University at Buffalo Top Questions

In choosing a college, students should not choose solely because of the name of the school. Parents should also allow their children to be active participants in the selection process rather than choosing a school for their children that they wish to have attended. Taken together, choosing based on either, or both of the aforesaid criteria will potentially result in a less enjoyable experience. As it relates to making the most of the academic experience, it is of paramount importance that students do their part, that is, attending classes, studying, completing assignments in a timely manner and, most of all, asking for clarification where needed. The best social experience will amount from being accepting of others of backgrounds other than one's own. This will best be achieved by being willing to learn about others' experiences rather than refraining from interacting with others for fear of not being well versed in cultural knowledge and as such, will be unable to successfully converse with others. All in all, one will get the most out of the college experience based on the reason for the selection as well as the enthusiasm with which he or she interacts with others.

you have to visit the college and get a feel for its size and local environment. That is the most important thing, as yourself can I see myself walking through these buildings and living in this area would it make me happy?

Once you have applied and been accepted to schools of your choice make sure to do an on campus visit. While there don't be afraid to ask questions, chances are if you're thinking it then so are others on the tour. As for the college experience in your first few semesters make sure to read flyers hanging around, attend meetings and campus events. Colleges offer some of the most amazing opportunites that some times people are unaware of. From internships, to studying abroad, to being involved in academic related greek organizations, to volunteering, the college experience will provide it all. I once had a professor who gave me the best advice while in my undergraduate studies and I rely on it heavily now in my Graduate studes, that College is all about networking. Never again in life will so many opportunites and wonderful people be at your fingertips.

Visit the campus and try to get accquianted with the campus before the student starts to attend the place. Getting a feel of the school is an invaluable experience that seals the deal on the school. Next talk to students, input from people who has been there helps a lot too. Try to get the feel of the school in the busiest time of the semester, it really helps.

Parents, you have got to let your kids choose the school that they feel is right for them. These next four years will be an amazing opportunity to grow and learn abut themselves as individuals, and because of that, they deserve the right to feel at home and accepted while spreading their wings at the same time. Students, First and formost... BE YOURSELF! no matter what you choose, where you go, who you meet, BE YOURSELF! College is intimidating, but how you handle it says so much about your character. No matter what happens, this is a time to find yourself, not lose yourself. College is a lot less judgemental than high school, take comfort in that and allow yourself to express who you are. Remind yourself everyday of why you are where you are to keep yourself focused, but also remember to make memories and have fun. Try new things, join clubs, play sports, take classes you normally wouldn't...explore as much as you can so that when you leave, you know that you have taken advantage of what an amazing opportunity you have been given. Carpe Diem! You earned it!

Don't be turned off by the size. College is what you make of it. UB was not even in my top 3 choice colleges, but having just graduated I would choose it again. I got in to all the colleges I applied to, but chose UB because it was reasonably affordable unlike my other top choices. I made friends at orientation and that was by far one of the best decisions ever and it made the first few weeks of class much easier to acclimate to. I was not a great high school student but when I found my niche in communications and decided what I wanted to do, I focused and finished college magna cum laude, almost summa. I joined the ultimate frisbee club team and made more friends, stayed active and had tons of fun. There are things I would change about my college experience but they are mainly social - choosing UB is not on that short list.

SUNY at Buffalo is a great time. Go there and enjoy it!

When choosing a college, it pays to take all aspects of the school and it's surrounding city into account. If I could go back and decide on a college over again I would first prioritize what is most important to me, and then begin to narrow down my choices. These priorities are different for every student and family. The college decision will affect the rest of your life tremendously so don't take it lightly., but don't worry too much because you can always transfer if you are unhappy.

Make sure you chose the college/university that gives you a good feeling. When you visit the campus, test the food, imagine living in the dorms, sit in on a class. You can't imagine the experience, but you will remember the feeling.

My advice to parents and students is to make many visits to many different colleges and universities. I would not make those visits during an orientation or an informational session because during those times the school provides many facts to stir the prospective student into their school. Instead, I would make a visit and roam around the student body to see what the students who are currently attending the school feelt about it. I would definitely keep a few questions prepared so that I can recieve different opinions (for example: the housing, food, education, transportation, social life and activities, and accomodations). Once I would get a general idea of what students feel the school is like, I would make a second visit for orientation or informational session (if I feel what the students have said appeals to me). By doing this, I can get the school's perspective on what it has to offer. Based on this, I would make my choice to apply or not.

