University of Arizona Top Questions

The advice that I would give students and parents on choosing the right college would be to do what YOU want. Personally, I know a lot of students who chose a certain school for their boyfriend or girlfriend or best friend, and winded up being miserable at that school because it wasn't what they wanted. Parents are also big influences on high school students to attend an ivy league school, or a university they attended; however students should research schools of their personal academic goals. Whether the student in question wants a school for the academics in sciences, the social aspect, the Greek families or sports, the student should decide. College is one of the best times of a person's life and that person should be in control of that. One would hope that a student would choose a college for the strong academics, but everyone has their unique goal for their college career. Students should go with their gut instinct on the college of their choice, and not be afraid to beat their own drum.

The first advice I would like to give is to the parents in choosing the right college. Parents, almost 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the time know there child best. So after your child is finished with high school and is heading off to college, if that parent does not think there child is ready to go off to school by the behaviors they might display at home, enroll them into a college nearby home until they are able to mature into responsible adults. I think that is most important. You don't want your child getting to college and wasting your money because of the same irresponsible behavior patterns they were displaying at home, or putting themselves in any kind of danger. Predator's look for people who are irresponsible, not aware of there surroundings and so forth. Now for the college experience, parents could encourage there child to not overwhelm themselves with too many classes, all the school clubs, and a job. Make sure your child is pretty much comfortable with there schedule so they are bound to succeed. A little discomfort is okay, because your a different educational level, but ENJOY YOURSELF.

First off look everywhere, you never know where you will end up. Really pay attention during campus tours not just of the school but of the town the school is in. You don't realize until you are at school but how much the college experience will change your life. Don't be scarred to get involved once you do get to school, you will meet so many amazing people. Have fun, you are only young once; college really is the time of your life. But, above all else, remember that you came to college to learn so study hard, and use all resources that will help you. Four years go by quicker than you could ever imagine so don't waste a minute in or out of the classroom.

Take the time to research the school to be sure it provides the very best of what the student is after. Never let money be a factor, there are ways to get finacial help, put the value of the education first. Once a student is in school it is key to know the limits of activity that could distract from studing, if it means no job and focus on school, do it. It will be worth it in the end, good grades equal better job and better education. Stay away from too many social activities, but stay involved with the community. Get a support group of friends and family even professors and advisors. Above all study what you like, take the time and work for your dreams, in the end it is worth every minute of it.

I think it depends on what their career is. I picked Uof A because I want to be a doctor and they have the best to offer. Doing things on campus meeting new people at the University. Doing as much as you can; taking different kinds of classes availale to you.

Known exactly what degree you want, choose the school that will best fit towards your/or your child's best degree. Think of a degree that you could get a job with right after you get college. A means to an end, rather than just a degree, or slip of paper.

Don't be pressured into going to a school that does not interest you...even if it was a school that your parents went to or if your friends want to go there. Following your friends to college can get you to an art school when your real passion is law. From my own personal experience, my parents expect me to find a career that makes money fast with less schooling. I am minoring in a public health thematics so that I can pursue my dream to become a doctor. If I were to obey my parents' wishes, the classes that would be required would bore me to death. Now I am taking chemistry based courses with many interesting lab work and I couldn't be happier with my education.

When comes to college and secondary schooling it can become stressfull for families at times. It's hard to pay for schooling completely on you own which makes filling out for scholarships a must. Students are also under stress form filling out different applications to different schools and making sure their senior year is sill being handled correctly with grades and their social life. I would recommend for students to just go at their on pace and know everything will fall into place. Just make sure you keep up with scholarships and be a frequent visitor to the high school advisor's office to keep up with new scholarships that have been posted. Focus on your grades your senior year and don't buy into the rumor that college's don't look at the last semester grades of your senior year. As for the parents I would recommend for them not to put additional pressure on their kids. They already know they need to apply for scholarships and apply for schools. So don't hound them daily to do it. Be helpful but don't be too pushy and don't try and influence your kids into picking schools.

Choosing the right college can be very stressful on the family. One important aspect is to not base your college decision on others. Don't convince yourself that going to a particular school is right for you just because your best friend said that's the school for him/her. Be sure to visit the campus and get a feel of college life before you actually make any decisions because the image you make have of this school may not actually be true after you go and visit. Imagine yourself living, studying, and growing up on that particular campus because you are going to want to make the best of the next four years. Be your own person and don't let others influence your decisions once college starts because you can easily get tempted into a lot of things and not succeed like you want to. As for the parents, make sure you are comfortable with where your child goes, but don't pressure them into going to the school you want. Let them make their own memories at a school of their choice and not where you spent your four years. College is worth it, enjoy it!

I think the key to finding the right college is knowing yourself, or at least having in mind who you want to be in 4 years. If you want to be well-informed and feel like you have a solid education, then choose a school that is acclaimed for its academic success. If you want to be exposed to art and culture, then choose a school that is based on the performing arts. And if you want to be able to network and have a core group of friends that will last throughout your life, then choose a school whose social life is legendary. Of course, deciding the location is also important, whether you want to live at home or away, in snow or desert, or even in a small town or a metropolis. But, keep in mind that no matter where you go, there is always a little bit of whoever you are in each school, and if you do not get your first choice, make the most out of what you are given and become the person you always wanted to be.