California State University-Long Beach Top Questions

Visit the college, spend a day walking around campus, driving around near the campus and talking to some professors and/or students if possible. The students and professors are the ones who are on campus and know it the best. They will have all of the information you need and can most likely answer any questions you have or can direct you to the correct person.

The biggest piece of advice I would have for parents is that they let their children apply and attend any school they want. It can be very hard financially for some families but I encourage each family/parent to have their student apply for as many scholarships as possible. There is a lot of money out there for those willing to pursue higher education and many of these scholarships will greatly reduce the families financial obligations, creating a more relaxed enviornment for the student; something they desperately need at this time in their lives. And for the student I would say that they should take advantage of college. There is no other time in their life like it and very few places offer as many oppurtunities as college does, so put forth all you've got so that when you're done, you walk away with no regrets.

Visit the college before you make your final decision, you don't want to pick a school that you end up not liking. Researching it and the major your going into, make sure its a good school for your major and that it has a good graduation rate.

Make sure you choose a school in which you would feel the most comfortable with. Also, look for schools that do all they can to help motivate you and be involved with school activities. It makes college life a lot easier!

Take your time to reall research the schools - course wise, campus wise, and the like. Don't stress and don't rush.

I would like to give advice to the parents and students who are in my similar situation-- first-generation Americans that have parents that either do not speak English well, or know the process of how to get to college. I used to think that I was not able to go to the school of my choice because of the financial burden my parents would encounter. However, it is not the case. There are many ways to receive help either from private organizations or federal and state funding. Money may be important in choosing the right school, but it shouldn't be the only factor. Do the best you can in school because hard work and commitment can take you very far.

When looking for the right college it is first important to make a priority list of what it is you want from a college. There is a lot that changes from campus to campus. Do you want a large campus? are you better off in a diverse campus where you will be exposed to different ideas, cultures, and ideologies? do you want small or large classroom sized instruction? Could you live in the climate that the college is in? What is there to eat around the college? Sometimes, its all about the small things that make a college experience a success, versus a bad time. This is something that will most likely be part of your life for four or more years, why not pick a place where your education can be a memorable one. If there are ANY questions at all, don't ever feel shy about approaching any person on campus roushing to class, because, hey we've been there, and we are always willing to stop and help out a peer.

Parents and students should not always consider financial situations as the main standard for determining what college to go to. Sometimes a college that may cost a little more may provide better education than a cheaper one and sometimes the most expensive college may not provide many top-notch professors who care about their students. Instead, parents and students should consider researching what a school can do for them and vice versa. They should utilize websites, reading materials, and/or other sources that provide a college's rank according to various categories such as rate of career-placement after graduation and/or retention rates. As for making the most of the college experience, parents and students should look into resources or activities available at the college that can enhance social life, career life, and academic life without one jeopardizing the others. I have also seen personally that utilizing the college counselors as well as peer counselors can help maximize the college experience. These counselors can help guide students should they feel lost and prevent them from wasting time; thus, more time can be allotted towards having a meaningful college experience that can leave a lasting impression on the students' lives.

pick a college in which you would feel comfortable in to express who you are as an individual

I would tell students/parents that when trying to find the right college to attend they should try to make a visit to the college before deciding to enroll. I would also reccomend that students participate in any new student orientation programs that the school may offer. For students who are coming straight from high school, I would suggest that they live a year in the dorms. I lived in the dorms for two years and met many of the friends that are still my current friends. Another great way to maximize your college experience is to get a job off-campus. I worked at a local grocery store and I learned so much from the customers about what the city had to offer. The best advice that I can give for students attending college is to not skip class! The college semester goes by so quickly and missing class is the easiest way to fall behind in course work. By attending class you get easy participation points and your teachers will see your dedication and be more willing to ensure your success. College has been a wonderful experience and has helped me mature in so many ways.