University of Kansas Top Questions

Go to the college that you are most comfortable with becuase most likley it will be the one for you.

To the Parents: KU is so diverse in cultures and activities that your newly graduated high school student is sure to fall into something that he or she will love for ever, and will make friends for a life time. Without knowing it, there could be somebody else just like your student that is far away from home and loves basketball just the same. There is always someone willing to help, listen, or hang out with. I have never heard of a KU student that has left here without friends. To the Students: It can be very overwhelming to go here. I went to a smaller university for the first 2 years of my college career before coming here. I am very glad I did because it made me able to experience college life, but not as intense. When I transfered from my smaller school to KU, I was so glad my parents talked me into starting small, because I could get my feet wet with the first school, as opposed to jumping straight in, and possibly drowing here at KU. I'm not saying it's bad to start big, but just be careful.

Start early and just look around. Dont set limits for what you can be, where you can get accepted, or what you can afford. Just start by looking at everything. Visit your top five schools. Find the place that feels like home and then start doing the math. You can go to your dream school. It may take a lot of scholarship applications, lots of financial aid, and a lot of planning. If you start early, anything is possible. So dream big and make them come true!

Each person is different. Each school is different. Choosing the right school can be an extremely difficult process, but one should keep in mind that it is not just the individual's wants and needs, not just the school's resources and reputation, but it is the INTERACTION between these variables that makes all the difference. Some students, and many parents, focus on choosing a specific major, career, or even a single JOB to be "won" after college, but this should not be the main issue in finding a truly great fit for a student. Visiting several campuses, exploring different regions, and, MOST IMPORTANTLY, speaking not only with administrators and advisers- but with current students and even established professors, makes it so much easier to target exactly what a student really wants, what she needs, and what resources she has at her disposal. Once a student (and her parents) realize these important aspects of the enduring process, the last step is to find the school that brings all of these things together into a cohesive whole. Overall, the best advice is to simply highlight those priceless individual differences in each student and match them with an equally unique environment.

Follow your heart and pick the school that you think best fits your needs. Don't worry about where everyone thinks you should go, its the next four years of your life, pick where you want and where you feel most comfortable. Once you get in school, don't rush it, it's the best four years of your life!

To parents- Let your kids make the decision and whatever it takes to get them there, make it happen for them. To kids- Have fun in college, but don't have too much fun where it ends quick and then your like my buddy Tom that works 50 hours at the Steak and Shake by the highway only talking about how much fun he USED to have.

Students need to know they have to study hard but they can still have a social life. Get involved with as many orginazaions as possible to help on your resume. Enjoy life to its fullest on and off campus.

my advice for finding the right college is, first of all, study hard in High school, take ap classes to get a good GPA, and make sure you start praticing all the ACT and SAT tests, Because most of the best colleges will accept you by your ACT and SAT scores. After you choose the right college, for making the most of the college experience,. You should live in campus at least for 1 semester to get to know so many people and get more use to the new school you are attending. And if you have extra time to spend, it is a good idea to join school club and activities to build a succesful future for yourself.

When looking for a college, focus less on the name of the school and more on the school itself. Sure, it looks good to have a degree from Harvard or Yale, but if you get a quality education that suits your learning style from a state school, that will be ever more valuable. College is about finding your place in society, you need to be in an environment which is comfortable in order to do this. Pick the school where you feel you can be most comfortable and the rest will work itself out.

I would stress the importance of visiting the college and really feeling what life is like there at the school. It is also smart to take some chances that may make you nervous as you head off to college, such as being farther away from home than you feel comfortable. I think it is also imporatant that you go to school with a good attitude, expecting to learn and have fun while you are there.

Sometimes, the most prestigious school isn't the best choice.

The only advice I could give to anyone about choosing the right college is to be open minded to possibilities. The student's experience is completely dependent on what they make of it: don't get dragged down by the prestige, location or cost of a school. I have the same number of friends who are happy/unhappy at elite private schools as at state schools, at their dream schools as at their reject school. It is a matter of the individual reaching out to meet kindred peers and embracing this new, strange environment. Problems to do so are often a reflection of insecurities about leaving the known or an inability to accept the new enviroment; and this has little to do with a school being right/wrong.

The most important advice that I can pass on is select a college that has a great, well-known program for your selected degree. Also consider colleges with a past history and great traditions. This creates a greater enjoyment of college life. To make the most out of college, attend sporting events and get involved with campus clubs or groups!

The best advice i could give for finding the right college, is don't choose a school only because of things you read. Explore as many of the schools and their towns as you can. If deep down you feel the atmosphere of that school is right for you than it will mostly likely be the place you will succeed.

College will be the most wonderful time of a student's life, if they find the right place. First students should start looking for colleges before senior year. Go on college visits and find a campus, facilities, faculty, and student body that fit best with your lifestyle, beliefs, and values. I picked a school because they offered me the most money. I told myself that I would "get out" in two years max. My first year I didn't get involved until the end of the year. I was invited to go to a meeting on campus and all of a sudden I fit in. I was accepted and I found my place. I've been here 4 years and wouldn't change it! Students should try many groups to find where they fit best and don't get discouraged if you can't find something right away. You will find something, just keep your head up and keep searching. Try swing dancing, or rock climbing, or advertising club, or something off beat. You might be scared, but know there will always be someone else who's in your shoes and seniors aren't as scary as they look!

