University of Illinois at Chicago Top Questions

I would tell myself that money isn't everything, and I could've gone to a different school if I wanted but I chose the financially responsible route by going to UIC as I am paying for college myself. I am happy at UIC after joining a sorority and intermural soccer league. College is what you make of it--it will be fun and rewarding if you make it fun and rewarding. I would remind my senior self not to let friends pressure me into picking a school and to make the most of the next four years.

Any conversation I had with myself as far as advice before college would have probably been as a result of conversations with my mother or grown sisters about what to expect and what not to expect. They told me not to be too hard or too easy on myself and take every opportunity that comes your way. I would also very much advise students to tour the campus early, pick a dorm and put a deposit down early. If you are happy with where you live, that is half the battle in your academic success.

If I went back in time, when I was considering going to college in Chicago, I would have given myself complete faith and the go-ahead to take the challenge and go to University of Illinois at Chicago. I am very glad that I decided not to go to college in Iowa. Living in a diverse, urban setting has allowed me to find myself and what I truly value in life. I had no doubts that I would ever not go to college, but I always had doubts on what kind of college experience I would want. I think that I have made the right choice and I plan on contributing back to my college community and spread the word on how much beneficial transformations I have made by going to UIC,

The best advice I would give myself is to take time when deciding on school. In my experience, I know many people (myself included) who chose schools for the wrong reasons. There is no shame in waiting to discover what will be the right fit for you. Don't slack off though. While you decide what school and major is right for you, go to a community college or cheap state school so that you don't waste time or money. Then when or if you transfer you will still be able to graduate on time and with people your own age. Rushing, or making a hasteful decision can cost time and money, as it did in my situation. I also feel that if I had done more research I might have found a school best suited for me the first time and I wouldn't need to transfer. Learning as much about possible school chioces is a great tool in deciding which school to attend. Also, visit a school atleast once before you make your final decision. I feel that if I had known this and resisted the pressure to go right away, I'd have a better experience.

If I could go back in time as a high school senior, the advice I would tell myself is to apply for many more scholarships and to start preparing to live independently on campus as early as possible. With these two changes being made, I am confident that my life would be so much easier. I was having troubles getting settled in on campus because of some financial problems. By me living in family housing (apartment style), I am not able to eat in the cafeteria which means I have to supply my own food. This sometimes become a problem because some days I find myself two seconds away from stavation and it is not a good feeling. When I moved in on campus I did not have the materials I needed to supply for my house. Some days we went without tissue and soap which brought tears to my eyes. It was impossible for me to move from a room to a house without needing any supplies. By me applying to more scholarships and preparing for the college life earlier would have been very helpful not only to me, but to my daughter also.

I would do it just the way I am doing it. The Culinary Arts are my passion. I am learning so much every day. And there is so much to learn. From enhancing an existing vocabulary...the terms mean so much more to me now...to sampling and tasting...meeting new friends...The teachers are so cool...They express their own experiences...Studying to become a chef is so very fascinating...The best advice I can give myself is 'persevere. Keep on trying...Don't let obstacles discourage you. Tell others...better yet...tell the world...We have an internet at for our communications use...So use it to our fullest...Study...Study...Study...Just how much can one learn? That would be difficult to decipher...Even the sky isn't the limit...There are no bounds...The Culinary Arts allow a well rounded education from the arts themselves...in great detail...to seminars...additional electives to increase vocabulary...along with internet and communication skills...I went into the workforce with my Associates degree ...I suppose with a little hindsight...I wish I'd approached my true passion...the Culinary Arts...a few years sooner.

Obrian try your best to get a scholarship because its gonna be hard when you complete high school. Browse for scholarships on the net and for colleges too. I love you and don't forget nothing beat a failure than a try. You will make it and it doesnm't matter how long its gonna take.

I would tell myself to get involved early and in as much as my schedule will allow because making friends will make college life easier. Also, I would tell myself not to be afraid of speaking to my professors because they are there to help. In regards to my major and life afterwards, I would tell myself that I should speak to an advisor to help me pick out my classes and to schedule an appointment with the physical therapy advisor so I know what needs to be done in order to be ready for graduate school. Finally, I would tell myself to relax and have some fun because college life is going to be really hard if all that I do is study.

