University of Iowa Top Questions

When beginning the search for the ideal university, it is important to recognize that there isn't one. Every school has its flaws; the true value of your education comes from what you yourself put into it. Regardless of where you go to school you need to make the conscious effort to be outgoing and adventurous. Almost any school will provide a great experience. But if you are looking for the most beneficial experience, I recommend a simple university-gauging tool? I advise making a list of all of the amenities and programs you imagine your perfect school to have. Bring this list with you as you visit the schools you are interested in. Keep track of the pros and cons, as well as your overall impression of the environment; after all, this will become your new home! When I chose the University of Iowa, I simply asked myself if it met my criteria, and then very simply, "Can I see myself living here?" The answer was an enthusiastic yes and I have been very happy with my college experience.

Finding the right college is a very personal choice. The backgrounds and demographics of college students across the country vary immensely. You have to make the choice for yourself based on your situation. Academics, extracurricular activities, cost, location, and size are just a few of the many things to take into consideration when choosing a school that is right for you. Make sure to establish what you hope to gain from your college experience before making your choice. Once you are in college, don't be afraid to get involved. Try new things. College is an experience you'll only get once. Take academics seriously, afterall, that is what you're in school for. However, remember to pursue the things you enjoy. They will enchance your experience and give you an outlet when schoolwork stress sets in, because it will. Plus, those are the things you'll remember. Build new relationships. College is a place to start over and reinvent yourself if you choose. Just don't forget the things you've already learned and where you came from. Having a solid foundation, as well as a positive outlook for the future are the main keys for success in college.

Choosing a college is one of the biggest choices you will make in life. It is ok to be scared, but do not let those feelings get in the way of your future. Also, make sure to visit the school of your choice before you enroll in it becasue you are going to be spending 4 or more years of your life there and you do not want to have a horrible suprised if you end up not liking the atmosphere. Finally, do what feels most right, do not make your choice based on your friends decisions or your boyfriend or girlfriends decisions. If those people are your true friends they will remain true to you no matter how far you are from them. You will meet new people wherever you go and they will be your best friends for the rest of your life. Finally, shoot for the stars!

Be as sure as you can when entering college so you can best cater to your needs. Say you know you want to go into agriculture, choose a school that has an engaging program. Also, visit the campus determine if the surroundings and the community are what you want to live with for four or more years. Getting good ideas on how to jumpstart a career from advisors or professors is pretty key.

Don't be too uptight about the college you go to. Just make sure that the college has the program(s) you're interested in, has a decent looking campus, and is affordable. There's no reason to really obsess over a colleges ranking. Remember, college is as much about growing soccially and personally as it is academically. Enjoy your four years and do something you are interested in doing.

Sometimes what you want out of a college as you finish high school is not always what you need. Take the time to seriously consider what your needs are as a student going into a more specialized phase of your education. We may want a school that is very narrowly focused on our area of study, but what we actually need is a liberal arts education that will make us into more well-rounded people that are better able to function in our chosen careers. Or we may want a school with no distractions to focus on our work, but what we need is a college with a thriving social system to help us develop personal relationships. Wants and needs can get easily mixed up in the commotion of choosing and applying to schools. Keeping your needs in mind will help to make your choices simpler and clearer.

To find the right college it's very important to apply to a variety of different colleges and actually visit the campus, touring, and perhaps even sitting in on classes and meeting with students, before making a decision on where to attend.

Even if you don't want to do it, do it, because it always works out in the end.

Looking back on my experience in college, my advice is to seek out a college that have faculty who care and are invested in assisting you with your future endeavors. When visiting a college, or speaking to current students there, ask or look into the statistics in regard to the placement of students after college and what assistance is offered to students graduating. Also, look for a school that is diverse and offers a wide range of curricula. These aspects will better help a student explore their interests and hone an array of skills, while diversity enables a student to better appreciate and understand those around her which will yield a more competent and successful future professional. Also, pay close attention to how accomodating the institution will be in regard to financial assistance and scholarships because this may limit your future endeavors, especially if you consider graduate school. Finally, choose a school that offers a wide range of activities to pursue to embellish your college experience, and also an area that yields many businesses eager to take on student interns because an internship can be one of the most crucial ways that a student realizes what career pathway to take.

