University of New Mexico-Main Campus Top Questions

I would tell both the student and the parent that the right university is not always the one that works you the hardest, has the most recognizable name, or the highest price tag. A university experience is a beautiful thing, a time in one?s life where they have the freedom to choose and mold who they want to be, where they are given the gift of an education, where they will laugh and cry with friends who will last a lifetime... they will learn more than mathematics or english, they will learn about cultures, people, independence, realities of life ... they will recieve an unparalleled opportunity to make an impact on the world in their way, whether it be big or small. Choosing a university should take into account the passions of the student... it should be a place where dreams can be realized, where futures will be determined by the first unaided steps down a unique path. Join clubs, meet people, get involved in sports, write an article for the paper... but above all, do not be afraid to achieve the things you love, because hestitation means they will be snatched away by those without fear. Anything is Possible!

My advice is to find a university that best fits an individual's educational needs to be successful in the outside world.

Make sure any answer given to you by someone at the college should be documented. Talk to students that have graduated from the college your looking at, or a student whose been there awhile.

Make sure to tour the campus and get a feel for the enviornment of the school and the attitude of the students there.

In my opinion most colleges out there have their various pros and con's. It is a common notion that only those who graduate from an Ivy League school with have the best education and will automatically succeed in life and that is just not true. The real test for success lies within each individual student. College for the most part is dependent on what the individual student makes of it. For me, being close to family was important in selecting my university. I had the grades, extracurricular and ACT scores (33 Math, 31 Science) to attend other universities, but ultimately chose a well rounded in-state university. Once you have chose a prospective school, apply for as many scholarships as you can. Also remember that you are not only getting your education but a life experience as well. Have fun and meet new people and network. The most important piece of advice I can offer is to ask questions. There is no student handbook on how to make the most out of college. Each student will develop their own way through asking questions and not being afraid to ask them. The only dumb question is the one not asked.

The only advice I can offer to parents and/or students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is to do your research. Find a campus that has activities you enjoy, or clubs you might want to be apart of. Things like sports teams, student government or study groups. However, more importantly, you want to find a university that offers the degree you may see yourself pursuing. If you know what type of degree you want to get, research the program required to complete that degree and ask yourself if you can truly reach your goal. Once you have narrowed down a list of possible universities that offer your desired degree program, you can pick and choose which university from that list offers the best possibility for an unforgettable college experience! As mentioned before, research for activities and clubs you find enjoyable. For example, if your interested in sports you may want to know if a college has a large fan base or school spirit among the student body. Finding the right college or university can be a difficult and time consuming process, but is well worth the effort to find that perfect school.

When planning for college it is important to weigh your options. Things like the location of a school, housing, and finances are major things to look into. It is also important to research the field of study that you are looking into to be sure that the school you are applying to fits the needs of your major. If you are a special needs student be sure to ask about the campus and special classes. As a parent with a son or daughter entering college be sure that youre student is getting everything he or she needs to succeed. Be sure the school is willing and helpful when it comes to financial aid, class availability, campus tutors, and other subjects in that nature. Also, as a parent, its important to support youre child in expanding his or her education (even if it means attending the occasional football game with youre face painted up in school colors).

Applying to college and trying to figure out which one is the best one can be a stressful time for both parents and students. Everyone wants to go to a school they think they will get the best education, job, friends, social life, and experience at. In essence though, the college experience depends on how much effort the student puts into it. Whether a person goes to a community college or a large public school he/she can get the same education and experience. If a student joins clubs, gets involved with an academic program, or just gets involved in any way it can help that student academically and socially. Going to a more expensive school, a bigger school, a nicer school, or a farther school doesn't garauntee he/she will be happier there or happier in the long run even with his/her career. It is all about how much effort and persistance he/she puts into that school.

I would say the number one thing to look for regarding college choices is the department where the student will be focusing most of his/her studies and that dept's organization. Do they offer the classes that will make getting a bachelor's in four to five years do-able? Are the advisors just there for a day-job or do they go the extra distance for students to make sure they're enrolled in the right classes and that all necessary paper-work is known about and completed? In my opinion most other factors come second because unless the department of focus has itself together, nothing else will really matter. Not to undervalue having a lot of options for extracurricular activities, food, and living, but again if all of the latter are present without the former, most students will not be satisfied with their school of choice. Of course it's always good if the undergrad dept is already known in its field, but equally or more important is how easy it is to get administrative things done and if the dept has connections with masters programs if that is the desired course of study.

Go with the college that fits you most. Yes, academics and what you'd like to do are also important, and you want a school that has a decent program in that, but I've known many who go to the top notch school of science because they want to be a scientist and realize that yes, academically the school worked, but they didn't feel right at the school itself and therefore couldn't concentrate on academics then dropped out and came back to UNM. Like when one gets married (i'm thinking like this because i'm engaged) they say that you should have something that reflects who you are, you're personality. If you are a musician and go to a school of music, great! But if the University is really Liberal and school work is more self paced and tons of hippies smoking pot, but you are conservative, like tough strict schoolwork, and are heavily anti-drugs, it doesn't matter that you're great at music and going to a good music school if it doesn't fit you!