University of Wisconsin-Madison Top Questions

After attending three colleges during my undergraduate career, the one thing I can say for sure is that the school itself is less important than what you make of it and how you use your time there. Any college -- even the best one, if there is such a one -- can be a bad school for someone who does not know or care to make a good experience out of it. Being social, studying hard -- but not too hard!, communicating with professors, being involved, joining clubs, playing sports... big school or small school, large classes or small classes... every one is different. What matters the most is knowing that the eight semesters during which you have to work to earn your bachelors degree CAN be amazing learning experiences inside and outside of the classroom. It's all about finding what interests you, balanced with what you think will benefit you in your future and career aspirations, and you will undoubtedly get the most out of your college experience.

Look at every possible option. Even though traveling can be a hastle, visit several campuses. Large ones and small ones, it can really help narrow the search down to what the student is really looking for. Get involved in extracurricular activities, without them it is easy to forget what college is about, learning more than you ever will in you entire life. Don't be afraid to jump out of your comfort zone, what better a time to try new things, than a time when everyone around you is a little afraid at the same time,and lastly, if the college you chose isn't what you were expecting, it's ok to transfer and try again. Four years is a long time, try not to stress too much about it because you can always find something good out of a situation that may appear dissapointing.

Make sure if they go to a state school they talk to both in state and out-of-state students.

give your kids responsibility and independence before they begin college

Make sure the college is strong in the fields you think you want to study in.

Find a school that is fun and exciting, but also challenging

Don't base your decision on where your friends are going; base your decision on how good of an education you can get in your field of study. Focus on the future and where will be best for you in the long run. College costs a lot of money, so you don't want to waste your time somewhere just because of a silly reason. Also, do the work and make the money worth while! Don't waste a penny. Learn as much as you can.

Students: don't ignore your parents advice because even though it seems like they don't know what their talking about, they really do. You have to remember that they know you better than most people and have your best interest at heart. If there suggesting somewhere you think you don't like, here them out before you make a final decision. That said don't be afraid to let them know how you feel. When you make your final decision and begin college, GET INVOLVED! That is hands down the key to making the most out of your college experience because you'll meet people with similar interests and thus make new friends and gain new experiences. Parents: don't be afraid to lay down the law and say no, but with that no should come an explanation as to why so that there are no misunderstandings between you and your student. Also try to really listen to what they are saying and instead of making the decison for them, aid them in making the decision for themselves in a reasonable manner that satisfies both of you. Both: Its a stressful situation, but have fun with it.

Do not allow yourself to fall for the first college you visit, and invision yourself attending every school that you visit. Visiting the schools is the most important thing you can do in preparation.

Definitely research the schools you are interested in and take a visit to get a feel of the campus.

Visit as many campus as you can, take a walking tour of the campus and talk to other people who go or went to the prospective college/university. While at school, go to different sporting events, take advantage of the recreational facilities, explore the city the college is in, take classes that are interesting to you and are outside of your major, get involved in a student club or organization, give back to the community you live in, make use of your professor's office hours, speak up in class but listen to others, meet as many people as you can and get to know them - especially those who are the least like you, don't go home every weekend if you live close to home (if you can help it), don't be afraid to go past 4 years. Have fun!

When choosing the righ school, figure out what is most important to you, whether it be the academics, the campus, the people, the programs, etc. Don't be afraid to follow your gut instinct because you will enjoy your experience more at a school that you love rather than the one that seemed like it would be the "best" choice. As for making the most of your experience, get involved as soon as possible getting to know new people and joining organizations. College is a great time to discover yourself, grow, and change, so explore new things. Most campuses have tons of amazing activities and opportunities and you should take advantage of them! Also, you tend to do better in school when you have a busy schedule because you are forced to manage your time. Basically take a proactive approach to all that you do: social life, classes/academics, and campus activities!

Don't discount any college without looking into it first. Once you decide, try out as many new things as you can. College is meant to be experienced, and you will discover more about yourself and grow more if you push your limits. Take advantage of the opportunity to interact with diverse individuals, especially those you wouldn't normally talk to. You'll learn a lot.

Make sure that you take classes outside your discipline. It not only makes you more well-rounded, but it also lets you really explore your own interests and choose a path that is right for you. What matters is what you take from it, not what grades you get or if you have followed the traditional path. And take advantage of every opportunity that is presented to you.

Take your time, look at your options. At the end of the day, it's not so much about the place that you go, but the things that you do when you're there. Find what is available to you, take advantage of every opportunity. College is about you.

