggest decisions that anyone will make. When choosing a school the student is the most important factor, not the parents. Who you want to be, how you want to get there and in how much time are all wrapped into what school one decides to attend. As much of a pain it might be, a student shouldn?t base their choice on those of their peers, some friends grow apart and being at school with them only makes it harder. A schools reputation should and shouldn?t be taken into account. On one hand others will judge you by the leader head on your degree, but if the school has the characteristics that the student wants by all means follow your heart. Choosing a school should be based on academic research and gut feelings, not the input of others even though everyone will want to have a say, only listen to yourself and what you need and want.

As a senior at the University of Florida, the best advice I can give to students is to breathe and let your experiences while at college guide your decisions. Very seldom do students come to college knowing exactly what they want to do (and lucky them!) and students should not feel pressured to decide on their career path immediately! In high school, students have a much narrower view of the world and the job opportunities available to them, and they must realize there is so much more to be exposed to once they join a college community!

I would tell prospective students to remember to always keep an open mind. College is about stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things that you may not have gotten the chance to otherwise. Meeting new people is extremely important because college is the time when you make the friends that last throughout your life and develop connections with people you may not have associated with in high school. Every person and every opportunity that presents itself offers a new perspective that can only help you grow as a person.

Check out the school and get a feel for whether it is a good fit or not.

Go somewhere that you feel comfortable. Unless you know you want to be far away, I suggest a campus two hours away from home. Don't room with your best friend just because they're your best friend and don't trust everyone you meet. Enjoy your classes, and choose a major that challenges, but intrigues you.

I believe that the most important part of making the correct college choice, involves visiting all of the schools that you are considering. Upon my visit to the University of Florida, I felt the energy and excitement of Gainesville and the Gator Nation, and knew that it was the school for me. I never felt at home at other colleges that I visited, like I did when I took a trip to Gainesville, Florida. Once here, I have done what I can to make the most of my college experience by attending the little things that other people do not pay attention to. Whenever I hear about a guest speaker or a free concert, I attend, knowing that opportunites like this will not always be around.

The advice that I would give to students is to do research about prospective colleges before choosing. Making a list of qualities you want in a school can help to narrow the choice. Some qualities are campus size, classroom size, tuition, distance from home, and national ranking. After narrowing the selection, choose the college that you can see yourself in as well as choose one that will better able you to reach your educational goals. Once you?re at the college of your choice be sure to be actively involved around campus. Being actively involved allows you to fully benefit from the college life because you will be able to take advantage of internships, scholarships, etc. For parents, I would say, be supportive of your college student because being a college student can be very demanding, not only financially but it can be very emotionally stressful.

My advice to parents and students about finding the right college is to visit many of them. There are amazing colleges and universities all over America, find one that is the right size and style for you. Don't make a decision based on what others want you to do, or the university that you "should" go to. There is a right campus for everyone you just need to find it!

Seriously take the advice from the professors on how to study on the first day of class. They have taught the course many times and know how to best assist the student so they will succeed, so head their advice!

Find a place you love to go to, not neccesarily the best financial package you would receive. And make the most of college, it won't last forever.

Is class size too big or too small? Well this should probably be one of the first questions students consider when searching for the right college. A student needs to feel comfortable in the classroom in order to stay focused and succeed in the class. Some students prefer a small class because they feel it's easier to discuss about the topics one on one with the professor. Other students prefer a big class size because they like being able to have many classmates to chose from to form study groups. It all comes down to the student's preference. The transitioning part from high school and living with parents to college and living away from parents can be very challenging. Getting involved freshman year with clubs, volunteering, intramural sports are some ways that help for the transition to be easier by interacting with other students. Another important aspect to consider is how far away the student and parent want to be from each other. Too far can make trips home difficult. Staying at a nearby college at home would be much less expensive than being far away and having to pay the extra expense of rent or dorms.

Try to visit as many colleges as possible, and make sure to do a lot of research about scholarships, programs, after school activities, sports and majors offered.

I would say, one, that you should try to attend a college that is at least two hours from home. Go farther if you want! But I think part of the college experience is to get away from what you are comfortable with or have grown up with. Moving away from home allows you to branch out, gain self confidence, establishes responsibility, etc. Secondly, I would recommend a college that is diverse. How many minorities attend? How many different religions are present in the student body? And then make friends with someone completely different from yourself. I think it is very important to understand others that are unlike yourself. I would also recommend a school that is on the larger size, population-wise. Small schools are fine! However, larger schools allow you to have more of a variation in the student body. Also, a very important point to keep in mind is whether or not the school offers the program in which you are interested in. Remember though, you might switch majors or change you mind. So, variety in the programs available is also important. Lastly, have fun! Study!

Finding the right college is not an exact science, and truly, until you go to school, you won't know the "right" choice from the "wrong" one. I would recommend you go in choosing a school with a major in mind. Find out which schools offer your desired major and go visit those that interest you. Create your own tour, not the one offered to everyone. Meet with someone in charge of that major, like a dean or an advisor, and then meet with someone in the major, like a current student. That's the best way to get a handle on if the school fits your needs and goals. Never choose the school that is "known" for your major without visiting. Just because it's top ranked doesn't mean it's right for you. This is how I ended up at UF as opposed to my other choices, and I couldn't be more pleased with the quality of education and how well the arts program here fits my style of learning. In the end, I would have to say trust your gut. As long as you have the drive, you can make any school work for you.

I think that visiting schools and attending their open houses is a very valuable way to see what the academic portion of the experience would be like. But the social scene can be seen by taking more time and seeing what kind of students are walking around campus, around town, and what sort of activities/jobs are available.

