University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Top Questions

Make goals, not expectations. I came to my University with a fantasy-like expection that college would be amazing in every way. Instead, I spent the first few weeks in shock. Amazing, yes...but it comes with a lot of hard work, a lot of new adjustments and a lot of breaking out from you're "comfort bubble." Making academic, soical and life goals for yourself is important...but don't come to college expecting it to be like the MTV spring break party you see on TV.

Going back to high school, the advice i would give not only myself but other friends as well is to take things easy and always give your best no matter what. Coming from a different city and living by myself i have learn to adapt and make friends easly. I can socialize better and i became more responsible. I would also have told myself to save up and learn to manage money better and perhaps take what i had learned from enterpreneurship and start a bussiness that could help others. I would also tell myself to keep focus and prioritize school over social events. It is important to start college right because it is hard to catch up later on and the sacrifices done could be prevented if only you would of set aside procrastination.

Looking back at myself as a freshman I can't find much that I would want to change. I came to the U of M with no close friends because I wanted a new experience. I wanted to find myself as they say and discover what kind of courage I had. As a freshman, I did my best to make new friends, try new things, and stay on top of my classes and learn as much as I could. Since my freshman year, I am close friends with people that I met as a freshman, I have a better sense of my values and passions and I believe that this was all atribute to this school. If there is one thing i would say to myself as a freshman it would be follow the path that you are on becasue it leads to great things.

I would tell myself to take post secondary classes so I can have a jump start on college academics. As for the independent life, I would have to say that it is difficult but you must be disciplined and focused, but leave time for fun or you'll go crazy.

I would tell myself to make sure I really find out about future payments I would have to make before I create a budget. I would also suggest to talk to people who have previously taken the classes I'd like to take to make sure I will have a challenging, but reasonable workload. I'd tell myself to get involved in groups that fit my interests, because this is a great way to meet people with whom you have things in common, and often a good thing to have on your resume.

As a senior in high school I filled my time with different extra-curricular activities and difficult classes, so intern I felt too obligated to complete each activity to take the time off for college visits. If I could change anything about my preparation for college, I would have spent less time researching schools on the Internet and more time visiting them. I now am planning to transfer schools and one main reason is the environment, which is great, is not right for me. It think it is important for students to visit both large state school and small liberal arts schools to decide what fits them and what programs will help them achieve their goals. I took too much into account other?s opinions while forming one for myself. So as my final bit of advice for students, go where you think you will flourish, college is what you work to get out of it, so pick the environment and major that you enjoy.

I would give myself the advice to save money and would have done post-secondary work. Although my parents help pay for tuition, there are so many other costs associated with school I never took into account. Working a part time job and going to school over the full time limit is hectic and some extra time on the side would be nice! As for post secondary work, I now think it would have been a great idea to start college classes in high school. In high school all I thought of was that my friends were all going to be at the high school and I was going to be on a college campus, so what fun would that be? I now realize how helpful it would have been to start taking credits as early as possible. Now that I'm a double major and a transfer student, an extra year has been added to my college experience.

Follow your gut instinct! Don't beat around the bush in choosing a college. Don't back down on your original choice. You will never regret a decision in your life because that's the type of person you are, so go for whatever you're interested in. Learn how to stop procrastinating. Start saving for studying abroad because in a few years, you're going to need the money. And most importantly, you're going to hate Chemistry so get out of the Biology major as fast as possible. Finance and Marketing are where your head will be in a few years.

You definitely should visit the college and spend the night before making the final decision. Talk to current students and visit during the school year. The best time to visit is when you are on MEA or have some day off of school while the college students are attending class. Make a chart comparing the aspects most important to you, no matter what they may be: class size, school size, location, food quality, if there is anything to do on the weekends, how involved people are and can be in the school and surrounding community, etc. You should definitely take your classes seriously, but go out of your way to meet people and make friends, as well as get connected to the surrounding community. Every little thing, no matter how unimportant it may seem in the decision process, deserves to be noticed. If your school does not offer a tour for possible attendees, then it probably won't care much about the students once they get there, so try to avoid schools like that. Most importantly: have fun and relax. It's a big, but exciting, step in your life!

