University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Top Questions

I think that the most important thing to do when deciding on what college to attend is to visit the schools you are interested in. I read a lot of brochures and college books when I was applying to college, and while this information was interesting and informative, statistics and other people's opinions can only get you so far. You really need to visit the town or city where the University is located to get an accurate feel for the kind of students, learning environment, and social scene that the school has to offer. I only visited a hanful of the schools that I applied to and it really made my decision much more difficult.

It's really up to the student to make college into what she/he wants it to be. If you want it to be one big party, it will. If you want it to be solely academic, it will. It's up to you to find the balance and the people who bring out your best.

To parents I recommend allowing their student to chose a school that is right for them. We only go to college as an undergraduate once and it is more important for a student to go to the school that is right for them than to accomadate their parents desires. Parents must be willing to accept this and support their student throughout the process. To students I recommend doing research and making sure the school choosen is the right one. It may be easier to go to the school you grew up cheering for in football or basketball or the school most of your high school friends are going to, but neither of these reasons guarentee that you will enjoy it or be happy there. Go to the school that is the best match for you. While there, leave your safetly zone and try new things. Most schools have a wide-variety of student organizations and even though some may not have been things you did in high school, it is important to try new things. Make friends early and get to know as many people as possible because you never know who you'll be friends with after four years.

Two words: Get Involved! No matter where you go, you will be much more satisfied with your college experience if you are involved in both social and academic activities. One suggestion is a live-in program for first year students. I tried a live-in research program and absolutely loved it. It gave me an immediate network of friends and the opportunity to learn about and participate in research. Having this tight community comming into college was the best decision I made. The sooner you join a group, the easier your transition will be - I promise! As for choosing the right college, you should of course be concerned with university's and the program's academic ratings and job placement statistics. Also consider available activities, the campus culture (artsy, sports fans...), and the weather - you'd be suprised what winter can do to the unsuspecting! Finally, the best way to be sure about that difficult decision is to get the facts - visit the campus and talk to students and professors. Also, talking to people on the busses and in the halls will give you the candid conversations that will tell you the most.

I would tell parents/students to start looking into schools early. I think that I am lucky having a school as great as the University of Michigan so close to home. Make sure that you are comfortable with the atmosphere that the school provides. To make the most of the college experience, make sure that you do some enjoyable things. Go to the gym and play basketball, go to sporting events, meet people. You can do well academically and still have some fun.

Many parents tend to place so much emphasis on just the academics of a college. However, students cannot fully enjoy the college life if they are stuck in an ill-fit environment. Some students may prefer to attend large colleges where they may be exposed to a more diverse college culture. Others may prefer smaller college settings where there may be greater focus on the individual students from the faculty and more accessibility to certain aspects of academics. In terms of academics, searching for a school that has a strong and reknown department in the area the students wishes to study is important. Although certain colleges may be presitigious, they may not have a suitable department for the things that the student wishes to study. Finally, the decision to attend a specific college can not be a decision made solely by the student. Although many people may emphasize that the student will choose the college best for them, they fail to realize that the student also has no idea of how college life in that certain college will be like. This decision to attend a college must be one made by the students and their families.

College becomes your home, it is not just a place where you take classes and earn your degree. Your school friends become your best friends. Your campus becomes your community. The extracurricular activies offered along with the party scene becomes your social life. Make sure you feel completely comfortable where you end up going; visit the campus, spend time talking to students, ask plenty of questions.

My advice for parents is to find a college that has a great reputation and can offer the financial aid the family needs. My advice for students is to visit a friend at the college, if at all possible, and go out to some social events. Tours of the college are pretty much pointless because it offers a look at the buildings and programs but does not offer any look into the actual lives of the students.

I would first consider a few schools that are very different. Large, small, urban, rural, warm climate, etc to try to figure out what setting you think you want your education to be in. Once you've established that, try to find a good mix of schools that match that setting. Don't be afraid to aim too high in where you apply (for one or two schools, of course not all of them!) and once you get in a school, start researching different majors and try to find out what each will lead to after graduation. It's never too early to think about this and a lot of college advisors don't stress professional development. Make sure you choose a degree that you like, and something that will be valuable professionally. Good luck!

