University of Maryland-College Park Top Questions

I believe that first and foremost, college should be the students choice. I believe that parents should of course offer advice, but leave the final decision up to the student. Having said that, it is important that the student finds a college that caters to their desires. That doesn't mean that the student needs to know exactly what he/she would like to major in, but at least have a general idea of a future career. I also believe that the student should look at the social scene. Many universities have greek life which is a great tool for networking, while other schools have other means to make friends and meet new people such as clubs. I think the most important way to make the most out of a college experience is getting involved. It is so helpful to join clubs, and organizations to meet new people that often times become life-long friends. It also helps in larger universities, because it allows the student to make the university somewhat smaller and more personal for them. College in my opinion is just as much a social setting as a learning setting and should be treated as such.

The future aspiration of the student should be considered. Each college has something peculiar to offer, extensive research will help any student or parent make an informed choice.

First of all, make sure the undergraduate college you choose has a tuition cost that your parents, you, or both can afford to pay during you studies there of after you graduate. Second, choose a school that has certain academic programs available in which you can double major without having to take that many extra classes and can graduate on time. For example, I majored in zoology and secondary science education. I was able to get my zoology and secondary science degree and my 7-12th grade biology teacher's certificate all in four years.

Visiting the school is a must. When you find the school that is best for you, you will know the second you step on to its campus. Regardless of where you go to school, everyone should stay at least one year in the dorms to get the expierence.

Parents and students should begin their college search as early as middle school. It is absolutely IMPERATIVE that students be placed into the university that will help them flourish both academically AND personally. The college experience is one of the most life-altering and freeing periods in a person's life--in order to properly elevate into the real world. But college isn't ALL about draconian rules and hard studying, of course. As aforementioned, college cultivates students on a personal level as well. Many students that I have personally known have joined clubs and organizations that have helped to build their self-esteem, spirituality, and outlook on life in general. it is MOST important that students DO NOT stay cramped in their rooms--now is the time to branch out and self-discover. College is about self-creation--it's about about pushing one's self in ALL directions in order to become the absoulute BEST! Students need to stay positive in searching for the right college. Apply to as many as you can in direction YOU (not Mommy and Daddy) want to go. That is the first step in becoming an adult. Good luck!

Look at the students when you visit the campus. If you like wearing sweatpants to school, or if you want a really school spirited school, or if you want to dress up every day--you can tell just by looking at the students going to class. And you should definitely look at classes in your possible fields of interest. You can tell within the first five minutes of sitting in a class whether or not you'll like the teaching style. Also, if the school has an overnight program, you should definitely participate in one of those. There's only so much you can learn about the school with your parents standing there the whole way. You need to experience the colleges you visit without your parents--you're going to end up being at whatever school you choose by yourself anyway; you should decide if you like it without them at your side.

Honestly ask yourself what is most important to you about the way you live your life. Is it having people from the same background as you? Is it being far away from what is familiar? Is it academics? Is it being in a city? Is it a social life? Prioritize what is important to you and pick your schools based on what matches your priority list. Your going to spend the next four years of your life there, years in which you will learn the most about yourself and going to a school based on name or pleasing your parents is just not worth it. There are other things that are more important.

Go on college visits and tours! It is important to visit a college to learn more about it before deciding to go there. Choose a college that offers your major or focus, don't settle on one that is cheaper or closer, but doesn't offer what you want.

If they feel at home, and comfortable, let them go there. Don't just tell them to go somewhere that has a good name. The experience might not be as good.

My advice would be to definitely visit every college you are interested in, and talk to not only staff (people paid to answer questions about the school), but real students as well to get the best perspective of the school. Once in college it is very important to get involved. Some people do not realize the importance of a good social life. Essentially, if you don't have friends, you will hate college. My advice would be to get involved with student organizations and clubs. It is a great way to make friends and meet people with similar interests. I would personally highly recommend going Greek (joining a fraternity or sorority). Oh yeah, one more thing - study hard!

My advice would be to actually take the time to research and visit the different school you wish to enroll in. Once your their your their your their and its too late to say you made a mistake. Lastly I would say, plan what you want and never give up on your vision. A wise man once said that "without a vision the people parish" and that exactly what will happen if you dont go in prepared. You will be easily destracted. With that said good luck and choose wisely.