A lot of people say that a new student should pick the most prestigeous school, or the most competitve school, or highly rated for a certain major, or have the best location. In my mind all of these play a role, there is no one thing that defines what is 'good' in a university. My biggest advice is this: stop worrying about where, what, and why. Go visit several universities around the country or abroad even. You will start to notice a different feel and vibe from each place you visit. Pick one that feels...right...for you. I'm not trying to get mystical or spiritual here. I visited well over a dozen schools all over the United States, both private and public. The school I chose to enroll in was not even in my top 5 at the time. There was just something about visiting my current university that I found unique and proper for me. And I don't regret a moment of it. I have great friends, I'm involved with research projects, hold officer positions with student groups. I went with my gut instinct instead of what people told me, and found a fantastic community.

I am going to keep this short and simple. When looking for the right college, it is good to find one that has good reviews and great professors, but another major component is the feel. When I stepped foot on the University of Minnesota campus, I knew right then and there that this was the place for me. I didn't even want any other college as a fall back becasue I knew that I would not be happy unless I attended this particular school. So parents, listen to your kid and make sure that the college that they want to go to is theie decision, not yours.

As far as finding the right college, you have to see yourself not just studying there but living there. If you can picture yourself walking around campus on a Saturday and it feels right, then it is most likely a great fit. Once you're there, it is crucial that you step outside of your comfort zone. I've always been shy and didn't change that about myself my freshman year so I didn't make as many friends as I would've liked to. One great thing I did was I joined something on my own without my friends which helped make me feel more a part of the community and helped me grow as a person. So be outgoing, step outside of your comfort zone, try something new, and study hard. It's ok to be nervous.

choose the college that you would like. listen to your parents opinions but ulimately you're the one that has to decide which college you want to go to. choose a college that is comfortable for you. Also work hard in school and just HAVE FUN!

You have to visit the schools. I think that once you are there you will just feel whether it's right or not. I knew the minute I stepped foot on the U of M campus that it was the right school for me. In order to make the most of it you need to go out and meet people. Keep your dorm room door open so that people can stop by and when the campus has student events go. Go to the sporting events and learn all of the cheers and traditions. Make a check list of things to do while you're at school and try to finish them all before you graduate. Take classes that seem interesting even if they aren't in your major. Use the facilities available to you like the recreational center or the music rooms. Talk to your professors and get to know them; they can be really interesting. Get involved, put yourself out there, and try new things. It will make your whole experience better and you will be so much happier.

Every student that is approaching the end of high school gets tons of letters in the mail from every different college. Dont just discard the colleges you've never heard of or think you dont want to go to. Give every college an equal chance and you will find the school that is perfect for you. Also, don't be pressured to enter any specific school because of what your parents say or what your friends are doing. A lot of my friends picked schools based on these pressures and hated their first year. In fact, a couple of those people are now tranferring to my school. Dont be intimidated by a large school because you dont want big classes, and dont shy away from a small school because you want quality education. All schools offer different things, and taking time to read those letters and surf those websites will help you make the right decision.

If you go to a college and do not feel right, it is okay to switch. Find a college that has a field of study you are interested in, but don't forget that you need to feel comfortable in the area and on campus.

In order to make the most out of your college experience, you really need to speak up and get involved with the things that interest you on campus. Go to free campus activities, join a club, make your own! There are so many possibilities that its a wonder that so many freshman do nothing when they come to campus. Honestly, getting involved is probably one of the best things you can do for yourself. When you're busy at college, you tend to learn how to balance your schedule, get better grades, and make friends that will last you a lifetime! As to finding the right college to go to, don't sweat it. Your college experience is what YOU make it to be. If you have a gut feeling that "this is the campus for me" then go with it! Thats what I did as soon as I set foot in the Twin Cities campus. I loved it, I'm getting involved, and I am completely satisfied with my college experience.

