University of Idaho Top Questions

Find a college that fits you. Weather, socialy, and education wise.

Advice is a privilage that comes with experience. In order to give advice to the up-incoming minds of newly graduated high school students, I have to evaluate my own experience. From my own trials and tribulations in high school and applying for college and scholarships, to actually embarking on my collegiate journey. I am only able to give advice to those who are thinking about going into medicine. I am not claiming that because I have gone to college for a year and a half that I am some wise all-knowing being that is capable to give advice to potential college freshman of all types; I am not. However, I can give advice to the students that are thinking about taking a similar path as mine. Here it is; in high school apply to college early, since this increases the chances for scholarships. Take your high school grade seriously, I did and I am reaping the benefits now. If you're considering medicine, go to a cheap undergrad and in a state where you would want to go to medical school because residency makes a difference. To fit in 200 words, GPA, community service, and MCATS! Study Early.

Unless you are going to a speciality school, it doesn't matter what school you pick. While the University of Idaho may not be Harvard, it still provides a terrific school atmosphere and helps students learn what real life is all about. The U of I's professors are real world experts, not just professors. They have experience in the field they are teaching so you know you are getting a good education. Pick a school you are comfortable with, not one where you will end up in hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt. School is school, it doesn't matter where you go.

I would adivise a diverse range of degrees, a beatiful comfortable campus, a place with many living options, where you know the safty level is good, and a variety of people with different stories to tell.

Make an economical decision. You're going to get a good education pretty much anywhere you go, so choose somewhere cheap and save some money.

i would say before you make any decisions take a look a the students social life and see what kind of friends would they be potencailly meeting because i was in a fraternaty and i have life long friendships to look forward to and that is a very good thing to have.

The University of Idaho was not the top school I had chose for myself, but I chose this school for its size and the price of tuition. I believe you should choose a school off of your needs, for your major and program, and by the class size you desire to have. Choosing a school because it is the best school for your major may not be what is in best interest for you. These schools that are the best for a major only, may not offer a variety of extra-curricular activities, sports, recreation facility or campus involvement that an individual may aspire for. I believe you can go to any college that offers your specific or general major, and they will tailor it to fit your needs; most schools are very flexible for their students needs. Any college can be a great experience if you go that campus with an open mind and a positive outlook. Make friends and get involved, there is no better way to spend your time then doing past time activities or just playing board games with friends.

It's important to go with what feels right, instead of what makes the most sense financially or what's closest to home. Those things can be important, but in a transition like moving to college, you need to be comfortable with where you're going. If you never talked to anyone in high school, sit down beside someone else who looks lost in the cafeteria: when you're starting college, the conversations are always about where you're from and what your major is, so there's plenty of conversation starters to fall back on. If you were the social butterfly, listen to your roommate talk about themselves, because life will always be easier if you know something about who you're living with. College isn't scary: it's the most terrifying adventure you'll ever embark on, and it's worth every minute.

The top of your list should be academics. After that it should be surroundings, they should inspire what you love to do.

Find the college that makes you feel the most comfortable. If you're not comfortable there, you're not going to want to do well or meet anybody. Nothing will be fun. Find which one you like the most, even if it's not exactly the one that has the best program for you. You can always find something close. Don't just pick a place because "they have the BEST program", because almost every college has a great program. Go where you're comfortable. Go where you WANT to go.

I would tell them to pursue something that they love so that it makes it that much more enjoyable in the end.

I really enjoy greek life and I think it's a great way to get to know people and to really get involved with campus!

Pick the school that is the best for the degree you want.

When you try to find a college, seperate yourself from what you already know, go outside your comfort zone, find a place that reminds you of the things that you enjoy. Leave behind, but dont forget, the experience of highschool and make an effort towards self discovery. When you choose your course of study, make sure it is something that you feel like you could never learn enough about, if you feel like you just want to get through college and not enjoy it, you are on the wrong path. Talk to your professors, they will be energetic to tell you everything they know. Be a friend to everyone, you will learn much more about yourself if you can do this. Most importantly, imbrace spontenety, and the unexpected.

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Don't give up after the first year. Everyone wants to quit but if you just stick it out you will find it will be the best experience of your life.

I would advise parents to take a tour of the facility and sit down with the faculty of the specific school of their childs degree and talk to the financial aid offices.

My primary advice is to visit the campus, especially during a big campus event. You will get to see not only what the dynamics of the college are like, but also the type of people who attend that institution. Make sure you take advantage of opportunities to visit with current students and also the faculty. Those are the people you will be spending the most critical years of your life with, it's perhaps the most important decision you've made up to this point. Also, make sure the background and life of the campus is right for you. If you are used to shopping and big-city night life, then a small agricultural campus is not going to make you happy. There's more to being in college than just what they teach you in class, you need to be able to have real-life experiences as well.

