University of California-San Diego Top Questions

If you are happy somewhere, you will be happy most anywhere

Regardless of where or what you decide to study, have your heart set foremost on a university that will teach you something you love to learn. Some students will make their final decision based on whether the school has better club soccer teams or two more fraternities than another, but ultimately the common thread that runs through everyone's ?college experience? is that each student must attend some classes, take tests, write papers, etc. No matter what college you choose, or what its final selling point is, academic work is a reality. This raises an important question prospective freshmen: will you be the student who drags himself through each lecture, lamenting the fifty- to eighty-minute blocks of torture between parties, or will you be that pupil who finds some value in trivial lectures, knowing that there are more engaging ones to come? To simplify the college selection process to this question is, admittedly, unfair given all of the extracurricular options. There is, however, much value in this type of thinking; obsessing about the relative merits of the schools' nearby beaches, for instance, will do little for your academic betterment. So, please, do ask yourself that question one last time.

Students! Think of what is most important to you in regards to your goals for the future as well as the environment that will be most conducive in helping you to materialize those dreams. And it's not too late to dream about who or what you really want to be! Even if you're unsure of what to do, look into some different avenues for potential future possibilities. You'll find opportunities to learn about different possibilities almost anywhere. Most schools will have ways for students to get involved in activites, making it easier to meet people and learn what they really enjoy doing, so definitely get involved in the activities that interest you. And be inquisitive! The minute you start getting interested in the world around you (including class material) is the moment you start to really live in college. This includes learning about the world on- and off-campus. Learn about the city/town in which you live and really try to become a member of the community, because you never know--you could fall in love with it and live there for a long time!

I highly recommend that you visit the school, ask students that already attend what it is like, and read-up on what the school's focuses are. Just remember you will end up where you belong and college is whatever you make it; so make the most out it!

To a prospective student I write, you shouldn?t choose a college based on its ranking. That is greatest mistake a person could do sometimes. Just because a school is highly prestigious does not mean you will fit into the social environment or you will excel in school. The very common way to choose a college is to go visit the college but that is not enough because during the visits you will just hear the great things the school has accomplished. It would be wise if you could get in contact with a student there and actually go to lectures and experience the college life. Once you are in the school of your choice, try to make the best out of it. Not just academically but also socially. There are various groups and organizations providing valuable information on volunteering services and internships. Try to take all these steps by yourself because you might not find someone with your needs who would want to do all the things you would want to do. So, the take in the harsh truth and be independent. That way you will get a lot accomplished. Most importantly, take advantage of all the resources!

Begin by making a list of the top 5 things you want in your dream college. Research colleges based on this list and choose the ones that interest you the most to apply to. Visit the colleges that you get accepted to and see whether the campus and the environment as well as the courses offered are compatible with your goals and with your personality. If the college offers a chance for you to spend the night with a student at that college, take that opportunity, because it will give you a glimpse of what college life is like and you can learn a lot from the student that is hosting you. To lessen the financial burden, use credible scholarship engines and sign up for as many scholarships as you can in your senior year. Every small scholarship you get will add up in the very end. Take advantage of your high school experiences and chances to work in laboratories or do research if you are interested in science, as a college student you will most likely not get that oppotunity till the second year of college. Last but not least, get involved at your college and join clubs!

I would look into various colleges and how that school's lifestyle will fit into my own. Have a positive attitude and will to learn about many things including education, people, and life.

I would advise students to think about what their specific interests are and find a college that offers activites that interest them, and more importanty pick a location you can see yourself maturing and developing at for the next 4 or so years.

It really takes a while to find the right college, but when you find it, the reward is tremendous. I encourage you to start researching the colleges that attract you. However, sometimes choosing blindly might even cause a surprise! If you are thinking of attending college oversea, my suggestion is this: "DO IT." You've only got one life, and you've only got one chance to do it, so just GO! You will not regret your decision in a long run.

Finding and applying to the right college is going to be a very stressful time in your life, as anyone who has been through the process will tell you. When I applied, I sent applications to many schools all over the country without much regard for the costs of tuition for each institution. That was one mistake I made in the application process. I think there are some schools that are worth the time and the application fee just to see if you can get in. From a practical standpoint, however, I would recommend only choosing a couple of these schools to apply to. Another piece of advice I can give is to be open minded about the experience. I had all these high hopes of going to a school on the east coast that I paid very little attention to a handful of schools on the west coast, most of which I had to decide between when it came time to enroll. If you keep an open mind and try to think of a couple key things that you know you want in a college environment, you should be able to find a school that is right for you.