I would tell students to choose a school based on their academic interests above anything else. If they are unsure as to what career path to follow, as was I, I suggest a school like the University of Wisconsin that offers a wide range of opportunities. I would strongly encourage using all of the college's resources in order to facilitate the decision making process and to broaden your horizons. As for making the most of your college experience, it is important, especially at large unversities, to have your voice heard. It is the student's responsibility to approach the administration when they have questions or concerns. Nothing gets resolved without speaking up. One last word of advice would be to choose a school that you know will fulfill all of your needs, both academically and socially.

Most imporantly find a place that suits you. Be involved. Study hard, but also make plenty of time to have fun also.

Find a program that matches your interests and needs. Talk with currents students and professors, especially in your particular area of study.

You need to find a college that will make the student motivated to attend the school for academic success and also for life experiences and friendships. My college experience has been difficult but the experiences with friends and classmates that I've been through have made staying up late and studying worthwile. I strongly advise living in the university dorms for the first year as well!

Always visit. No matter what sort of program the school might have, visiting it is crucial to making a choice. The atmosphere, students, and campus are such an important part of the college experience.

Searching for the right college may seem daunting but by asking the right questions and weeding out the wrong answers, it is easier than you think. First you need to work together - parents and prospective students do not always have the same questions in mind. It is important that you are both comfortable with a college before making the big decision. Mom or dad may want a secure campus, far from downtown, while you may be looking for the excitement of a big city. Look for ways to compramise. Try looking for a city atmosphere that offers safewalk/ride programs and lots of on-campus security for instance. The most important step in college selection is a campus visit. Take a tour, wander around alone, or sit at the union and see how well you blend in with the people and the setting. Don't take someone else's word for it! Find a school that not only offers the academic programs you are looking for, but any extra-curriculars and social groups you may want to join as well. And always remember that if you feel like you have made the wrong decision, don't just sit there, transfer!

Go with your gut, as well as your interest. It is good to step out of a comfort zone, but this is a big decision, so having some familiarity is necessary.

Be open. Pre-conceived notions about where you want to go and why you want to go there only hinder the search. Yes, a school's reputation is important and name recognition is not something to overlook. But you have to realize you will spend four years there so you have to love it.

When looking for the right college, make a list of what you think is important to you. Then go and visit the schools, how ithey feel can help make a gut instinct decision. I also think that in-state tuition options opposed to private or out of state impact a lot. Remember, it's just undergrad and you don't want to spend the next 10 years paying it off. Get advice from people who attended those schools and see if their values/outcomes match yours.

Decide on weather before anything else. There are good schools no matter where you go in the country (or out of it for that matter) and being comfortable makes the transition from home both easier and more enjoyable. Also make sure that your major is well supported at the school(s) you are looking at; make sure the department is strong and there is enough help available assuming it is needed. Lastly make sure that the distance between you and your family is right for you. Some people want to branch out and move across the country for college while others would prefer to stay close to their family, there is no right decision, as long as you know which one suits you the best.

Go to a big school in an area of the country or world you are not familiar with.

The best advice for choosing a college and the college experience is to know what you're looking for, and know what you're getting yourself into before you go in. Visit the campuses, make sure it's a place that the student would enjoy living. Talk to the students, see how they are enjoying life on campus. A student should never go to a school where the classes are too easy for them. This often results in negligence, boredom, and getting into more trouble than they should. Make sure that the class difficulty isn't too hard for the student, but don't go to an easy school just for an easy degree. It's not worth it. Know what kind of activities the student wants to get involved in. Do they offer such them at the school? Not everyone is in clubs, so maybe it's an irrelevant question, but this is definitely something to bring up when on a campus tour, or talking to current students. Ask them how involved students are on campus, and if it blends with your students' interests. Know what you want, and what you're getting yourself into. Then you're fine.

Its important to look at all the aspects of a college before making your final choice.

The most important advice I would give to parents and students would be to keep an open mind in all areas of college life. Don't base your college decision on a specific field of study that you think you might be interested in, but rather find a well-rounded school that can expose you to a variety of subjects. Taking classes on topics you have never learned about can reveal hidden passion for subjects you never knew you had and help you feel more confident about where you want to go in life. You should also be open-minded about social groups and activities. In my personal experience, I learned so much about myself and how I want to live my life by surrounding myself with people who challenged my morals, values, and opinions. I grew as a person because of this and I am extremely grateful for having the opportunity to spend time with people who come from backgrounds so different than me. Lastly, it is important to remember that while change is good, don't forget where you came from! Keep in close contact with your family and friends.

