University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Top Questions

I would tell myself to not be so timid and shy. People in college are accepting and open-minded about so many things. It is important to put yourself out there and get involved with the things that you love. The people who love you, will love you. The poeple who don't, well don't think that you have to conform to their standards. Be yourself, people will adore you for it. Trust me.

If I could do things all over again, I would have looked more closely at the things that matter when getting an education. I didn't really care about class size, liberal arts requirements, or curriculum. I paid attention to mascots and the looks of the campus and students, thinking that all colleges are the same when it comes to all the other "stuff". Unfortunately, I found out that a bigger school might mean more extra-curricular options, but that it's nearly impossible to get into the classes you want or even need to graduate. I found out that being in a small, college town can make your school feel isolated and not "real-world-esque". I found out that looking at a course selection booklet is decieving and that you need to ask for the numbers when it comes to what is REALLY available and who gets in. Overall, I wish I had done more research to find a college that would suit my needs, not just look good on paper.

I would advise myself to not be so overconfident. High school was easy, but that is because there was a different academic standard. Getting into UNC was only half the battle, and to complete your academic journey, you need to not only stay focused, but step it up. Discipline and study methods are skills that you must cultivate to really succeed at the college level.

I would tell myself to not make the mistake of relaxing to the point where I become lazy and my GPA after freshman year is something too embarrassing to say aloud. I would remind myself of my dreams of becoming a doctor, and to keep that goal in mind everytime I want to turn on the television instead of studying.

Essentially, I would begin the process of choosing a college sooner and put more thought into the matter. I would apply early for both schools and scholarships, and I would only apply to those I am certain would be a good school for me. I would consider all schools I was accepted to and select the one that most met my needs, disregarding which is considered the best or most prestigious. I would fill out the FAFSA on time and apply for scholarships that require essays even though I prefered the ones that took less effort. When selecting a place to live, I would choose a dorm with mostly first years because the older students are less interested in making new friends. I would search for friends with non-alcoholic hobbies. When selecting classes, I would take mostly general education requirements no matter how sure I was of which major I wanted, because there could always be a better one I hadn't heard of. I would do homework even if it wouldn't be graded, but I would also make an effort to do things that are fun without considering how they will look on a resume.

If I was able to go back in time and talk to myself as a highschool senior, I would've told myself to take more AP courses, and sign up for as many placement tests as I could. It would've helped me tremendously. Plus, I would need to work more on my writing skills. Lastly, I would've told myself to save some money.

This past summer I worked for a non-profit children's sleep away camp in Pennsylvannia for children with chronic illness called Dragonfly Forest. These children inspired me more than words can say. After all they endure at such a young and vulnerable age they are still hopeful and so resilient. There are so many things in life to take advantage of while you're able. I came into college not knowing exactly what I wanted to do but I have held strong to my beliefs and made some decisions along the way that have further fueled my love for children and non profit work. I would make sure that I knew how important it is not to stress myself out as much as I have. I would tell myself to relax, take a deep breath, and when I'm having a tough time to always remember the smiles and the hope in the of those children at Dragonfly Forest.

Don't get hung up on the prestige of an ivy league school. It's a lot more important to be on a campus where you'll feel comfortable and where you think you'll fit in with the students. You need to consider that this is going to be four entire years of your life, so choose carefully and pay attention to the little things because they're usually the most important.

Parents should encourage their kids to explore at least several different schools so that the student can find the one which fits their desires/needs most adequately, as well as the one which seems most "homey." Not all students want huge universities, but some don't like small ones because they are just like highschool. I found it easier to adjust to the harder and heavier workload presented by college by being somewhere I felt comfortable and safe. The school should be inviting, first impressions of a campus are important. My advice to students: Don't be afraid to reach out to people your first year. Everyone there is in the same boat as you, or was at one point in their lives (even professors). Most are friendly, inviting, and even excited to welcome you to their community. And don't worry--freshmen don't stick out as badly as most people think. Within a week of being at school you will blend in easliy.

Definitely explore all your options and don't just go with what your friends are doing. Be outgoing and take advantage of everything offered to you in order to meet new people and have new experiences.

I would advise students to find schools with programs that allow them to "shadow" a student for a day and a night. This would give the student an opportunity to see the school without the hovering parents and a tour guide who is trained to sell them on all of the school's best points. A student would take their shadow to normal classes, even those with a boring teacher, and to the dining hall. The student would ideally live in campus housing so that the shadow could be exposed to the residence halls as well. Once at college, I would advise students to keep in touch with their parents. (They always like to feel included, and the more they know, the more financial aid they will lend.) I would also suggest that the student get involved in as many activities as may present themselves. Though this may at first feel stressful, the student will soon find some activities less interesting than others and the load will lessen.

