University of California-Los Angeles Top Questions

One of the biggest factors students should consider when choosing a college to attend is its location. This is particularly important for students with close relationships with their families. Not being able to manage living far away from home would only add to the number of stressors that go along with entering college. It is important that students in this situation understand that living extremely close to family may also contribute to stress. One needs to be able to remain focused in school without distractions. It is an important time in students? lives to become more independent. Therefore, being away from family may be the only way to allow some students to do so. Students should also choose a school where they have visited and feel comfortable. Four years is a long time. The college will be their new home. Therefore, they need to realize that the school?s rank and/or the number of high school friends attending should influence their decision. It is more reasonable to choose an institution where you will enjoy being a student. The college that delivers an enjoyable experience will cause you to want to participate in more activities, further enhancing your college life.

When picking which college to attend, of course academics and extracurricular activities should be at the top of the list, but do not forget to think about the atmosphere of the college. Visiting the campus is essential, looking at pictures is not enough, you need to actually set foot on campus and look through the dorms and classrooms and get to know some of the students. A college may have the major and activities you want, but if you can't envision yourself walking through campus, living in the dorms, and interacting with the student community then it's not the place for you. Although academics is the primary reason for attending college, don't forget about your overall well-being. If you're not happy because you feel like you don't fit in, then your academics may suffer. As for making the most of the college experience, I would say keep an open mind, don't pre-judge people or events and allow yourself to step outside of your comfort zone, because you may discover something about yourself you never knew. College is about learning and new experiences, make the most of it!

The advice that I would give is to find a college that truly works for the student, not just picking one because it's an Ivy League college or ranked highest. If you feel more comfortable in a smaller school setting than that is the kind of schools you need to be looking at. However, if you relish the idea of going to a larger school than go for it but keep in mind that it might take some time to find that perfect niche for you. Which leads to what you should do once you start attending the school of your choice. You need to become active in activities other than your schoolwork. You have to join clubs, groups, anything that you're into. If you're living in campus dorms get to know your floormates and maybe join the floor government. This is how you're going to make your new friends. It's not like high school where you make friends in class. Most of your friends will be made outside of class. And last but not least, enjoy your time. You are here to get your education but that doesnt mean you cant have fun either!

Find the school where you can see yourself walking around and enjoying yourself. Don't rely on "big names" or anything else related to the reputation of the university. When you need to do your laundry at 2 AM and suddenly you remember that you have a paper due the next morning, you won't care if you're at Harvard or at a state school. Also, taking on a $50,000-$100,000 debt may not seem like much before you enroll, but think about having to pay that off when you graduate. You might be better off at a state school. In the end, where can you see yourself thriving, doing what makes you happy, and meeting people that you can see creating lasting friendships with? Where do you think you'll get the biggest bang for your buck? That's where you should go. And the school that fits YOU best won't necessarily fit everyone...so go with the school that's best for you.

Be flexible. College will not be what you were expecting.

Dont pick a major just because it will make you the most money later on. pick something you enjoy.

See them in person, and talk to college student you know, because they all have friends at other schools and have a better idea than many teachers/parents/high schoolers about what college life is like right here and now. Moving away from your home town is almost always a good idea, but that doesn't mean the change has to be extreme. Find a place that suits your social needs, and will have many people like you, but also enough diversity to keep you on your toes and help you become a more univeral person. Go with your gut, and try not to let something materialistic or irrational (like a relationship, money, fear) get in the way of what you really want out of your college experience.

There's a classic saying "Home is where the heart is" and you discover how true the statement is when you leave home for a long period of time. I cannot live away from home without a certain degree of anxiety. Thoughts of my families well-being fill my head, and a constant fear that I will miss out on my younger sister's hectic teen years influenced my decision on where to attend school. The closest University so happened to be the University of California Los Angeles, and this was my first choice for this very reason. Many individuals have told me I was foolish for turning down the University of Los Angeles Berkeley because their Anthropology department seems to dominate Los Angeles but the fact of the matter is, my family and friends are not within driving distance of Berkeley. My heart is not at Berkeley. It is here in Los Angeles. Medical doctors state that the Heart is the most crucial organ, aside from the brain, and a person cannot live for more than several moments without it. Home is where the heart is, closer to home the better I can live.

Smaller class sizes create more inducive environments for personal growth in subjects of interest. Furthermore, in such settings personal connections are more easily made, since there is no feeling of being another clog in the bureaucracy.

Take a campus tour during school!