University of Maryland is the college where you can find study buddies who are all seeking for the same goal under the same major and motivate one another to do well. But you can also find social buddies as well to hang around with and build life long friends. Maryland is a place where you can find a lot of things to do but the academic work is also very challenging and gets your brain working along with internships, research opportunities and leadership positions for your career goal.

Go with your gut instinct and whatever feels right when you step on campus. That is how I made my choice and it has worked out great

The best way to choose a college is to visit every one that you are considering. Colleges and universities all advertise a lot, and promise the world, but you don't get the whole picture until you see it for yourself. Talk to professors, talk to students, sit in on a lecture if you are permitted. These will give you a good flavor for campus life. You should also consider the location. You may prefer a school located in a city, or maybe one that has easy access such as a metro stop. As far as getting the most out of the college experience, the best advise I can give is to try everything. Education is expensive, and you want to get your money's worth out of it. Go to campus sponsored concerts and plays. Join an athletic club. Check out the greek life. There are so many options available that it would be hard not to find something you enjoy, so long as you put forth the effort to try it all.

When selecting a college or university, first do research on the institution's degree programs, career opportunities present in its different majors, entrance requirements, student and faculty/staff populations, and other factors. Smaller colleges are the ones in which all the students and professors know one another very well and the professors spend plenty of time helping their students. At larger universities, the students are more diverse and there are a greater variety of factors to experience. There are also big universities that have degree programs and other types of special programs with a small number of students in them, so you can experience the best of both worlds. Do your research! To make the most out of your college experience, there are all kinds of students and people in college, so do not be afraid to meet new people and experience new things. It is also imperative to work hard when it comes to courses and work load. You will feel frustrated and stressed from the workload, but it will be worth your time and effort, as you will only get out of it the amount you put into it. No pain, no gain.

Visit as many schools as you can and ask as many questions as you can. Find out about whether the school is research oriented or teaching oriented and find out about the housing situation.

There are obviously many different criteria that go into the college decision-making process. Some of these may include: distance from home, weather, rank of college or university, availability of specific major or field, athletic prowess and many others. There are several steps that the prospective student and his or her family should take before making the final decision. As a prospective student, one should talk to to as many current students, under- and upper-classmen, as possible about their experiences with academics, housing, and social life. Parents should also attend open houses to chat about what the school offers. Also, if one can, a student should spend the night to get a taste of the campus. Many students don't take the geographical region of the school into account. Weather can drastically affect mood, so attention should definitely be paid to this subject. Proximity to a major city is also important. Many schools that are quite distant from urban centers attract harder drugs and higer cases of depression and other similar ailments. Lastly, the housing situation, both on and off campus, is crucial to keep in mind. Most importantly, if you have the chance to study abroad, DO IT!

Each student needs to figure out what is important to him or her, and base their choice on those aspects. You may want a gorgeous thriving campus, an active social life, or a strong academic challenge, or even all in one, which many schools offer. While it is important for the parent to have an opinion, it should ultimately be decided by the student as this is their experience, and they need to be confident with their decision. Joining some type of club is how to make the most of the college experience. There are hundreds of ways to meet new people and make life-long friends. At school it is important to find a sense of belonging because it easy to get lost in the crowd. Overall, the whole idea is to make sure you choose a college that feels right for YOU, not your friends, parents, or anyone else. YOU need to find the place where you can thrive as an individual so you can walk away after four years never regretting one second of it.

make sure that when you look for a college, you feel comfortable with that choice. you dont want to be thinking to yourself after 2 years into college, " maybe i made the wrong choice." you want to choose the school that you think may challenge you a bit but also make you feel comfortable making that challenge.

Visit the colleges!

