University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Top Questions

My advice to parents and students when searching for the right college would be to find what is it that you see yourself doing, make a plan or goal and commit to it. You will find the people to help you and whatever path you take, be sure to keep working towards your goal. Explore yourself and grow with every learning experience.

When looking for the right college for you or your son or daughter you will get the most honest opinions of the school by talking to students and faculty that attend the school in question. If you talk with them you will be able to get a sense of what to expect and you'll hear real life experiences that will allow you to have more to draw your own opinion from instead of just the statistics you'll read about it in books. To make the most of the college experience you need to have a well-maintained balance of academia and fun. Your work at school is very important, but so is having a social life. If all you do is study, you'll regret the fun that you missed out on during "the best years of your life." Enjoy every aspect of it because you have your whole life to work and only fours years to go to college.

I would tell them to make sure they knew all about the campus and school before going somewhere. It helps to visit the campus and talk to some students who attend it so that you can get a feel for what your college experience will actualy be like. Also, it is important to get involved while you're at school. Joining clubs or other groups outside of class is a great way to meet to people who will most likely have similar interests. Finally, I think it is exteremely important to go into college with an open mind. Don't be afraid to try new things and be up for anything. Keeping an open mind allows you to experience new things and possibly find out something about yourself that you never would have otherwise!

The main thing to consider is size; someone who is from private schooling could easily get lost in a large state school. Make sure you are comfortable with the size of the college you choose. For public school educated students who have an extensive social life, a large state school would probably be ideal due to the variety and options in social life. Distance from home is also a large factor; if you plan to go to a college that is relatively competitive, remember that you may get overwhelmed and want to return home on weekends; make sure this is an option. If you consider yourself an independent person, be very open in location; moving to a new part of the country could be quite exciting and an eye-opening experience. I strongly recommend going with a random roomate, as long as you feel you are pretty easy to live with. If you are going to school with a close friend, try to get in the same dormatory, but don't necessarily request them as a roomate. You may get so comfortable that you don't try as hard to branch out and get exposed to other lifestyles and cultures.

Don't be intimdated by size. Some schools may seem big and impersonal but are not. Talk to actual students for the real story on the university not tours or lectures. Find a school that will challenge you but also inspire you to do something to help leave your footprint on the world.

Make sure you talk to friends and family about what kind of atmosphere they think would suit you; you might not realize some things about yourself that others might be able to see. Ask older siblings or friends about their college experiences, and keep in mind their individual personalities while doing so. Consider how well you like your highschool atmosphere, whether it be a large or small school, and think about the size of college you might be able to handle. As far as distance from home, keep in mind that although it will be an amazing experience to go somewhere across the nation, traveling home will always be a hassle/not possible, and make sure you're ok with that. Once you're in school, if you aren't happy right away, give it time. My entire freshman year I wasn't happy and even considered transferring, but now that I'm a junior I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. However, if you are still unhappy well into your sophomore year, don't be afraid to look into switching schools; you don't want your college experience to be a regrettable one.

If the students have their mind set on a particular major, I would advise them to pick a college that not only offers that major, but others that they may have an interest in. I feel it is better to have the opportunity to completely explore your options, especially in those first few semesters of colleges. Taking time to explore, even if students think they are sure, is important because it can both help them to change their mind to a major that is a better fit, but also can let the student know that they have made the right choice. If the students do not have a chosen major, I would still advise them to go to a university rather than a community college, because the exploration opportunities at universities are so much better than at community colleges. In general, I would not heavily advise students to pick their college solely based on the social reputation it has. College is going to be what they make it. Whether students are into the night life or quiet and peaceful study sessions, they will find a scene and group that they fit into.

Make sure you visit the college campus before attending and explore all of your options before 'settling' for a school that you are not fully sure about or that other people want you to go to. Make the decision for yourself and be firm and consice in your feelings. In addition, it is very important to make new, life long friends and to create new experiences. Be open-minded about people, ideals, and activites. You do not want any regrets. Your main focus should be getting your education. There will always be another party and that cute guy will be at the bar again next week, believe me. You only get one shot to take this exam and to ace this quiz. The points definitley add up at the end of the semester. Make smart choices and make the college experience one that you will never forget. Appreciate it because there are so many people who don't even get a chance to attend college and you have the opportunity and privilege to do so. Believe in yourself and find your calling. Anything is possible and if you want something bad enough, you will get it.

