University of California-Santa Barbara Top Questions

College most likely will be a bit scary and overwhelming for both students and parents, at least initially. Have no fear though, you will look back when you are done and wonder where the time went and probably wish you had a little more. Parents, the nest will be empty and your kids will not need you like they once did, except for your wallet ; that they may need for a while! Trust them to make their own decisions and give them guidance when needed. Students, you may be homesick and nervous and the whole process of meeting new people and making new friends is always awkward but within a few weeks of freshman year, you will begin to form good friendships. On a big campus, there are so many people you are sure to find people you click with. On a small campus you really get to know your classmates. Know yourself as best you can so you know which type of school and location is best for you. Enjoy your independence, but be smart with it. Most importantly, don't stress, don't be nervous because in the end, I promise, college is way better than high school.

it doesn't have to be the most prestigious college that you get the best education, it's what you want in a college and your strong will.

I would advise parents and students to visit the college campuses you are considering and look at which one you feel the most comfortable in. I was to choose between UC Berkely and UC Santa Barbara. I visited both campuses and felt the most comfortable with UC Santa Barbara because everyone seemed extremely social and intellectual at the same time. I felt at Berkely it was more of a commuter campus and I lingered for a strong community which I saw at UC Santa Barbara. It is important to put aside prestige and look at what campus you personally feel you will be able to be the most comfortable. Because an environment that you feel you are comfortable in is an environment where you can flourish and grow into a successful human being. After all, you will be attending that school for four years and it is important to choose a school you will thrive and be happy in.

Take it easy. It's not a life or death situation. If it's not what you wanted, then just try again. you'll find your niche.

To the parents, my advice would be to let your children decide for themselves what college they want to attend. They're the ones who are going to be attending the school so it should be their decision alone. To the students, choose wisely. Visit various campuses, talk to active students there, and get a feel for the atmosphere of the school. The school you select is probably where you're going to be spending the next 4 years of your life in. College is where a lot of people go through maturity into adulthood. Don't be trapped in a school that you hate and transfer if you must. Once in school, branch out of your comfort zone. Meet people you normally wouldn't meet because one can learn a valuable lesson from every interaction. Appreciate your professors. They know what they're talking about. College is designed to expand one's mind. Be open to different interpretations of life and appreciate those that you find truth in. Find meaning in your own life and strive to take all that you've learned in school to make a difference in your life and the lives of others.

The college that I currently attend was not my first choice, or my second or my fifth for that matter. My college counselor suggested I apply here and I did. When I came to visit I knew I had found my school. It wasn't the school I had planned on going to all through out high school but I love it here. So my advice is go wherever you feel comfortable. It doesn't matter if it's a big name school or all of your friends are going some place else. When you find the right college its like finding the perfect purse or pair of shoes. It's just the right size and it fits perfectly with all your outfits. That's how college should feel, like you found your second home.

Go with your heart. Don't make a decision based on anyone but yourself.

Sometimes your first choice isn't always the best fit. You never know what'll happen.

If I could offer future college students any advice in selecting their college and making the most of it, I would tell them: do your research. Visit the school more than once, talk to students who have attended/ are attending the school, check out the community you will be living in after your first year. Get a feel for the REAL campus; not just what the Princeton Review tells you or what the school publishes in their flyers. Your next 4 or 5 years will be spent at this place; don't go into it blind. Furthermore, when you do make your choice, be active in making it the best experience possible. Manage your time wisely. If you get your work done first, your can enjoy your free time while your friends panic because they procrastinated. As a college student you are one of the lucky ones who has a few years to postpone the real world. Don't fall into the trap of majoring in something simply because it will pay well in the future. Take risks, study something you love, and, most importantly, enjoy every moment. This is your first venture in independence. Make the most of it.

Parents should always encourage their children to pursue a higher education after high school. Parents and students should visit as many college campuses as they can together to try and find the campus environment that is best suited for the student. Choosing the right college would involve this as well as a college that offers the academic courses and programs that will benefit the student's overall career goal. Students should apply to their preffered colleges but also have backups that will work for them as well. After finding the right college, parents should allow the students to make the most out of their college experience by guiding them to be more independent. Parents should have good communication but allow the students to have the freedom to make their own decisions.

Visit the school first!

Students should choose their college based on their personal interests, not those of their parents. Students should take into consideration the environment surrounding the campus, in case the social activities of the campus collide with their academic pursuits. A professor once told his class that what someone takes away from the college experience is not what can be learned in lecture. The best way to make the most of the college experience is to get involved. Many campuses have many kinds of programs suited for people with all kinds of interests. Joining clubs, forming study groups, and talking to instructors are excellent ways to get involved with the campus, as well as getting the most out of your education. For parents, understand that you cannot live vicariously through your children. This is their time to learn about themselves and develop their own identity. Support them always.

