University of North Carolina at Charlotte Top Questions

My advice to those parents and students finding a college is: 1) Consider yourself. You know what you want, choose a college that BEST suits you, NOT anyone else. 2) Consider others. Other people are not like you, so you will have to be willing to adapt to other peoples' cultures, especially if you are going to a diverse school.

go to advisors and meet with people, they know what they are doing and are there to help, I really wish I had taken advantage.

Make sure you know that it is right for you. Dont just choose because of what your friends say about it or because you like the mascot. Make sure to look at GPA and other scholastic views as well.

In order to have the best college experience, not only does a student have to find a school that supports and encourages them in their academic endeavours, but also who they are as an individual. If someone flourishes in an environment that is deeply rooted in a certain religious affliliation, then they would benefit from going to a school that offered that - the same goes for a student who needs a very diverse campus make-up in order to reach their highest creative potential. Another important thing is being careful your freshman year. Many students come to school and, because it's the first time away from their parents, they go crazy and their social life encompasses all of their time. It's important to see what your balance is so that you can accomplish what you're paying to do here, while still maintaining a healthy social life because both are very important to success. One last point is to make use of your school's resources - counseling, tutoring, career centers, resident advisors - all are here to aid you and many students don't think to tap into them.

The most important thing is to find a school where you just feel like you belong. You can go somewhere that is the best for your major and feel very uncomfortable and do poorly. I chose UNC Charlotte because the campus is beautiful and I felt at home here. I would also say to try and plan as much as possible. It is very important to beat deadlines, especially at a large university. Work with the faculty and staff and your advisors to make your college experience the best it can be while maintaining focus on the task at hand. The last and most important piece of advice is to go to class and study. It is extremely important to learn good study skills in high school. I never studied in high school and graduated with a 4.7 gpa, but in college you have got to study to do well.

Do a lot of research and visit as many schools as possible. Make sure the student knows the programs they are interested in and the differences between them. Make decisions not just on the education, but the environment around the school. Look at the city life (rural, urban, suburban depending on preference.) population, and proximity to shops and off campus activities . Things to look at for first time college students: walkability, exciting campus life, the meal plan food options/quality. You want all the normal day-to-day things the student is used to, to be an easy transition, but new and provide independence.

I would advise parents and students to visit the college...not just for a day, but for a week, to get a feel for the campus and college environment. In order to make the most of your college experience, you have to utilize everything that is offered to you - leave no stone unturned.

Make sure that your child undrestands the importance of choosing a schedule that they can adhere to. I see many students choose lots of classes but don't attend. that is just wasting money. Also, chose a college that is going to prepare you for real life job situations--make sure there are plenty of opportunities for interships. A career center on campus usually makes sure that students have the best opportunity to be placed with a company within the field that they studied for. Good luck searching. and Stay focused.

The best advice I can give involves two things. First, a prospective student should definitely visit the school campus. So much of feeling you belong and realizing where you want to be has to do with physical presence. I definitely crossed several colleges off of my list just by visiting their campus and feeling it was not quite right for me. Secondly, I'd advise students and parents to talk to people who already attend the school. See what they think about it and whether they would recommend it. Make sure the things they value are the same things you value in a school. And, finally, I'd just end by saying, your choice doesn't have to be permanent. I know it's a lot of pressure to make a decision and pick a college, but half of the people I knew were transfer students. If you make a choice that you end up regretting, find somewhere else. You'll be a lot happier in the long run if you do.

First, I would advise the parents to stay completely active in your child's life while they are in college. It is a good opportunity to become more of a friend or mentor to your child and the relationship between you two will grow into something beautiful. No longer should you tell your child what they can or can't do, and begin to give them advise and tell them your experiences in an honest manor. As for students, I would advise you to not take this experience for granted because you will regret it highly later in life. Be thankful for the experience that is being given to you. Take it and run with it, and don't stop until you get to the top.

pick what feels right for you

The biggest mistake I made was choosing to go to the school that my parents wanted me to go to because they gave me the biggest scholarship. After being unhappy at that school, I was given the chance to transfer to the school I had originally wanted to go to, even though it was less prestigious. My advice is to visit every school you consider. Imagine how you would feel spending four years on that campus. Meet some people and get their opinions on different aspects of that university. If you think you really want to go to that school, but after the "research session" you feel a little uneasy about going there deep down, listen to your gut. Don't let anyone tell you where you NEED to go or should go because it is where you are going to spend the next 4 years of your life. Pick the school you know that you will love being at every day and that you know would make you happy for four years. Most importantly, once you get there, get as involved as possible because what you put into your college experience determines what you will get out of it!

