The University of Texas at Dallas Top Questions

The best advice i would give to anybody is to visit the campus, and take a look at the environment that the student will be in. Getting that feeling will help to decide wheter it is the right college or not. If the student feels comfortable on campus, his or her college experience will be enjoyable.

Get to know the school you are applying to. I moved schools after my freshman year because I went not really knowing what the first school was all about. Tours and what's put on the school's website really isn't enough, and they only tell you what they want you to hear. Try to talk to someone who goes to the school and will be candid enough to tell you about the good things as well as the bad aspects of the school. If the school doesn't sound interesting to you in high school, don't assume that you are going to change drastically when you enter into that college, the school will still seem uninteresting to you when you get there, but then you're sort of stuck.

The students should just choose a school that he or she really wants to go to. I have nothing to say to the parents except for support their child's decisions.

Do your homework. Start early, especially with lining up funding. Try to get a sense of what field or career the prospective student will enjoy the most.

I think that it is extremely important to keep an open mind when looking at colleges. Students should go and look at different types of schools, whether they be rural or urban, large or small, in state or out of state. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions. Students and faculty are happy to share information about their school with you. Look at the extracurricular activities, clubs, and group sports the school offers and be open to the idea of joining them. This is your chance to branch out and try something different. Another thing to consider is that college may be the only time that you get to experience living in a different state, so be brave and consider out of state schools. There are so many scholarships and financial aid possibilities available that you shouldn't limit yourself based on finances. Ultimately, I think that you will feel it inside of you when you find the right school. It's a feeling of belonging. It's a feeling of home. It's the feeling that you're making the right choice for you.

Find a college where you feel at home. Make friends, and join Student Organizations. Don't believe all the sterotypes about Greek Life, you will find they are all wrong.

My advice to students is to know enough about what you want to do to not have to change majors. If you are not sure, go in as undecided. If you have to change majors, you may end up paying for a lot of classes you do not need, and end up spending a lot more time in college. Yeah, college is fun, but not so much fun that you want to spend more than four years here.

If students have the luxury of attending the college of their choice, I would tell them to chooseto a larger university that is firmly established in all aspects. UTD was formly a communiting graduate school. Most local students here older adults who work full time and are trying to finish up their degree. Finding the right college that suits your needs socially, emotionally, and mentally will help you adjust accordingly and feel a more community spirit.

When choosing a college, I believe campus visits are extremely important. If an overnight stay is possible, then the student should take advantage of it because it gives you a true sense for what the feel of the campus is. It also is important to not only consider the campus life, but also the surrounding area. In Dallas, for example, there is so much to do around campus that if you are a person who likes to be on the go constantly, then the city life accomodates that. For parents, I would say the most important thing is to listen to your student's wants. Pushing your student into going to a college they do not want to go to can lead to rebellion, and if they fail their classes, a lot of money can be wasted. However, do not be a pushover either. Encourage your student to try something new and to choose a university for the school, not because they have friends going there. College life can be the best time of your life, and a joint decision between parents and students makes the time even better because both groups are content.

The best advice is to go to family/student orientations because as a family you can learn about the school and all the different programs offered in each college/university.

In terms of college, I'd suggest that you use online searches to get an idea of which schools offer programs that interest you. (If you don't know, Mathematics is an effective door-opener or any career.) Once you have an idea of the program that is best for you, select a set of schools which offer said program (and make sure the program truly exists there), email professors or deans and set up appointments to meet them. A parent should travel with you to the school as a reality check; you will be awed by every school and facts take precedence over "vibes" which dissappear after the "honeymoon phase". Also, take pictures. Imagine campus in extreme weather. Once at school, doing well is a lifestyle, not a classroom ability. Try setting rewards ("I'll hang out with my friends after I finish this chapter.") or goals ("If I plan with my syllabi, I can always be a week ahead on my homework, I'll be under less daily stress." -- yes, college includes homework), but you must be consistent. And if you don't enjoy it enough to do it every day, that's your cue to change majors.

