University of California-Los Angeles Top Questions

keep your options open, try looking up all sorts of schools in a few diferent loctions as well

College is about self-discovery and enjoying activities that the students want to do. Parents should accept and stand by what their children want to study in college instead of forcing students into something they won't be happy with. A student's cultural background is important as well; that is what makes them unique. Also, the college should not emphasize bureacracy; instead it should emphasize student growth with diveristy in all avenues of the word. Smaller classes and student to teacher ratios are integral to student learning as well because it emphasizes a different learning method than that of larger classes. Different teaching methods are very important as well. Never settle for anything less than you want.

Base your college chice upon your field of study and location. Many schools are strong in overall rankings, but lack in certain departments. By researching the different college choices different fields and seeing which one is best, you set yourself up for success and a much better experience educationally. Field of study also includes extra carricular activities involved with that field. Look up local opportunities for internships or jobs related, because this will provide the best hands-on experience. UC Berkeley is a great school (almost always ranked as the highest public university in the world), but UCLA has a better undergraduate life sciences department. The opportunities at UCLA for internships are also incredible and life-changing. The location of the school will tell you about the type of social life there. Is it glitzy and glamorous or is it kick back and countryside? This will tell you the type of people you will encounter and you can see if the location fits your personality. Again, Northern California has a more laid back feel than Los Angeles, which has a more high-society aura to it. This told me the type of people I would encounter on both campuses.

Visit before accepting, so you know if you fit. Try everything at least once. I knew UCLA was right for me the moment I set foot on campus, so visiting helps a lot. Know how the weather in the area works and plan for it. Nothing's worse than not having an ubrella when you really, really need one. Don't be afraid to learn the names of the people next to you in class. That's the best way to meet study buddies and make new friends. Be clear with your room mates when something isn't right, other wise it will just excalate until you can't stand the sight of each other. Do a walk around of the campus early if you have a chance, to learn where things are. It's awful to still be wandering around in the middle of the year looking for the library! Go to office hours, meet your teachers. Don't spend all of dead week studying for finals, take a break and do something fun too! Explore the city around campus, there's probably something there you'll love. Don't spend every weekend partying, there's other stuff too.

I think the most important thing a student can do to decide on the right school is to visit it. This allows a student to get the feel of the campus and see what is available for them, and what they might like to get involved in on campus. Once I visited UCLA, I had a really good feeling about it, and that helped me make my decision. I think the most important thing to do at a school is to get involved with clubs and other extra-curricular activities. For me, I'm very involved in my church and my sorority which I joined immediately. Being so involved helped me tremendously in finding friends and feeling like I belong. While getting involved is a great way to make the college experience enjoyable, of course, do not forget about studies. Part of college is learning how to balance everything, a skill which I am still working at perfecting.

appreciate the opportunites you have now, seize the moment and live with no regrets

make sure it is in an environment that will make you happy like if you prefer a city, small town, hot or cool climate.

During a student's senior year of high school, deciding what to do after graduation seems like a matter of life and death. My advice to parents and students facing this decision is that whatever you choose will work out. If dreams seem shattered because of insufficient finances to attend that dream school, I guarantee that the alternative is going to be a great experience. Enjoying college starts with an open mind. If you keep living like it's high school, you won't find the best friends or the best major. But if you let yourself hear about a club that interests you, if you talk to the person next to you in class and if you look around and see that your campus is full of opportunities, you'll love college. And more importantly, while having fun, you'll grow as an individual and graduate ready to face the world. So the right college might not be the best college, but the college that accepts you and fits into your budget. Just make sure that when you arrive at schol you open your eyes and ears so that you can find the experiences that will make college great.

Make sure you know what you are looking for in a school. You need to visit the schools you are considering to really get a feel for what they are like. In the end, you have to go with your gut and your heart when picking a school.

Choose a college that is right for you. Don't pay attention to what others are looking for or what others say about each school, go with your gut and do what is best for you. The rest will fall into place.