University of Maryland-College Park Top Questions

I would advice all parents/students to visit the college if they can. Looking at something on the internet or in a brochure just isn't the same. I tried to visit almost every university I applied to and when I stepped on campus at Maryland I just knew right away that it was the perfect school for me. To help the process along, know what you want out of your four year experience. Big, small, housing, off-campus, meal plan or not, knowing what you want can eliminate a unnecessary headache. Making the right decision and finding the best fit for you is important because it will directly affect your grades and how successful you are at the college. Yale is not for everyone and neither is University of Miami, making the right choice about college is something you certainly will never regret.

College is one of the greatest transitions in life. Therefore, it?s important to plan ahead and make the most of the experience. Students should consider majors that interest them. They should focus on those that they can enjoy rather than those that are typically associated with careers that lead to wealth. One can become successful in any major they choose. Hence, it's wiser to choose a field that one can appreciate for life. It?s okay if a student does not have a specific career goal. Many students actually change their majors at least once during their undergraduate studies. Thus, students should be patient- their dream job will surely come. Moreover, students and parents should talk about college together to ease the stress that accompanies planning for it. This way, everyone can be happy in the end. Prioritizing preferences like financial aid, school location, and school size, will help parents and students choose the best college. Students and parents should weigh their options wisely and compromise. In college, students should not be afraid to take risks. College, itself, is a test on balancing life. Hence, students should learn from their failures and achievements by trying new things.

As a married mother of three and 32 years old, I believe I can share alot of wisdom .I attended a university at 18 years old .I chose a school based on my friends .That is not the best option no matter how much you may think it is at the time.Academics must be your focus.Later, after having my children I decided to start again at community college.I was happy but , yearned for more in my education . I could not afford it financially nor did I have the time. I finally had to make sacrifices to attend the school of my dreams but we struggle as a family.Students need to make the college decision carefully and be ready to work .I am financially devastated as a mother trying to get a degree( pre med)and missing my babies so much .I love my school but I miss alot with my family . I will miss alot more as i go through medical school.Please consider all parts of your future and what may be involed in making the wrong decision.It may be something you are unaware of at the present time that will suffer the effects.

To be sure that you are selecting the right college I would advise that you visit the campus because making sure that you are physically comfortable in the environment of the college is very important, especially regarding dorms and public study areas. Furthermore, it is imoprtant to research whether or not the college you select offers a good department for the major you are interested in. In order to make the most of your college experience I would suggest that you apply yourself not only in the classroom but outside of it as well by researching career opportunities and getting involved in volunteer work and helping in school activities.

From my own personal experience with choosing a school but having to transfer due to my financial situation, the best advice I can give is to be open minded and to look at a wide variety of school until you find the ones that fits both your financial situation and your personal criteria. No one wants to go to a school just because it?s cheap but they hate everything else about it, but how many people are willing to put themselves in hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt to go to the perfect school. The best thing any student and parent can do is to compromise with what they want and what they can afford. One of the criteria?s that should be a part of the decision is how involved will the student be able to get at that the school. Everyone knows that academics are important when choosing a school, but some people overlook how important extracurricular activities are. This is where the student will met the friends that they will have for a life time. Lastly, the best advice I can give is to pick a school that will create lasting memorize.

A lot of people just pick the best college they get into. When I went to go visit the best college I got into I found that people were dissatified with their lives and that it would have been a miserable four years if I had gone there. When I went to visit Maryland people were happy, I met professors who were proud of their research and said they wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Even though it wasn't the most prestigious school I got into Maryland was the best fit for me, and I haven't ever regretted it. Once here it's easy to be active and be involved and thats what's most important.

My advice for the parents is simple. Applying to college can be daunting so have an honest, but constructive conversation with your child about thier future. Let them know upfront about how much you are able to contribute towards your child's education. Encourage them to fill out the FAFSA and apply for grants/scholarships. Together, create a list of schools that your child has thier heart set upon as well as ones you think are also worth considering. Community colleges, for instance are a great way to save money. Be realistic. Consider how well your child has done in school and on the SATs when applying to schools. If you feel that your child is special and has unique talents suggest that your child look into bigger schools that can offer them more opportunities. If you feel that your child is rather shy or lacks motivation suggest they look into smaller schools that can offer them a more individualized education. Ultimately, your child will know if the school is right for them within the first semester or two of attendance. If the school doesn't seem to fit, they always have the option to transfer to another school.

