University of California-Los Angeles Top Questions

When finding the right college, make sure it's what you want. Forget about any external influences -- what your dad says, what your teachers say, what has a better name -- and make sure you think it'll be a place you will feel comfortable at. Don't settle for a compromise, and go to the school that excites you the most. When making the most out of the college experience, just stay safe. There are always parties, but there are always chances when you can just hang out with your friends. Alcohol is often abused in college parties, and too much of this behavior can really have an effect on your schoolwork and who you are as a person. Remeber, school is always your priority -- that's what you're paying the big bucks for -- but don't forget to have a little bit of fun!

Ask yourself key questions. Do you want to go to business school? Look into schools that offer practical courses that will help you get into one, as well as schools that have their own graduate schools of business. Medical school? Find universities with high acceptance into medical schools, with opportunities like a student Emergency Medical Technician program. Do you want to do social work? Look for urban schools with active campus participation in such activities. Still entirely unsure? Find a large school that will help you decide, by offering variety: of courses, counselors (each with their own experiences), and campus organizations (which can spark your interest in a field you never considered, and connect you with professionals in any field). You'll choose your top school based on many qualifications, including the campus, classes, and people. But it isn't the only school. Your second, third, and even last choice schools have interesting and unique cultures, alumni and opportunities. With determination, you can reach your goals (and discover new ones!) at any school. Don't immediately decide to transfer. Allow yourself to see all sides of the best school that accepts you, and give it a chance to be great.

I think students, when selecting a school of choice, often do what they think everyone else wants them to do. In actuality they should be judging each campus according to their own needs and wants. Just because a school has a prestigious name does not mean they should be attending that school - in fact they'll probably have a miserable time if they don't like the location or the typical student that attends that school. It is important to "look at the big picture" when picking colleges because while the academic side is very important the social side is also. It is almost impossible to get through college withing making a few friends, but parents are constantly worried that their child is going to a "part school" and won't get any real work done. And i think that, and all other issues regarding how much studying/learning their student actually does, is up to the student. Every school is a party school if you go to the parties, and no school is a party school if you don't go to any parties.

College is the time to discover one's self. From your interest to the environment that you want to be in. You want to maximize your exposure to what is out there. This is done both intellectually and physcially, so please assess your abilities and expectation and choose your college according to what it is and it is not able to provide you with.

Keep in mind the geographic details of whatever school you want to go to. If it is far from home, make sure to visit and really get a good idea of what you'll be getting into. Also, make sure to be actively involved, people always say this but it is very true. Make as many friends as possible, because this completely unique experience will only last so long. Get involved with programs or clubs you're interested in and take this opportunity to find out what you really want to do in life.

The student really needs to know themselves in order to make sure they take full advantage of what the campus offers. But if they're still trying to figure that out, a big campus with lots of things to offer is a pretty big help.

make the best of it

I would advise parents and students to try to visit the colleges that they want to apply to, if at all possible. Apply to the colleges of their choice early. Apply for as many scholarships as they can not just one or two. Fill out FAFSA before the deadline for financial aid.

Dear parents and students, Choosing the right college is not an easy decision. In fact, it is probably one of the hardests made at such a young age. When selecting a college, one should ensure that the environment is suitable for the student. Various questions can help determine this. Some examples include: Do I want to live near home? Is there a particular weather that I prefer? Would I want a private college or a public college? Do I like smaller classrooms as opposed to larger ones? Do I want a college that offers multiple resources for me to succeed? What social life will fit me best? As you can tell, these questions help determine the lifestyle the student will have in a particular college. Keep in mind that private colleges often have smaller classrooms sizes and that there is often more interaction with staff members in smaller colleges as opposed to larger ones. As a result, private colleges tend to be pricier. Nevertheless, regardless of your college selection, always take advantage of your college years. School becomes smaller when you join clubs and become involved in events. And also, your time goes by quicker. Good luck and choose wisely!

Pick something that gives personal attention to your major, not just because the school has a big name for itself. My first choice was UC Santa Cruz and I think I should have stuck with it because my major is much more hands on there, here it's so much theoretical stuff that I easily get lost in all the jargon.