Based on my experience, I would yell ?WAKE UP!!! And get your head in the game, girl! Advancing in life, knowing what?s ahead is fun! Let?s get this done!? I would first advise a program such as Americorps NCCC to myself (or any other high school graduate) in order to gain experience and future financial aid. After a term of service or two, I would then recommend attending a community college (registering only for basic, transferable courses) prior to attending a four year university in order to save money and boost my GPA. While attending the two year college and maintaining >3.5 GPA, I would recommend researching environmental programs at 4 yr universities paying attention to tuition, location, research and field work opportunities. Upon transferring and entering a program at chosen university, I would stress getting involved in a lab associated with the department. Above all, I would emphasize maintaining a >3.0 GPA weather or not one is planning on attending grad school (you never know) and getting involved in the field ASAP!

The advice that I will give myself is focus on my major in college and the school that I want to transfer to.

To those who are interested in attending a four year institute way out all of your options before making that decision. Go to a junior college first to help build your gpa and save a lot of money. If interested in attending a graduate school take your prerequisites early on and do well, nothing less than a B. Utilize your professors office hours and build a relationship with them so that if need be you it would be to your advantage and when you need a letter of recommendation they will truly know you and be able to vouch for you. Get involved whether its something on campus or off campus. Also getting experience in the field tha you are interested in is also a plus factor because someone with only good grades is boring you have to be well rounded. Do not change your major for anyone else but yourself if you are not certain about keeping it. It is a lot of different things to major in so pick something that is of interest to you and stay focused. Pay close attention to the various syllabus that your professors hand out because dates are extremely straightforward and important.

Relax and do not stress over little things. You will manage everything you need to get done, and if you need help, get some.

Make as many friends as you possibly can. Your GPA starts from day one, don't screw it up.

As a high school senior, I thought I had everything figured out. I knew where I wanted to go and who I was and what I wanted from life. When I got to college, I learned that much of that was not true. When you leave home, you leave to find yourself. I am still the same person in certain ways. Some of my interests are the same, however I have grown as a person and became more of myself. If I could have given myself advice, I would tell me to be flexible. Do not judge people, try new things, stay open but stand by your morals. College is the beginning of the rest of your life, so its a great place to figure out a general direction of what you really want to be.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that even if I go to a tough school, I just need to keep on working hard. That no matter how bad things get, school should always come first, and to always think about my goal to get into the UIC nursing program. As a senior, I did not know how the UIC nursing program worked. I would explain to myself that even though there is heavy competition for the nursing school, to just go there and see what happens. I would tell myself that it's okay to attend UIC, because even if I don't get into the nursing program, the experiences I learned from attending this school will stick with me for a lifetime.

Hey there past-self. There are a few things you need to watch out for during your freshman year. First, you need to get a room transfer. Your roomate is horrible. Second, pick less classes if you want to join greek life. Also, visit your professors more since they know what is going to be on the finals. There is a lot of free time in college so you really have to time manage. If you don't, you'll find yourself wasting too much time. The gym is one of the greatest things in college. You should spend more time over there. But, getting a grant from the Honors college is the most imporant thing that you need to do. Since you got accepted from the Honors college, they can basically give you a free education. That is the one thing that you can not escape from your grasp.

If I could go back to when I was a high school senior, I would give myself a lot of advice. First of all, I would tell myself that procrastination is not a good thing because if I let procrastination take over in college, it can cost me my grade. Also, I would give myself the advice of finding study habits that benefit me because the work in college is very different than in high school and if my study habits are not good enough, it does not matter how many hours or days I study for an exam, its how good my study habits are that actually help me learn my course material. I would also tell myself that it is very important to think ahead of everything and plan everything in advance. College could be fast paced at times and time management is key and it is not something you learn overnight. Therefore it is important to stay on track of things and make sure that I am following a routine schedule.

