The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Top Questions

I have always told those that are younger than me that when they are looking for a college to make sure they find a college that they feel comfortable growing in. Because in college you grow up so much, make so many transitions and learn so much about yourself, you need to be able to feel comfortable in your surroundings because if not then it might not be a good situation. Ive known plenty of people that would come in the Fall and get so homesick or just didn't like their surroundings so that basically made them leave school. Now I understand that school isn't made for everyone, but I do believe that if you are comfortable with your surroundins and with yourself then you are more likely to stay where you are. Going off to college is a crazy and scary times but I believe it's all worth it!

Find something affordable. The name is not everything. Any school where you apply yourself and give effort at is a good school. College is what you make it.

The best way to find the right college is to 1) limit to the place which you live to save on tuition costs, 2) go online to find all the available colleges/universities in the state which you live and 3) find a college that your major is well known for (ie. medical, law, etc) or one that offers a program for you to pursue. To make the most out of your college experience, you must definitely be involved with a club/program/event to keep you from just studying all the time. That can help you make friends, especially in something which both are interested in. Being involved can also help on a transcript or resum?. Being involved makes the college experience more fun!

Find a school that has your or your child's major and extra circular activities. Also to make sure that the college is going to give you enough funding to attend the school so you want have to pay as much out of your pocket.

Choosing the right college and learning through the college experience are two of the most important experiences in the lives of parents and especially students. For me, the most important deciding factor in choosing my college was its adaptability. I chose a campus where I could build my confidence in myself through interaction with new friends; however I also made sure that my college would challenge me to travel beyond my comfort zones, allowing me to improve areas of weakness in my life. In order to make the most of my college experience, I chose a university where emphasis was placed on academics and nationally ranking programs in my career field choice. However, I also made sure that there were plenty of extracurricular activities through varsity sports and team spirit as well as clubs and organizations to meet most interests. Basically, the key is to do your research beyond what universities tell you on their websites. Ask current students and alumni. Visit the campus. But above all, make sure that the institution you choose matches and exceeds your expectations for yourself or your son/daughter.

There are two important categories to consider when selecting a college that is right for you or your child - academic and non-academic. In the academic category I place quality of classes, academic standards, and help with career placement upon graduation. The non-academic component, however, is just as important to one's overall college experience, and may not be as easy to detect. No matter how serious a student is academically, he or she will still have other aspects of his or her life that need to be fulfilled as well. I am referring to quality of relationships, exposure to new experiences, and overall happiness. To asses these areas, one needs to analyze the culture of a school and the key thing to look for is variety - variety of people, extra curricular activities, and events going on in the area surrounding the campus. The best way to get a thorough and accurate feel for the culture is to talk to the students that currently go there, especially upperclassmen. I also recommend walking around campus when classes are in session and looking for variety in how people dress, fliers for campus activities or events, and the surrounding area's newspaper.

Make a list of what is important in the college experience. Cost, location, meal plan options, residence options,Greek life, sport programs, etc. Prioritize this list, what's the most important to the student, what's important to the parent. Honestly, parents need to learn to back off. This is the time for kids to become adults. Let them move away. Let them participate in the activities they want. Let them pay for it. Now is the time to learn the responsibility of the real world, with a little help from mom and dad when times are rough. Students: get out there, meet new people, have FUN!, bring a digital camera, go out, learn something new, go to class, and most of all, enjoy it now because before you know it, it's all over and the real world is looking you in the face.

There's a lot of pressure when it comes to finding the right college. The best advice I can give you is to keep your options open. Apply to a variety of schools with a variety of locations, sizes, majors, etc. TALK to as many people you can about their college experiences whether it is at a school you are applying to or decide to go to as well as read up on these different schools. But always remember, these are other people's accounts or professionals opinions, your college experience is just that, yours. You define and make your own memories. Don't go somewhere just because all your friends go there, you will meet new friends and give yourself a place to visit or fall back on when you need to. Don't let distance stop you, but don't think that the college 20 minutes away from home will hold you back. Get involved with enough activities at school so that you have different connections but do not feel that your academics are being hindered. Don't be afraid to open up to others, to be yourself and to dream beyond belief--opportunities are everywhere.

Learn what's available early. Use the first few weeks to get a feel for the campus, and get involved with a campus organization or initiative. From there meeting new people and finding new opportunities can be far easier. On the side of academics, don't feel too restricted too early. Speak with an academic advisor about possible majors, minors, and concentrations. Not knowing exactly what field to go into initially is ok, try narrowing it down to about 3 or 4. From there, take introductory courses to determine where your interests really lie. There's a chance that double majors or minors might be in the future. The college experience is about discovery, and the time should be taken to truly discover self-interests. Take advantage of any situation that presents something new and different from what was available at home. Try new foods, learn languages. Parents should encourage their child's discovery of all the world has to offer. Be there as a source of support, but let their students make their own decisions about things. College is a somewhat incubated environment to possibly make poor decisions without it detrimentally affecting the rest of their lives.

Visit the school, pay attention to both big and small details, like class size and location. Look a amenties and resorces. Get a tour from a real student and not just the admissions office approved tour guide. I let a high schooler shadow me around campus for a few days and they really enjoyed getting a more realistic view of campus life. Most importantly, find a place you feel comfortable.