The University of Michigan was not my first choice school, but I am thoroughly enjoying my experience. I would say that parents and students should be very open minded both when choosing a school and when attending their chosen school for the first time. I go to school far away from where I grew up and where my parents live. They were not happy with this, but we can all agree that it has been a good thing and really given me the opportunity to experience things for myself and grow. I am part of one of the living-learning communities here and it has improved my experience so much, so i would suggest checking those kinds of things out.

Choosing the correct college can be a very difficult proposition. There can be concerns about the financing of the education, the distance from family, and if the school is a fit for specific goals. Some of the best advice I can give in finding the right college is to have an open dialogue with everyone possible. By talking to people, both parents and students can gather information on almost anything that there might be a concern about. Being an engineer, I can never have too much information and I've found that the best choice generally separates itself from the rest. In regards to making the most of the college experience, make sure to make time to enjoy yourself. It isn't always the easiest thing to do, especially with homework assignments, exams, and projects bearing down on you, but by scheduling to get those tasks completed early, you will be able to relax more in the long run. If you find yourself getting too stressed out by what is happening around you, take a break. I've found that a few moments away from the unrelenting tasks at college allow me to find a fresh perspective to start again.

When looking around for a college, make sure first and foremost that your son or daughter likes the environment on campus. Next, figure out what resources will be readily available to your child. It is incredibly important that your kid has the resources that he or she needs to succeed but also know how to get to them easily. Talk to some professors to get an idea of how classes are run and taught. Figure out what your child likes to do in his/her spare time and make sure that the campus can provide your child with something to do to relax or have fun. Make sure the school has workshops to teach time management (and other life skills) and that the school has a program to assist in finding summer internships or jobs. See if the school has part time jobs that are easy to apply for: it has been shown that part time jobs can help a student learn valuable time learning skills as well as give them some extra spending money.

The most important part of picking a college is making sure it is right for you, but at the same time it pushes you out of your comfort zone a bit. College is all about learning more and this includes learning more about yourself. Try to pick a school that you know you will fit in and have a good experience at; a school that offers the classes and programs you are interested in, that has the out of the classroom activities that interest you, and has a campus setting that you enjoy. Not only that, pick a school that can provide the experiences that you haven't had yet, such as meeting different kinds of people, being in a different area, or some other aspect that will help you learn more about others and yourself. Lastly, take your time picking a school. You only get to experience college for the fisrt time once, and it can be a scary choice. With what ever your pick, it is all about how you make the most of it by trying new things and getting involved.

Start the process early and visit each school of interest. Make sure one could live and succeed in the college's environment. GET INVOLVED at your college. Four years go by quickly, so make the most out of them. Join clubs that interest you or make your own club! Going to college is a great experience only if you make it so.

Look for schools which have many different programs. Even if you're certain what you want to study, you can still change your mind. Go to a college you can afford. If the college you want doesn't give you enough money, contact the school and explain the situation. I did this with Michigan, and they ended up giving me a scholarship. Once you're at college, choose your friends wisely. Make responsible friends who want you to succeed in college and in life - not ones which want you go forsake your studies for partying. Work hard, even if you don't enjoy the class. Get to know your professors - go to their office hours, especially if it's a large class. I've had some of my most stimulating and interesting conversations with professors outside of class (and you'll need them to write that letter of recommendation later on). And finally, if you're an over-achiever like me, don't think the world will end when you get an A-! College is full of bright people who are used to getting straight A's. You're there to learn, not to have a perfect GPA.

Visit the school.

Visit the colleges that you are prospecting and get a feel for what your college experience will be like at each college to make the right decision.

Don't worry about it too much, try to go to the best college you can that suits your personality. If you go someplace that will make you happy socially AND academically you are much more likely to succeed. College visits are a must. At the same time, don't worry too much about which school you go to, once you get out to the work force, it won't matter what school you went to but what knowledge you have. The University of Michigan is a good choice mostly because we have the largest living database of alumni and we're so full of school spirit so you can bond with people easily over it. Also, remember to try to balance school and social life. It's hard, but just trying to do it helps you to succeed in every way.

