University of California-Santa Barbara Top Questions

Buy a bike as soon as possible. You will need it for the next four years! Don't get caught up in the party scene. UCSB offers a great education for your money and if you party too much and not go to class, you end up missing out in the end. Get involved. You will meet amazing people in the process.

Take your time and look at all the information you can, not just from the schools themselves but from other sources. For example, I knew all about UCSB's academic successes but I had no idea about its party school reputation. Although I enjoyed my experience in college very much, I do think that some people look at my degree differently due to the school's reputation. It's ok to have dreams about going to one school or the other, but make sure your ideas about the school are based in reality and not just some media hyped version. Also, apply to as many schools as you can, often times you don't really look into the schools until after you've been accepted and you are trying to decide where to go. There are definitely schools that I wish I had applied to had I known as much about them when I was applying that I did after applications were already submitted. Start your research early so you know what kind of school you're looking for. But most importantly, do everything you can to enjoy whereever you choose to go, don't live in regret.

Don't be afraid to apply to schools that you think may be beyond your reach, and always follow up on the application process with appeals if you feel strongly about a school you wish to attend that may have rejected you. To make the most of your time in college, learn about time management, and don't waste all of your years in college studying, but do stay on top of your work. Take advantage of any programs offered, such as studying abroad or special research projects; they will make an excellent experience invaluable!

The process of finding the right college for parents and highschool seniors can seem like a Cinderella story, searching for the one special shoe that is made to only fit you. In retrospect, one realizes that it was more about you and less about the shoe, if even at all. The general concensus among my peers, whether they attended community colleges or ivy league univeristies, in-state or out of state, public or private, large or small, was usually the same. We all got out of college exactly what we put into it. In other words, no matter where we all ended up, we all had many wonderful opportunities available to us and it was up to us alone to take advantage of those opportunities. Sure, there were different themes and milestones to each of our experiences, but one common thread was making a sincere effort in whatever we were trying to achieve and always trying new things. So, instead of waiting for Prince Charming to show up with the Glass Slipper, college becomes more about self-discovery and having the confidence to storm up to the castle without the precious footwear.

It's all about balancing your social life and your studies. Grades are important, but you only get to do college once so you might as well enjoy it. Work hard and play hard, too. Explore everything your college has to offer because it is a time to find yourself and your friends for life.

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Find a school that has the best program for your major and/or your personal lifestyle so you don't feel out of place.

There is no right choice, only a choice. If you have eliminated your options down to several universities and can't decide which one is the best choice no matter what, they are probably equally good so just pick one and hope for the best.

Find a place that truly allows you to be comfortable with you who are and also to express yourself freely.

I would suggest that students go with their heart. The whole point of picking a college is to find that one that identifies most closely with their own morals, ideals and visions of the perfect campus. My college was the only campus that I applied to because I just knew it was perfect. In order to make the most of your college experience, make sure to be talkative and open up your mind to different people and attitudes! Do not be afraid to talk to the person sitting next to you and make contacts with your professors. You definitely need to make the effort in order to have a great college experience.