University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Top Questions

When searching for a college it can be a long and timely process. The first thing you need to consider is if you have a major in mind or not. If you do then that narrows your search down to schools that have a good program in that field. If you are unsure at this point, choose a school with a good general course/liberal education, this will help you not only save money but get a good idea of whats out there. Pay attention to enrollment and class sizes. Some schools have small, large, or a mixture. Make sure you are choosing a school where you will feel comfortable to participate in the classroom. Oncampus/offcampus living is also important. If you are new to the area, doing your first year while living in the dorms is a great experience, you meet friends, and perhaps will live off campus with them the following year. The most important thing is pay attention to your gut feeling. If it the school "doesn't feel right" while your touring, keep looking. There are so many schools you want to find the best one for you.

Decide in advance WHERE you want to go , because the region and type of school (small private vs large state) makes a huge difference to the type of people who go to that school. If you want different kinds of people, more open minded etc, look towards the east coast. If you are used to a homely sort of atmosphere look to the Midwest and so on and so forth. Also, do not make your decision entirely based on your major beause the changes that you will change your mind through the course of the year are pretty high. Do not choose a school because your friends is going to one, try and go to a different school from your high school friends as this will help you grow as a person. Do not try to stay close to home unless you have to. You grow more as a person if you live far away from your family, and it gives you a sort of independence that you wouldn't have if you lived 40 miles away form your house.

I would say that college really is what you make of it. Any school can be great for any person. Don't choose a school based on its reputation or even first impression. Listen to people that you really trust. Also, don't be afraid to go to the same school as your high school friends. It may ba nice to have a familiar face around! A lot of kids think they have to get as far away from friends and family as possible, but that often backfires. You will be happy on campus if you put in a effort to make new friends and join some groups/clubs/teams, but still stay connected to you life before college. It's all about finding that balance so you don't lose yourself in the process. Lastly, the most important advice is to not get behind in your reading--I guarantee you will never catch up!

I would tell students and parents to "go with your gut" when it comes to deciding where to go to college. It always seems like one school stands out for certain reasons whether it be proximity, cost, etc. As long as you attend that school with an open mind and a willingness to meet and befriend new people, you will learn to love it. Don't fret too much. You'll be just fine.

It's all personal opinion - if you're comfortable living where the campus is at, you'll like the school.

Vist all of them you might want to go to. Go to the one that feels "right" to you and you can afford.

I think the best advice I can give you when choosing would be to visit the school. And most importantly, visist the school when classes are in session. That will give you the best look at what the atmosphere will be like. Also, the best way to find the right school is to think of what is most important and least important to you in a school and write it down. That way when you get information about a school you can look through it and compare it with what you said you wanted. This is the best way to narrow it down and find the best fit. Also it's always good to ask people what they think of the school. See if you can find someone who goes there and ask some questions. Get some real opinions...

I would say that the best college advice is just to go with what choices are right for the student. Go into college with an open mind because the experiences there will change your outlook on life. It is there that people really figure out what they want to do with their life through the oppurtunities and experiences they encounter. When picking classes you should pick a good variety and even some that are out there and not in your major because those are the ones that might spark some hidden interest. If there is something that you are truely passionate about and love to do that should be your major. If you don't like the classes you have to take or you just simply are not good at them, then your major is probably not right for you. As you move up the classes only get harder, so choose what you love and have a great experience discovering who you are and who you strive to be in college!

There are not many colleges that have a 4 year degree in wildlife like I am. I would like to have gone to a private school but found that the private schools do not offer this type of degree. Look at the degree field you want to go into and research the school. It would be annoying if you picked a school and it did not offer what you wanted to study.

The best things in life are not things at all and your education is something that is unreplaceable. So take your time and do not rush into an education, but rather let it develop as you learn and grow.