No thanks!

Make sure you visit the campus and talk to an advisor about the school. Make sure the school has a decent reputation (does't mean it has to be prestegous.) And finally, make sure not only that you fit in with the school, but that the school fits you.

Choosing the right college is like finding the right job. While it is important to base your college choice upon factors like finances, personal goals, school reputation, and location, it is more important to realize that things change in life. Many people change their majors partially through their school career; this might cause them to change schools in order to pursue the new major. However, the most important factor is the reputation the school has for the interaction between the professors and students. The thing I enjoy most about school is this interacton, as I can glean information from professionals and use it to build my own knowledge about a certain career choice. Another thing that should be considered for a college choice would be the social atmosphere of the college. As much as college should educate you for your future career, it should also present you with opportunities to enjoy life and relax. If this is not there, it is highly likely that students will give up in their studies. As the old saying goes, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." So don't be afraid to try new things, expect change, and have fun!

Go visit the college that you are interested in. You'll know right away if you feel 'at home' or not.

Go where feels comfortable. It isn't all about what school offers the most money.

You have to take into consideration that a college is more than its statistics. Talk with students there and ask them to not sugar coat it. Parents and students alike need to also realize that while you have to study hard and work to get good grades, college is also about growing socially. This may be the first time you meet people with such different viewpoints, and it's important to see what else is going on besides what you are used to, so that you can make well informed choices about your life. Also, if you have a major in mind, find out exactly what it will take to get that degree. Some schools require a lot more classes that you wouldn't expect you'd have to take, and the last thing you want is to be taken off guard your senior year and have to do a really time heavy freshman course.

I would tell parents/students that they should look beyond location and geography when selecting the right college. Programs inside the college are very important, and it is cruicual that your school has a good program in the area you are going into. Kids going away to college are more alike than they are different, so don't judge a school based on just its appearance. For example: a school on a beach or in a big city may be glamourous, but will the education you receive there really add value to your diploma? Will your education make you able to compete with the best of the best? Also, college life is extremely important. Make sure your school has what you like (a greek system, cultural activities, diversity etc). As for making the best college experience; don't be afraid to have fun and make friends. Do your work - slacking off one semester can make for a huge headache down the road. Don't worry about others, do what makes YOU happy!

The most important thing to consider when choosing a university to attend is how involved the student is willing to be. If they are more interested in academics, then they will fit better in a college that is based primarily on academics. If they wish to be involved on campus, choose a school that has a strong student leadership program. If community action is important to the student, they should look for a school that offers a range of community service projects such as an alternative spring break program. If the student wants to leave room for an active social life, a college with an strong Greek system will be the best fit. The more you tour and research the university, the more prepared you will be to make an accurate decision. Also, be sure to attend any type of tour day, most colleges have a weekend for prospective students to visit the school and get acquainted with the activities available and the type of student that attends the school. This should be the decision making factor. Just be sure to choose somewhere that you are most comfortable so you will really be able to shine!

Don't choose your college based on a prestigious name. Find the school that fits you--one that will help you discover your talents and passions, and that offers classes and activities to help you develop those gifts. Opportunities wait around every corner, but they won't seek you out. You have to make the decisions that impact your entire experience. It's not like high school. Your parents won't be here, reminding you to write every English paper. You decide: get drunk five nights of the week, or... play intramural soccer, become president of the engineering club, sing in the jazz choir, build houses in Guatemala on an alternative spring break, learn to ballroom dance, join the honors program, have coffee with your philosophy professor, attend a symphony, scream your lungs out at the rivalry game. This is the only time in your life when so many opportunities will be right in front of you. You are up to the challenge, but the choice is yours. What will it be? You can coast by, or you can invest yourself in every moment and have the experience of a lifetime. It's up to you to seize the day.

I would tell them to visit the college while it was in session and talk to students that aren't involved with recuiting new students. I'd also tell them that they have to be self motivated because there's no one there to hold your hand and tell you when to study. Research many different colleges and make sure that you pick the one that fits you the most because you won't be happy if you choose the college that someone else wants you to choose.

Make sure that you choose somewhere that you could see yourself living for four years and somewhere that you feel at home. Also, check out all of the student services first such as student living, financial aid, payment options, advising, and major programs. Out of all the schools you preview, pick the one that just feels "right".