Students and parents should think about the types of other students they (or their child) will meet during their time on campus. Academics should be a predominant deciding factor, but so should be the culture and social life of the school. Most students' experiences won't be defined by the types of classes they take, but who they befriend and become roomates with, what types of groups they get involved with and what types of real world social situations they face. Look at what types of internship, work study and volunteering opportunities are available, because, again, the experiences outside of the classroom are going to have the biggest impacts on their academic, personal and professional futures.

Making a college decision can be very tough for many different reasons. Personally, I took a risk choosing Madison because of my financial situation. It turned out that money, while not physically in front of you, is always there for education. If you really want to attend a school that is out of your price range, don't throw your dream away. Instead, start looking for scholarships that can aid you in your college experience. Never choose a school based solely on finances. Also, Take tours of all the colleges you are interested in, and even some of the colleges you aren't. Taking tours of both types will help you to decide what aspects you like about each campus and what you don't find appealing about a school. Keeping a log of your thoughts about different colleges while you tour will prove useful when thinking back on which school would fit you best. After you have toured what you feel is enough schools, sit down for a couple days and really think about it, don't expect the answer to be right in front of you.

Listen to your intuition! There are many things that make a particular college or university the best fit for you, so be sure to consider the programs available, proximity to friends and family, along with the atmosphere exuded when making a decision. And remember, it's possible that not everything will be "perfect", but your insticts will usually lead you in the right direction. And when you've chosen the college of your choice, be sure to be open and try new things - get involved, join a club you've never thought of joining before! Explore all the campus has to offer. Best of luck!

I would tell students to focus on their schoolwork, but not to worry too much about their grades. Sure, grades are good indicators of how well you understand the material (as most are based off of exam performance) but a lot of classes measure you against your peers and sometimes it's extremely difficult to get the grade you wanted. Also, I would suggest they get involved because joining groups and/or other social groups allows for the opportunity to meet new people who you will likely remain friends with for the rest of your life. I'd also have to tell them to just enjoy the experience too. College has changed me a lot as a person, but I wouldn't trade the experience (failures included!) for anything.

One of the most important aspects about picking the right school is to absolutely visit the campus. Attend a class, stay with a friend on campus, interview a current student, anything that you can do to find out how you would fit into the university. The school you pick is going to be your home for the next 4 years; you have to make sure you're comfortable there. Once you find your perfect school, make a point to join one cause that you believe in. College is the one place where you have to learn to leave your shell behind and be willing to put yourself out there. College is all above finding yourself and affirming your beliefs. It's the most important time of your life. Make the most of it.

I think the importance to finding the right college is finding what fits your personality, your work ethic, and your extracurricular interests. If you find a college that includes activities you are interested in, an atmosphere you are comfortable with, and a workload you can handle and succeed with, I think your chances of having a good college experience are high. If I have learned one thing here, it is that college is what you make it. If you work hard and play hard, and accept the fact that this experience is going to be completely different than anything you've ever experienced, you are likely to have an amazing time. If you slack off and keep a closed mind to new things, college will be a little more difficult.

If a school doesn't feel right to you at first it probably is not where you belong. Once you choose a school remember you are paying to be there and while it may be hard sometimes if you work hard you'll make it through.

Don't let any one thing determine where you go to college. It is so easy to have a really good time on a campus tour and decide right then, this is where I want to be. It is really important to think about the kind of activities you want to do, the kind of people you want to meet, and how much you want to spend. Take everything into consideration. Try to spend a night on campus with someone who lives in the dorms. It's a crazy rxperience. Most importantly, once you decide, get involved. The worst thing that you can do is tell yourself that you will sign up for that club or group next semester. You can't make friends by sitting in your dorm room! Join everything that sounds remotely interesting. Go to a few meetings before your homework load gets to be too much! It is easier to stay involved than it is to get involved half way through. Finally, don't stress too much. You probably aren't going to lose out on a job or a internship because you got a C on that one test freshman year. Put your sanity first!

Most important is to visit and when possible see campus life by shadowing a student.

I feel as though it's more important to follow your interests instead of picking a school or major based on the amount of money it makes.

