California State University-Sacramento Top Questions

I would definately suggest that you take the time to visit the school and talk to the students. Check out the surrounding area and really ask your self if you are willing to take chances and take healthy risks. If you have a disability make sure that your needs will be met. Don't be affraid to advocate for yourself because no one else will. Most of all be safe and have fun!

I would tell parents and/ or students to find colleges that offer the major your child/ you are interested in. After that has been established, filter your options by those that are compatible with your financial situation. Last for picking the right college would be to visit a couple universities. Get familiar and talk to students that are there. Talk to people that work in the department you are interested in. Find out the qualifications and requirements for your major. In order to make the most of your college experience you need to be comfortable with your surroundings. Getting familiar with what the campus offers will help. Talk to students and check out the campus website to see what kind of clubs and events are offered. All of this advice will surely help every parent/ student find the college that best fits them.

To find the best college and enjoy the best experience while there, I would strongly suggest that parents and students fine a school that not only fills their needs on campus, but off campus as well. The school should be able to offer a variety of activities on and off campus, as well as be interested in the students life individually. Teachers and staff should have a genuine passion for their job, evident in their interractions with their students and their ability to connect on a personal level. Beyond the on campus experience, students should have access to jobs, housing, and services to assist them in daily life. Students and parents alike should research the school and surrounding area in orer to make sure it fills their needs and adequately assists their student in acheiving his/her goals in life.

First of all, view the dorm rooms if you are planning on living on campus. Then look at your financial aid package. Also, you MUST visit the college before attending to make sure you feel good with that environment and the city it is in. Then ask about the classrooms, the size and availability of professors. Also, if you are thinking about the greek life, ask about it. Make sure you make a list of things you want to know and ask the tour guide to answer it or try to get it answered by someone from the college. It is best to find something you will be comfortable in, then having to live your next four years and struggling or being descriminated against.

My advice as a hard working dedicated student would be to choose the college that offers the best program for one's major of interest. If one does not know what she wants to major in I strongly recommend a junior college. That way the student has the chance to take a variety of classes at a very lost cost and decide on a major. Once a major is chosen, the student is offered to make a contract with the university of her choice that guarantees her transfer once she completes her associate degree at the junior college. While it is extremely gratifying to be accepted to the top schools as a senior in high school, finances and major choice should be the root of why the student is attending the university, not for prestige or because it is a change. Once the university is decided the student should get involved in some way other than academics whether it is a club, Greek organization, or athletics it will make for an unforgettable college experience.

Be sure to know enough about yourself to see what atmosphere you wish to attend. Know if you want to attend a large campus, a small tight knit campus, a commuter school or a "live-in" campus. Try to know if the campus has strong school spirit if that is important to you, and be sure to get to know the surrounding area. If you plan on working, or living off campus know the city that your school is located, you will be spending the next several years in that environment. Also try not to worry about having your whole college experience planned out before you arrive to campus, the next several years you will be changing alot and finding yourself and new friends and you want to be able to arrive to school with an open mind and a positive out look. If you arrive to campus with certain expectations, you are more likely to be let down. Have a goal in mind but do not set your college path in stone beforehand. Be positive and get to know your campus and take advantage of the services it offers.

-Start early with the search for the right college. Feeling comfortable and accepted on a campus is just as important as academic success and it is arguably a harder facet to find. -Although entering college is a daunting, life changing turning point in life keep in mind how immense a privilege it is and how few people on earth possess and complete a college education. Parents: If your child either gets rejected from or rejects an acceptance letter from a top-notch school just keep the above point in mind. Students: have fun and don?t take higher education for granted!

I highly reccomend students and parents to go on college tours and talk to the faculty and students about the university. Students can make the most of their college experience by getting involved with extra ciricular activities on and off campus, spending quality time with friends at socializing events and take classes that they are interested in (especially classes outside of the major chosen).

Future college students should begin the search for the right college about their sophomore year in high school and start applying for colleges in their junior year. This should allow them enough time to visit the potential campuses and learn about the programs offered and find the right match. Students should apply for as many scholarships as possible; you can never apply for too many scholarships. To make the most out of your college experience you should apply to colleges away from home. By being away you will have the opportunity to experience the college life and grow as a person.

What my parents and I did and what everybody should do is visit the schools you plan on going to and take in the atmosphere. Also, talk to people who have attended that college or know of someone who has. Read about the college and find if it is the best fit for you and if it fits your price range. I stayed in my hometown of Sacramento to save money and I just commuted to school.