The advice I would give parents and/or students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is to do everything possible to try to help their kids, the college life is once in a life time, and it's basically the best time of a teenageer to be at, and make new friends, and to experience a new life. It makes you responsible and more active to do the things you want in life. I would recommand to apply for so many schalorships and to get help, and to not let opportunities like this pass, because there's so much money and help out their, where they are willing to help.

Take tours, research and contact faculty and students of the university or college and get their point-of-view of the campus, its benefits and it's downsides.

The key to finding the right college is to first know what you expect to gain from your college experience. You have to decide what is most important in your college. If class size is most important, then focus on that. Visit possible websites and then visit the school in person. Once you know what you're looking for and you visit the school to really see what the atmosphere is like, then you're well on your way. Once there, the best way to make the most of your college experience is to get involved. Going to class and just disappearing back into your room is not making the most of the college experience. College is a great time to grow and figure our who you are, and finding things you're interested in and being around those who enjoy similar things, helps you find yourself and get the most out of college.

Please choose a school that will nurture whatever your child's skills and dreams are. It is important to have teachers that are truly willing to work with the child and the parents. You want a campus where you feel comfortable and safe. Just make sure you visit all the schools you apply to and do your research on all of them

Make the future student know what field/major they are interested in. Let them look into what jobs they can get with that degree. Let them find out exactly what the courses will be like, and how many they will be taking at the same time each semester.

My best advice i would give parents and students is to pick the one that you feel the most comfortable in when you go visit the ones your interested in. I would also suggest to think about what it is you really want to get out of your college experience. If you are a sports fanatic, then pick one with a football team. There will be much more school spirit and the social life will most likely be much higher than one without a football team. If one doesn't care about sports and is more interested solely on education, then look towards the most prestigious schools or one that has a reputation of being a research campus. However in the end, almost all colleges are the same and that you can make your college experience the way you want it to be. Joining clubs of things that your interested in are very important because it helps you find real friends and can always make a big campus seem small.

chose the one that you could afford!!

My advice about finding the right College/University are scheduled College/University visits! Colleges and Universities try very hard to prepare good presentations of their school to prospective students. Sometimes the tours and presentations are not exact representaions of the school, because of course, the school wants you to go there, so they try and make themselves look good, but most of the time it's very easy to pick out the good from the bad and the visits also give you a good idea for how the school is run. My sister and I, both, swear by these visits. What you can research about the school and what it offers may not always reflect the feel you get upon visiting the school. Your whole outlook may or may not change after the visits, but if they do, it can really help you to appreciate your final choice! As for making the most of your college experience, it sounds cheesy, but get involved and don't be afraid of trying new things! Sign up for clubs/socities and just "try them on." Go to school-sponsored events and talk to someone new! It's amazing who you may find compatable!

When considering a college to attend, it is important to consider your future as well as your lifestyle. Take classes in high school that can give you an idea about what you are interested so that you can better assess what university is best for you. A clear path starting out allows you to better utilize every minute of your experience. Never attend a school because it is where "everyone else is going" because I can assure you that when you arrive there will be other people there as well. Going somewhere that fits you will allow you to meet many new people and force you to make new friends as well as to develope your character. Live on campus! I, as a resident advisor, see the benefits in myself and in my residents everyday! Campus living allows you to meet many people of a diverse background that you may not be able to come in contact with otherwise. It alsohelps you to get more involved in your school. Campus living is designed to build students characters and increase their motivation to do well, and it really is evident.

Do what makes you happy and proud, go to a school with an environment that you feel you will succeed and be free to be yourself.

Tour the campus in an open house, and then go back one day around lunch by yourselves. Take time to talk to students walking around and ask them about their likes/dislikes and major. Also, talk to the professors in your core major classes, and try to ask students in the building about the quality of the faculty. Ask if they have a favorite class so far there and a favorite teacher, go talk to that teacher. Another point, ask the students about where they stay, and meal plans, and if they like their choices and if they have any reccomendations. Pick up any and all information regarding major course curriculiums, and general education requirements. Ask about what is expected of the student in the major. Get to know your roommates and get involved on campus in a club, sport, or other activity. Getting out of the room and having fun makes college just that much more enjoyable. Don't be a hermit and stay in your room all of the time, there is a whole world to be had outside of your dorm.