The most important thing to finding the right college is to visit the campus. A school can have the best credentials, but you may not feel good on the campus. How you feel at school and on campus is a large factor in how well you succeed in school. To make the most out of your college experience, get involved with as many activities as you can in the first weeks of your freshman year. Anything that sticks out to you, sign up. Once you learn more about the groups you will be able to drop some of them, but it is very important to dip your finger into as many activites and groups as possible.

The most important thing one could do when searching for what college to attend is to find something that seems like it will be a good fit. Think deeply about what you want to do in life, and about a couple of back-up plans so that should you change your mind on career path, the school you choose will still fulfill your needs. Analyze the students likes, dislikes, and preferences when making the decision on what schools to attend. As far as making the most of the experience, be sure to be involved in as many activities and organizations as possible. Try new things and to see what is out there and what is/isn't for you. If you are adventurous, study abroad; if not, join organizations on campus that you enjoy doing. Volunteer on and off of campus. Do everything you can while you can do it because you won't have the same opportunities after graduation.

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Find the school that well give you the best job choices

Make sure to visit the college and talk to the people who go there. Get a feel for it before you decide. Also, get involved! there are so many things to do and you meet so many interesting people!

In my personal opinion, picking the right college is not as important as what you do in the college you end up going to. I have known plenty of friends who did not get in the colleges of their choice and grudgingly went to their 2nd or 3rd choice schools. However, it wasn't long before they fell in love with where they ended up. College is an experience, and experiences are what you make of it.

Students should discuss the most important aspects of what they are looking for in a college with their parents, and come to an agreement on a school based on tuition, location, and acedemic choices that the school offers as a family. Try to find a school that fits your personality, and one that has an environment where you will feel comfortable. Visit diferent schools and get tours of each campus. Take notes on what you like and dislike about each school, and compare them. Once you've picked a school, make sure to get involved right away; its the best way to make friends and connect to the campus, and it will make the new college world a little bit smaller. Find something in addition to your classes or a job that you enjoy doing, because it will help balance out all of the school work. Keep an open mind because there are people from many different backgrounds that you will meet, and there is always an opportunity to learn something new. Never be afraid to try new things, that's what college is all about.

Make sure you visit the college and really know what you are getting yourself into. Talk about whether you think you would be better at a large school with around 40,000 or 50,000 students, or if a small private school is the best choice. If you know someone who attends a school you are interested in, see if they will give you a tour as well as a planned one, because you will get a real view of the university, the good and bad aspects, instead of only the good parts. Find friends and study hard, because I know from experience that it is much harder when you get into college than it is in high school, and you don't always expect it. If you are close to your family and think it is going to be hard to leave them, go somewhere close so you can go home. Go to a school that has aspects you like and that will help you in the future. Don't be persuaded to go somewhere you don't want just because someone else is going there, or because a parent wants it a certain way.

Finding the right college depends on your student and what they want to do. Parents- if your kids want to go somewhere for college, let them research it and figure out where they want to be. If they know exactly what they want to do, they should go to the best school for it- find grants, loans, or financial aid. If they do not know what to do, send them to a larger school, like U of I Champaign- Urbana, where it is easy to explore many fields without having to switch universities completely. This way, they can keep all the friends they have made, while still being able to be in the career path they now know they want.

Just tell them the easiest way to suceed is to go to class!

Do your research. And be honest with yourself. Don't go to a fantastic engineering college for the prestiege of an engineering degree from it if you really love English. I speak from experiance. Think carefully and do what you really want. This is the rest of your life, and in my opionion, it is more important to be happy than rich. But remember that no matter what you do, you can always change your mind. Changing majors is not that big of a deal, and it is always worth it if it makes you happier.

When selecting the right college I feel that students should first consult with their parents on what is feasible for their family's situation, and then run with the possibilities. Don't let money or distance be your biggest obsticle or the decision maker. Try to visit as many campuses as possible and pick the one you can picture yourself happily running about...for the next 4 years. For once in your life take a chance and maybe not go with the easy and comfortable choice, and remember that no matter who you are today or where you just came from, you can do whatever you want tomorrow and can be whoever you want to be. College is a place to learn, develop, and finally start transforming into your more brilliant and somewhat taller future self. Take risks, try new things, be yourself, and also don't be afraid of a little change. Most of all, hang on to the memories you've made because it is not just the education you will take with you when you leave, but also the friendships and crazy experiences you obtain along the way.