I would have to say that when picking a school, going to that school and getting a feel for it is extremely important. Walk around on your own for a bit and you will know if you will be comfortable there. Also, look into your department of interest as well as a backup department. Many students choose a school based on one major and later change and end up finding their school has a poor department in that study or may not have the program at all. Not everyone knows what they want to do someday, pick a place you feel comfortable, is interesting to you, is within your cost limits, but most importantly you will have fun and feel accepted as a peer by students and professors alike. It is important to remember that college is the start to a huge part of life. Follow your gut and you will find yourself in a very comfortable place.

The advice i give to students or parents to make the most out of the college experience is to allow yourself enough time to adjust im the begining. After you have adjusted yourself to the new environment socially, physically, and mentally study hard and play hard. Make lots of friends! Have lots of fun, make memories, but most importantly make sure you have your priorities strait. School comes first before partying!

Make your college decision based on what you think will be right for you, not based on what others think is right for you Be practical in your decision, but challenge yourself as well. Make the most of your college experience by attending all classes. After all, you are paying for them. Push yourself as much as you can. Step outside of your comfort zone, but also know your limitations. Strive for a 4.0, but don't beat yourself up if you don't quite achieve that. GET INVOLVED! Most importantly, have fun. These are the best years of your life.

Before you start looking for a college, you should find a field that you are interested in. One college is not best for everything, for example one college would be good for medical field and bad for the engineering field. So the field we are interested in is very important. Then look for the colleges those are afffordable for you.Then look for the trasportation and housing,for exampple if you want to commute, select one of the colleges that near to you or if you want to live in a dorm select the schools that are far away. If you are interested in study abroad, look for the colleges who provides that. Visit the campuses and try to talk to the faculty and know the class sizes and schedules. After doing all the listed things i am pretty sure you will find a college which is best suited for you.Good luck.

College is nothing to be worried about. It is a great experience and it is the bridge between high school and your career.

I would tell them to make sure they look at different college types. Like large and small campuses, private and public colleges because they don't really know what will be the right fit until they see it first hand. A lot of students have a specific school in mind that they feel they really want to go to but when they get to see it first hand, they end up not liking it. So I think that the most important thing in finding a college is definately keeping options open and exploring all different types of campuses.

I would tell parents or students looking for the right college to choose a school that offers programs that will give students an advantage after graduation. A student should be able to say my school offered a significant amount of experience prepared me for the workforce or whatever field is choosen to go into. College should be a learning experience, so you want to choose a school that versatile as to allow students to break out of their comfort zone. But most importantly, research the campus living and the meal plans. If a student is not eating sufficiently or hates the place that they are living it's guaranteed that they will not be able to succeed academically.

In order for a student to be able to succed and make the best of college they have to find a school that meets thier learning needs ad the ways in which they learn. Sometimes that means a smaller university with smaller class size is better. The studet also has to be in an enviornment where they feel safe being away from home and in which they feel they can best learn live and enjoy themselves. Although college is about education, it is also a stepping stone to independence so students have to feel as if they can safely and succesfully make that transition at the school they choose. Student have to remember that unlike high school, college is what you make it so it is up tp them to get the most out of the expirence. You have to want to go to college for you and no one else, otherwise its pointless. Lastly the best college to choose is the one that best fits you for you and not for parents or anyone else.

For parents make sure you ask about services such as tutoring and advisement, if you child is shy try a smaller college so that they have the opportunity to break out of their shell a bit and for students pursue a program of study that you feel passionate about that way you will really be able to apply yourself to it and make sure when you have the chance you talk to fellow classmates and teachers, develope a buddy system with people in each of your classes and exchange numbers or email addresses so you can always ask what you missed in case your car breaks down, you get sick, etc, use whatever free services are offered as often as possible, make sure you make a schedule that allows time for both studying/work and social/free time

Follow your heart.