University of Redlands Top Questions

I would tell them to explore a school's options for prospective students visiting the campus, such as overnight stays and sitting in on classes, so they can see if they like the school more. I would also tell them to find schools with class sizes that are smaller, which usually means a private shcool, but it really is beneficial and although I have never had a class size larger than 30 students at my university, everything I have heard about large class sizes is negative. Another thing to pay attention to is the number of majors offered. If you don't know what you want to do for sure, pick a school that has a variety you might be able to choose from as opposed to a school with only three majors (yes it's out there) so that you won't be stuck down the road. Also, don't count out universities where the major you are interested in is small because that does NOT mean it is not as good.

Visit the college. If you can, stay over night. Just because it's a prestigious school, doesn't mean it's the best for you. Sometimes smaller is better. Get out and get involved. The more involved you are, the more friends you'll make. Make your own decisions; you don't necessarily have to listen to everything your new-found friends say. Most importantly, be yourself!

There is a lot to consider when a family goes college shopping. It is strongly encouraged for for families to visit schools before committing. There is a huge difference between a small residential college and a big research university. It is very important to weigh in all options when deciding upon a college: tuition, financial aid, distance from home, average temperatures, on and off campus activities, athletics, etc... College is a chapter that really represents four amazing years so choosing the perfect school is crucial for personal enjoyment and happiness.

look at the kind of environment you want to be in. if you don't like where you live or what your class set-up is like, you wont have a good college experience!

As a tour guide and admissions worker for my school, I meet a lot of parents and students who are all trying to find the college which fits them best. It can really be a daunting task, one made harder by the constant pandering from all the different schools--it's hard to know whether you're getting a straight answer or not. My advice to students is to not worry so much about finding a school with a particular major--you want to find a place that will let you explore many different avenues of study without putting you behind on graduation. I say this because so many students change their major anyway, but at larger schools with highly specialized programs its much harder to switch; you're so busy jumping through their hoops that you don't have enough time to explore your own interests. College is about finding something which will hold your interest for the rest of your life, something to be passionate about. You want to find a school which is about helping students find their passions, not just pushing you through the program successfully.

Don't pick a school that is know for its partying because it should not cost that much money to party. But you should be getting a good education for the money you are spending. Also, go with a school with a good reputation and that is not know for just giving degrees away.

I believe that going to college will be the most valuable experience of your life. Truthfully, it does not matter which college you select; rather, it is all about how you experience the college, how you utilize what it has to offer, and what you take away from it. Frankly, I would advise going to a college that has direct job placement if you are eager to get a job right away after you graduate. If you want to go to graduate school or do not know what to do after graduation, go wherever you will enjoy yourself and be able to grow as a person and a successful student. That is the best, most heart-felt advice I can give after my four years in college, and would hope that this wisdom I impart upon you will give you direction for your selection. Good luck!

When you get to the campus, stand on the quad or central place on campus and close your eyes. If you can imagine yourself being there, feel comfortable and don't think/care/ or are worried about people staring at you - then you are in a great place. Go somewhere will you will not be judged but embraced for what you have to offer and bring. Make sure they have the major or interests that you want to pursue and see where it has taken other students in the past. Go to a sports game and see how friendly the students are, how spirited the atmosphere is, and how involved the surrounding community is. One of the best ways to test the compatability of a school for you is when everyone comes together in support of what they love, their school.

Make sure that what you're paying for college is worth it. If you're paying a lot for college, the student should take advantage of the school's resources, and should really work hard to keep their grades up and be involved on campus. And it's not necessarily important to be involved in a lot of activities, but just to be dedicated to one or two that you are really passionate about. If you don't know yet where your passion lies, I would recommend starting off in community college (especially is money is an issue). This lets you explore your options and find what you're really interested in studying, without shelling out big bucks right from the begining. Once you're confident about your major, it's a lot easier to stay focused on your studies and get your money's worth out of your college experience. Also, if you're passionate about your studies, it makes it that much easier to balance your academic life with your social one without getting too distracted.

try not to focus too much on solely academics or social atmosphere. try and take a holistic approach to finding your school - it is important that you nurture your mind, body, and soul in college, otherwise there is a risk of making yourself miserable! if you are looking for an intense mental challenge, that should certainly be your focus...but do not discount the importance of town and university community! if you are living there for the next 4 years you want to know as much about it as you can before making a decision.