I would tell them to find a campus atmosphere that allows their child the best chance at success. Whether this means a large University where a student will be presented with many opportunities, or a smaller university where a student will be able to focus more on their intended career and make due with the opportunities that are present. Choose the University which you feel will be the best reward for the hard work that you put in during high school. Approach the selection process with an open mind and do not be frightened or intimidated by larger schools, as choosing the path of least resistance almost always leads to the smallest amount of individual devlopment.

Give your kids every possible opportunity out there. Don't limit them because you are afraid. The more they can be exposed to the better. Every experience you have shapes your mind. Good, Bad, Crazy, Unethical, Fun, Spiritual, and Frightening make you into well rounded person. Ignorance and the fear of understanding breed more stupidity and indifference. Give them the options to choose and if they have been taught well, the myriad of tools at their exposure will take them further than ever imaginable.

Parents, leave it entirely up to your son or daughter as to where they want to go--don't even suggest places they should apply. Students, make it your responsbility to decide where to apply, visit each campus you get in to and try to see if you could see yourself there, then make the decesion based on that as well as any monetary concerns of yours. To make the most of the college experience, be open to making friends, be open to trying new things and don't be too judgemental of anybody for anything. College isn't about the grades or the classes or the degree--it's about making friends for life and having fun, so keep that in mind too.

Parents need to be involved. My parents told me I didn't have a choice about going to college...which was fine with me because I was planning on going anyway. However, when it came to choosing the college I wanted to attend - my parents were no where to be found. Chosing a school is a hard and very time consuming decision. It wasn't until I actually came to college did I realize the tremendous amounts of school options in this country. I am not particularily happy with the decision I made, but I don't want to transfer. I know if my parents would have been more involved in my decision making process, such as attending tours with me and helping me reasearch or make a pro and con list of each school, I would be much happier. They know me more than anyone else and know my personal needs. Attending college has been difficult for me due to combined health issues and financial issues. If my parents had helped me in my decision, I know they would have pointed out some very important downfalls of the universities I chose. So, students ...ask for help.

I would say make sure the college you go to fits you. Visit the campus and tour the area and city around it. Decide if you want large lectures or more intimate classes. See if the college caters to your planned major and career choice. Once you choose where you want to go, make sure you put yourself out there to experience new things and meet new people. Join an organization that interests you, be it intermural sports or student government. Start volunteering for a cause you care about. It's all worth it and if you are willing to put yourself out there, you will reap many benifits and have a more fulfilled experience you will never forget!!

Parents and students should work together in choosing the right college, however, the final decision should rest with the students. Students should make a list of all the characteristics/things they are looking for in a college/their college experience and should choose the college that most closely resembles that list. In order to get the most out of college, students shouldn't be afraid to step outside their comfort zones - many of the greatest opportunities come when one is doing something which one is afraid of/unfamiliar with. Parents should remember that this is a time of great personal growth for their son or daughter and should encourage their child to do as many different things as possible during their time in college.

There are all types of students that go to this school from all over the world, so there are many different kinds of people represented on this campus. Personally, I was a student from the US who did well in High School without really trying. However, my GPA here does not reflect the one I had in High School. I only say this because, if you go here, you need to know that work ethic and time management are the keys to doing well, not knowledge by itself. What students on this campus are known for is working hard and playing even harder, and that is why I believe that this is one of the best colleges to go to. There are Ivy league schools where students are notoriously known for studying all the time and not having any fun. Obviously, I wouldn't know because I go here, but my point is that the education here is just as good (I've had professors that came from Stanford and Yale) while the social scene is on a level higher than most "party schools." In sum, Wisconsin is the best of both worlds all in one place.

The following is my advice for students choosing a school: Look not only at how difficult your university is to get into but, but also look at how competitive it is to be accepted to your major or the school within your university that offers the major you want. If you have your heart set on a particular major, you should know ahead of time what will be expected to be admitted to that. While some programs aren't competitive, some are. Even though you are excepted to your university of choice, it does not mean you will be accepted to your program of choice. Secondly, look at how much help is available on your campus. Dont dismiss a large school because people tell you that you will only be a number and no one will care about you. True, the dean may not know your name, but i've found that even at my large school, many professors and teaching assistants are more than willing to help. Also there are many tutoring services that are free to students. Find out from current students how easy it is to get academic help on campus.

Be sure to start looking for colleges EARLY, visit the campuses, talk to the students, and ask a LOT of questions. Don't let what parents or other adults want from you influence where you go to school. It's your life.

You really just have to make your own path and find your own way.

Get involved with the process. Stay involved.