You'll know when a college fits you. Make sure you visit campus and really get a feel for it. Try and imagine living there in all seasons! As for making the most of the college experience, enjoy everything. College flies by so quickly so emerse yourself in things and remember them. College can be fun but you have to work hard too!

I would tell parents and students to visit the schools before deciding. Not only visit but try to attend some of the classes and come for a visit when classes are in session just to get a feel for what the university has to offer. Also, dont get discouraged by a large campus because it gets so much smaller once you get there and meet people.

College is an exciting time for young adults to use their talents to develop into an adult and fully expand on their abilities. A prospective student should always choose a school for himself or herself, no matter who is persuading him or her otherwise. He or she will be spending 4 years of his or her life at this place and it should be a time for enjoyment as well as academic achievement. First or all, choose the college that will create the most opportunities for the student?s future, since scholarship is ultimately the reason for college. Look at regional and national rankings in your program as well as where recent graduates have gone on to work. After narrowing the selection, look for opportunities that strike the student as entertaining. Find schools that have a large range of activities to perform, including both those that the student enjoys and that sound intriguing. On a visit to the campus, make sure it fits the current and future situation. Is there proper public transportation? Affordable on-campus residences? And most importantly, answer whether or not the student will be happy and enjoy the best times of his or her life.

Prepare in high school as much as you can academically.

In order to pick the right college, make sure that the student is sure what size school he/she wants. If a school is too big for a specific person, they will feel lost and unimportant. If a school is too small, they may feel like they have too much competition and pressure to succeed and to "beat out" the other students. In terms of money, make sure that you apply for financial aid if you are planning on sending your student/going to a school that is more expensive than you think you can afford. Money should never stop someone from getting a quality education. Once at college, GO OUT AND MAKE FRIENDS!!!

I would sy that students need to take their first year and even just their first semester seriously. So many students get excited to finally be on their own and their grades reflect it during their first year. I would suggest taking a year off before starting college if you are feeling burnt out on school. It will help you to learn more and try harder once you choose to go.

Visit all of the schools who are thinking about attending. Envision actually living on campus and what it might be like calling that school home. Make sure they offer enough activities to become involved in. Look for schools that encourage and help fund student run organizations. Take into consideration the variety of curriculum offered. Make sure they provide alternatives to your chosen degree program. Most importantly, look for a place where you feel at home.

I believe the most important thing to do when looking for a college is to visit each and every place your plan on applying to. The place you choose wil be the place you live for the next four, or more, years, and it is important that you feel comfortable in the setting you choose. Also, it's ok to not know exactly what you want to study when you first enter college. The greatest thing about college is that there are classes available in almost every subject, and being able to take different and interesting courses will help you the most in choosing your focus. And for parents, just support your children with lots of encouragement. Go on visits with them, and offer your opinions and concerns, but also remember that this is a scary time for your children, and the most important thing you can provide for them is enthusiasm in the choices the make. By visiting with parents and keeping an open mind, I believe that anyone can find a place they can call their new home.

Find a community you want to be a part of before you go to college. I choose a sport and artistic community that I thought would be friendly and benificial to my time at school. Being a part of those communities gave me the support I needed to get through classes and survive the hardest college experience, GRADUATION!

Become involved early in your college career by choosing any group or activity that aligns with your interests. Finding friends and building a resume is all about investing time. Although it may be difficult to know your ultimate attitudes and beliefs early in college, align yourself with people that will support your success. Those that become your friends will determine your housing, academic and social experiences so try to be intentional early in college.

First, I would advise parents and students to consider their expectations and concerns of their future collegiate institution. These may include and are not limited to size, finances, social life, extra-curriculars, ranking, etc. Whatever these may be should play a large role in the selection process. From there, I would advise visiting all the colleges that meet these intial expectations. On these visits, come prepared with questions because they may not be tailored to each individual. If you already know your major, it would also be extremely helpful to visit the specific department to determine if it also meets your needs. It would be beneficial to meet with faculty members and current students to aid in the decision making process. Considering all of these factors before making a final decision will maximize an individual's college experience. You should ask yourself, "Do I see myself on this campus?" This question would apply to all the aspects of academia and campus life. Although this is an extremely important decision, ultimately every experience is what you make of it.