Find a school that fits you. Picking a school based on prestige or based on parents' wishes may leave you unsatisfied in the end. Look at all of the factors: location, size of campus, student population, diversity, sports, activities, financial aid availability, and above all, areas of study. Research the schools and go visit the campus to make sure you could spend 4+ years there. You get what you put into college. Making the most of your college experience is about balance. You can do well in the classroom while still finding time to participate in sports, clubs, student-government or have a part-time job. Besides success in your studies, a social life is important in college, and meeting people is probably the most important aspect of your college social life. Despite the cramped space of residence halls, living in the dorms the first year will help you meet so many different people that could become lifelong friends. Above all, the relationships you have with people, friends, teachers, and members of the community, will be the most memorable, not whether you got a B- or a C+ on your Statistics final. So focus on school, but enjoy college.

Go where you can afford to, do your best, that's all you can do at the end of the day.

Go somewhere where you feel accepted, needed and valued. Talk with professors and try to avoid places where you will just be another face. Go somewhere were you can begin not only your education but also feel out career choices. Go somewhere you are appreciated because it makes the whole experience far more enjoyable.

I would say to go outside of your comfort zone because you get out of college what you put into it. It can be a really intimidating and vulnerable thing, but you'll regret a lot less about your time in college if you put yourself out there and experience as much as you can. There are so many opportunies and interesting things to experience that you wouldn't normally try, but you'll probably enjoy a lot of them if you put yourslef out there and be open to trying new things.

Its a good school for engineering and business majors and if your kids like greek life

I would say that size and location are two of the most important factors that go into deciding a college to go to. If someone is used to or prefers a smaller, closer-knit environment, then they could easily get overwhelmed by a large and busy university. On the opposite side, someone from a more urban area that enjoys that kind of area, could easily get bored in a smaller, rural area school. Another important thing to take into consideration is that there are a lot of liberal colleges that have one pretty strong general liberal opinion, and someone who is on the conservative side would want to try to avoid a college like that and someone with a more liberal point of view would definitely want to look at those schools. Any of these factors can greatly help choose the right college to go to.

Go take a look at the campuses you are considering. Think about the size of school, the student/faculty ratio, and the setting (urban, rural, etc). Think of which place you would feel best. Check the school's quality of the program you are interested in. Apply to multiple schools and see which one offers better financial aid if that's important to you.

I would advise people to first figure out what they want to accomplish at the college. If they know what degree they are seeking then finding a college with a good program within their area of interest is a good starting point. If a person wants to learn to become independent and make a lot of friends then finding a school with a variety of activities would be smart. Community colleges and small colleges are a good option for a student who has struggled in school and could use more one on one time with a teacher. Visiting college campuses is also important to see if it is a place that a person would like to live. There are usually different locations for dorms throughout campuses and looking at greek houses is also something important to do. A college should be a place to learn efficiently, make friends, become independent and simply have a good time and enjoy life. There are always fun things to do on campus with fellow classmates so that should never be a problem.

I would tell students to apply to as many schools as possible and then choose which school to attend based on your gut instinct. Instead of choosing schools with a good party scene or schools that have good sports teams, choose a school based on what there is academically. Chances are that these schools will still have the party scenes and sports teams so it won't be like you are missing out on that part of the college experience.

When selecting a college, choose the place that best fits your desires as a student. Don't go to a school just for its reputation, your education is what you make of it. Sometimes a big school is right and other time you can enjoy many more opportunities only available through a smaller university. No matter what, visit the campus and see how it feels. If you feel comfortable but still challenged, its the right place to be. Consider finances and find a school that will give you the scholarships you deserve (or more). Remember to critically analyze the dorms. I advise any new freshman to live at least a semester on campus. Even if you don't enjoy the close quarters or the food, you will interact with a wide variety of people who will be in classes and organizations with you for the rest of college. It is extremely useful and fun to have friends in a variety of academic subjects and interests. The dorms provide this like nowhere else can. Remember that whatever university you choose you can always change your mind, so go ahead and try somewhere new, you'll be glad you did.

The advice my parents told me was to find a college that I could further pursue my dreams/goals. It did not matter what the price was, my education meant more to them than money could buy. One should not be so scared when looking at prices of colleges, there are so many scholarships and grants that are offered for students; all they have to do is put forth the effort to apply. Depending on the student vs. parents situation, it will obviously ultimately effect the outcome where they end up at. All families are different, so do what feels right for you. Some people like to be closer to home while others might love a new adventure in a new city. Coming from experience; my first year of college I knew absolutly no one, but because most all campus's have orientations and group functions I was able to meet some life long friends. So do not let the cost of college get you down, if you have a dream and you know what you want, STAY POSITIVE and keep wishing and someday it will come true!

