University at Buffalo Top Questions

Try everything, you never know what will catch your attention or change your path. You may find something incredible way outside your limits.

Just because a college is prestigious or known for amazing research, doesn't mean they will have an excellent program in your major. Look into individual deparmtents and course offerings. See how practical the curriculum is. Will it prepare you for a job or at least prepare you well for the GRE's? Students should live on campus for at least a year, even if they're local. Students should live off campus for at least a year-- branch out and become a part of the community they reside in, even if the school inhibits it (Some schools, like mine, are in the suburbs and offer no means of getting around the city. they sort of shun it. it keeps crime stats down and it keeps money on their campus). Students should find out the professor to student ratio (rather than the faculty to student ratio as this can include TA's). Students should go where they feel comfortable. I knew the minute I stepped on campus where I wanted to go.

Make sure the college you want to attend doesn't cost more than the prospective career field will pay in a ten year period. Make sure the college program fits with your future aspirations. If you want to be a social worker, maybe Harvard isn't the best choice. I suggest offering your services, as a high school student, to a company in your perspective career field to get an idea that is what you really want to do. As far as being successful in college, NETWORK. Talk to every professor, senior, alumni, advisor, secretary, etc. and find opportunities to build your resume. The opportunities are there you just have to ask. Don't be affraid to ask a proffesor if you can be a teachers assistant (you can get credit for this and it looks great on your resume). Don't skip class, skipping one college class is the equivelant of skipping 3 high school courses (ouch!), that's a lot of work to make up. Have fun, be safe. College is a time of great self exploration this is a time to discover who you are and who you want to be. Trust yourself!

I would advise most students to really look into different schools before choosing one. College is a HUGE choice and i feel many students choose the college they attend for the wrong reasons. Look into as much financial aid as you possibly can before you take out private loans, and when and if you do take out private loans make sure to think responsibly. If living in a dorm take the experience for what it is, and dont try to rush out of it. College will most likely be a culture shock for many, but enter it with an open mind and heart. "The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write but those who cannot learn unlearn and relearn" MOST importantly ENJOY it!

Make sure the school is right for you. Visit it and make sure you like the area and you feel like you fit in.

Make sure you figure out your learning style and your needs before you decide on the college, try to live on campus, dorming is amazing. You meet more people and are more likely to join more activities.

the right college and major is the most important thing when you apply for college

It's important to choose a school that has several different ways to get involved culturally, academicaly, socially, and with the community. This gives students room to grow in all of these areas. Finding a healthy balance between these areas is also very important to personal and acedemic developement. It also provides ways to make connections and take on leadership roles that are important for life beyond college.

The Choice about where to go to school is tough. I had to choose between polar opposite schools with similarly ranking programs, and it was very tough. The best choice is to make desicions of schools based on as much data and money comparisons as you can make. To make the most out of the college experience, involvement is key. If you get involved with clubs, you learn about topics which don't get taught until junor and senior years. Thus, involvment helps you learn more, and improves GPA, as well as networking in the future.

For me , SUNY at BUffalo was simply a gut reaction from my first visit.

go with your gut in making your decision and make the most out of that decision. think only positives and dont pack your entire room into your car and take it to college with you, it will be a pain and a hassle and chances are half the things you pack tou will never use.

In order to find the right college for yourself, or as a parent, is to visit the campus and make sure the person attending the college can see themselves being comfortable at that college. Going to the most expensive school just because it costs the most doesn't necessarily make it the best school or the best choice, a person has to know what is right for them. Making the most of your college experience is easy, all you have to do is be yourself. There are plenty of activities going on in most colleges so its easy enough to meet people with similar interests. For me, having a balance between school life and my social life is what helps make the most of my college experience. The two go hand in hand, you meet friends in the major you're in, you can then socialize and hang out, and then help eachother with assignments. In order to be successful while still having fun in college is simple; be yourself, and strive to excel.

It has to feel like home. If wherever you apply to doesn't feel like home, it's probably not worth it. Financial aid is a HUGE consideration as well; but if you can't find a way to be completely you, and surround yourself with people who feel like that as well, you're not going to do well. You have to know that you won't want to return home for Christmas or Spring Break, that you'd rather stay on campus or near it; and if you do leave, that you'll miss it before you even left campus.

Do what's best for you and don't listen to what other people say.

When you receive your acceptance letter, take some time to think about it. Really consider how much each campus offers and compare. Take time to sit and discuss how big of a deal money is when it comes to schools. If you feel like teh more expensive school is teh best fit, don't automatically dismiss it because of the financial strain. If there is any way to make that school work under your current economic limits, do it. You may end up regretting your decision down the line. Most importantly the people you meet at school will really make it all worth while, so don't limit yourself when interacting, look beyond the people that would have fit right in with your friends at high school and talk to some kids that are different than you are used to interacting with, they may end up being your best friends.

My advice would be not to worry so much about what their child looks on paper. I've met a lot of people that on paper look wonderful, but they can't handle the pressure of college, or they can't interact successfully with people. And I've met a lot opf students who didn't necessarily look so hot on paper but in the right school they flourished, and they got great grades, got involved, and had a blast, both socially and academically. What's important in college is finding a place that encourages intellectual and social growth together, and one that supports different ways of thinking, and finding a college that can do that in the best way for a particular student is what parents should look for. They shoucl look for an environment that is comfortable for their child, but still pushes comfort zones and intellect. That kind of environment is the best for learning, and the purpose of college is, after all, to learn.