Start saving for your/child's college education a lot sooner than just senior year.

When choosing a college, students and parents should do research about the possible universities the student is looking to attend. They should look into the quality of the program, the cost of attending the university and the opportunities provided by the location. I believe the quality of the program and the cost of attending should both be weighed equally, and the final decision should be based on the individual's needs and family situation. After the individual has chosen which instituion to attend, they should try to become involved with the campus through various organizations and programs. These will acquaint the student with the campus and community and provide valuable leadership experience.

Look at all aspects of the school. On campus, off, classes, the party seen and what your child plans to do throughout their college career.

My advice to future parents of college attendees would be to let their child decide where he/she wants to attend within the proper price range and push for their students to strive hard. For the student, while in school be sure to use every resource around you because there is so much available to your while your at school and those resources including teachers are what shapes your future. While searching for that right college be sure to notice the size of the class rooms and the colleges location compared to the job you are hoping to have after finishing school. Again, for parents seeing your kids go away to school, this might be hard but it is assuring to know their education will help secure their future. School is the best thing that I have been giving the opportunity to do, and striving for great grades might be hard but it is well worth it in the end. You might see other fellow students going out and partying, but rest assured your already one step ahead of them when you stay in and study. With that said,I hope your college experience is just as enjoyable as mine.

Pick a school that fits exactly what you're trying to get out of college

Go with your first instinct. The school where you feel the most comfortable during your visit is probably the best one for you.

I would tell parents and students to not go into college expecting too much out of it. There are so many new things you learn and will see when coming into college, some good and some bad. But the best thing to do is to take it as it is, and work to make the best out of it. There are always ways to be civically engaged on campus and if you do not like the service programs offered, you can try to start your own. College really is the best 4 (or 5) years of your life, but that is only possible if you make it that way.

Find what fits you best.

Make the effort to get involved and try things that you never thought you/meet new/different kinds of people.

Keep your eyes peeled; just because you've chosen a college doesn't mean it's the only college available for you. Similarly, entering college with a particuar major in mind means nothing. People change with the freedom and experiences that college life brings.

Students: Pick a place that will make you happy. If you are taking out loans make sure you keep your grades up and make sure the school will be worth it.

The advice I would give would be to keep and open mind about the whole process. Try not to set any expectations that can lead to dissappointment. If you go into the application process and college in general with an open mind, then the reality could very well exceed any expectation that you could have dreamt up. Also, remember to always try to be adaptable. Keep in mind that there is almost always more than one good way of doing something and just because your roommate acts in a way you are not used to, doesn't mean it is wrong. Going to college will change your life and those that are successfull are the ones that are wise enough to change along with it and realize that it is for the better, as the change represents personal growth. Most of all, I think that in order to make the most of the college experience, you have to keep in mind that this is your last opportunity to be a kid. After graduation is the real world, so don't forget that once your homework is finished, you deserve to go out and have some fun!

To really talk to your high school counslors about what you want to do. And to reserach the major you are intersted in. Look to see if this school offers the most for your major. I made the mistake of not reseraching enough into my major because Maryland dosnt offer the best resources for architecture, its fair but not close to the best.

I think the biggest thing is to look at what you want from college: do you want a small, intimate experience or do you want the traditional college experience with a lot of people and sports games and fraternities etc. Plus looking at the diversity of classes and majors is important as well so you know what kind of education you will be getting- does the school specialize in the area of study you are interested in? Can you take a lot of different types of classes if you have no idea what you want your major to be? etc. But I think the most important thing to do is visit the schools you are applying to and see if you like the atmosphere- can you see yourself there?

Choosing a college can be a tough decision. My best advice would be to research prospective universities using collegeboard.com or something like it where you can compare facts about each university you are considering. From there I would suggest visiting at least 10 if possible. Even without taking a tour, a visit to campus can tell you a lot about a school. Next I would suggest applying to between 5-6 schools. 2 dream schools (those that may be tough to get into), 2-3 good schools that you are pretty certain you could get into and then 1-2 safety schools. Once accepted I would suggest visiting the schools you are accepted to a second time if possible to help you make your decision. Also, there is a lot to be said for "going with your gut." Someitmes a school just doesn't feel right or feels great when you go on campus. Its good to try and go to the school for a day and picture yourself attending there to see how it feels.

