University of Connecticut Top Questions

I think one of the most important thing that helped me decide the right college was the visit. I fell in love with the campus at an open house and sent my deposit right afterwards. I'm happy with my decision. Another important thing is not to think too much about the school rankings, the most important thing is to feel comfortable around and on campus.

I would give the advise to parent and students to research the background of the college you are planning to attend, speak to students who are currently attending if you have the chance. Find out what you would like to major in and look into the programs that the college has to offer. Also when choosing a collge sometime a college or university in the state that you live in can save you money rather than going to school across the country away from home.

I would say that the best way to evaluate schools you are looking at and to narrow your options would be to make a list of the attributes you most want in a school (such as a big or small school, distance from home, city or rural, spors program, major options, etc) and evaluate the schools you are looking at on a 1-10 scale of how much of these qualities each school has. Then add up the scores for each school and look more into the one's that scored the highest.

Visit the campus twice and go to the open house. Make sure that the size of the school fits your personality

Dont look at cost ... choose whats right for you.

Definitely visit the school. Choose somewhere that feels really comfortable expecially if it is a 4 year school. If the student feels uncomfortable the first semester, still give it a chance...if by the end of the first or second semester it still doesnt feel right then change. Dont make any heavy decisions in the first few weeks-we need time to adjust. Definitely get involved in activities and dont let work build up because catching up is the worst but you'll find it happensmore than you want it to! It is ok to not know your major-I'm a graduate with a degree I absolutely love but I was in the wrong program for my first year and a half and it took me that long to realize i didnt like it, so its ok to change-do what feels right to you, not what everyone around you says to do or what society says- we'll reach our goals eventually no matter what route we take! Savor and Enjoy!!

The best advice I can give is to be in touch with your child's individual interests and aspirations when looking at colleges. For example, I am very interested in music and politics and in choosing UCONN, I assumed the large student body would provide plenty of people who share my interests. However, many of my classmates are extremely politically apathetic and are not very interested in the arts. When a student is in an environment that provides the opportunity to pursue individual interets they will be much more comfortable and happier while in the classroom.

Go where you feel you will be able to grow. Dont look for big name look for a fit.

Definitely tour the school and ask people you know you go there what its like.

I would tell the student to spend a day touring the school and even possible staying there for a night and have a tour guide show them around. Try hard to make a friend before choosing that school to get an outlook of it without a biased opinion of paid guides. I would also tell students to choose a school that not only do they feel comfortable with but one that is cheaper because school has become incredibly expensive and they will ultimately be paying for it once graduating.