Visit the campus. Just seeing the campus and observing how people interact and what goes on is a great way to determine whether it is the right place for you. Brochures tend to focus on only the positive aspects, so a good thing to do it talk to people who go there and ask about their favorite and least favorite things about the campus. Also, try and get a copy of the book that tells what courses and majors are available. It might also be good to look at a syllabus to get an idea of the courseload. Good luck!

I would tell parents and students to make sure that they have planned out a budget and make sure their child sticks to it. I would also tell students to make sure that they have really explored some options as to what they want their major to be. UF makes it difficult to change your major because they are very strict about graduating on time, and I'm sure many Universities have similar policies. I would also teell students to make sure they balance social activities with academics. These things are what I think are the things that could make or break, so to speak, the college experience.

attend a school in a college town

Find a way to afford to send the student there. Having a job is a huge burden on a student. Even more so if it is their first job.

First, identify what public universities are affordable and nearby where you live. Being nearby ones family usually helps with the college experience and public universities can offer very good education without the high price of a private institution. Second, identify whether or not one wants to pursue a college career in which financial security and practicality is the ultimate goal, or whether one wants to follow his/her passions. I have been told by both parents and professors to follow one's passions and not be swayed by fitting a college career around the job market. This is, of course, up to the student in question. In the present economy, a financially secure job might be prudent. There are plenty of people who seperate their "work" from their "fun" with family and friends; a job being just a boring place to secure wealth. I would challenge such thinking in that it is better to be fullfilled and secure then unhappy and wealthy. By deciding a path, one can be more confident in the classes one chooses. Finally, it is important to socialize and make friends. In someways, this is the most important and yet overlooked part of college. Know thyself.

I think the most important thing to consider when choosing a college is what you want to do with your degree. That said, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my degree and am still unsure, though I loved my university and would not have wanted to do anything differently. If you don't know what career you want to have, then choosing the right college for you might be difficult. In this case, it's important to choose a college with academic diversity. A diverse university will also have diverse groups of people and activities to participate in, ensuring a satisfying college experience. From my undergraduate experience, I think the bigger the university, the better. Though I entered college not knowing anyone and was not the most outgoing person, I never felt isolated and was constantly enthralled by the diverse opportunities my university offered me.

When parents and students are finding the right colleges they should apply to as many as possible, and keep their options open because the school that you may be so sure won't accept you might be the one that will. Thats what happened to me with university of florida. make sure that the schools you apply to have all that you need, you don't want to get there and realize that the schools has nothing to offer you. DO YOU RSEARCH!!! that can't be stressed enough, alot of times parents and their children don't get along during this stage, it can be a very stressful time so just relax a little. when you get to the college of your choice make sure that you take advantage of everything on campus, and alot of times if you can't find help with something it's there i promise, just look. Enjoy and have fun but please stay focused because things could change very rapidly if not. Budget your money and you will be fine, and always keep intouch with your family, trust me, it will get hard and you will need them. make the best of life.

I would give my advice to the prospective student, because its your future and education, not the parents. Thoroughly look at many colleges and the offered majors, please do not go to a school based on where your friends are going. It will be a hard decision but you do not want to look back and regret that you could have done better for yourself. Also if you have a job start saving now or you will regret it , and if you dont have a job maybe pick up a part time job so you dont have to work full time in college while going to school full time. Practice good study habits now because I have seen very smart people who never had to study in high school fail out. With that said do not be scared or nervous. It will be the best time of your life! You will grow up and change in so many ways you never thought were possibly. Follow your own heart, not anyone elses (parents), because in the end you will be the one living with yourself, career and all.

As a senior, I have much advice to give about college, especially selecting and making the most of one's college experience. As far as choosing one, I would take tours, one official tour through the University, and one unofficial one with a friend who may attend the school. Get a real feel for the surroundings and determine whether you can see yourself there. The only way to pick is to explore all the options. To make the most of the college, honestly, don't let the school work get in the way. You are there to learn, but not in the way you think. The book will always have more to be read than you will actually get to; don't spend so much time studying tha you miss out. When your an Alumni (as I soon will be) it's not the theories or equations you remember (the important stuff you will learn in more than one class), but it's the friendships and the times you spent enjoying being a quasi-adult before the real world took over. Work hard, but play hard and you will learn that the key to success is balance.

I would advice parents and students to start looking early, while in high school, for the right college. College is extremely competitive and you want to make sure you have all of your bases covered before you start applying. The most important thing to do while looking for a college is to visit all of the colleges you're interested in. You have to see if it's somewhere you'd be comfortable living at and spending a majority of your time at. Talking to advisors, professors, and students while you're there also proved to be extremely beneficial to me while I was looking for a college. And since you're not going to spend all of your time in classes and studying, look for a college that has great extra-curricular activities or fun things to do around town. I know I picked Gainesville because it was a college town and I felt more comfortable being there than in a big city atmosphere. Reminded me more of home, just with a lot more kids my age.

just go with your heart!

Go visit the school. If you have friends that go there stay with them so that you can really see what it is like. Also make sure you know what you want in a school and reasearch schools that could fit the criteria.

It helps when you're going to college, to know what you want to do with your life, because then you can pick a school that way. However, if you don't know, like most, pick the school that's going to help you find out. I'm not just talking about a career but about who you are as a person and what you want to get out of life. Of course, evaluate the basics, such as cost and location, what majors the school has, or what the dorms are like. Look at the types of organizations the school has, such as sororities and fraternities, honor societies and cultural organizations. Diversity isn't just about demographics, but about the different groups that exist on one campus. Also, find out whether there are a lot of opportunities for community service. A lot of what you get out of college is what you put in, so make sure that the college gives you ample opportunity to give back. Also, don't forget about your preferences. College can get rough sometimes. Don't make it harder than it needs to be by going to Minnesota when you know you hate the cold.