Understand yourself and learning abilities as a student. If you tend to do well in smaller classes, then select a smaller school, that way you can have a more focused relationship with your professor. Also make sure that there are a lot help available on campus, such as free tutoring and counseling. Diversity is always great when finding the perfect college because it enables you to broaden your perspective and helps you learn how to work and accept different people with different backgrounds and cultures.

When choosing a college for yourself, make sure they have all the resources you need. Whether it be computers, online research ports, clubs and organizations to join, you should make the most out of your college experience. Remember to think about the competitiveness of the school and whether or not that stress may affect you academically. There is no point in going to a school where you become depressed and your grades suffer because you are overly stressed by the work and lack of recreational outlets. Being involved on campus also makes you a well-rounded student, giving you real-life experience. Look into whether your school hosts job fairs or offers internships for your intended major. All these resources will be there to help you while you are enrolled in school, as well as after graduation through your alumni center.

Follow your heart.

I would recommend spending a night or a weekend on the campus, with people that you would be likely to spend time with as a student. Know as much about the social atmosphere and the types of students the school tends to attract before making a decision. Also, look into alumni connections and support. I regret not knowing more about the alumni network before choosing my school. Look into promises the university has made over the past 5 years - how many of those came to fruition? How much construction is underway or in planning? These are factors that will increase tuition. Choose a major that can set you on the path to multiple careers. In today's world graduate degrees are the only ones that really set you on a path to success. Choose a broader undergraduate degree that opens doors to many careers or graduate programs, as there is a good chance you will choose to leave your original major or the field it sets you up to enter.

I strongly encourage students to make sure they know themselves before trying to find a perfect fit for college. I entered high school the year following my older sister's graduation, and I might as well have been her puppet. I felt so pressured to immerse myself in her group of people--God forbid I defied her. I took her judgment to be the ultimate. This followed me to college. I now attend the same university that she graduated from. It wasn't until I got to college that I really discovered my individuality. However, I had already made the decision to follow her alcoholic social life as a delayed 4-year shadow. In spite of my newly discovered individuality, I am still surrounded by people whose social lives revolve around alcohol. While most schools encourage non-alcohol related activities, it is difficult for me to convince my friends to attend them with me. I've found that it is extremely important to make a decision without being so influenced by siblings, parents, or other students. Had I been able to find myself during or before high school, I could have found a university that would fit me better.

My advice would be to find a college where academics aren't too challenging, and where you will have the greatest opportunity to make a difference on campus. I grew up being a very reserved person who mostly focused on school, music, and church. When I went to college, I found that I had more "free" time than high school, and while I thought that it would be a bad thing at first (because I didn't want to let my studies slip), I've realized that it has given me so many wonderful opportunities to get involved with extracurriuclars, and it has really helped shape not only who I am, but it has shown me that one individual who cares can really do a lot on campus. If there are three quotes I could use to guide you on your decision making, it would be these: "Be yourself," "It's not about what you know, but who you know," and "Follow your dreams." I hope that helps! Best of luck with the whole college searching process, and enjoy the college experience. It honestly is "the best time of your life," so be sure to make the most of it!

Be sure to visit the college and let your child pick the one they like. Stay positive.

For students I would suggest to take time to look for colleges, visit the campus, talk with advisors, and research the opportunities that the college/ university offers. Take the time to see if your preferences are compatible with the activities and clubs that are available. Also have in mind the size of the university along with the competitiveness. Some majors require an application process and cannot always be simply declared. Big universities tend to have larger lecture classrooms and one-to one interaction with the professor may be difficult, so always keep in mind the factors that make you confortable for making friends and optimal for studying. For parents, visit the campus with your child and examine the location and safety. Search in advance for on/ off campus housing since it is difficult/ expensive to find dorms and apartments in big universities. Talk with teachers and advisors concerning opportunities after graduating. Make sure that the decision of a university is made by the student not the parent.

Take chances!