If I were to give myself advice about college the first thing I would say is go to EVERY class and be there everyday. My biggest mistake my first year of college was taking too many days off. I never fell behind, but the fact of the matter is I received a few B's where inactuality they were easy A's. I would also say, do not let my social life distract me. I am a very social and endering person, which can at times be distracting, but I'm gotten my act together completely. I love my school and every aspect of college life. College is about time-management, friendships and discipline.

The advice I would give to parents and students about finding the right college and making the most of their college experience is that it takes time to really sit down and think about what is it that you really want out of your college life. It is important to know what kind of environment you want to form a part of, if you want to live at home and find a closer college, or if you want to go to a school that is farther away and life there. There are many factors that influence a college experience, but at the end it comes down to what the college student makes out of it. What you make out of it really affects everything, even your grades, that is why it is important to know what you want from the beginning, and once you find a school that meets those characteristics, then why not give it a shot?

First of all, visit all schools that you see as having the potential to be your designated college. By visiting schools, it becomes more clear what you do and do not want in a post-secondary school. Research the classes, majors, and requirements of schools. Try to find out extracurricular activites and clubs offered at schools, as well. By doing all of the above, you are better informed of what to expect from a school and it ensures you are getting what you want. Also, if possible, try to contact others who are attending the school. Most new college students don't know people when they get to a school so by contacting and talking with others it gives a chance to make friends even before arriving. This is hugely beneficial to developing a network and social life. For at least the first year of college, try to live on campus. By living on campus you meet many, many people and are involved and informed about all activities and events going on within and outside of the school. It is extremely important to communicate with all your professors as well when it comes to academics.

apply to some schools that you think you never would want to attend. some of them could end up being your favorite and you might have to pick one of them if your first choices dont work out.

One thing that is very important is to visit many schools. It is very helpful to know what your options are to be able to compare them. Also, don't be afriad to look out of state. That's what I did and it made for a much more exciting and interesting experience. This decision is different for everyone, so I would reccomend making a pros and cons list for each school you are looking at, and compare them to a list of things you consider important when choosing a school. Even if you know what school you'd like to attend, having two or three back-ups is always a good idea. Also, if you know what your major is going to be, it is a good idea to speak with someone from that department at each of your prospective schools to get an idea of what the program will be like. One of the most important things is to find a place where you will feel comfortable, another reason why visiting is a must! Don't be afraid of choosing a different school than your friends. In my opinion, it's a good idea! Good luck!

It's really important for students to have a concrete idea of what field they plan on pursuing in the future. If students have an idea of what type of career they plan on pursuing, it will be easier to make a outlook of their college experience. Having an idea of what you want to do in college is important too because it will also help you plan financial matters effectively as well. If possible, take pre requisites at a small college or somewhere where the tuition is cheaper so that way, you can save money for grad school. The worst thing you can do is go to a large university or private school without even knowing what you want to do in the future and take classes that end up not relating to the major you decide to take up. Because then you end up throwing away money. It's also important to be well disciplined in your studies. For students, your parents aren't paying thousands of dollars for you to party and drink. Study and do your work and you will be more likely to succeed.

College is an experience that can only really happen once or twice in life. Therefore choosing a school that is the perfect fit for the student is paramount. The process of college application is long and stressful, but during this time visiting several schools and making sure the student will enjoy their time at school, can often be overlooked. Once a school is chosen, studying and having fun will often conflict with each other, but it is important to find a healthy balance that will satisfy both the student's social needs, and satisfy the parent's desire for academic excellence. Once the perfect school is chosen and the student starts attending, there will be temptations. Resisting temptation isn't necessary. The student can have as much fun as they want, so long as that all of their work gets done and they are ready for exams. Parent's should take a step back and let their child learn to be an adult while at school, but should not be kept out of the college experience altogether. The student is the most important part of the family in terms of college, but everyone should get involved, and be proud.

