The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Top Questions

I would advise students to make sure they find a college that has a degree program they are interested in and the appropriate amount of students. Also, don't just look at the school. Pay attention to the surrounding areas: the city, art, coffee shops..etc. As an incoming freshman, sign up for SOMETHING. It doesn't matter what it is. A club sport, a political club, a service club. Sign up for something so that you can become involved on campus and have the opportunity to meet new people. Parents should listen to their child and understand what they want out of their college because this is going to be a big part in their life and they should make the decision. Make sure there is a good advising office and tutoring if the student has learning problems. Just try to find a college that is going to make the student the most comfortable and accepted.

Find what you want to do as your career and search for the college or university that has the best program or department for what you want to do. Contact that/those colleges and/or universities and talk to them about their programs that you are interested in, then request as much information about the program that you can. Talk to your parents about the college compare and contrast a couple of few choices and narrow it down until you find "the perfect match" for you.

Make sure you talk not only to faculty and staff, but also to students because we are the ones who make the experience!

Obviously, they need to do research about the school's academic qualities but I also feel they need to visit the schools they are considering so they can get an overall feel for each school. Ask students how they feel about their school and not just the ones who are paid to give the tours. They also need to visit the town that surrounds each school, if there is one, so they can see what kind of activities there are. Although I feel that academics are the most important part of school, students need more things to do than just go to school and party on the weekends. I know that I, personally, would have had a much harder time at my school so far if there weren't so many things to get away and go do, whether it was something outdoors or in the downtown area. Lastly, I think it's important to decide just how far a student wants to be from their family. I like the ability to be on my own but it is nice to see my parents regularly without it being a large, costly ordeal.

Finding the right college for you is a combination of finances, living environment, and the school's locations. Whichever school choice best fits these criteria will allow you to find everything else a student is looking for in college. It is easier to find people with whom you share things in common when going into an environment that you feel most at home. With these friends by your side, any student can discover all the areas of college that lead to a succesful college career both academically and socially.

Take a tour of the campus and ask students about their experiences.

I believe any college is the RIGHT choice. You just have to make THAT college your OWN experience.

That the parents should let their children live on campus and actually let them have their freedom. And to choose the right college is to just go and look, make a pros and cons list about the universities that you are choosing from. And go with your gut.

Pick a college that feels right to you. go and visit as many as you can. stop a student on a campus you visit and ask him/her some questions. see if you can talk to professors or administrators. do as much homework as you can about the institution and make sure they put as much into campus/ social life as they do academnics, because college is a life learning experience not just an academic one. parents- let your child be the one to make the decision, he/she is the one going. students- keep in mind your parents are paying, and they just want the best for you. above all learn from your professors and learn from the students around you, both of them will help you succeed in life.

For the students, don't let your parents influence your entire decision as to where you want to go. Also, don't let money be a problem when it comes to selecting the college that you want to go to because there will always be money available. To the parents, I would have to emphasis that it is NOT you going to college--this is not your second chance. If your child picks a college that either you don't like or you don't quite approve, just be helpful because, remember, this is a big time and telling your child what to do will only make this more difficult.