University of California-Irvine Top Questions

Visit the campuses of the colleges you are considering and talk to students who are already there to find out what life on the campus is really like. Even if you live relatively close, you should still dorm the first year if at all possible. You make friends that you will be with for the rest of college, if not life. Commuters have a hard time meeting people and making friends. Dorms may be a distraction, but they also provide you with a lot of people in your classes to study with. Look at the area around the campus to find out what activities there are. Much of what you can do with your friends is decided by the surrounding area, because not a lot of people have cars and those that do don't always want to drive a long way. Always try to be friendly and talk to people no matter what they may look like, because you don't know what they are really like as a person. You'll make a lot more friends that way.

Parents: Remember even if the school is great that doesn't gaurantee and internship, or a good job. All schools are the same they all have libraries, teachers etc. What matters most is where your son/daughter wants to be (for reasonable reasons) when they're happy, they'll be able to operate better. This also goes for a major, this is THEIR life, (art major? that can = museum restoration artist). This is when we leave home (sorry) so reminder: the more you covet us the farther we will run, try to see your son/ daughter as an adult and treat them like one (mom DON'T do their laundry!!!). Students: Keep your head, college is fun but its not so fun if you flunk out cuz you didn't realize how much work is covered in those days that you ditched. try to time manage and you'll have a great time. Try to put yourself out there and be open to new ideas and people, having a narrow mind set will land you in a corner...by yourself. People at college usually have zero tolerance for any racial or discriminatory slurs, leave ur dirty shoes at the door.

I would tell all students to take a trip and look at the campus, you will know right away if the campus is right for you. Make smart choices when applying for college, if you don't like snow, don't go somewhere it snows. Find a school that will challenge you academically and that is known for having a strong program for the major you are declaring. If you don't quite know what you want to do with your life yet, then go to a community college first and take fun classes and have fun for a year while figuring it all out. Once you know go to a school that excels in your chosen field, all of the hard work will be worth it in the end.

Make sure to actually visit the campus and take a look at the people who go to that college. Ask yourself, do those people look like my child, or who I want my child to become? I know that I, as a person, have changed drastically since I have come to college, and UCI has helped me make that change for the better. Make sure to take all aspects of college life into account, not just academic. Will it be fun? Your son or daughter is about to spend four of the best years of his/her life there. It should be enjoyable. On the flip side, make sure that the they will actually learn something as well. Take a look at the surrounding companies. Will there be god jobs there after graduation or will they have to move to find work? Most of all, be supportive of your child's choice. It's his/her life, after all.

The UC system is the best.

I don't think you can really tell how your college life will be like from looking at the school. It often times depends on what you get involved in when you get into college, and you should definitely get involved, but i highly recommend visiting the school and exploring the area around it also. Go up to a current student at that school and talk to them about how much they like it there. Talk to an enthusiastic counselor Try going into a big lecture hall and see if you like it; some people don't like big classrooms so this may not be right for you. But all in all, choose the school that feels right to you, not to your parents or your friends; follow your own heart and instincts and you should be happy.

Apply to a college that you can walk away with a 4 year degree. Many colleges don't make transfering easy.

Colleges around the country are all generally the same. You pay money to attend a class taught by a research professor, get good enough grades to pass, then receive your diploma in the mail. Choosing the right college is not just about statistics or great job placement, it is also where you will feel the most at home. Too many students experience burn out from high school or after college so pick the college that fits your personality and daily needs the best, and get active on campus. Pick the school where your investment won't go to waste. When you feel comfortable, you will excel, naturally. Oh and of course, don't procrastinate!

Have fun is essential to being successful in college. All science and no philosophy makes for a very poor experience. Being well prepared is key. As we know chance favors the prepared mind, so it is necessary to plan according. One of the most important things that I have learned thus far is that sometimes you must take things in stride because, things will not always go your way. It is important to stay positive and embrace change. Those who remain static will not thrive in a college environment. College is a time for a person to explore new things and meet new people. Many people focus on what they learn in class, however, there is so much more to school than learning about what is in a text book. To make the most of your college experience you must go beyond just books and lectures. Some of the most important things you learn in college will be about who you are as a person. To be sucessful in college you must go into it with an open mind and realize that learning comes in many shapes and forms. Navigate college with this in mind and you will be successful.!