Make sure you go on a tour before you decide on a college and there is a college or university out there for everyone.

Find a college that suits you and your goals, and stay true to those aspirations.

"You'll just know." Those were the words I heard from numerous college students who had gone through the same process in previous years. As little as those words did to quell my fears about picking the right college, they were true. Touring multiple colleges gave me the chance to experience each univeristy for what it is and how it fit my goals. By asking questions to tour guides, professional staff, and attending students, I was able to judge each campus's fit for my desired college experience. In addition, I toured campuses multiple times. The second tour clinched my decision; I had the feeling of "just knowing" that other students had mentioned. Once on campus, I had fears of fitting in and choosing the wrong classes. Once again, talk! By talking to professors, advisors, and peers, I was able to discover the best places to eat and study, the best professors and courses to take, and the multitude of activities in which I could be invovled. Their suggestions combined with personal research helped me make informed decisions on what I wanted to do to make the most of my college expereience. Don't be afraid to get out there!

I would definitely advise them to visit the campus before making any final decision. Find out how culturally diverse the campus is and how large the classes are. Those two aspects play a huge role in a persons college experience. Make sure you have a good counselor that cares about you and your success as a college student. A counselor is a very great tool that every college student should utilize during their college experience and you want to make sure that he/she cares about your future just as much as you do.

Parents: Let your children make their own choice. I cannot emphasize this enough. College is not only where most students learn to buckle down, gain new skills and make friends that may follow them throughout their life, it is also where they hope to fit in, where they want to originate from, where they will eat, sleep and breathe for four years. This is not a choice you have the right to make, even if you are putting up the money for it. If your kids aren't ready to make informed, mature choices, allow them to learn from their mistakes. They're your kids, but they're adults now. Let go. Students: Do not choose something to get back at your parents. Don't go as far away from home as possible. Don't choose someplace because your friends are going there. Choose a place that looks/feels/sounds like YOU. Finances play a part in difficult decisions like these, but you can go wherever you want, do whatever you want, regardless. And do as MUCH AS YOU CAN. It really is true: you get what you put forth. Don't be lazy. Don't regret not being enough.

I would tell parents and students to look at a variety of different colleges while making their decision. Look at colleges big and small even if you think you would not normally like it. I have always been a shy person so at first, I said that the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities is too big and I would never find my place. But boy was I wrong. I met a great group of friends and absolutely love the campus and all it has to offer. So dont always go with your first instinct. Check out a number of school and tour them, but most of all on those tours ask questions! Becuase more than likely the tour guides would love to ask your questions because the love their school! And start looking and thinking early!

The most important piece of advice that I would give students about finding the right college and making the most out of the college experience is to have fun with the courses that you take. If students do not enjoy the courses for which they have registered, they are far less likely to stay motivated and to excel in them. When choosing a university I would also suggest, in addition to touring the campus, arranging a meeting with some of the faculty that belong to the department in which the student has enrolled. This provides an excellent opportunity to not only get to know your potential faculty members, but also to determine whether or not their personalities are geared toward making your educational experience at that school the best that it can possibly be.

I would advise students to apply to as many colleges as possible during high school, even when it seems to take forever, and all the applications are the same! After applying I definitely advise visiting all the schools that are of interest, because a school that sounds great a brochure may not actually fit your needs once you visit the campus. Making appointments or just dropping in to meet proffesors or coaches is very beneficial as well, as they have a certain perspective and great knowledge of the academic opportunities available on campus that students may not be aware of. For parents I would advise stepping back and letting your child take the reins in the application proccess, this is an important part of the start of his/her college career! Most of all I would suggest picking a college where, as a student, you feel the most comfortable! College can be a great experience if it is a place that fits all your needs, and trust me, that college is out there!