Do your research, prepare and plan ahead.

My best advice is to go on campus tours. This way you get a good feel for the school and see the student interaction and school life. To make the most out of college be open to trying new things, study hard, be friendly and be yourself.

When finding the right college that will suit parents or your son or daughter, you have to think long and hard about your core values and what means most to you. Once you have figured that out, your process in finding the right school for you will be easier and more rewarding. To make the most out of your college experience, go into it with an open mind and a fresh outlook on where you are. The most rewarding part of coming to a new school, is meeting all the new people who will soon become lifelong friends. Walking into a new situation with an open mind will not only get you friends but with those friends you will see new sides to the school that might have been hidden before. The best thing to do in a new school is go into what ever comes your way with an open mind and a smile.

Look for a school which will aloow you to explore who you are and what kinds of academic or other goals you may want to pursue in the future, rather than one which will streamline your experience too soon. Average undergraduates change their majors an average of 6 times, I believe, and it is vitally important to let yourself explore what is out there before you commit yourself to one path.

When looking at colleges do not be worried about how much it costs to go to a certain college because this is an important part of ones development, which you can not put a price tag on. So, take as many college visits as you can and pick the college that is right for your son or daughter or you as a student. Once the college is picked, try to get as involved as you can. Whatever you feel passionate about or just want to try, go for it! You only get four years to find yourself and do what you want to do!

Yes, it is hard. If it were not such a challenge, everyone would do it. This is where the elite of specialties are born. Yes, it isi competitive, it is after all the real world. Yes, there is a lot of work to be done in order to obtain A's, but it is worth it.

Some people think that within the Big 10 schools, every campus is basically the same. I cannot disagree more. Each campus within the Big 10 is completely different from the next one, so take the time to visit each one. Don't assume you're paying more or less for the same thing, each campus is a different size, different feel, and has different people. I have two older sisters who have gone to different Big 10 schools than I, and we have each had very different experiences. Also, distinguish between the type of campus you want (small or big college town, city, coastal, midwest) because the setting of you college has an enormous impact on your college experience.

Use all of the resources available in order to weigh in options for the best college. Talk to high school counselors, university admisisons, look at the schools website, try websites like the College Board, read books about different colleges. Once you choose a school, be open to anything and be sure to get involved.

Definitly go on as many college visits as possible. If there is a college that you or your child is interested in, check it out! You have nothing to lose just looking. I know when I stepped foot on the University of Iowa's campus, I knew it was perfect for me. Touring campus is most definitly a good indicator on wheter or not the college student will like the campus along with research on what the school is known for. Finding campus activities that the student enjoys such as programs like broadcasting, music, and clubs of the students interests, can attract a student to a college. My best advice is to go where you feel at home on campus and in the community. It is much easier to be yourself and get involved with many other activities that will only make you grow as a person.

Choose a college you believe you'll thrive at, regardless of cost. There are plenty of scholarships and financial aid available. My mom always tells me that "ninety percenty of life is just showing up". It is VERY important to attend all your classes and take lots of notes! Do NOT procrastinate and never give up! Study! Study! Study! Get involved in the community and extra-curriculars and try to volunteer if your schedule allows.

Pick what looks right for you in terms of education and not on other factors such as socialization.

When looking for a college, its important to choose one that has more than just 1 major that is imporant to you. You are very likely to change your mind at least once about your major! Its good to consider how comfortable you will be if you have to live far away from home. Don't choose a school that is on the other side of the USA if you can't stand being that far from you family for a semester at a time! You should keep your own personality type in mind too, because some people are suited to a huge, busy school, and others cant handle a small school. Remember that while tuition doesnt always determine the quality of the school, but it can make a different in student amneties.

