University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Top Questions

I would tell parents and/or students that the right college is the one that leaves no doubt in your mind that you will recieve a beneficial education when you attend. There are so many things to experience in college and so many different lessons that are learned. No one should waste their college experience or consider not going to college. The friends you make at colleges and the experiences you go through will last a lifetime.

The most important advice that I would give students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is to be absolutely comfortable in your school environment. When you are comfortable with your surroundings everything else comes a lot easier from the learning process to embracing a new social setting. Make sure that the school that you choose fits your personality not only from an academic stand point but for the other aspects that impact your life. Going to college isn't just about getting good grades. It's an overall experience that teaches you outside of the classroom as well. So, when finding the right school don't let anyone choose but you because you know yourself better than anyone.

I would make sure that there is a strong alumni base at the University. Currently I serve at the President of the most influential alumni associations on campus, and have seen firsthand the opportunities that the alumni can give to students. Also I would be certain of a structured plan for payment at the institution. As for academics, of course research should be done to best accommodate your learning style, whether large classes would be beneficial or small classes for more personal contact with professors. The college approach is multifaceted. The institution should first meet the personality criteria for the individual, then should focus on research or graduate programs. Once that is all squared off, there should be provisions made for financial assistance to ensure that the student will graduate on time and as accredited as such, to pursue a successful career.

The key to finding a school that is a good fit is actually going to the school and spending time there, possibly an overnight. It is even better when the child can do this away from their parents. In doing this you get to live on campus and see if it feels right. Many things can look good on paper but not feel right. College is alot of time and money wasted if it doesn't suit you or your needs. Also by going to visit the campus you get little insights to how everything works before hand, you get to see where people hangout, what people do, where to go for certain needs and if you're lucky enough to sit in on a class you get to see what the professors are like. If a trip can't be arranged by sure to e-mail or call to find out about things. It makes a huge difference.

My only advice is to try to look outside of your comfort zone and don't strive for schools because they are "Ivy League" or "known" because you can get a good education everywhere. It all depends on the effort you put in, not the school you go to.

My advice to parents and/or students would be to choose a college and attend undergraduate studies with an open mind. You can never be too sure what you want out of life, because it can always change. Going to a larger school with more resources and a variety of options of classes and opportunities can be good for someone who isn't quite sure what they want to do with their life. Therefore, it's not a good idea to go into school with the mentality that you are going to be pre-med and nothing else; you might take a history class and really like it and find that education is your calling. You must be willing to identify what's best for you and what you enjoy so that you'll be happy with your life in college and after.

take college tours before you attend the colleges. sit in on classes before making a decision. don't go to a school simply because it is convenient.

Visiting the college you plan to attend is always a good idea. Knowing where you would be living for the next four years is important.

Find one that just feels right when you visit and check out all it has to offer. Ask yourself a lot of questions about your daily life and what your expectations are.

I would advise that you pick a college that you can see yourself living at for the next 4 years while reamaining focused on your studies. You may not know exactly what college this may be but you should genearlly listen to your first reaction about the environment and how it struck you. I liked Pitt to begin with and liked it all the way through to graduation but I did make the mistake of going against my own personality and opted for a more social lifestyle (lived with friends, went out all the time). This was a fun path and I made many friends but I didn't have the kind of personality to separate fun from work and my grades suffered. I knew this about myself going in but I just went with the flow of the campus "vibe" wihtout regard to how I would perform best. I could have chosen a different living situation and still had fun while keeping out an excessive amount of distraction. So knowing yourself and making decisions based solely upon how you will best thrive would be my advice.

I don't think a university's reputation or name should be important to picking the right college at all. To be honest, I chose to go to Pitt on a whim, and I wouldn't go back on my decision if I had the opportunity. Any major college would be a good choice, so long as the necessities are on campus and there are plenty of classes in line with your interests. I suppose that's all I have to say; I'm not really the expert on colleges.

I think that the best advice to give in terms of the decision process is to visit the school. Whichever feels right just by being there is one that you're probably going to be most comfortable in. Your interests might change so try to not limit yourself. Your college choice is going to determine the rest of your life, but don't stress the decision too much, because any school you choose will present an opportunity for growth. And once you're there--get involved! It's important to take advantage of the huge amounts of opportunity centralized in one location. Don't just focus on class. Focus on people. Focus on the community. Focus on your goals. You will witness firsthand the evolution of your character. This period of rapid growth will most likely be your best and favorite years.

Go to the best University that offers your major.