Look for colleges that offer a variety of options for experiences outside the classroom. Colleges that encourage students to become involved in the community and develop relationships between learning in the classroom and the outside world are programs that you want to look for and attend. Put yourself out there, volunteer and get involved. It will enhance your knowledge and understanding of the world and it will benefit you more than you know. My greatest experiences from college revolved around the learning I gained from volunteering and being involved in activities and clubs. Its easy to pass these things up and enjoy other aspects of college life, but you can do both and you will be happy in the long run for taking advantage of all the opportunities that colleges offer. Also, study abroad!!!! I can't say it enough, it is worth it!! You will regret it if you don't and I wish I would have done more of it! It is the best time in your life to pick up and live in another country for a short time!!! Take advantage and enjoy!

Finding the right college is a difficult process but can be done. The most important thing to remember is not to stress. Things will turn out well. One thing that can be done to make the process easier is finding a college that when you step onto the campus you immediately feel at home. If you feel at home and are comfortable, then finding friends, finishing assignments on time, and getting a high score on a midterm or final will come much easier. Once you have found that college, making the most of your experience is really up to you. If you get involved in an organization that supports something you are passionate about, that will lead you to others who have similar feelings; getting involved is key. Get to know the professors and your classmates and you will find people who want to help you succeed. They will not, however, come to you without any effort on your part. You have to be willing to be a good friend or student and they will be willing to be a good friend or teacher in return. Basically have fun, make smart choices, and the rest will come.

The most important thing about choosing a college is finding the school that fits the student best. It is crucial to find a school that best fits the student's learning style and offers the experiences that the student is looking for. College is the best place to achieve their independence. To make the most of the college it is important to get involved at the school, there are many ways to do this including numerous clubs and organizations as well as organized events. The most important thing is to decide what you want to get out of your college education and then find events, organizations and classes that provide those things.

Go to the college before hand for a visit so you can get a feel for what its like. Make sure you and your parents both like the college. It will be a much more rewarding experience if you both agree on where you are at.

Make sure students go on college tours and actually get a feel for what the school is like. Go during times when class is in-session and when the campus is full of the students, because that is what school will feel like. Some of my friends at different universities do not like where they attend school, and it is solely because they didn't get out there and tour many campuses. I toured at four different universities and twice at the University of Minnesota, which is where I now attend. This is the place where you are going to spend the next four years of your life, and college is such a big part of your life that it does make a difference where you have toured. You will make lifelong friends, study your major, and grow so much; it is completely necessary to have the correct feel of the university, because when it is the one for you, you'll know.

Having transferred from the University of Wisconsin-Madison to the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, I have had two very different experiences with two different colleges. With my transfer I believe that I have found the school the best fits my needs and personality. But how does one find that college? My experience has taught me that finding the right college can't be decided by other people's opinions or the college's reputation. The way to find the right school for each individual is not by researching magazine and online polls, or basing it on sports rankings or social events. If you look for it, no matter how big or small the school, one can find many opportunities and get a great education that best fits their needs. It's important to find a college where you can focus on academic work according to your own personal needs, as well as be able to enjoy your experience by having social events available based on personal interests. Finding a school where you are happy and comfortable ensures that you perform at your best as well as acquire the most out of your experience.

College is another step towards becoming an adult and being apart of the real world. Location, Scholarship Offers, Size of School, Professors to Student ratio, extra-curricular activites offered and so much more are important when selecting a college of your choice. Selecting colleges can be tough, but the right college is determined solely upon what is fit for you (the student). Parents, you should be there for you son/daughter, because the moment they open their acceptance letter or if the letter turns out to be a denied application, they (your son/daughter) will need you right there by their side. The adventure doesn't end the moment they read their letter or when you drop your son/daughter off for their first day of college, it is just starting. For the student, take advantage of every opportunity on or off campus, but also stay focus and make sure you keep those grades up.