I would suggest visiting all the schools you are interested in. If you visit a college you like, you will know its for you when you visit. Instead of talking to advisors and paid tour guides, talk to real students on campus and ask them what they like about their school, what activities they are involved in and what they are majoring in. They can give you real, honest answers. When choosing a school consider the following aspects: size, population, friendliness of students, diversity, what type of majors the school specializes in, and the town where the school is located. If you get the chance, sit on a class to see what its like. Join clubs/ frat/ sororities/ intramural sports- anything you are interested in. Hangout in the dorm. Study abroad. Volunteer with your fellow classmates. Join study groups. Go to professors' office hours- it really helps. Attend guest lectures. Go the theater. Go on weekend trips with your friends to a nearby lake or park. Go to a rave. Participate in undergrad research. Go to football games. Pack 18 people into a 15 passenger van and drive to Detroit for the National Championship. GO HEELS! :)

The most important aspect in choosing a university is people. People have the most influence over your college experience's quality. They are what you remember, even decades after you have graduated. They become lifelong friends. Therefore, while a degree from a world-reknowned university is good for academia and emplyment, the people one meets at the university are good for the very soul of the person. My advice to incoming students is this: meet people, become an attractice person who draws people to himself, and strive to please others, and a lifetime of benefits and enjoyment is yours. And, when you have a little spare time, study hard for your tests.

The best advice that I can give someone about finding the right college is finding a place where you feel that you can gain the most experience and knowledge aside from what you want to gain from your particular major. It is all about having options that in turn will result in opportunities. To make the most of your college experience you just need to live and experience all that the college can offer you, never limit yourself from the possible and never say that anything is impossible, especially when you have not taken the time to do it.

A student has to figure out what quality of a college of university is most important to them. Size, academic rigor, tuition, available majors, graduation rate, and study abroad opportunities are just a few factors students use to distinguish colleges from one another. Remember, your parents are just as excited and proud as you are, so keep them involved in this decision and throughout the rest of your college years. During the first year of college, use your best judgment about balancing classes and a social life. Academics should be the top priority. To make the best of your education, take every opportunity given to you, such as attending every class, going to see professors during office hours to ask questions, being tutored if necessary, and forming study groups. In order to take advantage of the full college experience, work hard so that there will be no regrets, join a few organizations to be involved and make friends, learn from your mistakes, and take the time out to engage in a hobby or do something that you truly enjoy. Lastly, always be thankful and show humility because not everyone has the chance to further their education. Best wishes to everyone.

Students: Your future is in your own hands not anyone elses. With the decision of choosing what college is best for you, do what makes YOU happy. I say with deciding a college and after deciding what college is right for you, also use that thought process in choosing a major and a job. Remember you have to live with YOU for the rest of your life, noone else. Moreover, meaning once again, do what makes YOU happy!! To the parents, I know this may seem harse, but let your children be the ones to pick what college THEY want to go to. At the end of the day it is THEIR education, and THEIR future. Be there as a guilding light, not as an owner with a pet on a leash. It may be hard to let your children grow up, but the time has come for you to let your baby bird fly. Be happy with the growth they will make over these next four years. When commencement day arrives, you will come face to face with an adult to be proud of. Enjoy these next four years, they go by fast and you only get one chance!

1. Definitely do your research about the schools that you are interested in. Become informed not just about your potential school's social scene, but also it's academics and it's location. 2. Go out and visit different schools and even sit in on some large lectures to get a feel for the campuses. 3. My parents always told me that when it comes to education, money doesn't matter, but in my opinion, it kind of does. Pick a school that has value and that will allow you some financial freedom. Especially in this tough economy, getting out of school without a pile of debt is always a good idea. 4. When you arrive at your chosen college, get involved! Meeting more people will help to ease the pain of leaving the familiarity of your high school. 5. Try something new, step outside of your comfort zone and don't be afraid to experience more. 6. Do not skip any classes, even if they are at 8 AM. Trust me, you will regret it. 7. It's simple, don't drink because it's the smart thing to do. Drinking alcohol is just consuming expensive and empty calories.