Visit the campus and make sure you're comfortable with it, that you can see yourself wandering through it finding your first class. Rush, participate in extra curricular activities. Go out. Go to office hours. Get to know your Professors. Play frisbee/have picnics in the diag. Don't take it too seriously. :)

Before choosing a college make sure you really know what kind of school you want - big, small, liberal arts, etc. Take into account, how much you want to know your professors and administrators, how many students you will get to know, how many class options you have, and what kind of groups you might like to join. To make the most of your college experience, get involved. If you find an interesting group, join it. Give it a try. You'll meets tons of new people. Make an effort to go to guest lectures or performances or events on campus. Don't be too cool to go to school sponsored activities. Take advantage of everything, including tutoring so that you don't spend all your time struggling with classes. Also, take lots of credits. There are so many amazing classes, so take the time to find them. Don't stick with the intro class. Try to stick at least one interesting class in your schedule every semester such as Afro-Cuban drumming, Hula, Hip-Hop , and American Humor.

Don't stress over choosing a college. Make your decision based upon the factors that are most important to you and your family. Some students rely heavily on the financial aspect; others just want to go where the weather is warm. No matter where you end up, your experience will have the potential to be a great one because college is only what you make of it. If you're bitter about where you're headed, then your sentiment is likely to exacerbate. Remember to keep an open mind and always smile. Do that, and you're bound to go far. My final piece of advice is the most important lesson I learned my freshman year, one that I will carry with me for the rest of my life: if you don't like the way something turns out, DO something about it. Do not ever allow yourself to become defeated when a situation seems bleak. There is always something you can do about it.

When looking at schools, people should make sure to pick the school that works best for their personality and not just that has the "best" program according to surveys. If a student is happy in their learning environment, then they are much more likely to do well and to remember more of the things they have learned. As well, and possibly more importantly, when interviewing for jobs or grad schools it is a common for someone to ask about your college experience. If a person is really focused on choosing what college they are going to by how much it will help them to get the job they want, then this is deffinately somthing that they should consider.

Pick a college for a major that interests you. At least have some idea what you want to do when you go into school. The social life will naturally follow.

I highly recommend that freshman live in dorms to make new friends that will last, and to get a traditional first college experience. I also recommend that students be as serious as possible about academics and their future after school, regardless of what school they decide to attend. As to choosing the right college, I recommend finding a school that will ensure the student a stable future. Also, the tuition should be managable, because (and I would know), if money is an issue, then there will be anxiety about having enough money for things such as food, social activities, extra-curricular activities, or even class itself.

Finding the right college is really up to the student. Too many people will try to influence your decision. My only advice that I can give you is to go with your gut decision. The only advice I can give to parents is to not try and find the right college for your student. My parents really wanted me to go to a small local college (Hope College). I am looking to go to medical school after my undergraduate studies, and while they are great for this, I really am a social person, and they are a very small school. At the last minute, I made the decision to tell my parents that I wanted to go to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. My parents were not very happy about the choice, but reluctantly they let me go, figuring I'd be transferring after one semester. I love the University, and it was the best choice of my life. So, the best advice I can give to you, is to let your child choose where they want to school, because it is as big of a choise as what they will major in once they reach college.

for an instrument or voice, take a lesson at every school you visit.

Come to U of M! It's the absolute best place in the whole world. :)

Have a good idea of what you want to do for a living, and look for schools that specialize and/or have majors in that area. If you aren't quite sure what you want to be, find a large university with many options, because chaces are you'll find something you'll like there.

Don't do extra work to try to attend the most prestigious university possible. Work and study as hard for standardized tests as you want to work for the next four years. It isn't so much about the prestige, but about the school that is the right fit for you. I am so glad that I did not attend an ivy league university, because Michigan is the place for me.

Do your research on all the colleges considered. Encourage kids to get out of their rooms and meet people. Find a college that is diverse and one that caters to the needs of students from all types of backgrounds. Have fun but do your work.

As a senior in high school, I thought it would be wise to apply to schools based on the colorful brochures they sent me. If the pictures were cool and the graphics looked good, I sent an application to that school. I mean if the brochure was nice that meant the college was too, right? Not exactly. My best advice is to visit the colleges that you might want to attend. Look around while you're there-do students there seem happy, is there school pride, do you like the way the campus is laid out? Don't be intimidated by big or confusing campuses. In time you will learn where everythin is located. Most importantly, can you picture yourself on that campus? Do you feel proud when you imagine telling people that you go to this school? These last two things are crucial because in the end these things are what matter the most.