I think that the best advice I would give to parents and/or students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is to choose the college that is best fit for your future dreams and goals. A parent should sit down with their child and talk about what they think they would like do to once they graduate from college and then find a college that best caters to those educational needs. I advise for college hopeful students to do plenty of research on schools they think they would like to attend and then go visit those schools. Speaking with people who attend the college or professors who teach at that college may also be helpful. To make the mose of the college experience, the student should know how to balance school work with socializing. Students should not put aside school work to socialize, although meeting new people in college is important. There are many ways that a college student can plan their time accordingly, by talking to advisors, RA's or peers, about time management.

College can be fun, but make sure you don't have too much fun. You have to do your work too.

Look at the all the schools you are interested in, ask as many questions as you have, and go with your gut feeling on what feels right for you.

Don't limit your search to a few colleges. Keep in mind that you and your needs will change over the next four years, and try to find a program that will help you grow into the best person possible. Talk to current students in a program that interests you, but also find others in other majors; you never know when you'll switch from engineering to political science.

My advice to others choosing out a college would be to search for soemthing that accomodates your needs and accomodates your possible major selections. If your not sure about what you wanna do in life, then by all means come explore at a University that can offer you many possibilities to figure out what you want to do in life. Sit down and compose a list of your likes and dislikes about what you look for in a college. Afterwards begin searching for colleges that fit your criteria . But once you find that college you chose to enroll in, then my advice to you would be to most surely get involved on campus. Not only does it open up great networking opportunities but it also creates friends that will help you thru the hard times thru college. Get out and explore what your university has to offer and then truly you'll be able to exceed as a student and learn tons doing so!!!

College is an exciting time, a time of new freedoms and experiences. This can be overwhelming to some students if they are not prepared for the changes that are to come. One of the ways to prepare for this change and to prevent failure is to select a college that is a correct fit for you. I believe that college selection should be a careful process that involves research and a personal experience of the college, including a visit. Having a specific list of criteria is a must, and compromising on this list can result in an unsatisfactory college experience. Once the student is at college, it can be difficult to find his/her own niche. I found that getting involved in campus activities, such as clubs and volunteer activities can help a student develop a happy and healthy social life which, in turn, leads to a successful college experience. However, it is very important that the student's education remains the first and foremost priority. Prioritizing and establishing a personal schedule gives the much needed structure, and leads to success in both the classroom and in life.

When you look for a college, you want to find out about the intended major and what they can really offer. You also want to look at the prices for housing on-campus and off-campus, and any rules regarding the housing. They should be for the safety of yourself/your child. You should also consider how the campus looks because you don't want to attend a campus that doesn't look nice and professional. Consider finding out where the shopping centers, restaurants, etc. are because you will need to know where they are to go out and they could be landmarks to finding your way around the city. Almost all college students go out and enjoy the night life, so find out what the crime rate is around the campus area and in the city.

Parents: - Don't expect your student to be confident about making choices about which college they can attend, when the idea of going to college has been challenged for years. - Let your student find the school they feel most comfortable with before making any decisions. You'll end up paying a lot more in the long run if they end up transferring a few times before finding the perfect school. - Give your student time to complete their degree! Sure you can graduate in 4 years, but sometimes it means loaded semesters, lots of stress, and little time for oneself. Some programs require more than others and you need to respect the needs of your student. Students: - Don't overload yourself. Though some of you get a high off of high achievements, take the time to enjoy college. - First week of school, meet as many people as possible. People are ultra friendly in week one. - Maintain good relationships with advisors and professors. These connections will be key to your success!

visit the school and get a feel for the campus, that way you can determine if you like it or not. and of course try to find something close to home,

While searching for the college that will best fit you, the best thing to do is gather as much information about these colleges. This includes visiting, talking to faculty members, students, and checking out the facilities. Talking to students is the best way to learn about the quality of the courses, not as much from the professors.