Finding your college is a completely personal decision. It can't be based on where the majority of your high school tends to go or where your parents are desparate for you to go. And it's not exactly about what you want to do for the rest of your life either. See, that is what I believe college is for. The best use of your time in college will be to explore. There are so many new opportunites to involve yourself in ways that haven't been previously available to you. No matter where you go, you can't help but to learn more about yourself and who you want to become and how you want to live your life. The right answer to where you want to go to college comes when you ask yourself where your favorite place to be is. Do you like being in large groups of people? or small? Do you like the big city? or something more natural? Do you like to spend times out doors? Or would you rather hit the town? Or are you somewhere in between. So my advice is to do your research- on possible colleges AND on yourself.

Take the time to visit colleges and get a feel for the dynamic of the student body, ultimately you will be spending the formative years of your adult life here, so it is important to feel at home. Things that are often overlooked but are nevertheless factors do include such seemingly trivial things as the climate, location (urban or rural) and architecture. Education is a holistic objective that requires not only academic advancement, but also character growth, the development of soft skills and the furthering of non academic interests. Find somewhere where you are comfortable that the attitude towards academics and the workload balance is appropriate to challenge you, keep you interested, but also allow you to get involved with student groups and student life. The value of the degree is not only in the name of the institution, but in the quality of the educational journey.

There are quite a few things I would have done differently as a college freshman if I knew then what I know now. The best advice I could give to incoming freshmen is to talk to students at that school. Every college has its own ins and outs that every student learns through experience. Coming to a school as a knowledgeable freshman gives you a huge advantage over all of the confused, scared freshmen. To become experienced: visit the school, get to know the campus, talk to students you know and don't know, study the map, look through the courses, visit the website...basically get to know every aspect of the school possible because this knowledge will prove very useful in the future. Becoming one with the campus and all it has to offer makes the transition from high school to college so much smoother. Good luck!

The college process is daunting to many students and parents alike. As acceptance becomes harder due to the growing population applying to college, many consider the process as a weighty task rather than a time of discovery. With over 1,000 colleges in America, a student entering any field can find their perfect school. The key to narrowing down the vast number to a manageable load is in finding the environment in which one would wish to learn and live, and not only focus on the fields of study offered by the schools. The school's environment strongly impacts a student's success at a university, both academically and socially, and students should strongly consider their likes and dislikes when looking at a school's campus, location, and the fields in which the university specializes. Once arriving at a college, the air is exhilirating and filled with numerous people who share your interests and goals. Getting involved in groups and other extra-curricular activities that interest students direct them to people with similar tastes and create some of the greatest friendships. College is a wonderful experience to gain enriching knowledge as well as make lifelong friends and create unparalleled memories.

Spend adequate time investigating your schools: don't just take someone's word for it. Furthermore, it is definitely important to seek out and take part in some sort of internship or actual "real world" work experience while in college because too many colleges do not provide such experiences themselves. Although you may not know exactly what you want to do upon graduation, having some real world experience through an internship will at least help you understand what life is like outside of the classroom.

My parents allowed me to chose the school I wanted to attend based partially on where my heart told me I would be the happiest. I believe that it is extremely important for academic success to attend the school where you can see yourself thriving. Entering as a freshman with thoughts of this is where I really want to be leads to a positive attitude towards all aspects of the college experience , whether they be academics or social. My advice to parents would be to offer your input on their decision making process by listening to your child when they express their observations of a campus after a visit and compare those reactions and comments to ones you heard after other visits. Then start a pros and cons list of each college. Seeing facts in writing on one school versus another is often very helpful to both the parent and the students. Stress to your child to be organized! And encourage them to get involved on their campus and in the community. Finally, consider strongly what kind of global programs the schools offer. International experience is invaluable.

In order to find the right college, it is imperative that the student visit the campus and explore it alone. Tour guides and parents can put pressure on the student to feel a certain way about the college, when the student would feel differently if left alone. When exploring the campus, try to imagine how well it would fit your ideal study environment. Do you like open fields or paved areas? Is there somewhere you can get your favorite food quickly? Will the students stop and help you find a place? The student can only discover this alone, and it will make the difference between settling for a college and choosing one that feels right. Finally, making the most of the college experience starts right at the beginning. The student needs to make as many friends and join as many organizations as possible. Explore every interest. It is ok to reach out at the beginning, because everyone else is in the same boat! As time goes by, you'll narrow down the friends and activities to the things and people that will define you for the rest of your life.

Here two graduating seniors offer advice to first year students in hopes to help them make the most of their time at Carolina!