The best advice I would give students and their parents is that if thier student (or the student themselves) didn't get into their dream school, it's not the end of the world. They should realize that sometimes things are not meant to be and look at the schools that did accept them and wanted them to become part of their student body. They should also focus on finding a school that will bring them the greatest joy to attend. I wasn't so pleased with attending UCSB but once I visited the campus I fell in love with the atmosphere. It was an undeniable energy the students and everyone on campuse possed that it was impossible to ignore. Everyone was very relax,(perhaps because it was spring/summer time) but the vibe was beautiful. Students should definetly check out the school they are planning to attend before they agree because feeling the vibe and feeling that sense of belonging will be a very wonderful experience. Once you feel like at home at your new school you know you have made the right decision and make the most out of the next 4 years of their life.

My dad always said that when it comes to college, there is a place for everyone. I remembered this when applying to schools, in hopes not of getting into the best school possible, but the one where i would fit most and ultimately be most happy. While my friends stressed over applications to Stanford, Princeton and Harvard, I already knew that I wouldn't want to go to any of those schools. I focused on the schools that met my own personal wants and needs, and ended up picking the school that fit me most. I can't describe how happy I am today that I went with my own gut instinct and chose my favorite school out of those that I was accepted to to attend. I now understand why they say that college is the best four years of your life. Everyone should be given the chance to have the best four years of their life, and it all starts with finding the place where you fit best.

always visit the colleges you are applying to. it is about feeling at home where you go to school. also get involved, whether it is sports, a job or a sorority. it helps to make friends when you stay involved in activities you are interested it.

Selecting a college can be an overwhelming experience for students and their parents alike. I feel that the most important step in selecting a college is doing research. Find out if the courses and majors offered are relevant to your goals. Look into clubs, sports, and the social life and decide if you can picture yourself fitting in. Visit the campus and imagine yourself studying in the library, or living in the dorms. Also, talking to current students is extremely important because they can give you a more realistic idea of the typical campus life. It would also help to visit the campus during a school day to watch the students as they go to their classes. Sitting in on a lecture or even talking to a few professors would also be a great way to help make a decision. The best way to decide which campus fits you best is to immerse yourself into the university. Whichever college you choose, remember to work hard but also make time to have fun. Making time to free your mind and relax every once in a while will make your college experience much more enjoyable.

Make sure and research rent prices in the area, and jobs available.

Choosing the right college is tough, not because there is just one out there for each person but because it is hard to recognize the right reasons for choosing a certain college. As hard as it may be, it is important not to let pettiness impact your decision. For example, prestige is not a measure of a college's worth and it is definitely not an accurate measure of how well it will fit you. Once you get there and start working, you'll realize that the playing field is totally different than it was in high school no matter where you go because everyone has the same goals. Competition takes on a new form in college: it is no longer about GPA, but rather what you choose to do with your intellect. College is about learning who you are through trying things you never thought you could. So, pick a place that seems inviting but at the same time full of people and activities that you aren't already accustomed to. The most memorable college experiences are ones in which you went out on a limb and found something out about yourself that you never would have guessed.

College is a once in a lifetime experience for young adults to expand their knowledge and ideas about people and the world, discover hidden passions and learn something new about themselves. In the process of choosing a University, students need to spend time thinking about what they know about themselves and their interests so far and what ideal environment they would be most comfortable and happy in for the next four years. I advise parents to listen to their children when discussing options for Universities and not push them in any way, unless they want them knocking on their door after calling it quits shortly after beginning their first semester. The University that students choose should entirely reflect their desires as they are the ones attending the school anyway. After picking the perfect college for themselves, not their parents, incoming students should enter into the completely new and often scary experience with an open mind. Open-mindedness and an appreciation for diversity, the opportunity to participate in unusual classes and have idiosyncratic professors, and the breadth of knowledge that can be acquired with a little effort drastically impacted my freshman year of college.

In order to select the right university for the student, apply to all the colleges you consider. The more acceptances you are able to choose from, the more likely you will pick one you can succeed at and enjoy. Visit every school you get accepted to and are considering. It's important to experience the place you may spend years of your life, firsthand. Talk to a student at the school, using any resources possible-- if you are not acquainted with anyone affiliated with the school, use tour guides, internet networking, and student employees at the school's offices. They will be able to provide the best feedback. To the parents, you must not pressure your child into somewhere you want them to attend. They will try to please you, but you may be forcing them into the biggest mistake of their life. Most importantly, the student and parents must work together to enjoy the experience of searching for, applying to, and visiting college. This is a huge step for students, and they need a lot of support and encouragement to make the right decision.