University of California-Los Angeles Top Questions

study hard.

Choose what is right for you, the student. Do not give in to parental pressure. When you choose the college, make sure it is what you want, not what your parents expect of you.

First of all, I believe that parents shouldn't impose their own decisions on their children. Students have to decide for themselves on where they want to go, because they are the ones who will be attending the college for the next four years, not the parent. Aside from that, I think the most important advice is to actually go and visit the schools and ask as many questions as possible to get the feel for it. Students need to be able to see the campus firsthand and decide if the environment is right for them. They have to be able to see if it feels right--if they fit in--otherwise, they'll be miserable. To make the most out of college, students have to get out of their comfort zone and try as many new things as possible. College is a time to experiment and grow, and broadening your horizons is the way to go. These experiences will shape the rest of your life, because afterwards you're expected to jump into a career. Make the most of it while you can, and have as much fun as possible because you can only do it once.

Attend a place that will enrich you and take you out of your comfort zone. The people that succeed are the ones that put in the extra effort and time in the present so that they may have more options in the future.

My advice to parents would be to empower their children with as many tools for researching and exploring all of the different options there are for college and, as hard as it may be, to take the passenger seat during this critical time in one's education. It it important for prospectives college students to learn how to be proactive and take matters of life into their own hands. However, I do feel that parent involvement in the process is very important, because parents certainly do know a lot about different schools, and every student's situation regarding finances and other family matters is different. Too much pressure from parents to go somewhere specific will significanly reduce their student's experience; the majority of people I know who faced such pressures at home are usually the most depressed about their majors and social lives, and are resentful towards their parents. The most successful students are the ones that discover their passions on their own since they have the inner drive to do the most good and don't feel forced from the outside to live up to unrealistic expectations.

Definitely visit the campuses and interact with the students there as much as you can to get an idea of what it is like. Remember to take into consideration the surrounding areas, and the available housing. Also, the weather. If you hate snow, don't go to school in the midwest, for example. As for making the most out of your experience, try new things and don't be afraid to explore different areas of interest. Also, don't worry about "making the most" out of college. You'll do that naturally! There's nothing to gain from feeling "guilty" that you're not "experiencing" everything. Just do what makes you happy. Go where you think you'll be happy. That's the most important thing. College is a time to discover who you are and to grow as a person.

Definitely visit the campus and see if it feels right. When I visited UCLA I just knew that it was the place for me. Take into account academics and what you want to do after college. Pick a college that has a good program in the field that you're interested in. Also, try to get a feel for what kinds of students go to that college and whether or not it's a good match for you.

Visit the place and talk to disgruntled students.

Make sure to visit the campus and really get to experience the evironment of the campus. Although academics are very important to choosing a college, the environment, the people, and the opportunities really make a college career a great, life-long experience.

Make sure you know what you are looking for. Is the location right? Do you want a big school or a small school? What kind of a course load are you prepared to take on? And once you're there, use the resources provided. Make study groups, use the library, go to the types of parties you're comfortable with, make friends, be social, study, do well.