It takes a lot to find the right college and sometimes it is not always your first choice. Just be patient and the right one will catch your eye. It may not be great with football and it may lose every game, but it will make up for it in some other area. To make the most out of the college experience: do not stress, overcome the obstacles, do the work, and have fun. You need the support not only of your family but of you peers in college; go out and make friends. They are a lot nicer than most people depict. Oh and don't overload with school work. A person with constant homework will have his brain fried within the first couple of months. Take a relaxing class like art or dance to help keep stress levels down.

I would definitely suggest coming to the university for a campus tour. The campus is beautiful and prospective students can really get a feel for what the university has to offer. I would also suggest that parents and students take the opportunity to visit many campuses. This will help prospective students guage what type of universtiy they wish to attend.

My advice for students going to college is very simple. Before you go, ask yourself if you are sincerely ready to take that step. Can you take care of yourself, be away from your parents and be responsible enough to do what is required of you? If you are, pick a college for the program and its credibility but also choose somewhere that you'll be able to spend four, five or maybe even six years at. High school friends should not make your college deision for you. There are endless oppurtunies to meet and make new friends as long as you take them. Most importantly you should know that you make your college experience. You will get out of it what you put into it. This applies to schoolwork, friends, relationships, clubs, sports and life in general. You only get one life to live and one shot at most things. Doing your best the first time will make for less regrets, better grades, closer friends and a more fulfilling life.

I would say that the most important part of finding the right college is to keep your options open and go look at the school you are applying to. Looking at the campus will help narrow down the search and keeping an open mind will help you not quickly eliminate a good college. When going to college make sure to be willing to make new friends and try to not go home too often, Staying on campus on the weekends can help you get more accustomed to living there and will also help with making friends. Also a good balance between work and school is necessary to really have a fun college experience.

Look around at all the possibilities, don't just consider the school that is your 1st choice or in your home town. Also take tour of any campus that you are seriously considering and take the tour when there are students in session, it will make a difference in how you feel about the university. Also apply for scholarships, and lots of them. Don't count one out because you think you won't get it. The more you apply for the more likely you will receive money that will help you go to a school that you maybe did not think you could afford. Once your in college get involved how ever you can. Join clubs that interest you or are related to your major, not only will you meet other people that like the same things you do you will also have a better resume and that helps get job offers in the future. If there is Greek life on campus consider it because it isn't like all the movies. The houses are full of real people who you can bond with and make true life long friends.

Choose a 4 year university over a community college as it offers a richer, more diverse experience. Enjoy college life and try to get some job-related experience, such as internships, in addition to doing well academically.

When searching for the right college, it's important to consider more than the football team's record. Look into class sizes. Are your freshman lecture courses going to have 500 people in them? Can you stay motivated in this environment? Check out clubs on campus, as well as what it takes to start new ones. Clubs are great places to meet people with similar interests-- much better than in the classroom. Do you feel comfortable on the campus? Do you find it aesthetically pleasing? It's important to enjoy your surroundings, because you'll be looking at them every day. Do you know what the weather is like in the winter? Can you handle a foot of snow on the ground for months? These are all important things to take into account. To make the most of your college experience, get involved! Join a club, play a sport, go to theater production, listen to a visiting author read, and volunteer. There's so much more to college than classes and homework. It's hard not to enjoy college when you are surrounded by good friends in an environment you can succeed in.

Make sure that you, the student know the experience you want from college, and that the college you choose provides that. Try to visit the school without your parents so that you can see the real college and not the one presented to you. To parents allow your children to visit by themselves because they might make the wrong decision because of your influence, and end up unhappy. If you can't let them visit by themselves then how are you going to let them go when you have to. Allow them go visit by themselves during their senior year. Don't wait to long or it will be too late.

know what you want and go for it, picking a college can be stressful but if you choose the school for youself you will do better in school and enjoy your experience more.

My first advice to any student looking at colleges: Move away! One of the most difficult things for students to do in college is to become independent and self-sufficient. Students who stay at home don?t realize that little things like filling the fridge, and paying bills are huge responsibilities. Along with responsibility, moving away takes you out of your element and the change allows you to adjust to your new life as a college student. It is essential to go far enough away that you have to make new friends but that you are still comfortable you can get home when necessary. Advice to parents: Let go. They'll be Fine. Don't worry, they will still call, especially when they need something. When making the most of college, look for a school that has high rates of student involvement, and plenty of student leadership opportunities. You don't have to be president of every club, but being involved allows you to meet new people and learn outside the classroom. Clubs are a great way of getting involved because they often travel, hold workshops, and even help out the community. Not to mention they look great on resumes.