University of Florida Top Questions

I would tell any prospective parent or student to check out each campus before they make a decision. I did not look around too much and I only applied to a few schools because I was so sure that the University of Florida was the right school for me. Luckily, it was. But not everyone is so lucky. There are so many different colleges and universities because there are so many different types of students. That being said, every student should be able to find a school that is perfect for them.

Consider the fact that you or your child is eighteen years old. They have life figured out and they know exactly what path they will go. They will get this degree and this job. Now remember that you're eighteen years old. No one really has any clue on how their lives will end up. Your body might not yet be done changing, you've never been away from home for any significant amount of time, and you very likely will be leaving behind your group of friends. Things change. Make sure you go to a college that lets you change. Are majority of their academic programs respectable? How hard is it to change your major? Do not underestimate the impact a new social life will have on you, either. You would be doing yourself a disservice if you never met people with different interests, lifestyles, and cultures. The experience opens you up to the world as it is, an interesting mixture of people from all different walks of life. Go to a college that you love, but consider that what you 'love' might be very different by the end of your first year.

Really think about what you want FROM MULTIPLE DIMENSIONS. Don't get too caught up on one thing, whether it be money, academics, or social life. Chances are, you will change a lot during college so you want a college that can accomodate what you might become, not just what you are. In fact, if you have a decent list of colleges you're considering, i'd consider immediately taking out the extremes (the uber academic, uber social, uber-anything) unless you have really strong convictions about them. For me, the most important determinants of college satisfaction have turned out to be the size and academic orientation of the student body. I think everyone should really focus on these issues. Make sure you choose a school where the median (not average, averages get skewed) student is not too different from you in terms of motivation, as your classmates will ultimately make or break your learning experience. In the end, no school is perfect and making the best decision with limited information is hard. Hopefully this site will help you be more informed. Good luck! Once you choose a college, do your best to enjoy the ride.

It doesn't hurt to apply to a lot of schools. Going in state is great for the costs and for being close enough from home: close, but far enough away to where you have to dedicate a quater day or more to driving to get home. Being away from home is a great learning experience, and a necessary on e. If in the state of Florida, try to enroll in the International Baccalaureate program in high school. If you get your IB diploma, you automatically earn a 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} Bright Futures scholarship and can go to any Florida state school for free! Plus, a top school like UF loves students from the IB program, and it helps your chances of getting into a school like UF a lot.

As a Graduate, I would suggest to a high school student and parents to be as open minded as possible. Visit every school choice, large or small. Sometimes what one would consider the most prestigious university may not be the best choice for getting the best personal academic experience. I would stress to the parent that this is a big decision and their assistance in the process to the prospective student is important, but remember that it is the son or daughter who will be attending the university and the final decision should be up to them. I would also suggest that the prospected-student find a way to sit in on a class to get first hand experience rather then taking a guided tour that the University has paid a current student to give. Each college is unique in its own right and the same is true for each prospective student. Carefully list what you as an individual consider the positives and negatives about each University. Take time to asses academic and lifestyle needs, and then do the research to see if the university can meet those needs to help reach the life goals that you strive for.

For Parents, let your child decide. Afterall, it is he or she who will be attending school there for about 4 years. Be sure to visit the school and talk to current students or alumni to get a better perspective of what the school is really like. Students should pick a school where they have the greatest opportunity for them to succeed academically and socially. It is best for a student to attend a school where they will be able to balance school work and a social life. They should pick a school that will be accepting of their race, gender, sexuality, etc. All in all, if you could imagine yourself being a student there, then it is probably a good fit for you.

Do your research!

Do your research! Don't go in blind, ask people who attend the school of have attended about their experience. If the school is right for you, you'll feel it.

When searching for the right college, it is imperative that you visit the campus and spend a bit of time in the city to see if you feel that is a place that you are comfortable living in. Also, make sure the school offers classes you are interested in taking, even if you are not entirely sure what your major or area of study will be. To make the most out of your college experience, take classes that interest you aside from what is required. Go out. Join clubs. Meeting people and helping people are two of the most rewarding things you can do as a college student. When in college, lifetime memories are created. Don't waste the experience buried under a book. (But studying is really important too!)

