San Diego State University Top Questions

Research and visiting colleges is a good way to narrow down choices but you will never truly know if a school is right untill you excperince. A new student should take a week or even a weekend to visit and explore the school on their own with out a parent. Once you found the right school getting involved in clubs, sports, greek life, or even a part time job can be a great way to make friends and the transition easier .

Choosing the right college is a very important decision, and often the first real big decision people make. After my first year at college, I feel that I would be able to give parents and students very helpful advice. Once the student has chosen the school in the area they like with the major(s) they want to pursue they need to make the most of their years they will spend there. I would recommend that the student make new friends, even if they have old friends who also attend their college. People change in college and you cannot know if you and your friends will still be close. I would also advise, especially to the people who never had to study in high school, it's a lot more difficult! Studying is essential in college. Another thing I would suggest is taking a class that sounds interesting just because they want to learn about it. It actually makes going to class and learning fun. The last thing I would tell a prospective college student is to call their mom at least once each week. They worry, and they like to know you're okay, and working hard.

If you are searching for the right college for your child or yourself, make sure you know what field of study you want to go into, and research the schools that have a high rate of students graduating from that school, as well as the time it takes those students to obtain a job after completing graduation, in that major. And if you are unsure of what field of study you would like to go into i would suggest starting at a jr. college like i did until you know what you want your college degree in

Visit the campus, so you know if you like the environment. It?s something you'll have to look at every day, and if you're not happy with it, you'll never REALLY like your college experience. Go to orientation. I missed it, but my friends who went were set up with a plan to graduate, and all graduated on time. I took classes I thought would be fun, and were in the right direction towards graduation. Now all I can think of is getting out! If you can handle something on the side, like a sport, or a job, do it. Not only will it keep you from getting lazy, which is one of the biggest killers of college careers, but if its a job it'll provide you with an income, and if you pick a sport, you'll most likely be in shape and have a group of people you can hangout with and grow strong with together...not to mention they give priority to athletes for picking classes, as well as provide extra academic help.

I dropped out of high school because I was hanging out with the wrong crowd. Luckilly I had a supportive familiy who encouraged me to go back to school. I finally made the right choice and went back to school and I am now a Registered Nurse. I can tell parents that it is important to make sure your children know how important school is and let them make the right decision. It is important for kids to know how important school is only this way will they give all of their effort in completing college. As far as choosing one it definately deppends on the major. I applied to the school that had very good academic program for nursing. I did not look at the social life or any of the other factors that could nbe important for some students.

College is an important decision that will affect the rest of your life. It is not just the education that is important when selecting a school, but the environment, life-lessons, and friends that you will meet along and encounter along the way. Parents, do not pressure your kids to go to your alma malter. Let them come to you about questions or concerns they might have when choosing which colleges to attend to or apply. It is a hard enough decision to make without having the adding pressure of a parent lurching over your shoulder. Don't let your child live in your shadow, or live vicariously through them. It is their time to venture out on their own and make their own decisions, learn their own lessons, and make their own mistakes. In the end, choose the school that makes YOU happy and you alone. Find a place that you can find everything you want whether it be studying aboard, sports, internships, student goverment, greek life, or work experience. So take the time to research the right school for you and apply to places that suit your needs and wants.

GO TO THE EVENTS!

Don't worry so much if you don't get your first choice school. You will end up at the place that is right for you. Just make sure you get involved and don't focus on the fact that the school was not your favorite.

Get involved on campus right away- don't waste time waiting for people to approach you.

The most important advice I can give you is to go to the campus during the day when school is in session and see how you feel about it. Then ask random people as they're walking by how they feel about the school. You can get an awesome feel for the general sway of the student body just by watching andl istening to the real students. Are they smiling? Is their lots of friends walking together? Are their on campus activities going on during the day? Is it lively and exciting or dead and serious? You have to ask yourself what kind of school you want first off. Are you outgoing enough to go to a large school where there are a lot of opportunities to get involved, but you have to make the first step? Can you handle not being number 1 in the class anymore? Do you want more people than you could ever meet in four years? What's important to you? Sports teams? On campus involvement? Great teachers? Fun atmosphere? Meal plans? In the end it's all up to you. But you also have to remember IT'S ALL WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT.

I would say that you should visit several college campuses before making your decision. Also make sure that you apply to many places because you never know where you will get in and if you will change your mind about what your first choice is. Just make sure that where ever you decide to attend that you go there with an open mind and you are willing to meet a lot of new people with different backgrounds and stories. Above all have a good time because you will never be a young college student again.