When I was looking at schools, I first researched online to figure out if they had the type of program I wanted. Once I narrowed down my list, I went on tours. I didn't really feel like any of the other schools fit with me . I either didn't like the way the tour program was run (it was unorganized) or I didn't feel like I would fit in with the students I met at the school. Only one school really opened their doors to some of the classrooms they have, while others left me guessing. I think it is important for students to research, visit, and ask as many questions as you can. It is so important to choose the school you want because it is where you will be spending your time for at least 4 years. Parents, I would just support your child in their decision. It's their decision. If you're paying for it and worry about the expenses, visit the financial aid department. Once you choose your school, it is very important to make the best of your experiences. Find an interesting activity. Make friends. Enjoy your college experience!

Visit the collegest first and ask current students what they think of the campus, and the down-sides to going there. If a student struggles to think of negatives you can tell he really likes that school. Explore your options and try and know what you want. Do not let your friends guide where you go to school. During the first months of school keep your door open when your in your dorm so you can make new friends, and try and forget about your high school friends for a little while so you are not hung up on things that happened at home because it will stop you from making new friends. Make the most of your experience and enjoy it, everything about college is fun, even the parts that are difficult.

I would tell parents to really allow their children to make their own decision and go where they feel most comfortable. Not to look at the price tag of a college but look at the experiences the college could offer.

I would recommend to talk to some current students at the University and ask them what they like to do for fun, how they like classes, and the quality of the advisors and how the campus is being managed overall. Visiting the school can also give you a little glimpse into the life of the college students and facilities, but I find it to be a little misleading (as if you are missing part of the picture) because there is restricted interaction with the students and the tours are usually minimal.

I would suggest to take a tour and find out as much about the campus as possible. Look into all of the factors such as the size of the university and access to careers and services in the future. Ask to sit in on a class or talk to current students at each college you are looking into. Find out more about the academic as well as social daily life of all of the undergrads. To make the most of college, get involved in as many extra curriculars as you can while still being able to balance school work. At a school as big as mine, extra curriculars and clubs are how you are going to meet people and find your place on campus. Also, a word of advice: you have to study a lot more than you did in high school so make sure to hit the books hard your first semester. Make time to party and socialize but do not let that get in the way of your education and studying.

I think size and academics matter when finding the right college. Some places can be too big or too small for the student, which often makes them unhappy. If size is determined before hand and they visit the college, it is easier to see if it's a better fit for them. Researching the college is important too. Class size, academics, social activities should be included when looking for a college.

Make sure you know what you're looking for in a school, and know what your interests are.

The college search is a long and relatively lonely process. Much time must be spent reading college books, looking through internet pages, and puttings in sufficient research. However, school logisitics should be the least part of the search. When you visit the correct college the "gut" feel is most often the determining factor. This positive feeling is comfort, and without comfort your childs college experience will not be completely fulfilling. To fully appreciate and enjoy a college experience the student must choose a school that does not limit his or her abilities. If a student is unsure of thier desired major, it is important to choose a school with a variety of options. and majors. It is also important to choose a school with a nuturing college community. This community encourages students to take part in new experiences such as student organizations, internships, and social activites. Finally, independence is important to fully appreciating college. Students should be encouraged to take chances, meet new friends, embrace new interests, and take advantage of everything the school offers. For example, a career and development department cannot help you if you don't reach out. Finding happiness is truly up to the student.

I would suggest to really think about what you want out of your college experience; what aspects of the university are important to you. This would include academic programs, location, carreer/feild opportunities, etc.. Definately visit the school and feel out the environment and people. Once at the university, take advantage of any organizations, clubs, study abroad, volunteer opportunites that interest you. Those are the things that really mold your character and prepare you for life after graduation!

First and foremost, visit every school that you are considering, big or small. Make sure to take a tour at each school and to just look around on your own as well. The biggest thing that contributes to successful learning is being able to study and learn in the environment in which your school is located. Before deciding on the right college, you have to know as much about that school as you can. Look around, do research, and even talk to some fo the faculty and students to find out information. The last thing you want are those little surprises that you have no control over after you have already moved in. Once you have chosen and school and settled in, the best thing in the world is to get involved with groups and organizations around your campus. This is a great way to make connections and life-lasting friends. College can get pretty boring just going from class to class and not doing anything else. Joining extra-curricular groups makes college more fun and allows you to gain experiences that cannot be taught in the classroom

Make sure your child is mature enough and ready for the college experience. There is a lot of temptation and freedom that comes with this experience, and it can set a student up for failure if they are not prepared to appropriately solve problems. In regards to finding the right college, visits to campuses is a big part of making the right decision. The student needs to feel as if they already fit in, or like they feel at home, or like they can properly adjust to the campus of their choice. Many times a school may look good on paper, but certain aspects of the campus or how the school functions can seriously alter that school's reputation.

choose a school where you know that you can achieve a good gpa and have a life. cause being a science major at a lesser school is still the same as going to a harder school and getting the same gpa. just easier at other schools

Take advantage of opportunities to better yourself and meet new people. Once you are out of college, you will realize that the opportunities that college presents you with are rewarding experiences that help to prepare you for life outside the classroom.