The best advice I can give is to remember that choosing which college to attend will be one of the first decisions you make in your process to becoming an individual. Pick your school based on how you feel about it when you visit the campus and when you visualize yourself on the campus. During your process of trying to pick a school try not to think about where your friends or boyfriend/girlfriend will be or what your parents want. Choosing a college is one of the biggest decisions you get to make in your life and I personally believe you are allowed to be selfish, within reason in making that decision because in the end it will only affect you. And remember, if in the long run your choice didn't work out as well as you thought...that's okay because you can find a different school and transfer. I found a school that I loved, but in the end I found one that fit me better and ended up transferring, however, I wouldn't give up any of the life changing experiences I have had the pleasure of experiencing at both of the universities.

In order to find the right college, make sure that you visit the college in order to truly understand what it feels like to be there. Try and stay the weekend and meet some people so that you will have a few people that you can contact if you decide to go to that school. If you end up going to a school where there are a lot of people from your high school, don't take your judgements of them to college with you, you will be amazed at how different people are when they are not in the high school world anymore. Live you life outside the box. Parents, let your children be themselves and make their own mistakes, it's the only way that they will learn from them. Make sure that the college your child chooses is their dream, not your dream for them. If it's your dream, they end up being more stressed about pleasing you than getting the experience that will help them figure out who they are. Finally, one bad grade or one bad semester is not the end of your life, it helps guide you to what you are good at.

UMN is spread out and HUGE. Students ride bikes everywhere . The bus system is excellent and you can ride all the way to the airport and Mall of America. My best advice for new students is to find a sub group of interest. It is very difficult to socialize without being involved in some activity or club, sports or Greek life. Once you are involved, there is always something going on. Sports are a big part of college life as the UMN is one of the Big Ten schools. Students have to be proactive in friendships and academics. Professors do not hold your hand. Always check your email and don't be late to class. There is a foreign language requirement so plan your four year schedule. Off campus housing is surprisingly affordable (subjective- since I was raised on the East Coast). UMN is not for beach bums. The weather is COLD like I never felt before and again I'm from the East Coast. Minneapolis is rocking and the theater life is amazing. Also just outside of campus is Dinkytown, a cool hip section of the city where you will find great cafe's, food and nightlife. Have fun.

First and foremost, there is no rush. While I am completely satisfied with my school and though it was my first choice, I felt rushed to chose. Do not feel rushed because there is plenty of time. This is also a very important decision that requires time and thinking. Your college should have a good program for what you want to pursue, but also good programs in other interests you have because more likely than not, you will change your major, possibly more than once. Once in college, keep schoolwork first, but be open-minded to new ideas. Put yourself out there to get involved in activities. Getting involved even in one event will greatly improve your social spectrum without you even realizing it.

How far do you REALLY want to be from home? The Post-Secondary option saves a lot of money and time if you can do it during high school. Take advanced-placement classes and do well on the exams, becaues it can help you pass out of lib-ed requirements. Take advantage of learning-abroad opportunities.

Remember to make the most of these years because they fly by very quickly.

College for most people is about growing, learning, adapting, and dreaming. For many, it is the best years of their lives because they are able to meet new people and experience new things that they never were able to before. They have the ability to study anything they want, and are given the responsibility of picking a path for life. College is not just about fun and social experiences; it's also about hard work, diligence, and motivation. The balance between work and play is a learning curve for most, but is one of the best lessons in life. When picking a college, many aspects need to be considered. Tuition, location, majors offered, financial aid, and campus life are a few of the most important. A person needs to decide what is most important to them and what they want out of college experience, and then do the research on the desired schools. Always apply to more than one school. Regardless of where you go to school, always give your best and do it with an open mind and if so, you will without doubt have a positive educational experience.