Parents and prospective college students should not be fooled by US News and Report rankings and other ranking tools that do not necessarily give readers an accurate description of where to attend college. The best way for parents and prospective students to find out which college is right for them is be PROACTIVE in their college research. Both parents and the student should sit down and honestly assess the student's personality, academic strengths and weaknesses, interests of study, and personal hobbies and lifestyle. Based on these factors of self-evaluation, students should look for colleges whose teaching philosophies and practices and campus lifestyle and climate best fit them, and would be most conducive to their academic success and accomplishment of their goals. Students and parents should then visit colleges of interest and most importantly talk to several current students to get a in-depth and first-hand look into what students there are like and what they like (and possibly dislike) about the school. All of these steps is critical for finding the perfect college that fits the needs and expectations of each individual prospective student looking for the perfect place to go to college.

make sure you would be happy at the campus. don't just look at the academics.

Get involved in as many things as you can: you get exposed to alot of experiences, meet all sorts of people, and you find out what you really like in life. Take up any offers for advanced students, they always get special treatment and better service on campus.

FInding the right college i not easy. Especially if the student and the parents do not agree on where to apply. But I think the best advice I was given was to go to the campus and sit where you can see a majority of the campus and close your eyes, see if you feel yourself there. I had no intention of staying in state so I just applied to the schools my parents suggested because there was no way I was going to get help to go to my dream school-NYU-but when I stepped onto the University of Maryland campus, I immediately fell in love with what it had to offer me before I even spoke to anyone. So get out there and visit your options, see if you feel yourself there and once you know, you know and there's no changing where you're meant to be when it comes to higher education.

It's all about what the student wants to get out of his experience in college. If the student is a dedicated hard working person who can afford and bear not having an exorbitantly diverse social life then a prestigious ivy league or high ranked school will suffice. But if the student is willing to make the most out of his undergraduate education and come out of it a well rounded and well educated individual with a diverse curriculum vitae then a research university or liberal arts school that can teach them the true value of education and civics is best for them, and in the end it is the student who has to decide which path he or she would like to go on. To make the most of their experience they need to make sure that they are able to balance their social lives and academics and be able to apply what they learn in the classroom to the real world.

Obviously, the academic reputation of the school is important; where you get your degree from will have a much larger impact on the rest of your life than you might realize right now. That being said, making time for relaxation is important. If you?re applying to school for the right reasons, you want to do well. You?ll want to make sure that you keep your grades up, and part of that process is making sure that you have time to relax. Take time to weigh ecah school's typical course load against the opportunities to kick back and relax. Each school offers different levels of extracurricular activities; some will have tons of stuff to do, and others will trust the student to find their own fun. If you?re looking to pick up a new skill, check out the school?s website and see what they offer as far as student organizations. If you like movies, check for proximity of local movie theatres. Meditate? How close is the nearest park? Your performance in college idictates the next stage of your life. Make sure your mind is at it's best as you force your way through your studies.

I would advise students to really closely investigate a variety of schools. Don't just pick the one that's close or far or big or small. Check out the campus, talk to some real students and find out what life is actually like at the school. Every school will tell you that they're fabulous. This isn't always the case so find out for yourself.

As I am in my senior year now, I can look back on the entire process of college. I rememeber applying to all of the schools, and anxiously awaiting their responses. I look back thinking about what decisions have brought me to where I am now. In order to find the best school for you or your son/daughter, school visits are key. In visiting each school you can realize a typical day at the college. Also consider on these visits, participating in a program in which you can spend the night in a dorm. It is important to see what the social aspect of campus is before attending. Remember, college is an experience. This experience is guided by your academic endeavors, but is not limited to academics rather is a social experience in which you can really realize who you are and who you will be as you enter the adult world. Trust your instincts, and take your college experience as it comes. Grades are not everything, it is what you take from each course that truly matters. Lastly, just take it one day at a time. It flies by and it's your time to experience everything!

I do not agree with the theory of thought that there is a "best" school for someone. I feel that students should not try and look for this so-called "best" school because it does not exist. There can only be one "best" school. Instead parents/students looking for the right school should focus on making a good selection and not making a poor selection. While there is only one "best" school, there are plenty of good schools. By focusing only on finding the "best" school this can come at the expense of evaluating and searching for schools that are a good fit/choice. Just as important as finding a school that is a good fit, is making sure you do not select a school that is a poor or bad selection. When parents/students are deciding on the right college they should focus on finding a college that is a good fit and would enjoy spending 4 years at instead of trying to find the unattainable goal of finding the "best" or "perfect" college. When you finally select a school that is a good fit for you, make sure to get involved in plenty of school activities.

