University of Alabama at Birmingham Top Questions

I would say, before you apply to college research it and see what its strong points are in relationsip to your field of study. Make sure that there is no other school that is within the same distance that is ranked higher and is more focused on your particular field. Check out the surrounding areas. Visit the campus random times of the year just to see what is going on. There's more to college than just an education and you want to be sure to have the right fun but safe place for the student.

No one truly knows what they want to do straight off. Talk to people, and figure out what you want to accomplish in your life. Make an effort to put your name out there for others to hear and get involved with groups in the community. Know you limitations and do not overwork yourself. Parents are the key to a success in today's colleges. Parents should always praise the students for even trying to accomplish a dream, even if it back fires. The knowledge that can be gained today by the new era of students is incredible, just sit back and enjoy.

I would let them know that they should consider what each college is known for when it comes to careers and majors. The size of of the campus is important too, because many people dont like big campuses and some dont like small campuses. Location is another important thing, whether the student wants to be close to home or not. Choosing a college should be the students decision because they will be the ones going there for 2-4 years or longer and they should enjoy being there and be able to have fun participating in activities on campus. College is not all about studying, while that is the most important thing, college students need to make friends and have fun doing extracurricular activities, or they will be miserable the whole time they are in college.

Start applying for college early by researching and requesting information from your choices. Review all avenues for financial aid and seek help from family, neighbors and even students that attend the colleges of choice. Parents get involved in the process and listen to your children while providing them with guidance in the final choice. Finally, remember college is an investment in your future.......don't waste it.

The best way to find a good school is by touring the school, seeing what the school offers, and to look up the college background.

To future leaders of America a student should attend the college of there choice but also have a backup just incase their price range exceeds yours and major in something you really want to be, don't major in something just because your parents told you to because at the end this is not a job, but a life long career you will be stuck with. Be sure to study hard Freshmen year because if you mess up its going to be really hard to play catch up. Freshmen year is a new and exciting experience, but be sure not to let yourself go or else you'll end up being a party addict and a chance that you might end up regretting something one day.

Never settle for anything less than what you want, make sure you can afford your education and that if you need loans to know the plan you wish to follow. Once you are in school, never settle for anything, strive for more, and always try and get the best grades possible. Once you begin to settle for less, you will slip, and it's a hard climb back out of that.

Finding the right college can be an exciting experience especially when you find the college just for you. Its important to recognize the environment in which you learn best and try to locate a college that embodies that environment. Factors to consider are the size of the campus, student to teacher ratios, available financial aid, and cost of tuition. Colleges that offer a variety of on and off campus recreational activities help to relieve the stress of academics. Meet with academic counselors of your top college choices BEFORE you choose the college; they should influence your decision substantially because thier advice will help direct your path as a student , thus necesssary for your success.

Make sure you know enough about the school before you go there. Also, don't decide based on your boyfriend or girlfriend's location.

My advice to parents, would be to allow your child the right to pick his or her on school. These are times in their lifes that they want to be grown; and better yet they are times in which your child will become an adult. The decisions they make now in there life will last them forever; the main thing is that they are going to college. As for my advice for the students; students should base their decsion on three factors. First, they should most importantly base their decsion on which school to attended based on the availablity of the degree programs that they wish to pursue. Secondly, the decion should not be based on who has the best football team, or which college has the best party life. Thirdly, their decsion should be based on weather they want to live at home, or step out on their own and go away for school. However, the most important thing to remeber for both the parents and the students is that, you do attend school and make an effort to better your life for yourself and the rest of your society.

I would tell sudents to make sure there focused and commited to learning. I would also tell them they need to know how to discipline themselves and balance school with personal life. For parents, I would tell them to not to be too clingy as they enter college. Let there child experience college.

Make sure to study your college before you go and take lots of notes in classes. College is alot more independant than high school so you have to take it on yourself to do the best you can!

First of all, students should choose a school that they feel comfortable at. If the atmosphere isn't right, they won't feel at home there. Secondly, they should pick a school well known for their intended major or interests. Don't just settle for the school that's closest to home or that has your favorite football team- pick one that you know you'd get a great education at. Pick a well known school that can help "get your foot in the door" for finding a job post- college. Make the most of college in a way that YOU feel works for you. Don't feel pressured to join a Greek organization or sports team if that's not what you want to do. There are many activites outside of classes and everyone is sure to find something they'll enjoy. Don't join in just because you're friends want you to- do what's right for YOU! Lastly, don't forget that college is about your education. Be smart with you decisions and think about your future before you decide to go out partying and make mistakes. Don't forget to have fun, though!

Students should follow their minds and family needs to support it no matter what

Finding the right college is like trying on a new pair of pants. Sometimes you know right away that they do not fit. Other times they just need to be broken in, but then they become your favorite pair. College is the same way. It might be love at first sight, the moment you walk on the campus you know that this is the place. It might take a semester before you realize how great the place you chose really is. Two pieces of advice are if you go with your gut feeling chances are you will do just fine. Secondly don't be afraid to visit as many colleges as you feel nessasary. Also don't be afraid to transfer if you don't get it right the first time. Thousands of students don't finish college where they started it. If the pants don't fit then go and try on a new pair. Lastly, get involved with the campus activities its the best way to meet people and see if you and the college you chose is a good fit.

Just look everwhere don't limit yourself. Enjoy everything there is to do at yor college. Join different programs, step outside the box for a moment.

Finding the right college depends on what you as a student want to do in life and not what friends force you to do. And parents, you should look for an university that has a great campus where your child will be safe and you will not have to worry.

To find the right college, the student needs to consider if they will be proud to say that they are from 'x' university. When there is a glut of degree holders, it becomes imperative that a person be able to show that they did well at a competitive school. Making sure that the college is accredited, ranked highly in the student's field of interest, and has a high rate of success in seeing their students employed is critical; especially when the mechanization and globalization of the workplace along with the glut of educated workers makes it harder to be employed. Finding a college that offers plenty of social, community-service, and job/research/internship opportunities will help the student become invested in that college as well as help their resume at the same time. A college that offers a plethora of opportunities gives the students a better chance at discovering themselves and what occupation they want as well. To make the most of the college experience, a person needs to do well in their classes so that they have the ability to have stress-free fun outside of class. Taking advantage of the student life opportunities is also crucial.

You should attend an orientation to see what campus life is like there. You should research what schools are really known for the field that you are interested in for a career. You should also look at available scholarships, financial aid available, and the extracurricular activites available.

My best advice to students would be to not be scared of not knowing their passions. Not knowing what one wants to do for the rest of his or her life is not rare. Afterall, choosing any path in life is a big decision that requires much thought. College is just another place to explore and discover new talents and opportunities. However, remember, that even though for some students their majors may not pertain to anything they do in the future, for many students, the knowledge and degree they earn from college are often the foundation of their future careers. So be sure to stick with fields of interest. As for parents, my best advice would be to not try to override their children's opinions and choices. Guide their children, but should ideas clash, allow their children to follow their passions and make their own dreams come true - just support and encourage them, because even though ideas of a successful future may not correspond, the kids want to make the parents proud, too.