Pick a school keeping in mind that you probably WILL change your major at some point. For this reason, try to find a college that has balanced funding for both its arts and science programs. I began as a pre-med major and so I chose my college based on its research and pre-med opportunities. Now, I'm an English major, a change that I don't regret at all. I am, however, disappointed with my university's suffering liberal arts program. I wish I would have chosen a college that would have allowed such a transiton to be easier. Also, don't pick a school based on a sports program (unless, of course, you are an athlete!). Sports are fun and great, but it's not going to help you get a great job or help you in your classes. You can always watch sports; you can't always get a great education from a school that has tons of sports teams. Keep your priorities straight and don't let "amenities" be your deciding factor.

you'll know it when you visit and try everything at least once.

The parents and students should do their research about the specific college or university they wish to enroll. If its too big or too small or even the city size. Also the quality of the education and if they know themselves enough to be mentally prepared to take on certain challenges is important in determining their choice of school.

PARENTS: Ive met lots of students throughout my college journey thus far, that say they hate their parents for making them go to certain schools. We students, dont like to be pressured. Therefore, I defintely agree that the parent should let the student decide what university THEY would like to attend. It shouldn't have to be based on legacy or what the student has always known. Take them on a roadtrip to visit other schools. Do research online, nowadays, parents have information about EVERYTHING within the click of a button. STUDENTS: College is all about working hard, having fun and networking. Make sure to become close to all of your teachers assistants, they sometimes can make or break your grade. Join lots of clubs and organizations, you will meet your very best friends and future co-workers at meetings and social gatherings. Learn a new language, Study Abroad, make new friends everyday and be practical. This is the time where we have ALL the resources we need to learn about everything. Take advantage of it.

"Dont judge a book by its cover." if you're going to pick a school, spend more than just 4 hours on a tour. Plan on staying a couple of days and making a drive around town on a Friday night. See what kids are doing. Also, make a drive past the library, see how many kids are inside - especially on weekends and during "party time." Most importantly, find out from local apartments how much rent is going for. If you're on a tight budget and still want to send your kid to school away from home, then finding out much rent is; its good to know what costs will look like. And, a lot universities have dorms that are full (including a waiting list).FINALLY, look at academic places. Pop inside a lecture hall, see how big it is. Schools with smaller class sizes will have smaller rooms. Bigger public schools have lecture halls that seat hundreds! And, look for the tutoring center. Find out where it is on campus. If your kid is afraid of a tough academic schedule, knowing where tutoring is maybe reassure them that they can make it at a college campus.

The right college is where the student can find his or her own happiness. Although cost of attendance might matter the most to many parents, having the areas of study that the student is interested in is very important. As the student focus on what they want to pursue, they are more likely to succeed. Not only would the student be happy about what he is studying, he would also be satisfied of the atmosphere the college provides. Availability of social network is a crucial element. Away from home, it would be difficult to ask for help from the parents. At such a transition, friends are those who can truly help. Friends provide both physical help such as giving a ride, they can also give emotional support.

Visit the school before hand. Ask people who attend the University, even if you don't know them. Read about the University.

Size of the campus matters. A large campus vs. a small campus can impact your learning environment.

The most important thing to consider when choosing a college is your future. Put emphasis on your near future and college experience as well as your career path as it will shape your distant future. Choose a place where you will be happy and where you will learn as much as you can.

Narrow your search to a school that suits your personality. Your school should resemble your home environment so your transition is a smooth one. Adjusting to a new school in new town can be a devastating situation if you have not made a good choice. If going away try to stay closer to home for the first year. I lived in Miami and going to Gainsville which was only 5 hours away was a great choice for me. I went away which has been a great experience but I was close to home. This made the transition for me so easy. Going away to school has been the best decision I have made and I strongly recommend parent to let thier children experience this. I aslo encourage student to go away, it is so well worth the srtuggle and it truly prepares you for life.

Life is short and beutifull; make the most of it. To become more knowlegeable of the world around you is a great treasure but one that can be of a very costly nature at times, although too live is to fight. If you want it you can earn it. It may seam impossible at times but just keep fighting till the end. The memories are the most important of all the rewards.

Choose for yourself and not for what other people want you to choose. Because you have to live with that decision for the rest of your life.

Before choosing a school, sit down and brainstorm on what you feel as though you should become in life. Make sure to visit the top schools of your choice to get a feel for the town and see if you would be comfortable living there while seeking your degree. Your social life will change over the course of time, but do not let it distract you from what is most important, your education. Many students get cught up in their surroundings and loose focus on what they initually came to do. Pray about certain decisions you make because quick reactions can effect you. Trust and God will see you through.