When choosing the right college it's important for students to make the choice on their own, the college they choose will be their home for the next several years so it is vital to their happiness and success that they go somewhere that they feel happy going to. No one wants to be forced to go somewhere they didnt choose. So parents should help brainstorm, but leave the final choice to the student. This means the student should research many colleges and visit many colleges. If the student knows what they want to major in try finding a college that has a good program in that field. If the student has no idea what they want to do they should look at other factors: a location that they like, whether its in the city or in the country, whether they like the beach, or the mountains. They should research the clubs and sports at each school, and should also look at the other students at that college, at the town or city the college is in, and the different actities available. All these things will help the student make the best choice, and lead to a successful college experience.

I would personally advice them to take their time on researching different colleges and universities, because there is where they will invest in their feauture. for the next few years Also, to look into the clubs or sports the school offers, in order to become and active member who contributes back to the school. Moreover, parents/students should look into the study abroad programs offer on campus, because it is no only an enriching long learning experience but also an experience he/she will never forget. Parents should be aware that college is very expensive and most of time students have to take out loans for their tuition, so inform yourself and speak to a loan advicer. One more thing before I close up, ask questions to students on campus and check it out. There is greater chance to see if the shool fits you.

I would tell them to choose a college where they fit in and excel in. The more happy a student is the better he/she will do and having a healthy social life is also important. I would tell them to choose San Diego State university becasue it has all of those traits. The campus here is very centralized around the greek life and is an awsome life. The school feels like its own little community and you feel like a movie star. You will meet alot of people and make life long friends. The ciriculum is very challenging and if you get behind in class you will fail. So the incentive to live such a fun life and party you have to earn your grades to stay enrolled. Also, obtaining a career is much easier becuase San Diego offers many programs and internships for students. San Diego was the best decision i have ever made and i highly recommend this school to any incoming freshman, you wont regret it.

it is very important to visit the area and tour around the campus to experience the environment. doing so helps decide if the school atmosphere is right for your student.

Although I wholeheartedly understand what a big issue finances can be when it comes to choosing a college, I advise that parents and/or students try not to base a decision like this solely on money. When it comes to picking the right school, I think that aside from finances, a campus's atmosphere and environment are the second most important factor to consider, because they will directly effect a student's success and enjoyment during college. After all, college is a student's last hurrah before they get out into the working world and have to obtain a full time job. College is meant to be a time to form new friendships, date different kinds of people, and expand one's horizons on topics such as politics, art, philisophy, and the like. Therefore, when choosing a college, parents and/or students should make sure that aside from being within their estimated budget, a campus ultimately "feels" comfortable. If possible, I think a student and/or their parents should visit all campuses they are seriously interested in, in order to determine which campus's atmoshphere suits their student's social and academic personality the best.

When looking for colleges, start early. Make sure to aim high and low. Expect the worst and the best. Sometimes schools will take in students who are part of a minority to make themselves look better, by being more diverse. If your parents went to that school, it's likely that you'll be accepted too. Don't take college too lightly. Finding the right school can really be key for you. Make sure to visit the school and possibly spend a night there, if possible.

What I would advise the the parents about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is to look for one that would make them feel comfortable about sending their children to. Research the schools their children might be interested in through email, the news, or even visit the school itself. It is best to know that you're children will be safe, and will be in an environment which encourages them academically and socially. For students, take the time to go to any open house that the college may have, so that you have a feel for what kind of atmosphere you will be in for the next four years. Make sure to also see that you know what the college specializes in, and if it will contribute to the major you choose. Be sure to also look into different organizations that you may be interested in joining. It is always good to be involved at school. The more you participate in school, the more help you may be able to get in order to succeed through your four years in college.

The number one most important thing to do when looking for the right college is to visit the school. Being on the campus gives parents and prospective students a chance to experience the campus atmosphere first hand. The second tip is to find out what kind of awards the school has. Though all schools may have excellent programs, official accreditation is the most sure fire way to finding the best program for a specific major. A big part of making the most out of the college experience is the people you choose to have around you. Whether you are into drama, music, sports, frats, sororities, or hardcore studying, the group of people you're around make your whole experience. A marvelous way to meet people with similar interests is to a join club or group organization that focuses on whatever your interests are. This way you will most definitely find people who share your point of view. College is really about finding yourself, so don't be afraid to try new things aswell. Opening up to new experiences could lead you down a path you never dreamed but it might end up to be one that you will love.

A student should always visit the campus before applying. I would hate to arrive at my college campus the day of orientation and come to find out that the campus is not what I expected. Once the student has received all of his or her acceptance letters, the next thing is to choose the university with the best program for their major. For example, San Diego State University was one of my top choices because of the distinguished multiple degree programs offered for international business majors. Choosing and being accepted at the university of one?s choice is the first step to having the best college experience. For a student to have the best college experience, they must live at or near campus. My first year at SDSU I was driving an hour and half each way to school due to economical circumstances. After moving to San Diego I became a member of the International Student Association, an officer in the Hispanic Business Student Association, and a conversation partner at the American Language Institute. Students should become active on their campus to network. I strongly advice parents to encourage their child to join a club and to study abroad.