As a student, it is important to find a college that you feel the most comfortable at and that you feel you will have the most opportunities to become successful in life. You can not be afraid to get involved in different organizations because this is a time when you can explore different paths and further discover what you like and dislike. It is like trying on a pair shoes; they come in varying shapes and sizes, but if the shoes are not comfortable, they can amount to a very agonizing experience. So just like a pair of shoes, it has to be the right fit in order to enjoy walking through the next four years of your life. As a parent, no matter how badly you may want them to attend your alma mater or a university closer to home, it is critical that you support your children in their decision. This is a stepping stone in your children?s life in becoming adults, and the only way they can soar is by letting them go. Do not forget, it is not about your children chasing your dream, but them following their dreams and building their own future.

Visit the school without your parents for a weekend. If you like it come back with your parents to take official tours.

Really go look at the school you are thinking about attending. Go visit it, take a tour of it, visit a few classes, etc. This way you can REALLY get a feel for what the college is like, and how the teachers treat their students, how students get a long on campus, etc. A school can look really good in books and pictures, but until you really get an experience for it, you may be getting something other then what you bargained for. Also, dont just pick a college based on academics; for you won't survive if you do! Make sure there are other events, clubs and activities you're interested in as well, because as important as it is to study, its also important to have some fun as well! So go out there and get involved, make friends, and make the most of your college experience... you only get it once!

Finding the right college can be really intimidating, especially at the beginning when you have a whole world of options. Looking through schools based on dozens of factors, such as size, location, quality of programs, diversity, and cost, can only make the process more overwhelming. I would suggest choosing just a few aspects that are the most important to you--for example, location, quality of the program, and diversity--and ranking schools based on only those factors. It will make the process less overwhelming. Also, the best advice I can give is to visit your options! The school you attend school "feel" like home. Most of the people I've talked to have made their decisions based on visiting their options and feeling more at home at one school than another. To make the most of your college experience, my best advice would be to get involved in groups/organizations as soon as you can. Especially at a larger school, that's where you'll find people with similar interests. Those groups are where you'll meet your cloests friends. Also, in the first week, introduce yourself to the people in your dorm. Everyone else is looking for friends, too.

Go to the school for the academics, because you will find friends and fun wherever you go.

visit and talk to sudents. studnets are the best resource. conselors can only tell you so much, and they will not always be truthful about the nvironment

Choose the school that feels right in your gut.

The best advice I can give to parents about finding the right college for they're children is to listen to them, and take into account their interests and needs. It can be very stressful for students to find a school to attend. Parents should be patient with their kids. For students, finding the right college for them can be one of the most difficult things they've ever had to do. In order to find the right college, I recommend thinking about what a student would like in their college. Deciding whether a small or large college is best is a great way to start. After deciding what kind of college to go to, visit several campuses. Get a feel for the type of students that go there. Take a tour of campus, but also walk around for a bit on your own. Sit in on a lecture. Hopefully one of these campuses will just feel 'right'. It also may be helpful to talk to people who have already graduated from high school, and find out if they are happy where they attend college. I am very happy in college, and I think everyone deserves to be.

Honestly, you won't know where the right place to go will be. The trick is in finding for yourself the commitment to adapt to your new environment., meet new people and try to find some organiztion of club to be a part of. After a couple weeks, being on camus will feel more like a home that home did. Remember, focus on your classes, stay positive, and enjoy the next four years of your life.

Don't judge a college by its size or its reputation - judge the college by how you feel when you are visiting the campus. Initially I did not want to go to U of I because I heard the school was too big, but when we visited campus, I sat on the steps of the union overlooking the quad, and it just felt right. Also, scholarships are out there, you just need to look in the right places! To make the most of your college experience, join clubs and intramural sports teams! Dorms are an excellent place to meet new people and do new things - I went on a snowboarding trip my freshman year and it was so much fun! Plus I got to meet people in my building. Don't be afraid to talk to people in your classes - it is a great way to meet new people and form study/homework groups. At college, you are truly free to create your own identity and be who you want to be. It is a great time to learn how to live on your own and to mold yourself into whoever and whatever you want to be!