The first and main thing to keep in mind when selecting and experiencing college is to be open, open, open. You/your child has not finished growing, and are not yet the person they will call their adult self. They have not finished making all the friends thay will make, and forming the worldview and philosophy that they will carry with them for the rest of their life. Keep your mid open; if you knew everything that you thought was important academically or in life, then you would not be in college! Meeting and adjusting to people and ideas from different parts of the country and different parts of the political spectrum, let alone different parts of the world, can be the best way to learn and grow into a good citizen of the country and the world. Your beliefs may be sharpened and refined and you will find yourself a wholly different person. Leaving home, if that is a possibility or option, may make you love home more. There is something deep in you that you want to know more about when you graduate high school. Pick a college that piques your interest. See where life takes you!

One piece of advice I would give to students and their parents about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience would be to find the campus that makes them feel comfortable. The student must feel comfortable about the layout of the campus, the surrounding city, and especially the size of classes and the student body in general to be able to make the most of these years. If the student wants more attention, then a more intimate and smaller college should be sought after just as much as if they want an experience where sports and school spirit are a must, then a larger university would be their answer. I would just tell them that it all depends on personal choices and their willingness to make the most out of any situation and decision they make, not only when it comes to choosing the "right" college, but also during their everyday experiences.

When picking a college, one should not look at extracurriculars, cost, or the friends they already know there because all of these things will change through the years spent in college. There are many more important things to consider. Will my university give me the tools and connections I need to succeed after graduation? Does it offer a strong program in the academic course I chose? Is it in a location that I can handle (distance from home, climate, etc.)? Is it a large or small school? The permanent suroundings are more important in the college choice than the variables. Once one has chosen a college, the best way to make the most of the experience is to become involved in a group that one is interested in. Even if one does not make a varsity team, there are also club sports. Being actively involved in a student organization not only boosts a resume, but it helps with making friends and networking. The right types of extracurriculars can vastly impact one's college experience.

I urge future students to take the entire college atmosphere into account. Never decide upon a school based upon one strong department, but really take some time to explore every aspect of your personal college experience. In finding the right school for you, spend a few days just experiencing the campus and surrounding area in order to really feel comfortable with the people and accessibility of said area. Also remember that no work can be done without a little fun to supplement your mental health! Get out and get active in your free time and you will never grow tired of your studies.

Choose the best college that your child can get into. That's it. Don't shy away from large universities, because you feel you will be lost in a crowd. At every university, you will find people with interests similar to your own. As you do so, you will begin to build a small community. Strongly consider the financial implications. Is the school giving you the bang for your buck? What is the school's primary source of funding? Is that likely to decrease in the future, forcing them to cut programs and classes?

Carefully research the priorities of the university It is more important for the student to learn in a intellectually conducive environment than to have graduated from a highly-ranked school. And save money. Lots of it.

Visit all campuses applying for in order to get a feel of the campus and surrounding environment. Do NOT, during campus tour (preview), get discouraged about going to the school. You tend to feel a drag during this time because of all the orientations, paperwork, and things to get done in a short time span. BIGGEST MISTAKE are credit cards. Let them only have one with a $500 max credit limit and still have the parents monitoring it. Careful with jobs, they tend to interfere with studies and grades begin to suffer because of it (work-study on campus jobs are ok). A lot of off campus jobs make you work long hours and work with your school schedule for the most part but not too much.

Do what you love, go for your dreams, and don't let anyone sway you away from it.

Instill moral values in your children that will carry with them into college. Teach them about Jesus.

Finding the right college is tricky. I found that visiting several very different colleges during the regular school year helped me solidify my decision. By actually going to the diverse campuses and talking with the students, I was better able to decide what I wanted in a college. Because I am confident I made the right choice for me, I feel that I am getting the most out of my college experience because I feel so welcome and comfortable where I am. Wherever you decide to go, I highly recommend getting involved with extracurricular activities because it is a great way to meet people who share common interests/beliefs as you do. College is a constant growing experience, so savor all the good, the bad, and all the new experiences coming your way!

This only happen once. Stay focused but have fun. College is supposed to be hard, so it takes work, but don't get discourage. Choose a college you want and a major you enjoy, this is what you could potentially be doing for the rest of your life! Have fun! Try new things! but be safe!