Visit the school and read the college newspaper - great way to find out what the campus is about. To make the most of it, get involved, use all the resources the school provides (you already paid for them), and get as much professional experience before you graduate as possible

1.) Have an idea, at least, of what you want to do in life; rather than being undecided for the first 2 years or so of being an undergraduate. 2.) Once you choose your field, explore on how to get the most out of it, via working as a research assistant for a professor, TA or working with faculty of some sort. 3.) Establish good relationship with your academic advisor, and a Faculty advisor -- it'll help with references in the future. 4.) It is easier to start of with a high GPA (your first semester as a freshman will serve as a base of your GPA in your entire undergrad career. It is is easier to maintain GPA than try to bring it up. i.e. starting with a 2.0 GPA on your first sem might take you 5 semesters to raise it to a 3.0 (at least) 5.) College is not like High School. 6.) Get internships and jobs that may help you in the future. Be modest, think of low PT / student salary wages as an investment -- you gain experience that will pay off in the future. 7.) Enjoy it very much and make friends.

In order to find the best college for yourself or your student, you have to visit the campus when school is in session. You truly get to see what the campus is all about, how it lives, and how it breaths. When you finally get to college, in order to make it all worth it, you have to be ready to step out of you comfort zone a bit and experience everything. What you put into doing well in class, joining activities, and making friends, it is what you get back. You also have to know that in college that there are failures and success and one is not better then the other. It is all a life learning experience and even when you mess up you do something right if you learn from it.

make sure you have the financial resources to commit to a good education!

Don't allow a first impression to make your decision for you. Really get to know the principles behind the school - this isn't hard. Go into the dining halls and look at the fliers on the tables. Read the chalkings around campus. Hang out in the student union. You'll soon learn about student life. Read the literature that your potential department gives you, but then go to their website and look up class assignments and announcements to see what the coursework is really like. But also, remember that you can never really tell what college is like until you've been there a semester. You may think it's too big or small, too liberal or conservative, too close or far from home - but how do you really know what you want at college until you've been there? I have found that bigger schools have more opportunities, with chances to find a smaller community within. That's what I did, and it really worked for me, socially and academically. There are so many resources to help me succeed, in college and in my future career.

I remember when I was looking for schools that I asked many of my older friends about how they made their decision. Everyone gave me good advice like what size campus do you want and what kind of location do you want to learn in. Strangely enough, when I first made a list of schools Maryland was not on my list because I wanted a small school. However, when I visited I realized that Maryland had what I was looking for. Your friends and family can give you tips on how to select a school but it comes down to how the school makes you feel. Definitely visit your school before you make your decision so you ensure that it is the right fit for you. Stay overnight with a current student and see what student life is like. Learn about all the opportunities available to you and participate in all those options that appeal to you and stick with the ones that you enjoy most. If you really enjoy something you will make time to accompolish both academics and extra-curricular activities.

Agree on a school that is close and far from home. Therefore, it is far enough that the student does not have to go home every weekend. Building independence is a huge skill to gain from college. It's important to go outside your comfort zone in college and explore. Thus, the university you choose should be one that offers both opportunities you are currently pursuing and opportunities you would never think to try. Find somewhere you know you will grow and change. College is the best time to explore and try things that you will never try any other time. A large amount of programs and clubs is great so the students at the university are all diverse and have a chance to be unique. Academic competition between students is a positive aspect so that you know students consider academics a priority. On-campus housing is very important to consider, especially if the school is far from home. Ease of housing can relieve so much stress from a student during the semester so location and price are two important things to consider.

Don't get stuck on a single school. I ended up at my last choice school because they offered me the most financial aid and now I can't imagine going anywhere else. Join activities and clubs you are truly interested in. It's a great way to make a small school feel a lot smaller. Strongly consider less prestigious schools if you are admitted into their honors program. You get small classes, top notch professors and interesting people just as you would at an ivy league school. Have fun!

Be realistic about your goals for college. Think about what you want to accomplish in college, and what type of school will help you do that. Of course you want to get a degree, but what else do you want to do? Many people want to explore lots of different career paths. A large school is better for this, as it will attract great faculty from in many subject areas. Do you want to have a very active social life? (Note: This doesn't necessarily mean doing drugs or drinking) Look for a school that has a good night scene, with plenty of fun places to hang out and explore. Think about where you want to live. Will you be living with family or friends, or in on campus housing? Ask current students where they live, and how difficult it was to find that type of housing. Finally, do ask campus guides and representatives about the campus, but do not always believe what they say. They are paid to recruit you to that school, so they won't always be truthful. It's better to talk to students and check out college review books to get the full picture.