Parents and students both need to find a place that would fit them best. It is important for a parent to understand that their student will be the one living and attending the school. If the student is not happy where they are, they will not succeed. Parents need to provide help and guidance, but not be too overbearing to their student. The student should make sure that there is a balance of academics and social life because college is about learning and getting a degree, but in order to succeed in life social skills are necessary. You have to go into the process with an open mind and gather as much information as possible, especially from students who currently attend the school because they know best. Give the school a chance. Sometimes it takes more than on visit. It is important to realize that you may not be able to find a completely perfet fit for both the student and the parent but there needs to be compromise, and in the end it will work out.

Take your time to research on each school and look beyond the raw number of the schools ranking. The school need to fit the students overall interest and values but still encompass a great academic environment that will allow the student to grow academically and as an individual.

First, know yourself. Do you need sports, cultural events, art, study abroad, research... what? What kind of classes do you prefer? You have to do serious personal reflection and figure out what kind of environment makes you happy and enables you to reach your full potential. Second, do your research. It takes a lot of time, but it is worth every minute to know your school before you enroll. Checkout websites. Visit your school. Talk to alumni. You don't want to be unpleasantly surprised, and in searching hard, you might find that perfect school. Third, when you get to college, give it your all. Study hard--that's why you're there. You'll be glad you did when you get a job you love later, and when you take pride in your work. Get involved in the community--you'll make connections to the real world and break away from the isolation of campus. Finally, spend as much time with your friends as possible. They will keep you going, and you will form all of your best memories with them. Just remember, when reflecting back on college, you will never think, "I wish I had gotten more sleep."

Do your homework. The best way to get something good out of your college experience is to pay attention to details and focus on what you want rather than what other people want during the research process. Also, visit your prospective school and ask alot of questions. The best thing you can do is do your research and be happy from the beginning. Just take your time. You have plenty.

I would advise them to find a campus that draws them in. It is important to find a school that has an atmosphere and community that interests the student. Obviously academic prestige is important, but remember that the student will be living there for four or more years. When the semesters start to get stressful the student must feel at home on their campus. Otherwise, the stress and pressure from school work can be extremely overwhelming. If there are outlets available to the student that allow them to forget about the pressure of school their quality of life will be much higher. For example,if the student really enjoys hiking then I would suggest going to school in the mountains. Just try to figure out what it is that the student is most interested apart from school work. Then try to find a school that appeals to the student's interests. Just remember, going to college is much more than devoting four years to school, it is also often the most memorable years of a person's life. Life is too short to worry over grades and results, do your best and try to enjoy the ride along the way.

My best advice to students searching for the right college (because, financial decisions aside, it should be the student's choice) is to visit campuses and meet some of the students there. They are truly the best resource for honest, accurate information, and most of them are happy to answer questions about their school. I also think that students (and especially their parents) tend to take the college search a bit too seriously. Calm down, chill out, enjoy your last year of highschool, put in some applications to schools that appeal to you, enjoy wherever you end up. The college experience is whatever you make of it.

Pick your friends like you pick your fruit...and study closely the one whom you let borrow your boots.

Really research what you want out of a school and make sure the ones you're applying to offer those things! Find a place that you can balance social and school life. They're both so important! Your first month of school, do NOT go home. Cut the cord, parents and children.

There are no perfect schools, only possibilities. When it comes to choosing a school, it's important to visit, talk with current students, do all the research you can, but you can only know so much. It's inevitably a gamble. And you only get so much choice--they're also considering you--not to mention the problems you may run into with cost of attendance. The most important thing, then, is not to find THE school but to find several that can be a good fit, offering you the options you need. And once you get there, try not to look back too much. Embrace the decision you've made and do all you can to put yourself out there. Ask questions in class and join listservs for dozens of student organizations and organize get-togethers on the hall of your dorm. Explore what all you can learn, what all you can do, who all you can be. And most of all, remember the emphasis college life puts on community. Make the kinds of friends you'll want to keep for life, and stay open to new friendships throughout college. They'll laugh, cry, study, and dream with you.

When searching for the right college, students of course need to consider what school would provide them with the best education and future career opportunities, but they should also take into account the environment in which they would be the most successful. School size, distance from home, diversity, etc. all should be taken into account because these factors will strongly impact the education students will receive. Also, parents and students shouldn't disregard the cost of the colleges they are considering. If an expensive school will require the student to take out large loans, they need to consider the impact it will have on their future to have loans to pay back. In general, a student needs to find the best balance between level of education, school environment and best value.

Tour, tour, tour! Visit prospective schools beforehand; it is an invaluable way to learn about the culture of the school and visualize yourself there as a student. Dropping in at a school - especially when classes are in session - can lead to a dream-school discovery or help to avoid making the wrong choice. Once at school, do not be afraid to venture out of your comfort zone - some of the most unforgettable experiences will be those that started spontaneously, whether it's a club or group you join on a whim or a wild night out that earns lifetime friends. Your school will have tons of resources for you - use them.