The first bit of advice I would say is to actually check out the campus before choosing. Most people seem to have a gut feeling about a place once they've arrived. If you don't see yourself making a home there, then it's not for you, simple as that. A school with many different major choices is also ideal as most people seem to change their mind about what they want out of the college experience. If they school has endless possibilities, so do you. Also, to make the very best of your time at college you should get involved either with sports or clubs or the greek system. For the first 2 years of my college experience I did not participate in anything and I thought that I hated college. I was however extremely wrong. I came back for my Junior year and decided to trun over a new leaf. I rushed a sorority and joined 2 clubs. Now, I don't ever want to leave! I've made friends that I'll have for life and made memories I'll cherish forever. There is no right and wrong answer here, just follow your heart.

It really doesnt matter too much where you go (unless you really know what you want to do) because college is what you make of it. If you want to learn and succede, you will.

I would visit the campus during school session to really see what life is like on that campus.

Finding the right college depends on many personal factors, such as your career choice. A major distinction between schools is that the career outlook after college is either a professional or normal career. If you know you want to be a professional, you should choose a school that is research-based. However, if you want to be something such as a teacher or accountant, I suggest a school that is career-based. I want to be a teacher; I should have gone to a career-based university. People told me not to choose my school based on prestigiousness, but I did it anyway, and am now working harder to keep up with those around me who strive to become doctors, engineers and lawyers. College is about meeting new people and doing new things. The more you put into extracurricular activities, the more you will make out of your college experience. The more clubs and organizations you join, the more you interact with others. I think that involvement in extracurricular activities creates opportunities to meet so many new people who you would never meet if you just depend on meeting people in classes. Get out there and be involved!

I still don't know anything about most colleges. What it's really like to go somewhere is pretty inaccessible. Talking to people who go there is probably the best approach, but everyone has a different perspective, especially at a school where there's a strong division between sciences and humanities, so you should really talk to a lot of people. Making sure you're somewhere with a lot of options is probably a good idea, because you never know if you'll want to change your major later.

Go with the school that you really want, disrefarding any obsticals!

Students and parents both should definately check out what each potential school has to offer for the student. Prospective students should also make sure that their potential college offers classes, clubs, job opportunities, etc. that will ultimately help the student in achieving his/her career goal. College is an expensive investment, and therefore students must be sure that they are comfortable with the campus, community, courses, and other students before making the commitment of attending that school.

visit the campus. talk to current students about their impressions before and after attending the school

Try not to think too much about the career or future of the student, unless they have their mind completely set, because chances are they're going to change their minds in school. Research the average housing costs and make sure that there are enough agreeable social options. Find out if public transportation is a good option. Dont be discouraged about the high costs; where theres a will theres a way. Try not to dictate the student too much , but give only necessary concerns. Visit the campus to get a feel for what it would be like to attend classes there. Make sure the school offers the classes that the STUDENT is interested in. Make sure that the school's location is agreeable. Dont be afraid to put yourself out there. Your college experience is truely what you make of it. Get out there and live.

For parents and students finding the right college: Always go somewhere you think you will thrive (for example- You want to study biology, find a school that caters to your academic needs). I also feel that students who would like to stay close to home should find a campus that is around an hour away from their homes (if possible). It is really hard for people to adjust when they are accustomed to living at home and if they are family oriented. College is where you want to grow as a person and want to learn how to be independent. But in order to do that you have to feel comfortable with where you live and where you study. Also do not feel pressured to join a sorority or fraternity because you want to "fit" in. College is totally different from high school. Be yourself and find friends who love you for who you are and not what you pretend to be. Be true to yourself and the people around you, then you'll find friends that will last even past college (lifetime friends). Enjoy life and don't stress too much. Although grades are important, life experiences build character.

Realize that as a 17-year-old high school graduate, you probably don't have a clear idea of what path you want to take in life, so don't be afraid of the stigma associated with Junior Colleges as an option to give you some time to figure yourself out. Four-year-universities cost a lot of money, so unless you are completely determined on your path when you enter, you probably shouldn't make the investment just yet.