University of California-Merced Top Questions

When looking for a college, don't choose it because you have to choose it. Choose a school that you want to go to. If you want to go out of state, go out of state! If you want a party school, although I may disagree, go to a party school! Look at the location, costs, and what the school has to offer you. That all makes a difference and can make/break a student at his/her school. Good luck!

Be proud no matter where you end up! Even if it's not your first choice, your school chose you and you should be proud to have earned a place. It's the degree that matters, not the university name on it. It's important to get involved on campus. This does not necessarily mean you need to join a club or a fraternity or sorority. Campus employment, such as tutoring or dinning services, will also help you meet new people and feel involved in the campus community. Don't be afraid to go to professor's office hours! I know it can be intimidating to seek help from your professors, but they want to give it to you and you'll be able to make a persional connection with them. Remember to get off campus! Explore the community around you, take day trips to other cities or parks. There's a lot to experience and college is the pefect time to explore.

For those students who know exactly what they want. I highly recommend researching what that college has to offer them in regards to that goal. LIke internships, research oppurtunities, favorable classes, etc... In addition, I feel that it is really important that students have a decent social like/ fun destressing time. At times, it is nessessary to go out on the town and destress after a midterm. Make sure there are outlets for this type of enjoyement so students won't get bored and resort to illegal things such as underage drinking.

Understand that very few people who give college their all regret their college decision. College is what you make it, regardless of the campus. Cheers and good luck!

Parents should really be invested in helping their students get to college. This is one of the most important decisions students will make as young adults and there is so much you can to do to prepare your child for this next step in their life. Academic preparation is key. There should be no summer or break where you are not studying or taking a college class during high school to prepare yourself for college. Many high schools simply are not preparing students for college and besides there are so many scholarships out there to help pay for community college classes. It really provides an additional incentive for colleges to accept you and offer you more money if you are already very competive. You must take an SAT/ACT course before you take the test. This score will follow you for probably the rest of your life. Take the test seriously. Lastly, parents must understand that while they must play a role in the college decision process, this should be the students decision afterall they are the one that must attend this school and their happiness is paramount!

Find a school that has the desired major, is inviting to the incoming student, can sustain and grow the incoming student, is competative yet not cut-throat, is close to town, has an open feel to it but isn't too big, and is in a town that has a good variety of wholesome activities. Good advice, take harder classes in high school. If you can decide to go the "UC Route", the more preparation the better. It will make the transition smoother. Also deciding a major before enrolling helps too, in order to get ahead academically. Teaching self-sufficiency before leaving home. Sports or music programs added to homework helps train for higher stress, because there is no doubt students will have it, it just depends if they are prepared and can handle the increase in stress. In general, learn all the material presented to you in high school, as best as you can. When taking math courses, either AP or off-campus at a community college, don't take a semester off. You will forget the material. Otherwise, stay positive as much as possible, work hard, be involved, and have fun.

Finding the right college takes a lot of effort and a lot of thought. Two top reasons students do not attend their dream school is location and cost of attendance. However, factors such as these should not stop a person from taking advantage of opportunities. Being away from home can be the toughest part of college. There were days when I even wanted to drop out and go back. However, I know that being away from home has helped make the best of my college experience. When choosing a college or university, do not allow the obstacles you will face affect your decision. Second, many students base their decision due to their family?s economic status. Turning down a school because ?It?s too expensive? is the worst mistake a student can make. Declining a campus for that reason closes many doors of opportunities. Everyone needs to remember that with great effort anything is possible. The help truly is out there and it is one?s responsibility to seek it. We miss one hundred percent of the shots we don?t take. Aim high and reach beyond what you see.