Check out all of your acceptances before you enroll. on visiting a school, sit in on a few courses to check if they seem right. research as much as possible and where you live is very important.

The most important advice I would give to a student during their college search is to just be honest with themselves. Often there are pressures from parents and friends to go to a school that "looks good", but only you, the student, can recognize what school will be the perfect fit for you. First you must evaluate the academics of your prospective schools, since getting an education is what college is for after all. If the academics meet your needs as far as majors, and your personal level of academic ability, then that college is worth a deeper look. Then, making a personal visit to the school is monumental is your decision because you will see what it is actually like to be there and learn things about the school that you cannot learn from a website. You will be able to see how the community interacts within itself and decide whether or not you think you would fit in to that community. Also, extracurriculars are what can complete a students college expericence. Make sure all of your prospective schools have oppurtunities for you to continue doing the things you have always loved to do, its worth it!

This college was not my first choice; I was academically qualified for a more prestigious school, but likely was not accepted due to a personal issue that I would rather not disclose. Still, I would not have applied here if I hadn't thought it was a good school. My best advice to future college students might be obvious, but still needs saying now and again: don't place too much emphasis on where you go to school or, similarly, try to mold yourself to fit a school's ideal profile. There is such a surplus of PhD graduates these days that even if you end up in a school that's downright mediocre reputation-wise, you will find it staffed by intelligent people who are no less capable of teaching you the fundamentals of a field than their Harvard counterparts. Places like Harvard graduate star students because that's who they admit, not who they create. People who do get into prestigious schools can actually become complacent, in my experience, and feel they're automatically set for life. People destined to do great things will manage to do so no matter where they're admitted.

join greek life and get involved

College is more about connections and experiences than it is about academics. Yes, academics are important, but you are going to remember the college experience more than anything else. Choose a school where it will a little bit of a challenge academically, but at the same time, will give you plenty of time to explore other interests and passions so that you can really make a difference on campus. One of the things that I have found to be really amazing is how much of a difference a single individual can make! You don't need any special tools, any special equipment or anything of the sort to follow your passions: you just need a big heart and a willingness to do what you feel is right! Trust me, I used to be obsessed with academics, and now I'm at a big school where I'm succeeding academically, but yet, I'm getting involved socially and am making a difference on campus, just being who I am. If I was too focused on my studies, I wouldn't be able to do so. I've grown and changed in so many good ways, and I hope you do too!

Have students be open to new things and it's okay for you to change you mind. Go to school where you feel you will be most comfortable about the environment and the setting.

On finding the right college, keep an open mind and make sure you personally visit the schools and ask orientation leaders any questions that you might have. On making the most out of your college experience--go to your classes and seek out internship and research opportunities at your school.

Finding the one college that really fits you best is really very similar to finding a good pair of blue jeans. It is hard to do but once you find them, you never want to wear another pair ever again. However, a process like this takes some time. Sometimes it is possible to find the perfect pair right away, but most of the time it is necessary to try on multiple pairs of jeans in order to find the perfect pair. This is why it is highly recommended that you take the time to visit and "try on" each school that you are interested in. If you can see yourself in the shoes of a student there or in this case their jeans, then perhaps you have found the right school for you. Once you have found the perfect pair of jeans, however, you must take the time to enjoy every second of their lifetime, for though you may love your jeans, their lifetime is finite and you will have to give them away someday, not unlike your years at the perfect college. These truly are some of the best years of your life and you must savor every moment.

Definitely tak into consideration WHERE the college is located. Know your interest and find colleges that have good reputations in that field. IF minority, look into the diversity of the campus. Political average is surprisingly important to me (if ative at all). Cost is big, but keep good grades and most colleges give decent amount of money.

The best way to find the right college for you is to start the process early, and collect as much information as possible. There is a lot that can be learned from school websites, but information from on campus students is just as important. It is also important to find a school that has the educational program you are looking for, and a comfortable living and learning community. It never is too early to start planning for the beginning of the rest of your life.