I think the most important thing that I could tell students about picking a college is to go with your heart. Pick the right place that you feel you will be the most comfortable and the place that you will thrive educationally. There are so many things people consider when choosing a college, but the most important things normally get overshadowed. I would tell the parents to never push their child into a school they want to see them in, or that they went to, or that they think their kid will do the best in. What they should do is listen to their child and give them suggestions or advice and let the child choose in the end. Finally when the student is at the college and prepared to enjoy his/her experience it is vital that there be some balance between work and play. There is no need to put aside having fun for four years with your head in the books, you gain knowledge from other places then books and class. I'm not saying to have fun and ignore your work, but to stay stress free you need to please yourself and let loose on occasion.

Be yourself. Choose the school that feels right. Don't worry about what anyone else thinks or where they want you to go: the decision is yours, and yours alone. Remember: there is a school out there for EVERYONE; you'll eventually find one that you love. Once in school, everything new can be overwhelming, so don't be afraid to ask others for help if you're having any problems. Find a balance between work and play, and keep focused. Have fun, and remember that this is YOUR life- don't let others dictate what you do or how you live.

For parents/students on finding the right college: visit the school, get a feel for the campus. Know whether you prefer a big campus or small. Choose one that fits your personality. On making the most out of the college experience: Do your work, make friends, prioritize. Learn time management.

never be afraid to take chances and try new things. When looking back at your college experience you never want have any regrets about the things you didnt do because college offers a unique experience that you can not find anywhere else

Apply to a lot of colleges, especially in-state ones. And, do not reject colleges just because you do or do not know people going there, you should visit as many colleges as you can and try to decide which is the right one for you. Also, take into account the value of education, because I love the diploma I will recieve from the University of Maryland, it means a lot!

The college lifestyle is perhaps one of the most riveting, challenging, and best experiences that one will ever have the opportunity to experience. Therefore, if I could advice any incoming students and parents, it would be to pick a school that will suit his or her personality in all different aspects. Location, diversity, academics, sports, religious needs, financial needs, and most importantly the right major are all aspects that have to be taking into consideration. It is also dire that the student picks a school that will benefit him or her in the long run. They should not choose a school because their friend or significant other is attending that school, it might actually be the worst mistake of their life. Financial aid is also very important. As an out of state student, I was thrilled to have been accepted at UMD, but after taking out so many loans and exhausting every other loophole I have become a have become a statistic, "students in debt after college." Even after all of this, I do not regret attending UMD because, the school has shaped me into the strong woman that I am today, it hs made grow and expand my knowledge.

be open to change, you can always transfer and make sure you are doing what makes you happy because you get the best out of college and life that way.

Don't go to a school because it has "a beautiful campus" or because you think that the bars hold drink specials. You should go to a school because you want to further your education and improve yourself. Make the best choice for both your brain and your liver and choose a school that will provide the academics and facilites that you require to succeed.

Talk to students extensively who actually go to schools you are looking at and have experienced life there. This will give you much greater insight than anything you can learn from a quick tour, or even a night at a school.

College is only four years of your life, and it's pivotal to remember the big picture when choosing a school. Try not to stress so much over the college application process and instead think about what will make you happiest for these four years. Once you narrow in on what it is that makes you happy- or even if you're aren't yet certain what that is- try to see if you can find a college that will allow you to pursue those interests, or allow you to discover what it is you're passionate about. To quote Harold Whitman, "Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And go do that, because the world needs people who have come alive." When you visit a college campus, envision yourself there. Is this a place where you will "come alive," developing into a mature adult able to face the world, diploma in hand, ready for whatever life throws at you? If so, you've found the right school.