Make sure you stay focus on your goal, and save money for the hard times.

Find a school that will be challenging for you academically, but not so overwhelming that you forget there is more to life than getting an A in every single class.

Visit as many schools as possible. Go to the one that you like the best and where you feel most comfortable.

Always be yourself and have a passion for your life and goals that intersect the school you want to attend. Keep an open mind and value every aspect of journey........

I think the most important thing to remember is that, for most people, there is not just one "right" college choice. Your college life and experience is what you make it. The ways you choose to get involved once on campus are what really define a great college experience and open doors for the future-- not the name or image of a college that you choose before getting in. I have known people who ended up despising the college they had always dreamed of attending, and others who ended up falling in love with a college they were apprehensive about heading off to. Our choice of mindset and outlook on the college experience are what define it- the ways we get involved and the perceptions we have (positive or negative) about our future will ultimately lead us to it.

I would give parents and students the advice to research many colleges in and out of there home state. I would recommend that they visit colleges that they have an interest in to learn more about all aspects of those colleges and to discover the pros and cons of attending those colleges. I recommend that they consider the academic, financial aid, extra-curricular, and social opportunities available at all the colleges they have an interest in before making a final decision. In order to make the most of the college experience I recommend that students be adventurous and utilize the resources available to them. I recommend that they be involved in as many extracurricular organizations or activites of their interest that their time allows without sacrificing their academics. A student shouldn't be afraid to try new activities or step outside of their comfort zone. The more on-campus involvement a student has, the more people he or she will meet, and the better college experience he or she will have. I also suggest that when it comes to academics, always attend classes, join study groups, and utilize any other resources a professor provides in order to succeed in classes.

The college application process should be enjoyable for both parents and students- this is where you get to spend your next four years! Don't go crazy, but visit a variety schools that you may be interested in attending. Then, make a list of and apply to 5 or 6 schools that define what you want in a college experience, based on the size of campus, location of school, type of social life, amount of school spirit, etc. The college process will be less painful if you succinctly narrow down your options, but make sure you would be comfortable and happy attending all the schools to which you apply. Otherwise, it is wasted time and effort. When you start your freshman year, focus your first semester on adjusting to the new environment by concentrating primarily on academics and making a strong group of friends. During your second semester, you should pick about one or two extracurricular activities that you would enjoy participating in, but make sure you adjust to your classes first! It is important to be involved on campus because it introduces you to new people, ideas, and interests that you may never have previously explored.

I would suggest strongly visiting the school during the time when classes are in session so you can see how the classes are run and what its like during the week on campus. It is also important to do an overnight stay with a friend if you can to experience both the school educationally and the student life. When making your decision, making a pro and cons list helped me when I was stuck in my decision. Also, when applying to schools and deciding on which school to accept as the "one", make sure you outline criteria you want in a school, like class size, activities, religion, and cost. When looking at financial aid, apply early and call to see if you can recieve more. Also, keep healthy, it sucks being away from home when you are really sick. Get to know all the facilities avaiable once you decisde to attend the school, because sometimes if you wait to late, it may not be available anymore. Also, don't be afrain to take chance and apply for things, the worst that can happen is you turn it down.

I would say that it's best to take your time researching colleges and to go to the university that offers the most exciting program for what you intend to study. If you don't know what you want to do, I think a larger college where you are encouraged to explore different majors is best. Once you start going to college, take a deep breath and plunge in; get ready to dedicate most of your time to academics, but schedule time to get to know people, have fun, and relax. College is also a time to try new things and discover more about yourself, so look at the kinds of clubs and groups that you might not have had access to during high school. Most of all, take pride in the things you learn and the accomplishments you make, or else you may begin to feel lost or lose sight of why you decided to go to university. Remember that you are ultimately at college for yourself, whether this means getting a high-paying job, making an impact on the world, learning a healthier lifestyle, choosing a dream career, or becoming an important figure in the academic world.

