San Diego State University Top Questions

I would advise the parents to let the students choose and to be as supportive as possible of their choice. Thoughout the years of undergraduate, an individual discovers a lot about themselves and who he/she wants to be. Therefore, the student must think carefully of what they want out of those years and the parent must trust the individual to make the right decisions for themselves.

My advice for parents and students in search of the right college would be to make a list of colleges you may want to attend, with the first college you put down as your first choice. Choose around three to six different colleges to keep your options open. Second, you may want to do a little bit of research by either going online or visiting the campuses. Make sure that the campus is a place where you can grow academically, but engage in student life as well. Remember! You will be spending the next two to four years there, so find one that you feel will best cater to your needs. You may also want to take a look at tuition and other expenses that come with the campus. Consult your parents and see if the cost of tuition will work with the family budget. If you can , try to apply for scholarships and different grants that may help offset the costs. Finally, be invovled. Find a campus where you can be invovled in extracurricular activities such as sports or clubs that can help to enhance your college resume. Good luck and may your future be bright.

Know your personality and the environment you will most likely succeed in.

I am a student who ended up at one of my ?back-up? schools. Initially I was disappointed, but I now know I wouldn?t be who I am today if I had gone anywhere else. Visiting colleges after you have been accepted helps you have a realistic expectation of where you may spend the next four (plus) years of your life. Once you have decided, experiment with classes that seem interesting early on, in order to find the major that is right for you. By taking classes I enjoyed, I ended up with two majors and a minor, through sheer interest! Getting involved in school activities is a great way to make friends and to find welcoming communities within your university. After joining the school's A cappella group and writing for the school newspaper, I found I had a great group of friends and something fun and rewarding to take away from my college years. Studying abroad is also an invaluable experience that I would recommend to every student. It gives you a breath of fresh air, worldly experience, friends, and a maturity that you would never have the chance to gain by simply sticking around your campus.

maintain a good relationships with your child through via phone or email with your college child

Look for a college that fits the major the student is looking for. Beyond that, look for ones that have social lifes that are in line with that of the student's. Students should have fun while at school, but should be able to feel comfortable with those at the school.

I have many pieces of advice that I'd love to pass on to students and parents alike. First, talk to people who go to the school or have gone who are in your major. They will be able to tell you everything you need to know. Also, get involved in a club or organization on campus where you can meet people that have the same passion as you. Next, find out what resources are available to students in your major or with your professional interests. They can help you find the right path to take with classes and internships to put you on the fast track. Parents, talk to parents of other students at the schools your child is looking at. They should be able to give you an idea of what to expect during the years they are in college.

First, seriously question whether college will help you, or if you're going to college because it's "what you're supposed to do." If you attend college, remember that you get out what you put in. Don't rely on coursework alone. College is about giving you the tools to learn, not about teaching you. It is up to you to use those tools and increase your knowledge and experiences. There will be many hurdles, and you will question the value of many of those hurdles. The important thing is that you clear them, first, and afterwards question their value. Finally, college is also about creating networks. It is simply the classes, but the people you meet in those classes. These are the people who will be important to you during and after college.

I think that visiting college campuses and picking a school based on the quality of education you will recieve are the best ways. There tons of nice campuses but if you can't picture yourself there then why go? It's hard to think about the future but, basing your pick on how good the program you will be in at different schools could help narrow down your list of colleges to vist.

I would recommend doing as much research as possible before deciding on a college. Nothing is ever going to be perfect, and what you want at 18, ight no be the same at 22, so try to find a balance in your choice. I was actually surprised how important where you went to college is in applying for jobs. Many Bay Area companies only hire designer university graduates. Keep in mind that transfer is an option, and if you make a choice you re unhappy with it doesn't have to be permanent. When choosing a major, try to think of what career path you might want to take, and if that is going to be a field that you are going to excel and succeed in. Minors are a great way to diversify your education without prolonging your stay too long. College is chance to focus on what you do well, but also a chance to find new passions and directions, so choosing a campus with balance is a great way to be comfortable, and also grow and develop into well rounded induvidual.

My advice to parents is to get involved in their kids lives, that way they can be of some help when trying to decide between colleges. Start by asking your kids -when they're still in high school- what would you like to study? what interests you? what do you see yourself doing in the future? The answers to these questions can help in choosing the right college. As for students, knowing what you want to study is an advantage because you can choose the college that fits your field. If you don't know (don't worry) try and choose a college based on your interests, likes and what you're good at. Don't choose a college just because your friends are going there; choose the college that will awaken your potential. You will make new friends in college. Get involved in student organizations, and take advantage of all the services (academic counseling, psychological counseling, financial aid, tutoring, library, etc...) your college offers; this way you can maximize your college experience. Our college years are some of the best years of our life, so choose wisely.

Make sure that you research the school carefully. Understand that this will be the next four years of your life. The college should be a place where you want to go academically and socially. Remember that college is not just to get a good education, but a chance to grow as a person. Truly and honestly, life long memories will be made. Enjoy them!

I think the single most important thing to consider no matter where you go to school is living in the dorms. The experience you get, friends you make, and memories you form in this first year in the dorms are the times that will be always be treasured. I loved high school, but I had no idea what lie ahead of me in college. The community is just something that you cannot compare to living in an apartment your first year. No matter where you go to school, apply for on campus housing! Best times of your life :)

It is very important to choose your college by your OWN standards and not anyone elses, that way if you ever look back in regret, you can't blame your regret on anyone else but yourself. That puts more pressure on yourself to do research and really think about which school YOU would like to attend.

The best advice for a prospective student is to have a pretty well defined idea about what major they wish to pursue. This makes it easier for a student to plan out an academic schedule for their entire stay at their college of choice. If the student is unsure of which major suits them, and money is a factor, then the cheaper way to go is a junior college. At a junior college, the student can take care of their general education and also discover what career is best for them. Then they can just transfer to their school of choice. Just rememeber to make sure the college they are transfering to accepts the credits from the junior college. As college experiences go, the dorms are the best way to make friends that a student will keep throughout their college career. Even better, live on a floor that has the same major as the student. This way they are guaranteed to know people in their classes, which is great for getting homework help and staying on track. All in all make sure to visit the campus and check out some surrounding areas to see if the college suits their lifestyle.

Please visit the campus beforehand and set up a connection with a cultural or service oriented organization that interests you. This connection will be a great support system for the student when times get tough, such as homesickness, loneliness, finding out references on professors or classes, and how to deal with homework!

Make sure the finances are in order, it's a headache to ahve to deal with money problems and going to school at the same time. Most importantly remember that school is mostly what YOU make out of it. Learn how study and how to manage your time and you'll go far.

You absolutely must know what you want. Stop looking at the factors of which sweater will impress your inlaws and look at where you want to live, what programs will help you the most and what academic climate fits you the best. And when you find a college that fits, that's your school.

I would parents and students to vist the colleges they are interested in and see what feels right, you can just tell you belong somewhere when its right. Also if you know your major do some research to find out which school have good programs for your major and find out some information about certian professors interested in the same field as you so you can have a mentor and someone to help you find your where through undergraduate school and prepare for gradute school or a career. To make the most of your college experience, do well in school so it isnt a waist but make lots of friends, travel if you can, volenteer and intern. Live your life in happiness and surround yourself with good people.

Don't make the decision lightly. I chose my school based almost exclusively on proximity to my friends and family. I don't regret that aspect of my choice, but there are times when I feel like I 'settled'. At the risk of sounding arrogant, I often feel like I am a much better student than the majority of my peers, and this isn't something I enjoy. I would recommend above all, choosing a college that can challenge you. Choose a college you would be proud to say you attend.