Visit the college and find out who the professors are and what programs are offered. A campus tour is usually helpful and meet with faculty and administrators. Make sure it feels right, make sure you can imagine yourself being here.

In order to pick the right college, you need to visit the school. Take a tour and get to know one or two students. Make sure you feel at home at the school. When you start school, get involved. Try to meet as many people as possible and if money is not a problem, live on campus.

Follow your heart.

Make sure to visit the campus, and get to know a little bit more about what goes on from students, faculty and staff. If you talk to them , their attitudes and responses will be the things most important to find out about a school, without that its hard to know what school will be the most suitable for your children. Even though you dont have to attend the school, you want to make sure that you would like to go back time and time again to visit your children that is the determining factor of it all. How comfortable they are with attending and how happy you are with their happiness.

The student should be honest with themselves about what they want, not just the best looking school on paper, but the best school for you, including the atmosphere, the location and the courses provided. Visit the campus's and leave your options open then make decisions from what you saw and apply from there choosing your top choices, a reach school a most likely to get into school, and an easy in school, all of which that you would love to attend.

I would say make sure that your son or daughter likes the surrounding area and discuss with them whether they would rather go to a big or small school, and write down pros and cons of each. I would also tell them to visit as many campuses as they can that their child is interested in, that way their son or daughter gets a better feel for the college and its surroundings. To make the most out of their son or daughter's college experience I would say to them make sure to tell them to do their work and hand it in on time, that way they won't get stressed out and behind in their academics. I would also say, make sure to have fun, be active in school affairs, and get out and explore the place they are living in for the next four years becuase you will never get those years back.

If you are trying to find the right college for yourself or your child, I recommend a visit, and even an over night stay if possible. Pay attention to what the tour guides say about campus life, and student accessibility. Look at the campus, do you want a big campus or a small one? Student population is also a big key. A great way to make the most of your college experience, is to set a goal that is seemingly impossible during orientation, or at the start of your first year. Start off strong and continuously try to reach that goal and by the end of the first semester see how well you did. If at all possible continue this until the end of your first year, how'd you do? Typically you'll remember doing MANY things and realize that you had a GREAT first year. Oh yeah, and be sure to bring a camera, there are things you'll want to remember for the rest of your life, and your first year in college is quite possibly the most important.

To find the right college it's important to make a short list of 'must haves' to narrow down the selection of schools by size, academics, or clubs/activities. After that, visit as many of them as possible, as well as try to talk to current students. Thirdly, during your visit sit in on a class to see what sort of interactions there are between professors and students. For me when I was looking, it was visiting the campuses that really helped me figure out which schools I felt I would be happy attending. There can be a school that, on paper, looks as if it's the perfect place for you, but when you go to visit it, you might find that it's completely wrong. Also, talking to or spending time with current students will give you a good idea of how people who know the school well feel about it and what sorts of people choose to attend that college. Getting involved is the best way to make the most of your college experience. Let yourself experience new things, and keep an open mind. Involve yourself in campus life and make friends. Participate in college life.

Try to have the overnight experience. You never know how you'll like the school until you experience it as a student. Send the parents away and spend the night on campus, attend some classes, meet some people.

There are so many choices today for students who are pursuing a higher education. At the end of your junior year you should start researching colleges both private and public and only search for schools in the areas you want to live. Students' surroundings plan an important role in how well they adjust to an institution because it affects their comfort levels. Once a student has selected institution that they are interested in there are a few things that the student can do to make their decision earlier. Students need to try to contact current students at the institutions to get a better under standing of what campus life is like. The student should also take a guided tour of the campus and meet with a professor. The most important thing to remember is that there are two things that make a great college experience. The two things needed for a great experience is a strong academic program and a friendly campus environment, so please do your research.

To make the most out of the college experience, I would first suggest appyling to many schools to allow a variety of options. Although making the right choice may be difficult, a certain feeling will arise and you will know which school is best for you. If you feel you didn't choose the right school, you can always transfer. Once you pick your school, get involved on campus, whether it is a sport or a club. You will meet new people and likely develop friendships. Work with your professors so you stay on track academically. If you want to change as a person, college is the best time because it is likely that people will not know you. don't be afraid of change. For parents, allow your child to adjust to college life without the comforts of home. Support them in every way possible. Finally, college is the best time of anybody's life, so it enoy while you can.