One piece of advice that I would like to offer is that obsessing over and aiming to attend a certain school solely for the grandeur of its name and standing is not a favorable course of action. Not only may such schools become a draining financial burden, but it may not even be the school that best suits you. When choosing the right college, it is important to make sure it offers many opportunities to expand your knowledge and experience in your selected field of study, and these, on no account, exclude activities that never get credited on an official transcript. If you are unsure of your academic goals, it would be especially advantageous to seek out schools which provide courses of a variety of subjects. This way, you can easily explore and familiarize yourself with a plethora of topics while assessing them in possibly becoming your major, career goal, or a life?s ambition. At the same time, it allows you to immerse yourself in well-knit communities, which oftentimes lays the foundation for developing meaningful relationships, resulting in your college years being filled with the coveted gains of higher education and camaraderie.

It is important to attend a college that will offer both a high quality of education along with a social life. College is a memorable time in one's life and the decision should not be made lightly. In my opinion, sometimes it is worth to go to a college that has a good reputation but is more expensive, rather than going to a school that is cheaper and has a bad atmosphere. There are many aspects that should be considered when making a decision about the right college. The student has to feel that the school suits them and that they will be comfortable going there.

One should choose their college based on the interest of what that person wants to do for a career. For example, I knew coming out of high school that I wanted to do something in the medical field, most likely to become physician. In this case I wanted to stay home and attend the nearest university which was University of Illinois at Chicago. I knew that medical school would cost me a lot of money so I wanted to go to an undergraduate institution where the tuition was not that expensive. However, if I choose to do something in the business field I would have probably looked into various universities that offer a good business program. But one of the most vital steps to take when deciding what college to attend is to pray to God and ask for wisdom.

Do well in high school. It will make things easier and more prepared for picking the right college.

Finding the right college for a student is a tough one. Many things have to be thought of when submitting the acceptance letter in the school of your school that you will be attending their school. Population, academics, social life, housing, and location has to be thought of. The advice I would tell a student and/ or parent is choose the school you would like to be stuck at if you had to attend school forever! A student does not want to attend a school because it's their only choice or because their parents wanted them to. Choose the school you want to attend for the next four years of your life, your dream school. Make your dream a reality.

When finding the right college and making the most of your college experience, don't make any rash decisions. Take the time to apply to at least 3 schools for a good variety of schools. Know what size of school you want to attend, make sure you pick a location that you are comfortable with, and then visit the school and get the feel of the campus, and the vibe of the University/College. After being accepted to the University/College don't wait for the last minute to decide which school you would be attending. It is always good to take your time and think, but do it in a timely fashion. Apply for scholarships ahead of time and in a timely fashion as well to make sure that you get every oppurtunity to get money to attend the University that you want. Lastly, don't apply or attend a University or College just because your best friend or boyfriend/girlfriend is going there. You need to go to college to find yourself and experience life. You need to enjoy College too.

In finding the right college for students, they should look at more than a few aspects of the college itself. They should make a list of their top priorities that the school should have whether it be close to the city, financial aids from the school, a top school for their area of study, a nice welcoming campus, etc. They should visit the school and not settle for one college if it is not where you want to go. Part of the college experience is going to the college of your choice and making the best of it. After choosing the 'right' college, it is important to balance school work and social life, because if it is not balanced that works for the student, it could mean being more stressed about school or failing grades.

make sure to read up as much as you can.

First students should see if the college offers a great program for their major. Next they should consider the costs of attending their chosen college. As soon as they start school, students should get involve with social and academic clubs or groups on campus. Getting inolved on campus helps one to adjust to their new environment and meet new people with similar interests. Being involved helps the college experience more memorable and fun.

I believe the most important advise a parent or student can use to help them find a suitable school is researching what the curriculum is for that the specific college in the university. Whether it be engineering or LAS what i find most important is knowing how what time of classes you need to take in a timely basis so you can graduate on time. Understanding this will save you the parent tons of money and the student a lot less headaches.