Weigh the financial implications heavily. But realize that at the end of four years, your academic experience is what will matter. No matter where you go you will make friends, party, particpate in extra curricular activities, go to concerts, go on road trips, try new things, etc. The right college is one where the student body has the same attitude as you do towards your studies. That way, you will be encouraged and supported to do well from the very beginning. Studying and succeeding won't be such a struggle -- your peers and professors will expect from you as much as you want to put in. Pick the college that at the end of your senior year, you will miss and you will cherish everything you took away from it.

To find the right college, I would say to definitely do your research and visit lots of schools before you decide. I know that changed my top choices in ways I never imagined. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions of students and staff while you are there. They can answer more candidly than a brochure. To make the most of your college experience, I would encourage any student (new or returning) to get involved where your interests lie. If you want to learn/try something new, don't hesitate to go for it. Most people are looking for friends with similar interests just like you are. Most groups are always looking for new members. Teachers are also great resources for helping you make connections based on your academic interests, including research and job opportunities. The people you meet in school will be your help and your competition while you are there and after you leave, so you will be better off if you branch out and make new friends. You'd be surprised by how many people outgrow their friends from high school. And most of all, have fun! This is the time to try new things!

Find a school in an area that you're comfortable with. Visit with the professors before deciding on a school. Great teachers can make any school better. Social life is not the most important thing in college. You will always be able to find a group of friends on a college campus so don't choose a school just because all of your friends are going there.

Visit all your top choices and go with your gut feeling. I had always wanted to go to the University of Florida, but I still went around looking at around 20 different schools all over the country. Once I walked on to the Florida campus though and met people who went there I just felt like I was home. Do not go somewhere because you feel like you have to, go somewhere because you know that it fits you.

I would tell them its not about the reputation of the college; rather its about your individual effort while you are there. It is the student's sole responsibility to look out for themselves, financially, educationally, and socially. It is a student's responsibility and not the school or parents to find internships, balance their budget, succeed in school, and to have a good time. I would tell the parents to trust their kids and give them some freedom to succeed on their own, even if it means letting them get in trouble and learning things the hard way.

I would like to advise students to explore all their career opportunities that each college has to offer. When looking for the right school for them, they should always inquire about what different programs are available in their field of interest specifically. Also, they should always visit the campus and if possible, contact current students. It is important to know what the university has to offer aside from academics, to assess if this is an appropriate environment for you. I would also advise students to get involved on campus but to understand that their studies should be their first priority. It is very easy to get derailed from your goals when first living on your own. Therefore, staying in touch with your family and your personal values is key to succeeding in college. For students that are not completely sure of what they want to study, they should make an active effort to realize what they are most interested in as early as possible. As for the parents, I would advise them to keep tabs on their children's progress while giving them room to grow independent .

I strongly advise visting the campus before hand and figuring out whether or not you prefer attending a smaller or larger college. I believe the size of the college is the most important differentiation to make when visting with campuses. I say this because my major dissatisfaction with the college I attend stems from the fact that I attend a large university; because the school is so large it is hard to really get to know your profeessors and to get adequate advising or even advisors that really seem to care about your future. This obviously isn't a probelm for all students (or they wouldn't be attending here!), but I came from a small, personable high school so this was a difficult transition for me. However, I still make the most out my college experience by taking advantage of what a large college offers. My advice: really make an effort to meet new people, talk to your professors, venture out and participate in events or activites you normally wouldn't. I strongly believe that the perosn I am today was more so molded by my time at college than any other period of my life.

Don?t focus on the name of a college, focus on what you need from it. Instead of asking yourself how prestigious a college is, ask yourself what kind of atmosphere you need to feel comfortable fitting in so that it?s easier to focus on your studies. If you feel comfortable with your fellow students, classroom sizes, and surroundings, college will be a much better experience for you both socially and academically. It?s key to find a school where you can fit in and build a good support system of peers and faculty so you can concentrate on your studies instead of missing home or being lonely. I recommend applying to schools with students of similar educational backgrounds so you?re not intimidated or held back by your peers, a place that has extracurricular activities that you would be interested in participating, and a climate that you would be comfortable in, because weather has a lot to do with feeling at home. And when you do get into that perfect school, get involved. Most schools have a ton of student organizations and intramural sports where you can find kids with similar interests and be productive with your time.

Students should determine early on what they wish to do with their life - in fact, it would be better to take a year off from school before college to dive into the 'real world' and work at a job or internship for a year. Once assured of their field of interest, then they can dive into academics whole-heartedly. Finding the right college involves choosing the school with the resources in their field. Small colleges have fewer resources, but it is easier to become acquainted with professors. College time should be spent making contacts, keeping those contacts, staying healthy, and studying. College is only a few years of one's life, though, so one should focus on what lies beyond, and not the pleasure of the moment!

