California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Top Questions

When first selecting schools, keep in mind what schools stand out academically for your specific major of interest. You might even consider if a school has your second major pick just in case you ever decide you want to switch majors (many students change their majors). As far as the cost of your education, state schools tend to be more affordable than private universities. Check for how a school performs on reviews. You might be surprised. Sometimes for your particular major a state university might perform better and be more affordable than a private university. It's also important to know what kind of home the school will be. Community is an important aspect. You want a school that's good academically but that will be a good home. Students in the dorms usually have less trouble with this. If you?re interested in Sports, joining a university team or intramural sports can be a good way to meet people. Scoping out the surrounding community would also be good as well. Some people look for local entertainment (theatres, stores, food places, etc.), if the community is a safe/nice, or you might look for churches or other community centers.

Try to pick a major, dont go undecided. After you pick your major determine the other areas of study that interest you and pick a school that focuses on those. Decide whether you want a practical applied education or a research based theoretical one.

First find out what school is best for the field of study. Secondly, mix GE courses with major courses in order to not burn out in school. Lastly, get involved with an extra curricular activity at school to feel connected with others on campus.

I would encourage students to really get involved in school. Become part of a club, sports team, or student government. The more you put into your college and college experience, the more you will get out of college. Remember, winning isn't everything, its how you play the game, and that goes for grades too. College really isn't about getting amazing GPA's, its about discovering yourself and learning in the process. Don't get hung up if you're getting a C in a class, it is usually average anyways! Always try and meet new people, try new things, go to new places, all these things will help you suceed in college. Parents: don't worry about how your child is doing. They really are no longer your baby, they've left home, and are thriving on their own. Don't call their teachers, because they aren't allowed to give you any information about your student anyways. Always be supportive of your student, even if they may not have a 4.0, and remember, a package of homemade cookes from mom is always very appreciated by any student!

Sometimes your first choice college isn't the best choice for you. When something happens and you can't go to your first choice school, it's okay; you can probably go there for grad school anyway.

Attend the campus before applying and attend the one that you really feel is comfortable to you. Find a college with high eduaction standards but doesnt cost an arm and a leg.

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Visit the schools you're interested in. I know plenty of kids from my high school class that changed their decision based on the first impression they got from their visits. A big aspect that I did not consider when choosing a school was size. I went to a realy small private high school in Oregon and was somewhat overwhelmed by the size of Cal Poly (around 20,000), it was fairly easy to adjust, but I could not imagine going to an enormous school like UCLA or USC. As far as making the most of the college experience, make sure you continue to do the things in college you enjoyed doing in high school. It's amazing how nostalgic you'll get if you stop playing your favorite sport or whatever it is you enjoyed doing. That being said, do NOT be afraid to try new things in college. That's what college is all about.

Don't be afraid to go off and try something new and get out of your comfort zone. Meet new people!

It is really important to do your research before choosing a college. Take a deeper look at the department you will be applying to (ex. liberal arts) and make sure to take a campus tour! Try to talk to students who are currently in your same major, as well as professors for that major. Don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions! It is important to even ask yourself questions, like where do you see yourself living? Is it in a city atmosphere, or more rural? Do you want to live on campus or off? What kind of extra-curricular activities are important to you? Once you have answered these questions, you can start to research and find what college best matches what you are looking for.