VISIT!! This is the most important part, the campus may be much different than appears online or in catalogs and the people may not be at all who you expect. Visiting also allows for you to take advantage of viewing the social life on campus to determine if that fits what you want while at school. All of the departments that are important can be visited and pros and cons based on your preferences can be weighed based on personal feelings. It is much better to know what to expect before you agree than afterwords and find out that the school does not fit your life.

stay focused

In order to find the right college, students should know what (s)he wants in their college experience. If they want to meet lots of people, a bigger school is more appropriate. If they want more interaction with their professors/TAs, a smaller school is more beneficial. Everyone's needs is different. College visits are important. If you're planning on being at a school for about 4 years, you have to like the campus because that's where you will be walking, traveling, meeting people all with in those years. In addition to that, talk to the school's current students. Ask them a questions how their transition to their first year of college was, how they like their classes, what's the most challenging part, etc. The universities always do an excellent job enhancing student's college experience. There are always a varierty of groups one can join & these groups always provide something fun. A good college experience would include, doing well in school (this is done by going to class consistantly & doing the work), meeting people (especially in the dorms), & trying new things that you normally wouldn't have the opportunity to do back at home.

Apply everywhere! You never know what kind of financial aid you may recieve.

Finding the right college really depends on the prospective students' taste. If they want to be some where big then they should go to a bigger school, otherwise they should try and find a small one. Whatever it is that they choose they are going to have many opportunities t make the most of thier college experience. There will be clubs, athletics, or many different social events that the students will be able to get involved in. No matter what they do decide to do, they need to remember that they are there for their academics and their school work should always come first.

Make sure to do a thorough campus visit lasting at least a couple of days. Meet students, find out how to get involved and meet people on campus. Find some sort of support group through dorm meetings, campus meetings and clubs. Don't get lost and spend 4 years feeling alone.

The "right" college can mean different things for different students. I chose the University of Iowa for is medical program, particularly it's physician's assistant program, ranked #1 in the country. Iowa is also a Big Ten school which is great if you love the college football atmosphere. In choosing the right college you should consider class sizes, sports, academic programs, distance from home, among other factors that you consider important.

Make sure the college fits you the best way it can. Even if there's a school that you like that doesn't have the greatest representation of your major, don't go there. Make sure you go to a University that caters to your needs academically. Be sure to challenge yourself as much as possible, you'll get more out of it that way. Also, join organizations, clubs, etc. and make the most out of living in the dorms while you live there. That's where you'll find friends for the remainder of college and sometimes even life. Be sure you participate in school-sponsored events as they are usually really good will help enhance your experience. Get involved in some sort of Intramural sport. Even if you're not that great, it's a blast!! Just make sure you choose the school that's right for you!

Make sure you're comfortable with the surrounding areas. If you want to be close to family, do it. If not, get away and make a new start....just don't lose yourself.

College is an experience for the student, so parents should support their child in whatever decision they make when it comes to college. As far as making the right choice for a future college student, make sure that you visit the colleges you are interested in, and some that you may not be as interested in. Make sure you ask a lot of questions, get to know some people on the campus, and do some research on your own about what the school is known for. After collecting all of that information, your decision should be made based on the campus that you feel the most at home at. You don't want to spend the first semester of college hating the school you are attending, just to transfer at the end of that first semester.

Don't put too much weight on what magazines and review guides necessarily say about the college as far as academic excellence, and don't concern yourself at all with going to a "prestigious" school. Make sure that the place that you decide to attend is somewhere that can offer you the classes you want to take and the degree you want to pursue while putting a lot of importance on whether or not you can see yourself being happy in the city in which the college or university is located.

Visit the college's you are looking into first before you make a final decision. Sit in on a class and walk around campus. See a dorm room.

Don't just go on a college visit during the day and take a tour. To get the full experience go visit for a weekend, and maybe go to an athletic event to see the student life. Also, if you know somebody that attends that college, stay with them for a night or two to really see what it's like to go to that particular school. You need to make sure that you'll not only be happy with the curricular side of the college, but especially the extra-curricular aspect. You're going to be at this school for 4+ years and you're going to want to make sure it's the right fit for you.

Have fun, but stay focused. Get good grades and more importantly get to know your professors. They have a lot of life knowledge and can answer many of your questions.

Make sure you have fun at college, but more importantly start your freshman year off right and maintain a good GPA.

For the college experience to happen in a great way, there has to be a happy medium between the parents and student. It is hard to find a college that the student will enjoy and the parents will also enjoy paying for! The college process is a difficult task but once everyone finds the school they will enjoy the most, it is easy from there. Always apply for scholarships and always try your best in school and life will take you from there!

Look for a college that fits you perfectly. The location, how big the school is. How difficult and competitive it is. The cost. The schools willingness to help you with anything you need. Whether it is a louder school known to party or a quieter school. The resources that can be obtained around the campus.