I do not think I will be able to win this because I already graduated with my bachelor's degree from the U of M and I am at graduate school in a different state. However, I would be happy to share my advice. My best advice for both students and parents is to pick a handful of schools that you are truly interested in and tour them. Ask lots of questions on your tour about what the campus can offer you according to your needs and interests. Aside from social activities on campus, you might look into class sizes and the variety of majors that are offered. For students who are unsure of their major, you may consider looking at colleges who offer a variety of majors that interest you. Academically, I think this would be a great way to start your college experience. In terms of social activities, I would strongly suggest living in dormatories where you will meet life long friends. Being on campus as much as possible is the best part of a true college experience! So get into the school spirit with your new friends and show your pride for your ahievements and your school!

Choose your locations widely. Stay in the dorms, its an important experience, especially for networking and meeting new people. Be involved on campus. Party wisely; learn to balance a fun social life with good study habits. Stay on top of things and dont get behind. College is a blast so you've got to make the most out of it!

My biggest piece of advice would be to visit the schools you are applying too and see which ones feel right. It sounds kind of corny but when you find the right school you will know. The students should be willing to try different types of school and don't make the decision based on money. If you apply for enough scholarships and financial aid you can make it work. The biggest thing I would suggest as far as making the most of a college experience would be to get involved. There are countless groups and clubs that want to get to know new people and it is a great way to meet people that have similar interests in the prospective students. Don't be afraid, there is nothing to lose.

I'm going to go off on an unorganized tangent with the answer to this question. Parents, be honest with your child when it comes to being able to afford college so they aren't disappointed and worried about affording a college that they're accepted too. Students study, study, study; don't wait til after partying or hanging with friends to do your homework. Parents and students make sure to take a tour of schools that the child is accepted too in order to get a quick feeling of the size and nature of the school, so the student finds the school they feel most comfortable. Also make sure the student, as well as the parent, stays on top of deadlines and completes them as well in advance as possible, such as housing applications so the student is guranteed "satisfactory" housing. Finally, the parents and students need to keep in touch on a regular basis by phone or email so the students have a support system at home. By doing so when the student comes home for breaks they'll feel like they've never left in a way. Students stay focused on your education, not on partying.

make friends, be open minded

College is a huge life change. The most important factors that I believe will determine your happiness at a university is size, location, and opportunities that are provided. First of all you need to choose whether you will be more comfortable at a large university where you are forced to be very independent and seek out any help you might need or if you would prefer a small school where the focus is more on students. You have to remember that large schools may have more resources but you will have to work harder to find them. The location is important because although running far away from home seems like a good idea when you have been living under your parents? roof for 18 years, having them within driving distance will help with the anxiety of first leaving home as well as providing a source for food and spending money when times get hard. Finally you want to consider what services the school will provide for you. Many school guarantee on campus jobs, internships, and post-graduation job placement help. What you want from your campus should determine which college you choose.

I would make sure you're positive that you want to attend a big (or small) school. You have to decide if a small community is what you want or if you're happy just being a face in the crowd.

Always visit the school, you have to check the vibe of a school. When you finally choose the school, don't be afraid to go somewhere else if the experience doesn't work. But give it a try, trust your self and your instincts. College will shape your future, trust your past to send you in the right direction.

Find a place that fits. Sometimes, the best thing may be to take 2 years at a Community College to get a feel for classes, complete your generals, and then move on to a larger school. You save money and end up being better-prepared!

For the Students, find a college that when you step foot on campus, you fall in love. That you take pride in where you go to school, get involved in everything you can, study abroad!! Get to know new people and your professors, volunteer, and even though it seems like you have all this extra time to have fun, make sure to stay caught up in studying because the exams are harder than you think they are and procrastination will make you pay, BIG TIME! Parents, its a hard thing letting go of your child, but they will have a blast and will never forget you. So don't worry and help them along, because they will need it.

When choosing a college, I would encourage students to take an inventory of what they want out of a college. They shou;d decide whether they like a big or small campus, whether they want to live on or off campus, and what kinds of programs they want to be involved in. I would encourage then to visit the campus, becuase then you get a really good feel for what it is going to be like when you go there.