California State University-Dominguez Hills Top Questions

Go see it in person

I would say for students dont be afraid to venture out away from home. You only get one chance to make the most of your college experience. Also i would tell them to apply to as many schools as they can. In different areas, states, cities, countries and varieties. Dont be scared! I would say for them to do their research to see the major that they would like to go into and also if they like the area. For parents i would want them to listen to their children. Hear them out and support them for whatever choice they may want to make. If their child says they want to go to another state way across town, dont give them a guilt trip. Make a trip to go and see the school. It doesnt mean you're never going to see your child again. They are just broadening their horizons. Support them, whatever school they want to visit, go with them. Be there because if they see that they have your support, they will do much better in school. I love when parents support their kids dreams. I dont want either the parents or kids to stress out!

Find a college in a place where you feel like you belong. A place you can be yourself and choose your own desitiny. Go do something that you love, something that you are passionate about. Don't go to a place where you will feel trapped and have no where to go; you always need to have your own sanctrium to be able to run away to. If you like campus activities, then go to a school which offers a lot. If you like team sports, go to a school where you will have the chance to play for your favorite college team. Basically, if you go to a place where you are free to do what you love, you will be able to do everything else just as well; vice-versa, if you are in a place that you hate and you feel miserable, you will not be able to concentrate on anything but that.

College is an investment into a student's future. Parents and students must take the time to research colleges based on what the college can do for the student. Tuition and proximity are factors that should have little weight on your education. A good college will suit your needs and make sure your personal education goal is achieved. Advisors and professors will have a quality education to pass on with advice from experiences at a worthy college. The right college is a college that benefits the student by honing skills the student already obtains and giving proper tools to gain necessary skills to excel . Making the most of the college experience can be done simply by getting involved with people on campus. Whether it is another student, a new professor or an advisor, they all have something to offer. A piece of knowledge or the next job opportunity could be sitting one seat away. Researching and networking is the key to success. My advice to to parents and students it to research colleges that offer more than a degree.

It's not just about the academics. Location, size and the community around the school havce to be taken into account.

Do your research and make sure you pick the college that will fulfill your every desire.

Make sure you check out more than 2 colleges. Look beyond what is close to you or a good commute. Go to the campus and walk around. Definitely go to the department that you plan on majoring in. You will get a good feel for what it will be like and if you will be able to get along with some of the professors. You should feel at home and welcomed when you are there. I know that if I wouldn't have done any of this I would have ended up at the wrong school just because it was close to home. I can't express how happy I am with my school and the campus size and campus staff/ professors make all the difference. Go see them first hand!

Go where you feel you don't want to leave no matter what. Use the student resource centers for everything- tutoring, health, job placement.

I would advise students to do lots of research on the school. Some important factors are housing, cost, how generous the school is with financial aid, job opportunities in the area, class size, ethnic percentages, fraternal organizations, how good your department is, athletics, and band. Make a list of the things YOU want out of a college and compare schools and if none of the schools your looking at give you what you need do more research; it is worth it because you cannot get these years back. Take advantage of ROTC if you have interest. Look at the programs the school offers for people wanting to go to graduate school. What is the school known for, and what is its best department. You are spending thousands of dollars on this experience make it worth while, and take everything you can out of it. College is what you make it. Make friends and study HARD! I love school!

When looking for the "right college" remember you are looking for a school, not the school looking for you. This means you have to know what you like about school, what helps you, and does the college you are intereted in accomadate those preferences and interests. For instance, if you prefer learning in a smaller classroom, Standford University may not be the best school for you. While this may be a prestigious University, the classroom sizes are typically lecture halls. For someone who cannot focus in large classroom settings, this may not be the "right college" for you. In regards to making the most of your college experience, there is a basic rule that every college stresses: from college you only get as much as you put in. To have the best college experience, you must give your best. That means get involved with campus activities, clubs, and even working on campus. All of these areas will help you get to know other students and even staff on campus, thus, beginning a great networking base. while these areas will help you socially, the best academic advice from one student to another is no matter the situation stay focused and determined.

Trust your children. Maturity tends to come with independence, so let your children make and solve their own mistakes/problems. If they need help, they will probably come to you first.

i would give the advice to the parents to give the student the choice to choose where they want to go, and to never forget that college is a very fun but stressful part of our lives and students need all of the financial and emotional support possible

try and find one that has a good program in the field that you want to go into

Make sure you save and be wise about your financials before going to college whether it is a 4 year or technical college. When you do go study and give it your all because remember you can't get that money back that you've waisted. Be smart about your studies and see a counslor or academic adivsor to make sure you are on track with your major and not waisting your time. You want to finish school on a timley basis and get out there in the real world to start paying back those student loans you do not want those hanging over your head forever. Oh about student loans try not to overextend yourself on those if you can help it. Enjoy college do the parties and join the frats and sorors just be smart about it.

Research, research and more research. Attend orientations, ask questions and with these hard economical times don't try to over do it and spend extra money by having your child live on campus. It's nice and all but they will get the same degree whether they live at home or at school. The only difference is their college experiences but if you look at everything the most important thing is getting your degree.

Before you even apply, do your research; visit the campus if you can. Make sure that the campus is a good fit financially, academically, AND socially. I wound up at my last choice school, which is predominately compose of students from other racial backgrounds. This in itself is not a problem for me, but their inability to accept me for being different is. I spend most of my days on campus alone, and only the professors talk to me in class. In between classes, I sit alone under a tree studying, even when its raining. Please do your research, college shouldn't be a miserable experience . By looking into your choices, you can wind up at a school where you are happy and valued for who you are.

To find the "right" school, I would start by asking myself or my child, "what do you want as career that you will work hard towards?" By listing what interests them, the parent is already halfway done. The next question would be the location and costs. Those questions can be figured out by accessing college/university websites or going on college tours if the school is near-by. I would suggest finding a student who attends the potential school through Facebook if one would like a first-hand opinion or experience. The way I survived college where I did not know anybody, I just started talking to other students in class and that led to friendships. Also, you can network through alumnis, volunteering, or working! Don't worry about fitting in, this is not high school, you are there to figure out your livelihood or change it to something else. That's the beauty of college! Enjoy!

I would say make sure you do a tour of the campus first to see if that is the environment that you wouldnt mind seeing each day when you come to school.

I would tell them to do more reasearch on the choice of school they want to go. And not to let the financial issues stop them from attending any school they want to go.

I went the community college route which allowed a lot of exploration in different general fields. This was great because I was not positive on what I was going to study right away. I was able to save a lot of money and still transfer to a great college. I also saved money by staying at home with my family. I think that you shouldn't put to much pressure on deciding which school fits your lifestyle and what you think you might do with your life and feel forced to attend a 4 year school. Community college still lets you discover yourself.