Make sure students pursuing college go with their instinct, and their first pick. It makes all the difference.

I WOULD SAY THAT THE BEST THING TO LOOK FOR IN A SCHOOL IS IF YOU WILL BE HAPPY THERE. ACADEMIC STIMULATION IS IMPORTANT BUT REMEMBER, RELAXING AND HAVING FUN IS JUST AS NECESSARY.

1) dont pick a college where you hate the climate, you will just be unhappy 2) try out different things- there are tons of clubs and groups on campus, check a couple out before you fully commit to one 3) DO NOT GO GREEK YOUR FIRST SEMESTER!!!! 4) make one friend in every class to get notes from and study with 5) Make friends with your TA's and professors- if they know who you are and that you are actively trying they will be less likely to give you a bad grade 6) Avoid alcohol citations- dont do stupid things and the campus police wont bother you 7) Narrow your selection down before applying, there is no need to apply to 20 colleges, its just pointless 8) ask students about the college, tour guides often twist things or lie, the students will tell you whats really going on 9) your advisor is your best friend 10) Work Smart, not hard. Learn to prioritize your work and you will have a much easier time in college FINALLY- its not as hard as your high school teachers lead you to believe, just stay on top of your work

I would advise parents and/or students to look for a college that reflects their own / their child's personality as a whole. The most important thing I would also advise is that students primarily look at liberal arts colleges/ universities so that they may experience a wide range of courses before going on to select their ultimate career goal/ major. I found that the University of Pittsburgh offered an ample amount of classes that allowed me to ultimately find the major that best suited my abilities and desires. Also, easy access to and from the campus is clearly important. I found that transportation to and from home at unexpected times was extremely helpful throughout my college career.

Don't worry about the actual school work and administration as much as the surroundings. From what I have seen, you'll always have good professors and bad professors no matter where you go., and the same goes with class sizes and course schadules. The important things are having a degree that you'll be proud of 4 years and 50-100 thousand dollars later, and that you enjoyed yourself along the way. This is what makes college visits and campus tours so important.

You need to find a school that you are able to grow and change at. I went into college thinking I knew what I wanted to do, but found out after only a semester that I did not enjoy it. If I would have went with my second choice school, I would have had to transfer because my options would have been limited. Pitt allowed me to really discover who I was, and who I wanted to become.

Smile. Choosing a college and making the most out of college is hard work. There is no doubt about that. And while it is important to ask the tough questions, such as where is library is located, and how many dining passes you get per week, it is also important to remember to enjoy the process--enjoy exploring different campuses, see what each has to offer, talk with students, faculty, and alumni about their experiences. But remember to keep in mind that no two college experiences are the same. Anyone that works hard enough has the potential to do well in any academic environment. But people aren't robots. We need social interactions and connections. While choosing a college and making the most of the experience, smile. Extend your hand for a friendly shake, keep an open mind, and say 'hello' to everyone you meet. Not only will you be less stressed and scared about things, people will be more open and warm, and willing to answer any questions you have to help you make your choices.

In order to find the right college, a student must visit several different colleges and find the best fit. There are many things to consider and the college search is a long process .

Spend a weekend at the school without your parents. Stay in the dorms and speak to students. A campus tour is not enough to get to know the ins and outs of the campus.

Choose a place where you feel comfortable culturally and socially. Value diversity and meet as many people as you can in the process. Dont be afraid to ask questions as well.

Do your research. Make multiple visits to schools. Talk to students, faculty and staff and get their candid and honest opinions. Sit in on a lecture or visit a research lab. Do an overnight visit if the campus allows to get a feel for the night-life and free time options. Eat the food! Be yourself and pick a school that allows you to do that.

First I would try to figure out if I had any idea what I wanted to do. Once I figured that out, I would decide how far from home I am willing to go. Then I would begin a search of schools with that criteria and look at their programs. There is obviously other criteria, for me I had to have sports so I made sure that the school I chose would have club activities. Then a visit has to be made to those schools and once you have narrowed that down, begin applying.

I feel that you can visit a college and just know that you want to be there. I knew where I wanted to go the first time I ever visited my brother there. It also takes a lot of support from family and friends.