I took a couple years off before I started school which really helped. I worked a wide range of part-time jobs that helped me figure out what I wanted to get out of school. Once I started school, I became extremely active with groups on campus which built my resume and set me up for great internships. The one regret I have is living off campus. Sometimes I felt seperate from my friends because they could go to bars in the area and not have to worry about driving home. I know I missed out on a few good relationships because of the distance. Campus housing is gorgeous at my campus too! Basically, dont let your classes get in the way of your education, and make the most out of your time on campus. Do not graduate with an empty resume- everyone applying for the same jobs as you has a degree- it's nothing to brag about. Volunteer, become a leader on campus, go for the tough internships, and work hard; then you will have no regrets.

when looking at schools you should keep mind if you can afford it and will this university make you a better person

dont be close minded about anything but at the same time know your boundaries

Make sure to select a college, where you feel the most comfortable. The more comfortable you are with the campus, the more likely you are to connect with the campus, and actually graduate with a degree.

I believe that in order to make your college experience the best, you need to interact with your professors. Do not become just another student to them, become their friend. In order to find the right college, you need to to do research. Do not follow your friends to the same school, you will not focus. Look into the living environment, money, how much aid will be offered and do they have your major (are they best known for your area of study?).

Above all else I would suggest that finding the right college is all about weighing any number of variables related to a school. In today's unique economic climate, one must be very honest when assessing whether or not the hefty pricetag on certain universities will actually pay off years down the road. Furthermore, a student looking at colleges and universities should be open to any number of schools that may not have originally been on their list. Often times, if a student asks around they'll find that schools they hadn't even considered have excellent programs in their desired field of study and may offer perks beyond those of the other universities. Beyond this, coming from a public, urban university I can speak to the importance of really being your own advocate when it comes to your education and overall experience. Although it ma be frustrating, often times it is necessary to ask the same question to several people in order to get the answer you need or to bog yourself down in bureaucracy if it means getting the most out of your time at the school. You have to work to make the most of your experience.

Do what is right for you. Not for your friends or your parents, but for you.

Definitely consider your options and look around until you find the school with the campus and programs that best fit your goals in life.

Parents shouldn't force their kids to go to a certain school if they obviously don't want to go there. Students should follow their heart and dreams instead of listening to their parents. You have to do what you want to do and that's the most important thing that should be considered when choosing the right college.

Parents and students should consider the school itself, as well as the opportunities it provides. Plenty of schools have a science major available, but the student needs to be comfortable with the setting and environment he/she will be learning and/or living in. In the same way, a lot of schools have a great social network or reputation as a fun, "party" school, but don't provide the major the student is looking for. Both of those things need to be a factor. Money should als be taken into consideration. These days it is very difficult to find grants or scholarships and schools are becoming more and more expensive. Parents and students should do all they can to figure the best possible payment plan because not doing so can cause serious regrets about ones education in the future. Students should aim to leave college with the smallest amount of loans possible in order to fully appreciate their experience. The most important thing to look for in schools, though, is the atmosphere. Are the students willing to learn and dedicated? If so, the environment around a new student will really encourage him/her to do their best work.

The best advice that I could give is to make sure you do your research when looking for a potential college or university. Do not look for schools that have popular names and reputation. Make sure that the school that you want to attend has the programs that you want to be in. Make sure the college has everything you need to succeed in the futre. After that is done, try to get involved and build new experiences.

Pick the school that best fits the students personality and needs.

visit the college before coming and weigh all of your options

College really isn't as big and scary as Iit seems. Make sure you pick a school that fits you, not just academically. It has to have flavor and fun besides drinking. If you like to have a social life but hate hangovers and if you enjoy cultural diversity you should probably look into a big city school. Don't let partying and socializing be the number one priority! I've seen smart engineers fail out of school because of partying. Don't let your social life take over your college life! As you go from freshman to senior, your classes will get harder and smaller, this is call weeding out the failures. Don't be one of those who get's weeded out. Actually study for your exams! This is not high school, your professors are not going to take stupid excuses. You're an legal adult now so you absolutely NEED to be responsible!

I would tell parents/students to research colleges in junior year of high school. Also visit the school to see what it would be like to go there. Go to the library or the common hangouts and see how students interact.

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