Advice I would give parent or students about finding the right college and making the most experience would be to choose a college where you know you would be comfrotable. Dont choose the school just because your friend chose to go there because while they are out having fun and achiving their goals you are miserable because you aren't happy.

First, research the school. Look into a few majors that you mught be interested in and make sure that the school you are looking at has good programs for your major. Go visit the school. Take a tour, talk to students on campus. They will give you the most honest, heartfelt answers and opinions. Try to look at on-campus housing. Check out the food on campus. Look at off-campus housing and bus routes or ways to get to school. Meet with an adviser, if available, and see how helpful they are. Peek into a lecture hall. Look around for security on campus during the day and at night. Make sure you like the town your school is in, you will be there for a few years! Look into extra curricular activities as well as tutoring services. And last but not least, visit the campus during a busy school day. Do you feel at home? If so, it's probably the best option for you!

Research if you like big schools or small schools. I go to a large school, but do not mind having such a small professor to student ratio. I also love how it allows for such a diverse group of students to express themselves. I have discovered myself more in the past year than I have in my entire life because of this school that I chose and the kinds of people I have been able to meet. Make sure the school you chose offers the majors and classes you wish to take or that interest you. Now how to sign up for these classs and if your academic advising is up to the standard that you need. The environment around the school is just as important. My school almost is the city itself. There are no large buildings or busy roadways here. There is a lot of land and nature and thats exactly what I like. It creates a calm, relaxing setting to study in for me when i dont have the sounds of cars or trains going by and lights on all through the night.

Finding the right college is an extremely important issue. Now that I am a Junior in the undergraduate program at my university, I have come to realize the true importance of finding a college to belong to. I have watched numerous students from my high school leave the colleges they were attending to switch to another school closer to home or for other reasons. Finding the right college should depend soley on the student. No student should allow other people to persuade him or her to go to a school that isn't the correct fit. As I look back on the already past half of my undergraduate career at the University of Florida, I realize that the "college experience" is truly something to cherish. I have had many ups and downs at my school but both were essential to my college experience. This university has so much to offer its students. Many of my teachers constantly say, "You will never find as many opportunities and resources in your life as you can now at this school". The university, the town, and the people here have taught me a great deal about life that I will never forget.

It is important to go with what feels right in your gut when deciding on the right college. It is all about compromise. Finding the right mixture of fun, location, academics and cost that best suits your personality. It should take a while sometimes because this is a place where you will spend a large portion of your life and make many lasting meaningful relationships. Always go with your instincts and focus on your personal interests. It is important to know that college isn't only academics, but a place for you to grow in all aspects of your life. Just keep your options open.

To find the right college for you, speak to the students randomly passing by you when you visit. The ones who give you tours are supposed to glorify the school and entice you to enroll, but the average student probably has a more honest opinion. Speak to students who are also in academic fields you are thinking about majoring in., so you have an inkling about what to expect. Making the most out of your college experience varies greatly. One student might consider spending every waking moment outside of their classes a good investment of their college experience, whereas another might think volunteering with a bunch of friends for a sorority or fraternity event is more worthwhile. Dance to the beat of your own drum, and don't lose sight of what is most important to you. I wish you best of luck finding the right university and I hope your college experience is one you'll cherish your whole life!

Let the student decide where they want to go, if they are forced to go to a college they really didn't want to go to, they will not try as hard

Students- be open. Parents- listen to your kids. Take time to research schools based on criteria important to you: degrees, size, location, etc. Visit schools, it is difficult for a website to translate the feel of a college campus. Go off guided paths on campus, talk to students and teachers about experiences at that school. When you find your perfect school don't let anything keep you from getting there. Put heart into the application, and if you don't get in on first try, keep applying. Apply as a transfer student. Keep the goal and achieve it; your degree will mean so much more to you. Once in, immediately start applying for everything that's interesting. It's more difficult to become involved the longer you wait. Even if you don't get accepted into every organization and honor society, keep applying. You for sure wont get in if you don't turn in the application. Get out of your dorm or appartment and go to stuff. Go to football games no matter how your team is, go see a University Theater play, go to University Museums, go have a picknick on North Lawn, and go to the gyms.