Take a look at everything

In high school, it is hard to know what your passion is, or what you want your major to be in college. So, when choosing your college, you should go to one that would offer an array of different courses and a campus that is in the right location and environment that you would feel most comfortable with. It is always smart to visit an array of college campuses, and speaking with an academic advisor, or with a student that is already attending that college whom could give you advice about what to expect from that university. Also, speaking with your high school advisor, whom knows your academic capabilities and understands what things you like/dislike could help you target specific schools that are right for you. By speaking with your high school advisor senior year, as well as a college counselor and someone that is an upper classmen at the college(s) you are looking at, you will get a better understanding as to what the college has to offer you, or what to expect. This will help you determine the college of your choice, as well as a way to gain advice on the college life.

My advice would be just to be open. Don't pick schools just because you can identify with its religious or political affiliations. Have an idea of what you are interested in, and be informed about what that school has to offer in that area. Apply for as many scholarships as you can, its worth it. Once in college, don't necessarily drop your old friends, but be sure to make new ones. Study what interests you, that way when things get tough in that class, you still have a reason to stick with it. Participate in activities that your closest friends don't. Form study groups. Ask questions. Have fun, but keep in mind that college is first and foremost an educational experience.

Have fun.

I would let parents and students know that learning how to be an adult is just as important as the coursework. Balancing social and academic life is very important.

For students I would say to get involved and don't be afraid to be who you really are.

When looking for the right college it all comes down to what to want to get out of the experience. Some essential questions: Can you picture yourself there? Do you want to be close to/ far from home? Do you want it to be a small/big community? Does it include degrees that you are interested in? My advice would be to get involved! There are so many opportunities to make friends and it will all look great on your resume?. Someone wrote in my highschool year book to spend all of my money on education and travel becuase those are the two things that no one can take from you. This is the best advice I have ever recieved. Following this advice has made me grow into a responsible adult that is well rounded in academics and knowledgable of several cultures and languages. I was able to travel to both Australia and Europe through school related programs. Travelling as a student is much cheaper, and a great way to get to know yourself, as well as other people around the world!

Take everything into consideration including the quality of education, distance from home, and the campus. Definitely live in the dorms your first year, because it is a great way to meet people. The main thing to always remember is you are at school to learn. Do not let your grades fall because you are going out to much.

Don't just listen to the tour guides when visiting potential schools, try to talk to students who don't have an interest in selling the university to you. Go on more than one visit to the school, at different times of year to get a feel for the weather. If you need to find employment don't wait till after classes start, try applying at least a few weeks before. Don't pick your school based on its sports teams.

There are multiple topics that should be found out about each college the student and/or parent is interested in, like the diversity, class size, the majors and minors offered, and many more. The student and parent should visit the campus to find out more first hand on the campus environment and the on campus information. Find out about the activities that the student would like to be involved in and how difficult it is to get involved. Also find out about the major that the student was to pursue in. See if the major is offered there firstly. Then find out more about the college and the admissions requirements. See how competitive the college is to get into the program and if the student is motivated enough to attain those requirements. Lastly, don't be afraid to ask around to other students attending there about what they think of the campus. See what their reactions are and get involved on the first time your at the campus and see if it is the place you would like.

Research, research, research. Talk to more people that attend the school than JUST the person that gives you the tour or that work in an informational center. It's their job to convince you that the school is amazing. Sit down and make a list of what you really want out of a school and focus on that. You spend 4 years there, so don't compromise.

In order to find the right college for you, you must look deeper than the appearance of the college campus and its surroundings. Go to a lecture in progress. Is it the right size for you? Does the professor seem interested in what he/she is teaching? Find the right college is a hard decision to make, but students and parents have to consider everything the college has to offer. Pick a college that offers things that you like including sports, volunteer experiences and extra culicular activites. When I chose my college I looked at the price, the location and the social life. I did not pay attention to how large the classes were and how many bars were surrounding the campus. When you attend a college that is based on drinking it is hard to focus on your school work instead of your social life. College is supposed to be the time of your life, but you are supposed to learn things such as course work, how to make friends, and learn about people that are different than you. Chose a college where you feel comfortable being you!