University of California-Santa Barbara Top Questions

Make sure you visit the college before hand and spend at least one night in the community that you will be a part of for 4 years. Also, take the time to research all the schools you are interested in and make sure to look at the curriculum for your degree. This is usually the deal breaker for the type of degree you will graduate with; the classes you have to take to obtain that degree. If the curriculum does not look appealing and you decide to look into another major - make sure that other major is offered at the same school. If you are happy with your major and the classes you are taking, your college experience should be great.

I would say to give it your all and try to be a part of the events on campus. I started school late in life and felt like I couldn't be apart of the events, but looking back I wish I had tried to be more involved and gotten more help from the services avilable.

I'm lucky. My mom likes to say that I lead a 'charmed life', although I like to think that it's simply good Karma. In undergoing the application process, I was not nearly thorough enough in my research of each university. I should have been more careful in researching the student body dynamic, curriculum and staff. I was plagued by a sort of phobia of college; an unsubstantiated fear of the unknown brought on by ignorance. Ironically, had I simply researched more before attending university, I might have been able to dispel my irrational fear. I somehow managed to select a very well-rounded school, and received an outstanding education. While there were some things I ultimately did not like about my school of choice, I still consider myself lucky and am proud to have attended. To prospective students, thorough research into a school will lead you to select the appropriate university for you. I learned that luck will only take you so far. Perhaps I would have still chosen my school had I researched, but I cannot quell the thought that I might have discovered a school more suited for me. Good luck to you in your search!

I think that researching throughly is key to the application process. I visited the area of Santa Barbara before deciding to go to school there and actually spent a good amount of time on the campus and the surrounding area. I sat in on classes, I walked around the campus, I ate in the dining commons, I toured the residence halls, I explored an adjacent student community: I lived a day in the life of a current student. I had a good first impression when I first arrived, but by the time I had left after a few days, I was certain my decision was the right one.

Study what you want , but you must come to terms with the fact that your selected field of study may or may not have a high availability of jobs, let alone a job that pays well. After realizing this, stress is significantly reduced and the most can be made out of your college experience.

Think about the costs outside of the classroom, rent, living expenses etc.

Get out there and talk to people. Find out why they chose the school they did, what the people are like, what the extracurriculars are like. I've decided to pursue a career that you can't major in, but I never would have considered it if I hadn't become invovled with the Women's Center. So talk to people as much as possible. And think about what you are interested in, seriously interested in (even if it doesn't directly lead to a major or career path), and use that in your search. Think about what you value most in life. Do you value family? What kind of friends do you like to have? And think about that when you're talking to people. Also, request information from schools you might be interested in, and look at their websites to see the extracurriculars offered as well as the majors. Above all, think about who you are, what you like, and talk to people. Teachers, friends, your parents, friends' parents, find out where they went and why. Even if you decide that you don't want to go where they went, you're still closer to finding your school.

Keep an open mind and heart. Visit the schools!!

Finding the right college is not an exact science. The best way to find a good fit is to visit every school that one is seriously interested in attending. One will most likely be spending at least four years at the same campus, so it is very important to get a real feel for the school. On your visits, make it a priority to sit in on some lectures and meet the faculty of the major that one is interested in pursuing. Also, it would be prudent to sample the cafeteria food, talk to current students, visit the dormitories, and talk to one of the college's academic advisors. To make the most of one's college experience, one MUST have priorities and the ability to stick to them. Attending college is about getting an education, learning about the world from new perspectives, and discovering yourself, all of which are hard to accomplish without a goal oriented personal agenda.

When selecting a college, it is very helpful to think about what qualities are most important to you. Is it notoriety in a particular field of interest? Proximity to home? Atmosphere and extracurricular activities offered? Consider each point carefully, and research which schools have those characteristics. Also, make sure you visit each school you are considering before you make your decision. Walk around the campus to get a feel for the environment, and consider sitting in on classes of interest if you have a possible major picked out. In order to make the most of your college experience, the most important thing you must learn to do is balance academia and your social life. Your parents are no longer there to make sure you do your homework, and you most likely have significantly less time spent in class. Use your time wisely. Also, if you are pursuing internships or hope to do research on campus, do not get discouraged if you are turned down. Keep applying and stay in contact with people you hope to work with, persistance is the key to success in this area.