University of California-San Diego Top Questions

I think its important to pick a school that is right for your field of study and your social interactions. Some schools make it easier to make friends, some schools don't facilitate being social (ie UCSD). However, keep in mind that college is your time to grow, and it shouldn't be easy, it should be hard. If its easy then you haven't learned anything, so choose a place that not only is appealing and has strong academics, but also the place that may challenge you to grow as a person.

Do your research on the different schools you are considering, and go visit them while school is in session so you can judge the school accurately. Get involved in the community around the college, and in activities at the college, clubs, internships, etc. Don't take too big of a load, just to finish school sooner, take your time and enjoy your college experience. Make sure you have enough time to study, and do well in school, but also make room in your schedule to have a social life, otherwise you'll burn out quickly, you'll become depressed, you won't enjoy college, and your grades will suffer. College is about learning and education. Education on your school studies, education on life, people, relationships, the environment, the world, politics, etc. Don't be afraid to learn it all. You'll be better for it, if you end up not just with a college degree after 4 years, but the knowledge to go out and contribute to the world in every possible way. You can't just have "book smarts" to get by in life, "street smarts" are also essential.

Finding the right college comes down to what major you are going into and how much financial aid that school is willing to provide to you. First research up on the colleges that have already accepted you or that you are planning to apply to. Find out if those colleges offer the major you want to pursue. Then, once you have that established, find the college that is both prestigious and affordable, or as I like to say, "the best bang for your buck." These are the major factors into which college you choose to continue your studies. However, don't forget about how you want your social life to be because many schools differ greatly in their involvement with the students' social lives.

I would advice making sure you know exactly what you would ultimately like to do for a career before attending a four year university. Otherwise, it is a waste of money going straight into a four year institute and paying the full tuition fee, and it may turn out that the school you attend is very unaccomodating to your career path. If you don't know what you would like to study I would very strongly advice starting in a community college, where you will get your general education and a sense of what you are good at and what you would like to continue studying. From there you can always transfer to a four year university after careful examination of what each school places emphasis on academically. Then make an educated decision on what school best suits your needs for your future.

You need to really check out the schools that you are applying to. If you want a party school, you know where to look. If you want an academic school, you know where to look. But if is difficult to find that balance. That balance is important for that college experience. Make sure to have fun in college, don't just study 24/7. Make friends that can be in your wedding and that you will talk to years down the road.

To know the truth about a college's quality of life, insider opinions are needed. However, as people become older and more culturalized, when asked a question like 'What do you think of your college?', they will usually regurgitate what they believe to be the appropriate response; thus, what a student tells you may actually go against their true thoughts. Therefore, the best way to discover how students truly feel about their college is to run a casual search online and scan the informal websites where students post their honest opinions, in addition to visiting the campuses. And of course, as a pre-requisite to making your potential college list, you should research the colleges' academic programs and financial aid opportunities. As for how to make the most of your college experience: 1. Do not enter college thinking you know exactly who you are and what you want to do with your life; keep an open mind regarding yourself, your future, and others. 2. Go out and interact with people. Learn from others, and make lasting friends. 3. Though the temptation is great, do not skip too many classes, and study consistently throughout the quarter. 4. Embrace every single day.

Visit all the campuses, and pick what FEELS right.

Two things, first remember undergrad is only a launching pad and there is plenty of time to get good grades if you try. I highly suggest shooting too impress because it only gets harder. Second, enjoy yourself! These will be the best years of your life for many years to come, until your settled down then some more awesome years can occur.

Visit the school and audit some classes.

It's easy, when looking at the piles and piles of brochures that come in the mail everyday, to be overwhelmed. But visiting campuses can really help you narrow the process. Visiting shows you how the colleges really are, not how they would like you to think they are. It also helps if you make a list of the things you value and are looking for before you leave. Once you are attending... well college is as much about the social experience as it is about the classes. If you are going somewhere completely new join clubs. Not only do you get free food out of them but they'll help you adjust to a new area and give you a support network to depend on. My biggest suggestion is to join groups/take classes outside of your comfort zone. Learn how to scuba or do kung-fu, usher at the theater, participate in a study, work with autistic children. This is your chance to figure out who you want to be, how can you do that if you're stuck doing all the things you've always done?