University of Arizona Top Questions

With so many outstanding colleges in the United States, it can be a challenging process for both parents and students in deciding what college will be best fit for one's needs. Choosing the best school involves several factors. Finding a school that meets a student's academic and financial requirements is key, certainly now that many individuals are facing financial crises in the face of an economic recession. However, choosing a school that makes students feel included and welcome is also terribly important. Experience with friends has taught me that, perhaps, the most prestigious school is not always the best choice--especially when one does not feel like a part of the school community. That can ultimately make a student's scholastic career much more difficult--what good is the honor of attending a fantastic institution if one is miserable in their "home away from home" during their undergraduate career? The best way to make the most of a college experience is the ability to balance a healthy social life with a student's scholastic endeavors. It is without doubt that both pieces of this puzzle are integral to a successful college experience, and most importantly, a brighter future.

My advice would be to let the kids decide. Too many times I have seen kids say that their parents decided where they wanted to go. As a result, the college atmosphere actually hinders there academic and social development. They feel as if they have to do whatever their parents want and do not obtain an independent lifestyle. To parents, I'd ask your kids what their strengths are and suggest schools, but allow them to decide. Help them out but don't force it upon them. Also, do not put a tonof pressure on your kids as mine did as it is a setback for the application process. Just tell them that whatever college they choose you're proud of them and wish them luck. Now for making the most of the college experience I would suggest that students meet their door mates in the first week. Get to know everyone and then your social life establishes itself relatively quickly. Usually you'll meet at least one person you get along really well with and then together you start to experience the college experience to its highest degree.

The first thing that parents should look at when comparing potential schools is the prestige of the college. Most students want to go to a school that is known for their acedemic excellence. The next thing for examination should be cost. Many students, if not most, will have to get loans so the goal would be to not get into so much debt that the student can not pay it back after their grace-period upon graduation. The next factor for consideration should be community involvement. Students' experiences at their college greatly depend on the different activities and events available as well as programs that give back to the community. In keeping these three factors in mind, parents and students can select a well-rounded college that will work the best for them financially. By getting actively involved with the universities clubs and social activites, as well as studying hard, most students can enjoy some of the best years they will have in life.

My advice to give to parents/students looking for the right college would be to start looking early. The sooner you can look at several options and narrow it down the better. Make sure to make a list of things that you would like the school to have/provide as a student and parent. Also have an idea of where you want to live (i.e. distance from home, climate) becuase just because you like the school doesn't mean you will like living in the place the school is located. An unhappy living situation can create an unhappy college experience. Another important thing I would suggest would be to take campus tours, that way you can get a student's persepective of campus life, some history about the school, and possibly some tips on if your planning on applying to or attending the school. All of these things, I believe, are essential to take into consideration prior to deciding which university or college is right for you. Some simple precationary steps can lead to some of the best years of your life.

pick where ever feels most comfortable to you. Try to get involved in campus groups and clubs. Use your time wisely but still have fun.

When it comes to choosing the right college to apply to, parents and students can feel very overwhelmed and confused. In my own experience, I decided to go to an in-state college. There are several advantages to this, such as, a more affordable cost, the closeness to home, and the ability to attend with friends you know. Although most students plan on getting as far away from home as possible, they won't realize how much security they'd feel if they were closer until they've already made their decision. I'm far enough from my home to feel on my own but close enough to travel home when I need it. Also, don't worry about attending a college that primarily focuses on a certain major you're interesting in. That's what Grad School is for! Make the most of your college experience by getting different opinions, experiencing diversity, and having a terrific social life! Making great friends helps so much in pushing you to succeed and remain positive. One last piece of advice: College is as hard as you make it. You create your own success and experience wherever you go, so don't forget!

I feel like choosing the right college has to do with realizing what you want from the college. Obviously, it's not that easy, to just know what you want, and people change, so what you thought you wanted when you start college might change partway through your college career. However, I think you have to look at yourself as a person to figure it out. If all you want out of college is somewhere to party, meet people, meet your future spouse, then a big party school is great for you. But some people want more out of a college, an education maybe? At a big school your just another of the thousand faces each professor sees everyday, so it's more understandable to be brushed off, but a smaller school, or at least honors classes, will make all the difference i think. As someone who goes to a huge school, I would advise against it, because until you get into the higher level classes, your going to be in classes with a hundred to five hundred other people, and it's hard to get noticed. So I would advise people to really consider what they want from college.

I would tell future college students to check into their potential school's financial aid program/FAFSA. If your family applies, it is so helpful. Also, be aware of budget cuts at the school and know whether or not that will affect tuition costs. At UA, our president is raising tuition by 3.7{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}, so out-of-state students like me will have to pay an extra $2,500+ each year starting next year. It's so stressful when that happens! Also, I strongly advise students to get involved on campus! I joined a professional business fraternity this year, Alpha Kappa Psi, and it made my first semester here amazing. I wouldn't change it for the world, and I've learned so much and met so many new people! It will make you feel more involved with with your university. Its a great way to make good use of your free time.

I would say that visiting the campus, speaking to the students and meeting with the faculty would be among some of the first things to do. You really know if you belong somewhere once you visit. I believe that you should also look into programs that you think you might be interested in and speak with their faculty specifically about what types of things they offer. I know that the second I walked onto this campus that it was where I belonged. I have meet some amazing people here, and friends that will be in my life forever. I have had life experiences here that haave helped shape me into the person that I am today and I am extremely grateful for everything this Univeersity has offered to me. I will forever be a WildCat and will support the school and the people forever.

The advice I would give parents to help their child choose the right college is for first to understand and respect the decision of their child's desires wanting to further their education. I would then encourage the parents to go take a campus tour with their child and explore the college as a family. This interest demonstrated by the parents will ease the decision making of the child and give a sense of relief knowing that the parents are there to support him/ her. The parents should be actively interested in the child's colleges of choices but conscious of possible influence they may push toward specific colleges. In the end, I believe the key to the parents is to respect their child and allow them to make the choice between colleges.