I have a freshman in college this year and just graduated with my bachelor's degree this past spring. I recommend that students visit any campuses they are seriously interested in. They should survey some friends and acquantainces to see if they will know anyone else attending the same college. I do not think it is a deal breaker if no one is going, but can be very helpful with comfort level and connections to home if they know some other students. I also think that students should be informed of the cost impact on the family and on their future debt. The feel of a campus can really help a student become committed and excited even before they arrive. If an incoming student is not sure of their area of study, a well rounded liberal arts curriculum can be exciting as well as give the student a sense of what direction they want to pursue in studies and in life. My final advice is to decide how adventurous the student is, It might be easier to move away after a year or so rather than back home if they are unhappy or feeling lost.

any college with people is a college experience so base your lifestyle and goals on what is or what will be your school of choice.

go to a university or school that is right for you and make sure you stay ahead of the schooling.. once you are behind you are always behind.

When applying for college, START EARLY! Sending out your transcript, visiting colleges, making a decision, etc. is a time-consuming "project. " You do not want to be rushed in making a life-altering decision. Pick a school that meets your needs for a degree. Have an idea of what schools offer the degree you are looking for. Some schools actually may not offer your degree. My sister is facing this dilemma at the present moment. The degree she wants is not offered at any of the schools she was planning on applying to, so she is having to start from scratch. Make sure you figure out your financial state. If you do not have sufficient funds for college, look for ways (scholarships, loans, financial aid) to get help. There are many resources available to students who need help.

Parents: Allow your child to transfer if they need to so that they can find themselves. It does all work out in the end. Students: Don't be afraid to ask hard questions at orientations to find out what life is really like at that school. When you find things you don't like, try to stick with it, but know that you can always go somewhere else if it really isn't working out. Also, remember that there is no longer anyone to tell you what to do, or remind you about homework. It can be very tempting to party and goof off all day, but it really does have a bad effect on your grades--worse than in high school. And as the credits add up, it gets extremely hard to budge your GPA at all.

Meet the professors and students who are at that school, that is your biggest clue to how strong academically the school will be.

Make sure you pick a college where you feel comfortable, at home, and somewhere that you can see yourself living at for four years

Have fun but yet stay focused!

I think the school you choose needs to be somewhere you will be happy. Location should be taken in consideration, but if it is somewhere you really want to go, distance shouldn't matter. you also need to choose somewhere where you will be able to engage in activites that you enjoy, somewhere where there are lots of choices. Size does matter. Think about whether you want a close-knit group of people or you want to take classes with different people every semester. you need to know whether you will be happy with a big school or a small school. Choose somewhere with options. Even though you are dead set on your major now, you may want to change it. Choose somewhere that will have another major you might enjoy. But be open to new ideas. Don't be afraid to try something new. you may hate it, but then again, it may be the best decision you have ever made.

It not about wich college is the "most popular" or the one where most of your friends attend. It about what college is right for you and your dream. Don't settle for less but also don't go overboard either. To make the most of a college experience you have to go out and explore. While in college, your going to meet the most diverse group of people that you've probly will ever come across in your life. Learn from them and embrace the things you learn form them as well as teach them so they can embrace the things they learn from you. Also college is no fun if your not making good grades so always put your studies first before anything so you cannot say that you regret a thing.

Find the college that is right for you. Be sure to go to the college/university that you are looking at and apply yourself to that college/univeristy before you make a decision. One thing that I did that I think helped me was, I took three days and came down here with my parents and we stayed at a hotel across the street. While I was here I went on campus everyday and got to know students, interacted with them and ever asked questions. Me and my family then took a tour of campus and got to know the campus a little bit better. I advise every parent, and student to get involved in their school first and then make a decision. The biggest peice of advice for any person seeking and making a collge experince the best is to work hard at making it the best. If students come in and don't apply themselves, then college will pass them by; but ones that get involved and make the university thier unveristy will be the ones to succeed and prosper from there experinces gained at the university that they chose!!!

Choose one that gives you a good feeling

Do what feels best in your heart

get involved

I believe that to make the most of college, you should know what you want to do or at least be ready to figure it out. Be prepared to spend a lot of money, make a lot of friends, and do a lot of work. In the end, though, you will have a college degree, and nobody can ever take that away from you.

Decide on the size you want and how far away from home you want to be. Visit the schools before applying and when you feel at home walking around, you've found the college for you!

Go see the college you're interested in a few times and get a good feel for the environment of the campus and surrounding areas.