Parents-- Let your kids know your financial situation. You child is not going to want to go to that liberal arts school that costs 93893813758712 dollars, if you're in the middle of losing your company. He or she will make the best of it. Or at least try to(if you've been a good parent that is, and your child doesn't COMPLETELY resent you). Also let them know you want the best for them, and you agree with their choice. Make the choice together. That's important. Students-- Know who you are. College is supposed to be about learning to grow and that whole bildungsroman spiel, but if you don't know who you are before you go to college, you're not going to go the college that best represents you. College is about socialization and becoming part of something bigger. There's also a spiritual aspect that's only describable when you get here. Finding the right college is about knowing who you are, but having a good college experience is about not being afraid to grow up some more once you get there.

Don't stress, it'll work out.

Go there, to the campus. It is weird to say but it is like finding a soul mate. It clicks. You see yourself walking the campus and sitting under a tree. You just know it will happen. And once you get there if it sounds like something you would want to do then go to it. It never hurts to try and getting involved is the best way to make the most out of college.

Parents should make sure they give their kids the right to go to the school they want to; do not force your child to go to a school just because you think it will be good for them. For students, make sure you visit the school. Also, make sure you know your options; if one major does not suit you, know which one you would want to pursue as a back-up.

Visit the school and surrounding off-campus area before making your decision. Join clubs, or get a part-time job to make friends and try something new.

Instead of looking at the campus itself, also look at the surrounding areas and the cities around it. When I looked at Maryland, I took a look around the various majors I want to explore, and also the various internship opportunities. Maryland being only a metro ride away to D.C. has a lot of internship opportunities for business, as well as internships/jobs for health related majors at the National Institute of Health. Weigh your various options since its money your/your parents/your hard-earned scholarships thats being at stake. Get the most out of your education and immerse yourself to various organizations since they are most likely free. Any activity done in college looks good on your resume and there are many organizations that cater to your needs. If there isn't, create an organization which is even more attractive to potential employers.

As a college first-year, fresh out of high school, the submersion can be overwhelming and confusing. Your undergraduate years are the ones that matter the most; where you make the greatest friends, have the greatest opportunities, and map out your path for the rest of your life. At the beginning, it seems difficult. Choosing a college can be especially difficult. My advice is to go with your gut. Visit schools, take the tours, feel the campus because it's important that you love it before you even get there. After you get there, and the anxiety hits, and the social pressure comes, there's only one thing to remember: your experience will be what you make of it. Enter with an open mind about what you may encounter. Remember to cherish your education, your relationships, and the things that are most important to you.

When I was applying for colleges, I didn?t know which college was right for me. I was confused scared and lost; I wanted advise. I am here to let the future college students know that any college would be wonderful as long as you go into the new experience with an open mind. As long as you are willing to reach out and change what your comfort zones are; I know you can have a wonderful college experience. Go out there and let your voice be heard and; be INVOLVED. That?s my advice.

When trying to find the right college, don't underestimate the effect of the location on your college experience. I didn't think of this my freshmen year when I attended a school that was three hours from any major city. Although I wasn't a city person, I realized I didn't like being at a school with such a big partying atmosphere and not many alternative ways of socializing because of its location. Also when making your decision, try not to limit yourself to thinking you will be stuck at this school for four years...we're all humans and we can't predict what we'll like in life-changeing situations. For example, I transferred after my freshmen year and am currently on an exchange program in England now, three years ago I never thought I'd be doing that! We all change our preferences. Finally, when you're at your school don't feel obligated to join every society or club in order to make friends. Although it's a good way to meet new people, for most people the friends they have freshmen year are just the people who live with them in the dorms.

I would first say to parents that they should allow their children freedom when choosing a college and not to have a predisposition as to where your child will attend. If it is not the choice of the student, they are less likely to succeed and enjoy their time at college. To the students I would say that academics should come first. This is said by everyone, and the students are probably tired of hearing about it, but if you attend classes and actually complete all the assignments, you will not have nearly as much stress. Students should also become engaged in as many activities as possible. Attend the sports events, go to parties, play intramurral sports, do whatever you will enjoy. This will help you to make new friends and to expand your mind.

There isn't a time limit in which you must achieve your degree, the most important thing is to learn and that everything we learn here is going to affect our futures wether it is directly or indirectly. Remeber to pick a college that YOU are going to enjoy because you have to the work and you have to be here, so college should be a choice for you and no other person. Take advantage of all of your opportunities and know that every experenice-good or bad is a building block for character.