University of San Diego Top Questions

It's harder than you think to find the right college. There are a ton of different factors. There probably is not a college out there that is perfect for you, but you have to find the one with the most going for it and you. Size, spirit, and academic drive are three factors that make a big difference. Find out about the schools and talk to people who have been at the school for a year or so. College is the best four years of your life, but you might not even be a legal adult when you make your decision on where to spend them. Talk to as many people as you can about their college experiences and visit the campuses. Also, make sure you know what you want. Don't lie to yourself because you'll regret it.

Be safe and be open.

Make sure that you know what you want to get out of the schools before you decide. What feild your child would like to go into and see what oppurtunities you can get from that school. Try to meet with those faculty. The key is networking.

When making a decision about where to go to college think of it as a marriage. You will be at this college for 4 years of your life but if you don't like it then you can always transfer. However, it's better to stay at one school since I made most of my friends in freshman year. My main advice would be to make sure that the education is worth the cost. Wherever you chose you will have doubts, everyone does. College is what you make of it. You can choose to study or party all of the time. The independence of college is our transition to adulthood. Find a group of people who share your similar interest and make friends, don't be shy. These really will be the best years of your life because after this, there is no more summers. No more meeting new people each semester or skipping classes when you're too tired. After this it's going 8-5 jobs, drinking coffee so live it to the fullest.

The most valuable piece of advice I could ever give a perspective college student is to follow you heart. When all is said and done it never really matters how prestigious the school is or how many successful people have graduated from that school. All that matters is your experience. Your college choice should never have anything to do with statistics, reputation, or prestige. You should choose the school that you love. You should choose the school that will make you the happiest in the long run. The best way to figure this out is to visit the school. When you are on campus is the only time you can get a feel for the entire student body as a real living whole, not as some fact in a brochure. This is the only way to make an informed decision. As for making the most of your college experience, the rumors are true. The best way to do this is to get involved. Try something new, get involved in something you know you love; it all works. Clubs, teams, and student government are some of the best ways to meet people and get the most from your college experience.

I would advise students and parents before making any decisions to travel around the country and look at all possibilities and be able to compare your school to others in order to be positive that you are making the right decision. Also, I would tell parents to tell their children many times that if they feel like they are not where they belong once they get there that it is not a big deal and they can leave the school and switch if they desire.

Finding the right college is tough. Think hard about how hard you can puch yourself and still be ok. Freshman year is hard anywhere and most people think about transfering. Be ready to give the place you choose 2 years of your life. How far you are from home, a new climate, a new culture and a new time zone are all factors. These are just as important as the school work itself. Also consider transportation. Will you be bringing your car. Do you need a car to get around, and are cars allowed for freshman. Remember that if you bring your car, people will always want rides, and if you don't have your car you will always be wanting rides. Think about what kind of people make you happy at home and look for similar elemements in the college you choose.

Visit each campus before making a decision, and if possible participate in one of the over night programs if the school has it. Really try and get to know yourself before making such a big deicion, such as whether or not you need one on one attention (small classes v big lecture halls), how important school spirit/sports games are to you, and consider the social scene and greek scene and whether or not you may want to be involved in it. Think about the reputation you want to have, and what your school says about you, research academics, job opportunities post graduation, and on-campus life.

The most important piece of advice that I could give a student looking for a good university, would be that in order to find the best college they must stay true to themselves and what they believe in. The most uncomfortable thing that could happen to a student is to enroll into an institute, that will make them feel less about themselves for whatever reason. Also, being able to choose a school that compliments oneself will allow the student the freedom of staying true to their identity without having to go into an environment that will change them and lead them in the wrong path. Of course, looking at the university's academics is also very important as well as the activities offered by it, to help its students maintain a healthy lifestyle. I chose this advice because a person may attend the best university, but unfortunately fall prey to a world of vice and ruin, yet if one goes into an institute that brings out the best in them, they will be the most triumphant for it in the end.

Do not think that the college is all about having fun and partying. Never loose sight of your career goals and choose a school that will help you to accomplish your dreams. When I choose to attend the University of San Diego, I based my decision on the school's location and the beauty of the campus. I did not realize that the school actually offers little opportunity to help me become a physician, my personal goal. Research the schools you are considering carefully, it is one of the most important decisions in your life. That being said, the college you attend should also be fun, it is part of the "college experience." Time management is an important skill to learn, preferably before school starts. Finding friends with similar interests and values to yourself will make the difference for any school. Finally, I think it is important not to view college as a way to delay entering the "real world." It is primarily a place to prepare for the rest of your life and it is up to the student to make the most of what the school he or she chooses has to offer.

Find a place that makes you feel comfortable. A place that will allow you to be who you are.

