University of Washington-Seattle Campus Top Questions

To all parents out there, I would advise on sitting back and trusting your student to make the right choice. College decisions are hard to make, and each kid is going to base his/her decision off of varying criteria. Perhaps throughout high-school it was easy to follow what a parent says, but college really is a chance to start your own path, and your student knows best what he/she wants. To prospective students I would say, do not get wrapped up in the politics of the process. Do not rely on the ratings of colleges, actually visit the campus and see for yourself. Attend a big lecture and a small discussion group, stay a night in the dorm, go to a professors office hours. Choose the college you want to attend, not based on your friends decisions or on the name on the bumper sticker, but based on what you truley want in your undergraduate experience. Because you only get that experience once, and you want it to be the best that is possibly out there for you. Finally, let your personality shine in your application, no college will turn you down.

You should always pick a university that has majors that interest you and a school that fits your personality so that you will suceed and be happy while you are attending your school. You will always do well in school if you are intereseted in what you are stuying and have a true passion for what you do in your future.

Visit the campus before attending the school.

work hard to get into the school that you want regardless of where or how much it is. And dont focus only on studies because you need to have a little fun in college too.

Pay attention to your personality type. If you're shy, do not go to a big school.

Don't think short term, but don't think too far into the future. Don't try to meet your needs for that year, because preferences change. However, you don't want to just plan for your future, because it's important to enjoy the journey to get there. Choose a college that meets your deepest personality traits, and you'll have the best chance of success.

My advice to future students in finding the right college would be to actually go visit the schools that you plan on applying to so you can get a glimpse of what the school is about and the environment that you will be surrounding yourself in. Another thing is to really understand the population size because when it comes to classes, the population of students in one class can affect your ability to learn the material that is being taught. In orders to make the most of the college experience I highly recommend that you become a social person, and if you already are, then that is fabulous. Meeting new people and networking is what college is about, aside from pursing your future career. But don't get to carried away because you do not want you social life to interfer with your academic studies, but meeting new people and become social will be good for you when you get into college as well as joining clubs, sports, and living in on campus housing.

Before you even start looking at academic ratings, ask yourself exactly what you want out of life. It sounds cliche, but different schools offer different experiences. I attend one of the largest universities in the country-- and though it is a bastion of research and development, and though the teachers and students are all knowledgable and diverse-- at times I wish I had selected a smaller, more community-oriented school. Opportunities may come more quickly here than they would at a smaller school, but I feel that connections are an integral part of life and any post-college career, and those are likely easier to forge when you have more constant contact with those around you. The big city can be a lonely place. Remember that when you start your selection process.

College is a whole new world. Think about how hard high school was and double that. If you were the brainiac, expect to be average. If you were the high school prom queen or king, expect a whole new outlook on your social and physical status. When and if you make it home, hug your parents with the new respect they have earned and what you've taken for granted your whole life. Enjoy every second that's possible while at home, because of that moment ,your feelings and their expressions! Family is what you make of it, and college is your family the time your there. Don't leave school with the feeling you did'nt give it your best. Higher education is a priveledge my parents never had, and your opportunity to take advantage of.

Go with your heart, have fun, study hard.