Before applying make a list of expectations you have for college. What academics are you interested in; Do you want an active campus, or a quiet campus; are you into school sports or intrameral sports; Consider what you want as a student and make sure the schools you apply to meet this criteria. When it comes down to deciding between a couple of different schools, and one is less expensive, pick the less expensive one. Then while you are in school you will not have to be as concerned about financial aid, and you can use the money you saved on tuition to do other opportunities, like retreats with student organizations or study abroad. Get involved in the first few weeks of school, with student organizations, and settle on two or three. If you try to do everything your campus offers you will not have time to truely be dedicated to anything. The first few weeks are the times where you can meet new friends that can last the rest of college, so get out there and be active. Have a well balanced schedule, and prioritize. There is a time to study and a time to have fun.

Make an educated decision--don't just pick a college because most of your friends are attending or because it seems prestigous. Make sure it's the right place for you. You're going to be spending four very important years of your life there, so make sure the environment at your college or university can meet all of your needs.

I would recommend that students follow their passion. They should choose a college that feels right to them. This would include one with a strong program in which they are interested, one that will afford them growth in various areas of their lives and one that will allow them to develop skills that will help them give back to the world. In choosing any school, each student need to access and consider how will the university/school help them to develop into the best possible citizen , not only to the school community or local community, but to the world community.

Decide what kind of college best suits the student. Do you want a large or small campus as well as large or small classrooms. Stay ahead of financial aid and scholarship filings. Remembering those dates are hard to keep up with. Staying in touch with your child/student is also very important. There are many times that we feel so lonesome and lost and we need that one true person who will love us through it regardless of what we've done, said, or are.

Go to UNC

To parents: I would make sure it is a school that is worth its money, it is safe, and it has lots of opportunities for your child to get involve on campus. The most important thing as a new student is making new friends because no matter the place, it can get lonely if you don't know anyone; thus it is important for your child to have opportunites to mingle with students. To students: Look for a college that has an environment that you like. Some colleges are more focused on greek life, others on sports, and others on academics. Make sure you look for what you want to get out of your college experience because in these 4 years you will make yourself what you want to be. Be sure to check things like academics, affortability, social life, sports scene, and greek life.

Just make sure you will be happy where ever you end up.

Make sure that you choose the college that you like best. Never go in to your decision making with a choice already made because sometimes places turn out to not be as you thought they were. Most importantly, never let money be the issue. It may only be four years but it is probably the most important four years and no amount of money will ever equal up to having the greatest college experience possible.

Visit the school and talk to students who go there. Pamphlets let you see what the school wants you to see. Go to a couple of different classes to get a feel for the teaching style and classroom size. Main thing: once you get there, you realize all the worrying isn't worth it. Chances are if you set about to enjoy college, you will!!

Think about the personality of the school, and how well it would mesh with your own.

I'd recommend going to visit all of the schools that you're genuinely interested in. Talk to a variety of people about things that concern you-- not just the tour guides. Make sure the schools you apply to have the major(s) that you're interested in. And good luck!

Finding the right college means alot of research. Go on-line and research the programs available at your potential choices. Then visit the college campus. Don't go just once, but several times. Go when there are students on campus during the week. Go to the campus on week-ends and during the summer. Talk with adminstrators and other students about the school. What do they like and/or dislike about the school, campus life, etc. If you enjoy sports, attend games. Find out what it available around the campus and how can you get from one point to another if you do not have transportation. I took pictures of the schools and laid them out along with information that I wrote down. Chapel Hill was my top choice, but I needed to have my other choices in line just in case I wasn't accepted. I applied to 5 schools, all of which offered everything I was looking for in one way or another.

As for students, I would admonish them to make the decision for yourselves. It's your future; your experience. I would also tell them to give their all on all of their assignments. It's worth it. And to get involved on campus! Have fun, try new things, discover "you"

A good piece of advice I would give parents and students in search of a good college is to talk to one another and think it through. Consider all the options: are you more likely to feel comfortable at a larger campus or a smaller one? Do sports teams affect your decision? While you are at college make the most of it. You, hopefully, experience it only once. During your time there it is of course important to have fun but also your job while in college is to be a student and that is where your main priority should be. You can not redo your college grades and make it better so while you are there try your hardest. Have fun, it is a special time in your life and you should enjoy every single minute of it.