The University of Texas at San Antonio Top Questions

Pick a college that is in the area where you plan to work and live because the college experience will give you many network contacts to help you find a job after graduation. I need financial help and my family cannot support my college tuition in this economy, due to loss of work in my family, but I cannot find financial help---so pick a college that honestly offers financial assistance---otherwise the student will have to take on fulltime or PT work, like myself, towards a degree.

For incoming students, choosing a college to attend is a personal decision. Weigh your options based on whatever YOU think will fit you best. Its wise for parents to give input - but to a certain extent. Don't pressure your child to go to a certain school because of your own opinions. Your children are of course going to take your opinion into consideration, but they're intelligent and completely capable of making this life-changing decision of where to complete their secondary education. College is a great life experience and I'd be sad to see some of this country's brightest youth not make the right decision. If the student is having trouble deciding on their school, there are ALWAYS college rating websites and of course their high school advisors. Taking a tour and researching the universities they're interested are very good ideas. I'd never re-do any of the experiences I've been through thus far. My college experiences have taught me so much and I now have a greater sense of self.

In order to find the right college, you really have to do your homework. Just becasue its a beautiful campus or just because they have a good name doesnt mean you need to go their. Take the time to talk to the student s who go their. Find a university of college that meets your needs but challenges you to take a new step. Also asure that the sorrounding area/city is somewhere you feel good about. Explore you options. You only get to go to college once. Take your time and make the best choice for yourself not what people want from you, but what you expect out of yourself.

I would advise students and parents alike to look at what the school offers not overall , but what the school offers you. Why go to a school that is great for every other major, but yours? Make sure that there are extracurriculars that interest the student, or else their college experience will be pointless. Go somewhere that makes you happy not somebody else, because you will have to live with this decision. I would also suggest having a clear definition of what you want to do with your life, because there will be lots of things to take time away from your goals if you let them. I would tell parents to trust their children to live by the standards they raised them by, and students to stay true to the way they were raised. There will be lots of opportunities to fail in college, but allot more to succeed. When you find them, take them and don't let go. Most importantly - stay true to yourself.

the students sould always visit as many colleges as posible to get comfortable for the big tranistion they would have to make, for the student and parents. Need to know if the school has what the students is looking for and major intended, great tutoring facilities and advisors for career intended. Never give up n the dream career and what the students wants to do for the rest of their lives. Support is always important from the parents and from the students peers to ave the best college experience.

Make sure that the school and its location are a good fit for your personality. If you like the opportunities a big city offers do not attend a rural college and vice versa. If the school is not a good fit, you will be miserable and will want to transfer. Also, to see if the school is a good fit check with the student life office at your prospective school. They will be able to give you a list of the activities, services, programs, etc. that is offered at the university.

I would tell parents to encourage their students to pursue an education that will help them accomplish their goals, and help them locate the college that will do this. And for the students I would encourage them to work hard to make good grades. Although grades are not everything, they are necessary for their education to be successful. But they should enjoy themselves and have fun. College is a wonderful experience full of new and exciting things. There will be some challenges and some adjustment, but as long as they are flexible and willing to work hard, they will do very well. In addition, I would tell students to work on their connections. The connections they make with classmates, roomates, teachers, and advisors. Each of these indivduals will make your college experience unique and enjoyable. In addition, I will tell them that they do not need to become involved in every single club on campus to make friends, but to pick the things you want to do and that make you happy. Spend time with people with similar interests, and be open to meeting new people. Getting involved as much as you can is the best thing you can do!

I believe the best advice any one could receive is, don't be in rush. Take your time to find the right college for you that is going to be in your expected price range. If you are like me and come from a poor family, it is probably best to stay in state. However, a student shouldn't make their decision based soley on that. They should find the school that fits them and where they would feel most comfortable. There are plenty of programs and scholarships that can help them pay for school. Before anyone decides on a school, they should visit the campus and try to meet some of the teachers in their inteded major. They need to get a feel for what life would be like for them if they attended a certain school. This is a big commitment and they need to weigh all their options and make a pros and cons list and discuss their thoughts with friends and family to get some outside input, but ultimately the decision is up to the student and should be made according to their greatest desire.

Deciding which school to attend seems impossible. There is no way to research every feature of every college. I would advice parents and/or students to go with what feels right. Decide your main choices by location/cost/etc. Check out the schools and see if you feel comfortable. You will likely be there for several years so this is important. If you have a decided major, find out if the school has a good department for your major. If you are undecided, find out what kind of services the school has in helping you decide what to do with your life. See if the faculty is helpful when you visit. If they aren't, chances are they won't be helpful when you're enrolled. Also, see if the school has any of the activities you enjoy or new activities you may be interested in. It may be helpful to speak to a current student, especially an upper-classmen. They can tell you the pros and cons. Choosing the right school is difficult and definitely overwhelming. If the school feels right and it has the activities/services for you, your choice can't be wrong.

As a student who will soon graduate from a 4-year university, I am glad of the choices I made during my years in the university. I learned from previous experiences and found out who I really am and what I want in life. Parents, it is hard seeing your little boy/girl go off to college without you to protect them from harm; but lets face it, he/she is grown up and can stand up for themselves. College is the time to explore, make lifetime friends, and find new things about yourself. Students, you only live once so lets get out of this small community, get involved in activities and introduce yourself to the world.