Arizona State University-Tempe Top Questions

A large university may be intimidating for many prospective students and their parents, but the important thing to remember is that many students attend them for a reason: they have so much to offer. Not only do they boast dozens of colleges, majors and minors, but they give students the opportunity to participate in a plethora of student organizations (some focus on academic and some are more leisurely-oriented), support students in the academic and career aspirations through numerous advisors, and offer various housing for underclassmen and upperclassmen alike (as well as for specific majors). For an all-around education, large universities succeed at giving students just that. You learn not just what can be found in a textbook, but you learn how to work collectively, learn to start surviving on one's own, and you learn about life and how to find your niche in it. It is not enough to just focus on your studies (although it is very important); college is your opportunity to experience new places, people and ideas before ending up in a 40-hour a week job. College is what you make it.

My advice to parents and/or students when searching for the right university is to primarily focus on what major/minor your son or daughter is intereseted in pursuing. It is extremely important that the department they are interested in has a decent success ranking. However, activities that are available on and near campus should also be explored. It is important to get involved in activities for that is where you will make some of your closest friendships and have some of the best college experiences. I highly recommend looking at what the towns around campus offer to students such as ammenities, recreational activities, and churches. The life of the town is necessary to consider because this is where your child will be making their home for the next four years. Lastly, while money is sometimes an unavoidable factor of life, it is imperative that you allow your son or daughter to explore their options; let them decide which universities they would like to attend and then cross the finance bridge when you come to it. University is a time to learn, grow as a person, and have fun - so let your children do so.

Really take a look at your academic ability and your interests. Basically, don't apply to Harvard just because it looks good and it is what your parents want you to do. Make sure the school is a fit for you. If you don't end up where you want to be, for whatever reason, just focus on the positve and try your best to make the best out of the situation. If an option, live on campus, it will be your best college choice. You will have to learn to be an adult and take care of yourself. Once you are at school be open to all of the new experiences around you. I would highly encourage everyone to go greek. It opens up doors that you wouldn't believe. Stay away from pizza at 3am Sunday morning. Go to class and don't sleep through it, actually take notes and pay attention.

Start getting things like your application, your FASFA, & living arrangements in order during your senior year of high school. It makes it a lot easier on you later on

Being the first generation in my family to attend a university, I believe it's extremely vital that you apply to many different colleges as well as scholarships during your senior year in high school. With your career goal in mind, look for colleges that are well known for your choice of study. Visit the colleges! Make sure you feel comfortable in its environment and imagine yourself attending that college. Go to orientations if available and ask questions! You need to know what resources, programs, extracurricular activities, etc. are available to you as a student. Get information regarding on- and off-campus living and the job opportunities that the college offers. When attending college, I would advise that you join an on-campus organization. Find one that best fits your hobbies or interests and get involved! You meet other students, faculty, and create networks that may be useful in the future. Don't be afraid to speak in class and attend ALL of your classes. The more classes you miss, the more you will worry about falling behind. Focus on your school work, but don't forget to have fun! It's all about balancing school work and social activities.

When searching for a college, if you already know what your major is, look at how well that program is among other colleges. If not then make sure there are some interesting options available when you do decide. Aside from academics, look at the extra-curricular activities such as sporting events, clubs, and greek life. You social life is important in college, this is where you can meet your life long friends and network with people who can possibly offer opportunities that may be harder to grasp for others. You only go to college once, hopefully, so live it up and keep up with your school work!

Find a college that you feel comfortable and proud going to. Do not pick the first college that accepts you, instead, take your time and pick a college or university that will fit you in every way.

The two most important things you need in a college are the ability to get the best education you can and the ability to make the most of your time before you completely enter the professional world - meaning you enjoy yourself. Money, finances, and scholarships are also big factors, of course, but it is more important to find a college you love and will stay at than to end up at a college you will not enjoy and might even drop out of. Make sure to apply to several colleges so you have a wide variety because you may not have had a chance to fully explore each college before you apply. Your preferred choices in colleges are likely to change by the time you have been accepted, or, in the worst case scenario, you might not have been accepted into the colleges you were hoping for, so you have to make sure you have other options you still want. Once you are at your dream college, you cannot just let things happen to you; you have to take advantage of the opportunities you saw at this college. Then you can make the most of your experiences.

Visit the campus. Learn as much as possible about the campus of the school that you hope to attend. Learn about the cities around the campus. That is the best advice that I can offer. It is the one thing that I couldn't do enough of before I decided to attend Arizona State University. It was one of my biggest deciding factors. I love ASU. I love the campus and I love the Phoenix Metro area. Its really important to love your surroundings while attending college. Especially if you are far from home. You have to pick a place that you can call home for at least 4 years. If you are a small town kind of person attending a college in a major city could be devastating for you and cause you to have to transfer or worse drop out, and vice versa if you are a big city lover. So visit as many campuses as possible and if you can't visit read books, or look at pictures. Just look into what you are getting yourself into and make sure you like it.

First, I would start by saying..."APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!" You can never apply for too many financial aid options. This will open the door to so many more opportunities for you. If money was not an issue, then the sky is the limit. You can go anywhere you want as long as you are dedicated to your studies and determined to make the most out of your college years. Don't let others too strongly influence your decision (for example, don't go to a community college because your boyfriend goes there if you truly want to attend a university). In the end, I must just say, follow your heart. This is one choice in your life that you get to make as an adult and, for most people, it could be the most impactful decision you make in a long time. So good luck to you, and remember to study, study, study!