Find out about their final aid plans, class sizes and campus racial diversity.

Make sure you know what you are looking for in a college in terms of class sizes and the types of classes and clubs offered. Consider the area in which the college is located and what the campus itself looks like. Visiting the campus is a great idea as well as meeting with an admissions counselor. As for making the most of your experience, really try to get involved on campus and join clubs and go to the events that the college puts on. Also, if its possible, try to get to know the staff and teachers in your department and create lasting relationships with them.

It is important to think realistically about what you need from a college, before passing the point of no return. Don't get in over your head; go to a school where you know you will do well, not just the school with the most well known professors. You should give more weight to the social life on campus than some of your peers might recommend when making a decision; it's important to enjoy the experience, in order to succeed. Make sure to go to a school where you can be yourself, rather than a school that forces you to be like everybody else. Most importantly, don't make a decision about a school based on something you're interested in your Senior year of high school, that you might hate by the end of your Freshman year of college. Rely on those traits the school possesses, that you're likely to benefit from your entire time there. Prepare for the best four years of your life, not the worst.

Take your time and apply to a variety of schools you're interested in.

Go visit your top choice schools. It makes such a difference to have visited the campus and the surrounding area before moving your life there. Whichever school feels most like home upon your first visit, whichever camous you feel naturally drawn to, that is the school at which you will feel the most productive, comfortable, and inspired.

Please make sure all your passions can be exercised at the college you choose. Even if you do not want to major in that field, it is very beneficial to your person as a whole to be able to take a class or two expanding your artistic abilities, discussing Roman philosophy, learning how to rock climb or working with children. Being happy at this point in your life is very important. It is surprising how much more enjoyable college is when you can do things for fun!! Also, explore the learning environment before you decide. Are big lecture halls for you or, like me, do you need to be able to raise your hand and ask plenty of questions, engage in good discussion, and connect personally with your professors? I can guarantee that if the learning environment is not conducive to your learning style, you will not be happy. As you can see, happiness is a motif of my advice. Finding a college that will give you the experience you need will make you happy even before you are a student there. Make connections, follow your heart, and make sure to enjoy this section of your drive thorugh life. :)

There isnt anything I could offer that hasnt been said before, so all I can say is to LISTEN to what other people tell you in regards to the question.

I would advise that the student find the college that is best for them. Sometimes parents get caught up in trying to help make the best decision for their children and their child ends up unhappy at the university they end up at. I would say that parents need to really take a step back and allow their children to decide if they want to go or not. Be a silent guiding force that helps not makes the decision. Also apply to schools that you know you will get into based on the requirements but also have your very minimal chance schools that you apply to just in case. You never know what an admissions board is looking for and it just might be your lucky day.

A smaller campus has a more intimate and cohesive community. When you are looking to select a college, choose one that is small. A smaller campus can also help you make look lasting relationships which help to motivate each other for completing schoolwork, as well as providing a good social life.

Choose the college that suits your personality and your career goals after college. Smaller schools with smaller classes are better because the professors get to know you on a more personal level and they truly care about you. Don't be afraid to get involved with clubs, campus events, and never be afraid to try something new. Above all things, when in need, ask for help.

I would tell a student choosing a college to listen to their parents' input, but not to make the decision based on what their parents think. I would say that students should visit the campuses they are considering attending, and take a guided tour. They should sit in on a few classes at the campuses, if they can, and go with the school that feels right to them. I would also recommend, however, that they check into the cost of tuition at their possible college and ask how much it usually goes up each year. Also, I would recommend looking at the dorms and finding out everything you can about them before moving in. My dorm didn't have air conditioning last year, and I would advise students to check into things like that so they don't have to go through what I went through in 115 degree heat. My last piece of advice is for parents of soon-to-be college students. I would tell them to advise their children and help them in any way possible, but not to make the decision for their child.

When picking the right college, talk to students at the school who are not giving tours. They are the people who will give you the truest sense of the school. Pick the school that is the best fit for you and not your parents. Once you are at school, try to get involved in many different activities. Even if they don't all pan out, at least you had the chance to meet people.