University of California-Irvine Top Questions

Ask students who go there.

In order to select a college that will best serve your interests, you need to first identify your overall academic and career goal for yourself. Spend time reflecting what subject most interests you, and realistically what you feel you can handle in order to be successful. Once you have identified an area of interest, find a school that will offer you the very best program and opportunity to grow in your affinity for that subject matter. Be sure to consider all aspects of the campus, the finances, the location, the demographics, etc. It is extremely helpful to meet with counselors at the school you are interested in, and perhaps seek out an older student and get a personal account of the school. Don't waste time applying to big named schools that do not offer you what you what you need to be successful. Take into consideration the size of the school, depending on your personal preference. Once you arrive to college, set aside ample time to study but be sure to get involved with groups and clubs that are applicable to your academic goal. Networking is an essential component of your success in life. Best of luck!

Picking the right college was one of the most difficult things I have had to do. I would advice prospective students and parents to choose colleges based on location and quality. I have enjoyed staying somewhat close to home. My family?s frequent visits are very important to me. Extra curricular activities and majors should be considered as well. Some colleges offer more classes on specific subjects and I have been blessed to be able to attend a college that is able to satisfy every requirement of my major from basic classes to internships and future careers. The school?s environment is very important. The beautiful peaceful scenery makes the walk to class enjoyable and somewhat relaxing. The aura every college gives off varies for different people. Depending on what the perspective student enjoys the most, some colleges may seem more suitable than others. No matter which college they end up in, as long as they keep an open mind and a focused mind set, they will be able to find the joys of college and succeed in what ever they wish to pursue.

Research, research, research is key! Try looking for a school that has the program you want to major in. If your major is not found at the top prestige school that everyone is talking about then you might want to look at other schools. Check out the program! Some schools are known for their outstanding programs. Once you know where you want to go, check out the college. Ask for a college tour. This can alleviate parents' worries of the campus being unsafe as well as its surroundings. Saving money is also key. If you can take general education classes at a community college that transfers over to a State or University college, take the class. It will be cheaper and will save you money and time. Sign up for scholarships and financial aid to alleviate the cost of fees that you will have to pay. Look for on-campus work study, but don't overload yourself with studying, working, and classes. One last thing...mistakes will happen, so learn from them.

That listening to others is the best way to find out who and what you are, and what you want to do with your life. By listening to others talk about their goals, their dreams, and their academic desires, one finds out more about the possibilities of the world than through any other way. Listen to financial aid advisors. Listen to graduates and to current students. Listen to activists and people from marginalized communities. Listen to the power brokers inside and outside the university. Then ask questions. Ask the logistical questions, yes; but also ask about the cultural, political, philosophical, and scientific spirit of the campus: Do the students engage in activism for a better world, or at least a better community? Does the university function as a public servant or a private enterprise? Are the rights of the LGBTQ community respected? Do Native Americans have equal access here? Ask about loans and debt and dorms, but also ask--question--about the university's knowledge production: Is this a place where I, as an entereing sudent, can absord, produce, and disseminate new knowledge? Or I am, the student, simply an automaton? Listen. Then ask your questions.

I would advise students to cut down their work load, take longer to graduate, and get involved in extracurricular activities and volunteering. It is extremely important, especially when applying for graduate studies, to have atleast a couple of experiences on your resume to make you stand out. Also, use the career services, attend workshops and utilize the carreer counselors. As far as finding the right college, do research. Go to the campuses and talk to students. Ask questions.

Let the person attending college choose the college, allow them to make mistakes, learn, have fun.

i'm a senior in high school, go to college campuses

Don't be afraid to go far from home but don't be afraid to stay close by either. Go with what feels right. And try to make the best of your time in college. It's ok to miss home, but it's ok to go out and meet new people too!

Make sure you get off to a great start with good study habits! Use all of the tutoring resources available from the very start, instead of when they become a necessity.

When looking for a college to attend, I suggest taking a tour of the campus and picturing yourself there. Imagine yourself walking through the halls, living in those dorms, hanging with friends around different parts of the campus, and if possible, stop by one of the classrooms or lecture halls and see how you like it. Once you do find the right school, make sure you get your financial aid paper work done and figure out the costs of attending that school. Money should never be a reason for someone not to attend a school they really love. By getting that done first, you'll have more time and options to find ways of paying for school. Once that is done, you can start focusing on getting classes picked out, finding clubs, organizations, or sports to join or meeting really cool people that will help you enjoy your time there. The best thing about college is the indepedence and freedom. College is all about you and what you make of it, so don't hold back and get yourself out there because it's ultimately up to you to make the most out of your college experience.

In order to choose the right college you need to choose what is right for you. For instance, I am a very relaxed and studious person. I love Irvine because it is a very relaxed city. It is the safest city in the nation and it is ideal for me because there are not to many distractions here to keep you from studying. Other individuals however might like to go out at night and have a drink or two. These individuals might enjoy a city that is more like Los Angeles. Where the city never sleeps. In order to make the most out of your college experience I would say to join clubs and meet new people. I believe that what I have learned most in college is not from the class rooms but from the people I have met. Through meeting new people you learn about new cultures and new ideas. It is very excited to learn about these new things.

I think it's important to follow your heart and not to go for the college that is ranked the highest or has the most prestige associated with it. At my school most of the students would have rather been at UCLA or UCSD and they are only here because they didn't get into their first choice school. I think there is more school spirit at a school that isn't so accademically competitive but where the kids just want to get their degree and have the college experience like at San Diego State. I think having fun and enjoying yourself through the process is as important as the education you graduate with. Some of the most influential people on the planet didn't attend top colleges or didn't attend college at all.

School is what you make of it. Preforming academically is very important, however, one must understand that college is about finding yourself. In order to maximize the experience you must enjoy yourself otherwise the experience will seem tainted.

Tour other campuses out there to find what you enjoy

Find a college that fits into who you want to be when in the future. Be career-oriented, but also leave room to explore new things.

I definitely would recommend actually visiting a few college campuses you are considering, if you are able to. If not, there are many colleges that have virtual tours you can take, instead of visiting the campuses. I would also suggest looking at websites, such as fastweb.com or careerlocker.com, where you can find colleges that would fit your intented major. When in college, I would recommend joining clubs. The people there are so friendly and it is a good way of meeting other students who have the same interest as you do. College is a time for you to experiment and try new things, so try stepping out of your comfort zone and try something different, you may actually enjoy yourself.

If you know what you want to do with your life then choose a college which offers the best program for the particular field you are interested in. If not, which is most likely the case, then don't sweat if you don't get into the number one school. Just know that its not just the school, but how you perform while in school that will help you reach your goals. Just stay focused from the and USE all the resources available...like mentors, counselors, tutoring services. The best thing you can do for yourself is to adjust quickly...the longer you drag it out, the more mistakes you make. If you stay on track and find the right pace for yourself you will also have plently of time to enjoy and party. Good luck!

To parents: even if you don't necessarily agree with your daughter/son's choice in major/career, I think you should still support them in their choice. Ultimately, you want them to be happy and succeed, so what they need from you is your unwavering support. To students: Don't procrastinate, take advantage of all the opportunities at your school and beyond, always be open minded, and remember that effort/initiative makes all the difference. And remember to have fun!

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