University of California-Davis Top Questions

Make sure that you visit and imagin yourself there.

Find a college where you fit in. Usually interested students visit potential colleges during the summer when the majority of the students at the campus are gone. Instead, visit the university during the school year; that way you can really experience the campus atmosphere. Sit in on a class, tour the dorms, and eat in the dining halls. Then, once you really experience each campus, choose the school that fits you the best. Finding a school in which you can have a great learning environment and fit into the community will definitely help you to succeed.

If you already know what career you want, you would do best to choose a college based on what school has the program that suits your needs best. For most of you, the students who have no idea what you want to do yet, there is a completely different set of guidelines. You are going to college to discover what field you want to work in and enjoy yourself during the process. Feeling comfortable is paramount, so find a college where you think you can fit in, someplace where your ideals resonate with that of the school. Make sure to visit a college before deciding to go there. Try to visit on a typical school day to really get a feel for what it's like. When you are walking around campus try to picture yourself doing this for the next several years and see how you feel about it. Check out some of the local clubs and see if the school has some of the activities that really interest you. Lastly, do not hesitate to sit in on some of the classes to get the feel for what you are actually going to this school for.

Go to the school during a school day and walk around and go to one of the lectures of a GE class. Since its a GE class these will be the types of lectures you will be going to. Check out the gym. Talk to an advising cousler in your area of study to see how helpful they are and if they have any tips (try not to go in the middle of a semester they are not quite so busy then). See what programs they offer for study abroad, internships and study help. If you are planning on transfering make sure they have programs to help you adjust to the different lifestyle and flow of your new school.

Finding the right college to attend can be very stressful to both the student and the parent, especially when the subject is addressed at the last minute. The advice that I give to students and to their parents is to start thinking about what school you want to attend early on in high school, considering the location of the school, whether or not that school has a good program for the magor or field of study you want to go into, the cost of attendance, the housing options of the school, and the extracurricular activities offered by the school. To make the most of the college experience make sure to participate in campus activities, try joining a club, as well as taking a couple of classes that interest you that arn't necessarily required for your major. And remember to keep a good balance between your academics and your other activities.

You need to start looking for your college when you are in the junior year in high school.

Choose a few colleges that are appealing to you based on geography and academic standing. Take a whole summer out to visit the campuses and spend a couple of nights in that city or town. Make sure you research everything you can about the financial aid available for that college and whether or not you qualify. Supplement this research with online research as well. Plan ahead and leave room for emergencies since FAFSA doesn't consider emergencies, mortgages and that you've maybe lived in another country. Then, based on this research, choose the top 5 and interview alumni and parents of alumni at these colleges to get feedback. Parents, find the money to let your children stay off campus so they can truly experience the college life. If you don't live on campus, it is hard to socialize with the people on campus and find out everything there is to know about the school. Students, try to balance a job with extracuricular activities and school work wisely to reap the benefits. remember, without a social life in college, you miss out on things to put on your transcript for graduate school (if you are planning on going).

I strongly encourage both the students and parents to visit the campus and become familiar with the surrounding areas, acedemics, and other activities the campus has to offer. Once the college is chosen, I would encourage the student to live in the dorms, even if they aren't in the best of shape or have the greatest food. It is the best way to make friends and find study buddies. Also while in the dorms, the student should not limit themselves to only meeting people on their floor or in their building. That is the piece of advice I wished that I received. Once the first few months go by, a lot of people form their groups and it is much harder to make new friends and find people with the same interests as you. If this happens, the next best thing to do is join a club or recreational sports team to meet new people. The best way to enjoy your college experience is to go into it with an open mind and be friendly to everyone that you meet. That way you will come across as a fun person and will make many lifelong friends.

My advice to everyone that is seeking a higher education is to be willing to explore all of the possibilities, but to never just "settle" for a particular school. I think it is very important that both students and parents keep an open mind when deciding which college is right for them. It seems that more and more parents and children alike strive to be accepted to only the most prestigious institutions, instead of seeking the college that is most suitable for their field of study, interests, and aspirations. While it is very important to chose a school that will be academically challenging and rewarding, it is equally significant to make a final decision based not simply on the name of the institution, but rather the opportunities and environment that will provide the best educational and personal growth for each individual.

I believe some of the most important factors when choosing a college are finances and the type of college experience you or your student would like. Questions like ?What kind of college would you be able to afford?? and ?What kind of and how much financial aid would you able to utilize?? are critical when it comes to determining the kind and quality of school to attend. The kind and quality will also determine the type of college experience. Personally, I chose a state university far from home because I felt I needed the independence to learn and gain responsibility as a growing adult in society. Additionally, I also thought of choosing a private design school close to home, but the cost of attending prevented me and getting a more well-rounded education at a university, even at the cost of greater housing costs and time spent in school become more appealing nonetheless. If there is one thing I learned from my college experience so far is that I have learned more about myself, my beliefs, and my boundaries than any other experience.