California State University-Monterey Bay Top Questions

I feel that they should pick a school based on the environment, as well as to go to a college that encourages students to think for themselves as well as self discovery.

I would advise students to pick their top 3 schools and compare them. Do not rush into anything. Do not choose a college because that is where your friends are going. The best thing to do would be to visit the school and check out all the programs and majors that they provide for students. Meet as many people as you can your freshman year, it helps to make friends. Do not be pressured into doing anything that you do not want to or feel comfortable doing. Major in something you are passionate about, not something that just seems okay to major in.

I would make sure that the classes taken are the right ones needed and make sure all the paperwork is filled in and submitted on time. Make sure the degree you want to achieve is at the school and investigate the area before you attend. It will make the transition easier for everybody.

Talk to students who are currently enrolled in a school before making a decision.

Finding the right university for you or your child can be a difficult experience. The first step is to understand what you want out of this experience. This does not only apply to your academic goals. The years you (or your child) spend at this university can greatly impact future network development, affecting both career and personal goals. Think of these years as a spring-board into the future and try to locate the university that will serve as a source of support and guidance across all aspects of your life.

The student needs to know that they can connect with a campus. Talk with the teachers, talk with the students, look at available social situations outside of the classroom. Make sure that the student feels safe and comfortable. Do NOT allow your student to take out student loans. Research financial aid, scholarships, grants, etc. to find the money. Have a cell phone. Buy groceries. Get a laptop. Have FUN. Many students get caught up and study hard, and dont socialize too much, or vise versa. The student themself needs to find the right balance to survive. Parents cant make their kids attend classes, students have to WANT to attend. Make the most of your university. Attend clubs, meetings, organizations, guest lecturers, speakers, theatres. You never want to look back on college and wish youd done something, you want to look back and realize how much you learned from actually doing those events and having those experiences. Both good and bad will come from college. ENJOY the experience while it lasts!

First off, I would suggest knowing the desired field of study to make sure that the selected campus can provide the desired major that would help make the college experience much more enjoyable. Second, do your research! Taking classes that don't fit your major can be such a drag and feel like a waste of your time and money. So go online or look at different brochures for different campuses that may interest you and compare courses they offer to see what best fits your field of interests. Third, notify the campuses you are interested in to create a relationship. This can be very useful when making the final decision. Fourth, visit the campuses if you can, or schedule a tour. This will help get several questions you may have answered, like housing and eating options, financial aid, and all that other good stuff. These four tips are just the few greatest one can receive for finding the right college. Good Luck!

Look for a school that is tailored to your personality. If you like to be social, pick a large school with lots of events, if you prefer a small-knit group, try a smaller school. Don't feel pressured to pick a school because of an academic plan...afterall, you will probably change your mind!!! Find somewhere you would like to live and a culture you would want to call home! Intially, it is crucial that you get involved. Being a part of a community (be it whatever interests you) will open you up to meeting more people, being invited to social events, and feeling like you belong to the campus. The first year away from home can be more difficult than you would have imagined, the easiest way to wean yourself into being independant (and happy) is to find somewhere you belong in the new environment. Although you may feel like you want to go home each weekend, make an effort to stay and eventually you will find your niche!!!

Location really does matter, and small class sizes are really important.

When looking for a college, the best advice would be to visit and ask questions. Ask as many questions as you can possibly think of. Ask the students, teachers, administrators, whoever you can get your hands on! It's very important to physically put yourself in the environment you'll be spending your next however many years in. If you don't know what the living environment is like, there would be no reason to move there. You could become depressed, therefore jepordizing your GPA and losing your financial aid. Make sure that the college has the right programs for you and the resources you require to succeed. Always overplan! That's the best way to do it.