First, visit the campus. Second, make sure that you understand how much everything is going to cost, and if an in-state school can offer the same opportunities, without the high prices. While it may not be your dream school, it'll save you A LOT of money, and still get you the degree you need, and no matter what, it's college, you'll have a good time. Calculate how much tuition, if your going to live on or off campus, food, entertianment, how much a date is going to cost. Include everything, and make sure it's ok. Also, go into a major that is right for you. I'm a dance major. I'm not going to make a lot of money, if any, but I know that this is what I want to do. Just because you get a degree in one thing doesn't mean you'll get a job in that field, that goes for all majors; business, medicine, law, english, pychology, everything. College is about furthering your education, and getting a degree. Some people see it as learning life lessons, others see it as getting a job, some see it as both.

-know what is best for the student -know yourself -explore your options -find out what it is you want to major in quickly but not too quickly where it is not right for you -everything is about the right fit for the student -know what type of student/personality you are and pick a school that suites you -participate in clubs or IM sports, there is always an option for anyone's interest if you look -dont be shy -dont be close-minded -dont be afraid of change -talk to your classmates -use the library!!! (you dont always have to buy books you can check them out too) -do not be afraid to ask questions -form consistent study habbits and stick with it -learn from your classmates and the other cultures and diversity

For starters, absolutely visit the college you are thinking about. If you can't see yourself there, you won't like it. It may also help to talk to kids from your high school or who you know who already attend. They can give you an insiders opinion on what it is actually like to go there. Take advantage of orientation programs, social activities offered, and even residential programs. You can find something out there for you, you just can't be afraid to look.

As a high school senior, I was terrified of finding the right school for me. What other students and parents need to understand is that your college experience is completely what you make of it. I love the University of Michigan, because I put the time and effort into joining clubs and programs and meeting new friends. I work hard at my schoolwork and love to be involved in the school's athletics. The only way to enjoy a school is by being proactive and positive. While Michigan wasn't even my first choice, I now cannot imagine myself anywhere else because of the experience I have had. I also know that once I leave this school, my degree from such an accredited university will be highy favorable. I also cannot wait to come back for the alumni weekend football games! Students and parents should try to find a school that is well rounded and can provide everything for them.

definitely visit schools before applying to them, and most certainly before deciding where to matriculate.

To find the right college you should definitley make appointments for college tours because although you may be sure of a certain university after reading about it, or seeing pictures of it, or knowing the background and opportunities available there, you really never know what it's like until you are there and you are experiencing it. Once you have seen it and imagined yourself actually attending there and knowing what it would be like, then you will know if it is the right choice for you. Also to make the most of your college experience I would suggest to try anything and everything, there are so many activities and club and events around campus, that you might not have ever heard about before or been around, and college is the perfect time to try and see if those are hobbies or even possible future careers that you might be interested in. Just don't let anything pass you by!

It's not all about the brand name because there is no much more to a college than just its ranking. Visit the college first, ask questions, stay open-minded.

Visiting a college is very important in making the choice. Getting a feel for he location, the buildings, and the people on campus can definitely make or break a school. Try to find potential extracurricular activities at colleges you're looking at and meet some people who are involved to get an insider's perspective. When choosing a college, it is very important to evaluate what is most important about college life to the prospective student: whether it's the quality of education, class size, sporting events, extracurricular activities, the "party atmosphere," or other factors, be sure to weigh them accordingly. Weighting these factors and sitting down and constructing a table to compare colleges is a very effective way to find the college that's right for you, or at least eliminate ones that aren't. To make the most out of college, find something you like and do something constructive with it! Don't languish in the dorms playing video games or watching TV, and don't blackout every weekend. Find something that you like, or that you're good at, and join a club. You'll enjoy college much more if you participate in something you enjoy.

Make sure you can afford to go to this school it is very expensive.

I believe that it is important to attend classes before hand to see how accessible the professors are. Although this may seem awkward, you should either wait for the students to ask the professor a question or ask him a question yourself to see how helpful his/her response is. Alot of professors at the University of Michigan are condescending when answering questions. I would also ask students what it is like to live at the university, especially if you don't like drinking and expect to stay in on the weekends studying.