I would reccomend that parents and students take campus tours. When on the tour, even though the guide is showing you buildings, I suggest looking at the students. When you enroll in a college you are enrolling in a small society. The people roaming the campus during your tour are your future peers. If they look and behave like the type of people you would like to involve yourself with in the future, then take note of that. College is about getting an education- inside the buildings and inside the friendships. Choosing the school with the right type of people will help create an amazing college experience.

the most important thing to look for is preference is class size. if your child is used to large classes stick to large classes. also try to place your child somewhere where they will be comfortable. if they like cold weather and snow put them somewhere its snows. overall its up to your child

visiting the colleges makes a huge difference as well as talking to students who attend it

Students, don't lie to yourself. Don't try to picture yourself at prospective college; instead, compare how the college looks to your current situation. For instance, if you attend an academically strong high school (and enjoy it), then look for academically strong colleges. When you think you can 'fit-in' at a different setting, you will not like nor accept the change. If your a zebra, your life will be much more enjoyable in 'zebra-land'. Painting over your stripes will merely cause you hardship.

I would tell incoming students to go with the college that they will be the happiest at, regardless of what their parents, friends, or college advisors say. Also, they need to get out of their shell and make the most of wherever they end up.

This school is a great small liberal arts school - it has a quiet campus, focused students, but is overall to conservative. Its strengths ARE NOT medicine or any science related fields. In fact those are overlooked when compared to Political relations, international relations or business.

The number one most important thing you should search for in a school is if they have the programs of study that interest you the most. It can be incredibly frustrating to think you have your life planned out, start taking the correct courses and then realizing that you want to change your mind, but the program you would prefer to switch to is not offered at your school. The second most important thing about finding a school is probably picking the right size for you. Also look to make sure that your prefered subject of study has a fairly large department with many possible professors. However, the biggest problem that I have run into after having been in school for a year has not really been my area of study, but the fact that I cannot get enough financial aid from my school. Make sure that you have the resources to continue at the school you are considering before commiting to it. Transferring can be stressful and very difficult.

Finding the right college is a tough process. Everything from financial costs and academic quality to location and social aspects tie into making a college decision. I encourage college visits, particularly during the school year, with both parents and students, to visually see what the school is like and witness what kind of diversity exists amongst the campus. Tuition costs play a huge role in deciding which college to attend. Regardless if the school is "too expensive", consider it anyway. There are huge amounts of financial aid and scholarships available if you take the time to apply. Choosing the right college should just fit. The student should be able to see themself spending the next four years at the college of their choice with no hesitation. There are answers and ways to get around all other factors. To make the most of the college experience depends solely on the student. Get involved, sign up for clubs you never saw yourself joining, and take advantage of what your school and its surroundings have to offer. Of course the main focus should be academics, but always make time for a good social life. Have fun and enjoy it because time flies.

The advice I would give parents/students about finding the right college is do your research. Read into your selected college?s academic policies, social life, financial assistance, and anything else you are looking for in your college experience. Also visit the schools. Paper will not reveal everything, so it is important to visit the school and feel out the atmosphere. Visiting the school can change your perspective of the school for the better or worse. It is especially beneficial to talk to current students and ask for their feedback about the college. Once you have finally made the selection of which college is right for you make the most out of it! How do you do that? Branch out, try new things, and indulge yourself in new surroundings. If you stay open-minded you won?t be disappointed. College is an adjustment for everyone, so it may be scary at first to branch out of your comfort zone, but it will be worth it. College is the time to try new things in order to find your identity, befriend new people, and discover what you want to spend the rest of your life doing.

I would say that the most important thing to look for is a place where you will be happy and to be surrounded by people that you can get along with. From there, you will always find your niche and can decided what field to go into based on what classes you actually enjoy going to. It is hard to stay focused in school when you are unhappy with where you are and the people you are around. So, when you visit a school, take in the environment and if it makes you feel happy and comfertable, and seems like a place you would could be motivated to get up and go to every day for four years, that is a good choice. There are great professors everywhere and it is up to you to make the most out of what the college has to offer. As long as you are happy in the city or town and with the community of people, you will definately enjoy your 4 years at school and be able to learn so much from not only your classes but the whole college experience.

In selecting the right college, i would suggest going to each of the schools that one is interested in, and if possible sitting in on a class. Most school offer tours of the campus, where they give a lot of helpful information about the school . Live in the moment!

Know what you'd like to do first,, then look for the proper major,, then search for the school famous for your major,, make a list of schools you like to go,, find out what they require,, Then study,, and study,, and study till you get good grade,, Set your goal in short term,, but do not forget your long-term goal.. Check your progress everytime you reach the short-term goal,, compare it to the long-term goal,, set the next short-term goal You will reach someday.. Parents! don't pressure your children, but cheer them up,, Compliment makes Shamu dance..

I think that college visits are really important. they give you the best feel for how the college really is. Finances is a problem and should be seriously thought of but shouldn't make you run away from your top choice.

Research as much as you can at least two years before selecting a college. If you have the opportuity to visit colleges, I strongly suggest that you do. Look and apply for tons of scholarships!!!!! Its free money and it can be yours!!!!!

Look for colleges that focus on your area of interest (science, music, etc). It is important that the college one attends has a good department in that area so that you have a greater choice of classes. Another important factor is location. If you are going to be spending 4 years at a university, it is important to have a good environment that will make you feel comfortable.