My main piece of advice would be something I've heard many times, but never really understood or accepted: it's what you make of it. I was devastated when I didn't get into my first choice schools, and I'll admit I was not excited to be attending the Univeristy of Pittsburgh. But it's true that your college experience is what you make of it, and that you'll only get out of it what you put into it in the first place. Your school may not look so impressive on a piece of paper, and, unfortunately, so much (graduate education, jobs, even self-awareness) comes down to that tiny piece of paper called your diploma. But in no way does that determine what your college experience will be like. Think about what you want your experience to be like, and make it happen. And, if you're not happy with where you are or what you are doing, change it.

I would tell parents to check into financial aid at the school, along with looking at security, transportation, expenses and job possiblities on and off campus. I would also tell the parents to listen to their kids about what they want and don't try to force them so go to a school that they did not like just because you liked it better. For the students I would tell them to look the the atmosphere and pay attention to safety, health care, housing, transportation and quality of classes. Also look at research, internships and job placement before and after graduation. The classes you are taking will be more extreme then high school, especially if you are going to a school that is alot larger. When visiting the school try to sit in on some of the larger and smaller classes to get a feel for how they will be, also look into the academic choices you have in case you change your mind and want to change your major. Your degree is important so take advantage of the oppurtunities that the school offers. Don't choose a school if it doesn't feel like the right place to be.

Go on as many college visits as your family's income and time can allow. That will help you in deciding where you should go because you will get a good feel for each of the campuses and one will speak to you. Also, do a lot of research, not only into financial aid and scholarships, but in classroom sizes, professors, classes, majors, departments, social fraternities/sororities, etc. Know what you want to do when you get to college, even if that is just social and not exactly a field of study, you will be much happier knowing that before hand.

Finding the right college - there's not much advice I can give you on that. As for making the most of your experience - get involved. Period.

I would tell the students to find the college that suits them best. It doesn't have to be the most popular college or the ivy league college, but choose a college that you know will help you succeed in life. In order to make the most of your college experience, interact with clubs and organization, make strong frienships and make stong relations with the faculty and staff, and don't be hesitant to be yourself. I would tell the parents of the students to help guide their children in picking the right college, but ultimately it is the student's decision so don't interfere too much with their thought process. Also, make it known that you support and love your children as they go off to the next chapter in his or her life.

Finding the right college can be a bit difficult. I would suggest starting to search as early as possible, but don't put too much pressure on your kids - I know I didn't like it and I put off looking for schools and filling out scholarships until tenth grade, which probably wasn't very smart. Encourage your kids to do as well as they can, and participate in something extracurricular, because higher GPAs and activities outside of class broaden your scholarship opportunities like mad. Look for schools that offer good programs in your area of interest, because you don't want to go to a school that doesn't even have what you want, classwise. As for the college experience, don't go out and party all the time. Take opportunities to attend cultural events hosted by foreign transfer students, take up a one-credit class for martial arts or dancing, or just hang out with the friends you've made at a local cafe. But, while it's good to have fun, do NOT slack off on your schoolwork, because all it will do is hurt you in the end.

Talk to students that already go to the school that have the same interests and values that you do. If they like it chances are you will to, but just make sure the person is a lot like you, not just your friend.

CAMPUS VISITS! When on that exciting, yet sometimes fearful journey of selecting a college there's nothing I found more beneficial than campus visits. Campus visits allow you to take the campus in and really get a feel for the atmosphere. Sitting in on a few classes is a nice thing to do also. However, in order to really get to know the inside scoop on a campus, ask a current student. If you don't know someone who attends that school, Facebook.com is a great way to find out by searching for someone who attends that particular school and sending them a message. Also, if you get a chance to stay over night, many schools have studend hosts who volunteer to take in prospective students for a night and show them the behind the scenes life at their campus.

It is extremely important to find a college that you fit in at in order to enjoy your time there. It doesn't matter how good of a school it is academically if you are going to be lonely the entire time. Although grades are very important, it is also extremely important to enjoy your time in college. As long as you graduate from a college, you will be able to find a job. Going to a more esteemed college will allow you to get a better job initially, but as long as you have a degree, you will be able to work your way up through the ranks of a business. While in college it is also important to be involved. Whether this is with campus organizations or non-affiliated groups making friends and connections through extra-curricular activities will make college more enjoyable and has the potential to open doors for job opportunities.

Do not rely on the sticker price when choosing where to apply. Certainly give yourself options that will be good safeties financially, but if you qualify for financial aid or merit scholarships, you could easily cut the cost in half. Trust your instincts, visit as many places as you can, and try not to rely too heavily on the expectations of relatives or friends.

Make sure you know about life after freahmen year, alot of times students are only cognizant of your intial ebtry into college and dont weight the overall expereince throuhgout your tenure.