It is hard. It is frustrating. It takes a lot of time. Finding a college for you or your child is very tedious. But also it is the most exciting decision a young adult has the opportunity to make. Parents and children may disagree a lot in the process, but one thing both parties can agree upon is that college is costly. The expenses are intimidating and at times over whelming. I was completely indecisive when choosing my college path. Of course everyone dreams of jetting of to Hawaii, or Colorado, but realistically money does play a large factor. My in state school is a prestigious institution which not only am I proud of to attend, but happy the loans are as minimal as possible. But putting the tuition payments and students loans aside, these four years of a person?s life are a pedestal for their future. College is a place where a person can find who they truly are, what they like to do, and what makes them sincerely happy. College is time where a person can strive academically, grow socially, and find oneself emotionally. Choose wisely, choose carefully, and choose with your heart.

Don't look to much about the rankings. It's about how your student feels at the university. Whether or not it truly is about them. Let them fulfill their dreams and ambitions rather than what you want them to do. I find this produces more successful people... not necessarily in monetary terms but overall wellbeing.

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Every student has their own set of interests and talents. Though it isn't necessary to have pinpointed those talents and interests that will get the student a job, it is a good idea to know what those are and know which colleges take those interests and talents to heart and know how to turn those into jobs the student can enjoy in the future. Once the right college(s) has/have been found for the student and once they have moved there, it's important for the student to have time management skills most of all. Without knowing the true definition of procrastination, which I consider to be... Changing one's priorities from the most important thing to do to something else when there is no valid reason powerful enough to justify such a switch. ...the student will tend not to do homework to the best of his or her ability and/or ruin his or her social life by procrastinating to the point of NEEDING to do homework at a certain time when their friends coincidentally ask, "Hey, you wanna go out tonight?" If the student can handle that, he or she will do fine!

I truly advise parents to take the opportunity to make college visits. I know the idea of college visits has dwindled over time, but the value and understanding of how the college operates is important. I personally would have enjoyed it more if I knew my options and would have preferred to attend college on the west coast. Secondly, I advise parents to take some consideration and interest in what classes their kids are taking. If parents can see that their kid has a semester's worth of AP credits or other credits entering freshmen year, they should be aware that their kid can possibly graduate early and if they are not, then there must be some explanation.

Choosing the right college is a decision that brings about a huge amount of stress and uncertainty to prospective students every year. Speaking as a student who now has experience in college I can say that resolution to such a predicament isn't truly that difficult. It all resides on what you as a student truly want out of life after high school. Do you prefer a campus environment in which the student population is condensed and class sizes are small enough to grant greater professor to student interaction? Do you prefer one that emphasizes a large sense of community in which their exists an enormous amount of volunteering, social, philanthropic, and academic possibilities. When you really get down to analyzing things, however, the real problem lies not necessarily in the campus, the professors, or the classes offered, but in what you as an individual set yourself to achieve. The trick is to know what you want and go for it , to set an agenda and stick to it, and to be confident and assertive in whatever you choose to do. Don't let the campus define you, define yourself for your campus and the experience will be revolutionary.

My advice would be first for the student to think about what is best for them. Don't choose a school for a best friend, boyfriend/girlfriend, or alumni parents. Second, visit as many schools as you can so you can see what you like, dislike, or where you are most comfortable. I felt closed-in on a small campus, but I didn't know that until I visited one. Another thing to consider is what school has the best program for what you want to study. To make the most out of your college experience, always be thinking about living for the moment and to have fun. (Without getting in trouble). You will never get these 4 years of undergraduate school again. Make new friends, go out on a weeknight, gain the freshman 15 , and take as many interesting classes the school has to offer!

Find your child's best learning style, don't worry about size, your child will make the campus metaphorically small or large with the friends they make.

There's really only one way to tell what school is right for you. It's something that you'll know, a place where you will feel comfortable. I remember walking onto campus of the school I attend and picturing myself walking to classes or making friends there. To find the right college, you just need to let yourself decide. You'll know when you're on that campus and it feels right. As for making the most of the experience once you're there, the same idea can apply. Open yourself up to EVERYTHING and see where you end up. Try joining some clubs, rush a sorority/fraternity, make friends in class, and just be open minded. You can always find something that fits you at a college campus, and to do so, all you need to do is let yourself.