To parents: Guide your child to the right decision and the right school for him or her, not for you. If your dreams don't match up, take a deep breath, smile, and try to stay positive. Your daughter might want to live farther away than you'd like. She will get homesick and come visit. Your son might want to attend a more expensive, out-of-state school. Coach him through loan and scholarship applications. Remember that this is not just four years; it is the beginning of their forever. And it is OK to cry. To students: It's ok to be scared. That is natural. But don't let your fear inhibit you. Go for your dream school, even if you might not get in. Accept the offer at the bigger school, even if you're scared you won't make friends. Once you're there, make friends at your dorm. Leave your door open: people will just walk in to say hi, and you will do the same to them. Take a class with little academic value just for fun. And the cliche but true advice: Get involved. It helps. And it is OK to cry.

Have fun, but make sure to do your work and study a lot.

High school students should visit as many college campuses as possible before making a decision. Before deciding on the University of Kansas, I visited two other college campuses. I was not impressed with the first two, but walking through the KU campus and seeing the town of Lawrence, I knew I had found the place for me.

For students: really getting into the traditions of the school, and attending as many sporting events as possible. To give every opportunity to expand your social circle, and spend as much time on campus. Parents: be involved as much as possibe without smothering the student.

Best advice I can give anyone looking to go to college: GO TO CLASS!

Pick the school you want to go to, not where someone else wants you to go. Look at the housing options, the campus, the class sizes, and the overall atmosphere to see if you would like it or not. Also, look at costs and how much aid you could get to assist with paying for tuition.

I would say that you should probably attend a two year college first. Even if you can afford the four year college. Just get there and take some variety of classes and really learn whatever interests you. After that, try to see which college fits your academic field the best, as far as transfering credits goes. Check the campus out and see if you like what's going on. Don't stick to the guided tour, but instead, float around the 'hangout's or whereever you see a large gathering of students. The most interesting conversations usually happen outside of class. Also check the availability of employment, all night dining, entertainment, and housing. All of these things directly impact your life at school. If you stick to practical choices and don't get hung up on parties every night, you should be fine.

Go with the college of YOUR choice...not with what they offer!

understand that career intesest change and to select a school that feels comfortable

I think it is important for both parents and students to know what they are looking for. Does the student want to be close to home or do they want to move away for a new adventure? College is a time about discovering oneself and maximizing the endless opportunities that come available. Parents and their student need to discuss what they each expect out of the college experience for one another. Learning to decide together and voicing concerns and opinions is a great way to start college. It gives the student the independence to speak openly and it allows the parents to remain involved in their child's life. Finding the right college should be based upon the school as a whole--programs of study, extracurricular activities, dorm life, possibilites for job placements, study abroad programs, community atmosphere, etc. Finding something with all of the parts that both the parents and students are looking for is what is important. Although college is focused around class and earing that degree, it's also about the activities and opportunities that the student has while attending college that make for the best college experience.

If you are thinking about going to a community college and then transferring to a four year college. Enroll in the four year college. It will save you time, headache and possibly money. Going straight to a four year college provides you with more help, structure, building of friendships, and a since of fitting in. I had no guidance when it came to college. I am a first generation college attendant. I completed my associates degree at a community college then transferred to a four year college. I am lucky that almost all of my credits transferred. If I know what I knew when I was first attending college I would have never bothered going to a community college. I think this is the best way to get the most out of your college experience is to attend a four year college instead of a community college.

Having fun in school is not the only answer. Sure having fun is a blessing in disguise, but when it comes down to making a great choice for your kids future go with the college that has the best value. Find out what school offers programs that your children enjoy doing, have a reasonable financial basis, and most of all what school gives the best back to you! Another great way to find the best school for your children is to sometimes look away, a long way, from home. Gaining maturity and the ability to make rational and reasonable choices in your life will give your child more than any education can. When it comes down to it, after school most students are essentially on their own. If they can not handle the real world then spending big bucks at school was not worth it. Another excellent observation I have picked up on is besides a great education and overall value, what else does the school have to offer? Schools with independent study options and great sport teams are a fantastic way to give your child a memory that lasts a lifetime. Just think, is the juice worth the squeeze?

I would encourage parents and students to look at many different colleges for their experience. I would also ask them to keep open minds about where they attend college. There is no way to tell exactly what type of school will work out well for any certain student. The key is to visit many different schools and attempt to determine whether each one is the right one of not. Some things to keep in mind when choosing the right school are school atmosphere, the size of the campus, the quality of the of the faculty and campus facilities, and a widspread variety of study opportunities. Almost every college has much to offer as far as fun, study, and excarricular activities. STudents should not be afraid to get active while in school and make the most of their experience.