Plan early, make sure you get all your paperwork in on time, visit the school, ask questions.

I would suggest that first of all, don't worry for both sides. For parents, it's finally time for your children to be able to move away, so dont try to smother them, because that will only make them want to move further away and be more crazy during their first semester. Be there for them, and give them a guiding hand, but let them learn their own mistakes and let them be who they will be. For the student, college is super crazy, however it is also the period in your life that will determine the rest of your life. The first semester will make or break you, so take it seriously. However there is also that desire to go wild like in the movies. My advice is to go for it, skip that first test, go to the party, and have all the fun you want. When you see your grade though, remember that you and or your parents are paying for college, and that you would dissappoint many people if you flunk out. Learn from your mistakes and move on. Learn how to properly time manage and find a balance that keeps you happy.

The most important aspect of choosing a college is the atmosphere -- how the environment impacts you personally. Some campuses may inspire you intellectually, some may encourage you socially, and some may just make you feel like a part of the family. I firmly believe that any accredited University in America can provide you with a great education, if you are willing to work hard and take ownership of your education. Granted, some are better than others, and some faculty make it much easier to learn and love learning. But in the end, you can choose to be happy pretty much anywhere. What matters is whether or not the school you choose is going to challenge you, and in what areas. If you want the most rigorous academic experience possible, choose a University that emphasizes that, by all means -- but don't neglect the social and extracurricular leadership experiences that will shape you as an intellectual being as surely as Intro to Philsophy or Organic Chemistry. Choose a school that listens to students, that encourages students to take leadership, that provides students with opportunities for internships and laboratory research. It takes both thinking AND doing to figure out who you are.

To parents, I would advise you to educate yourself and your child on the college experience. Have your child mentally prepared for what is to come and what to expect once they begin college. To students, I would advise to always be prepared and stay ahead. Have your books and supplies ready at the beginning of the semester, study for tests and begin papers long before the deadlines, and remember that in most cases, your education should come first, before work, friends, or socializing. Also, it is important to participate in campus activities. Whether it be fraternities, sororities, intramural sports, or any club, these organizations make it easier to meet people who share similar interests. In your classes, it is important to your learning to participate and also get to know some students in each class and exchange emails should you ever have questions. Also, pick courses that will interest you and research teachers before you enroll. An interesting class with an exciting teacher can make a world of difference and now most colleges provide student reviews of teachers. If you follow this advice, I can guarantee a more fun and rewarding college experience.

First and foremost think about the career path you plan to take, I think you should make decisions that involve your life with heavy deliberation and you should find something that fits your economic means and your own personal goals. Its never bad to "shoot for the starts" but you may be able to get the same quality of education elsewhere than your first choice. Use your head as well as your heart to find a school that you think is suitable for you and has an environment that you believe you can immerse yourself in.

As a freshman i attended Valparaiso University, which is about 800 miles away from my family and friends. The worst mistake of my life was transferring back to Dallas my sophmore year to attend the University of Texas at Dallas. I learned that going to college is the time in your life when you learn the most about the world and yourself. Although it is hard being away from loved ones and close friends, in the long run it will be much better to find a college that focuses on academics rather than partying. If possible look for a college that you think will help you most in helping you academically rather than worrying about leaving friends and family behind.

Meet the professors and make friends with them. I wish someone had told me how important it is to make lasting relationships with your teachers. You need their recommendation to get into grad school, for scholarships, and to get jobs after school. So, I would say, meet them before while you are trying to decide which school to attend and then make it a point to go to office hours and participate in projects so as to cultivate a relationship. They may end up being some of the best allies you have starting off in your career.

Spend a single day at your potential college choice.

Make sure to make a strong prescence on campus with all professors and students. Don't try too hard to make friends, they will appear to you in time once the semester starts. Take your time in choosing the right for you. If it does not feel right when you visit a campus, it is ok to not go ith that school. Overall, have fun in your decision making. Remember college is supposed to be fun and a great learning environment!