University of California-Santa Barbara Top Questions

The most important advice I would give is to choose a University that offers the majors you are interested in, don't chose a University because of prestige, location, etc.

I would tell students to really think about what atmosphere they want to live in before they choose a college. Find out what activities there are to do when your are not in school. Do not make a college decision based on one reason. It has to fit with you socially, location wise, and academically. In order to make the most out of college, you have to be active. Find something to do other than just going to school. Find a job, a club on campus, a sport, an internship or something that gets you involved with people who have simillar beliefs as you do. You will enjoy your college experience the most if you have supportive friends around you to help you succeed. Being busy is good, but make sure you also take time for yourself. Do not be afraid to say no to your friends, they'll understand. Try your best all the time, work hard, enjoy being with your friends, and do not forget about your family. College takes a lot of effort to just balance everything, so manage your time well and you will succeed.

I would ensure that your child is absolutly ready for college, and has personally chosen their field of study. College is not for those who do not want to be there, because they will not fully apreciate such a valuable thing as a higher education. There are plenty of those who do have the drive to learn and truly enjoy being there. Support you child in whatever field they choose so that they do not feel pressured into something that they don't want. Encourage financial responsibility in your child and emotional independence so that they will be better equiped for life in the "real world."

Tour all colleges you are interested in. I thought I knew what college I wanted to come to until I toured UCSB. When you find the college that is right for you, you will just know it because it feels like a home away from home. Also there are so many colleges out there, so make sure to research alot of them because you never know which one has the criteria you are searching for. When you get to college, get involved. Join clubs, go to events, get out and meet people. Everyone is just as nervous as you are and everyone is looking to make new friends.

The most important advice I can give to parents and incoming students is to make sure to go and visit the school, and not just for a day. It is important to see the school during the semester to see how the students interact. It is also good to sit in on a lecture and see if that style of class is good for you. Going to a sporting shows the school spirit and camaraderie of the class. It is also important to see what happens when class is over and night falls, because some people might be uncomfortable on certain campuses regarding the night life. Overall, visiting a campus is the most important thing a prospective student can do.

Tour every campus you apply to. Talk to students and ask them how they feel about the school. Most professors will even allow you to sit in on big lectures to get a feel for everyday life as a student on that campus. Most importantly, follow your heart.

In order to find the perfect college, one must become familiar with his/her options. Location is one of the most important factors. This determines distance from his/her hometown, the lifestyle, and what the weather will be like. Size is also very important. Some people will be much happier in a smaller, more personal setting while others like the feel of a large and bustling institution. Future college students should also assess their ability to compete academically. People can become discouraged in a cutthroat academic environment or find a lack of challenges in a more laid back setting. Students at the right college are eager to learn more as each day passes. The student will know that he/she has chosen the perfect college when they can consciously observe themselves growing intellectually. Although a large amount of time will be spent in class or studying, the real lessons to be learned are ones that the student discovers by becoming more self aware. This happens when a student takes pride in their schoolwork, becomes involved in the college community, and reserves time to reflect upon how they are growing and changing into the person they want to be.

Do not pay attention to rankings when selecting a college - find a fit for you. Talk to a variety of students on campus and find out what they like most about their experience. Explore the area around campus. Keep an open mind, take classes in a variety of subject fields, utilize campus resources, and be social!

take your time. Make a list of all the things you and your parents are looking for in a college education and then research establishments that are similiar to your list. Always check out a school and the specific department that you are interested in, it will help you prepare academically and mentally for the 4 years you have ahead of you. Don't be afraid to ask advisors or fellow students of the university as many questions as you see fit to make you feel comfortable with the place. Most current students are very welcoming to people asking them questions. They have been in that same position and know just how it feels. Be open to meeting new people. Generally the people you meet in the first week of school are people that you will be friends with your entire time at the university. All of those students are going through the same thing, so just be open to meeting them and getting to know others better. Don't be afraid of new situations, embrace them and welcome the challenge. Just remember though, you are mainly there to learn, so don't let the academics slip between the cracks.

It is so crucial to find a campus with extra-curricular opportunities that you are passionate about. You need to be more well rounded than just a stellar intellectual, and you need to make sure the extras are things that bring out the joy in you. Otherwise, you will be less ready for the world, and less satisfied with how you spent four long years in your life. Enjoy!

Buy a bike as soon as possible. You will need it for the next four years! Don't get caught up in the party scene. UCSB offers a great education for your money and if you party too much and not go to class, you end up missing out in the end. Get involved. You will meet amazing people in the process.

Take your time and look at all the information you can, not just from the schools themselves but from other sources. For example, I knew all about UCSB's academic successes but I had no idea about its party school reputation. Although I enjoyed my experience in college very much, I do think that some people look at my degree differently due to the school's reputation. It's ok to have dreams about going to one school or the other, but make sure your ideas about the school are based in reality and not just some media hyped version. Also, apply to as many schools as you can, often times you don't really look into the schools until after you've been accepted and you are trying to decide where to go. There are definitely schools that I wish I had applied to had I known as much about them when I was applying that I did after applications were already submitted. Start your research early so you know what kind of school you're looking for. But most importantly, do everything you can to enjoy whereever you choose to go, don't live in regret.

Don't be afraid to apply to schools that you think may be beyond your reach, and always follow up on the application process with appeals if you feel strongly about a school you wish to attend that may have rejected you. To make the most of your time in college, learn about time management, and don't waste all of your years in college studying, but do stay on top of your work. Take advantage of any programs offered, such as studying abroad or special research projects; they will make an excellent experience invaluable!

The process of finding the right college for parents and highschool seniors can seem like a Cinderella story, searching for the one special shoe that is made to only fit you. In retrospect, one realizes that it was more about you and less about the shoe, if even at all. The general concensus among my peers, whether they attended community colleges or ivy league univeristies, in-state or out of state, public or private, large or small, was usually the same. We all got out of college exactly what we put into it. In other words, no matter where we all ended up, we all had many wonderful opportunities available to us and it was up to us alone to take advantage of those opportunities. Sure, there were different themes and milestones to each of our experiences, but one common thread was making a sincere effort in whatever we were trying to achieve and always trying new things. So, instead of waiting for Prince Charming to show up with the Glass Slipper, college becomes more about self-discovery and having the confidence to storm up to the castle without the precious footwear.

It's all about balancing your social life and your studies. Grades are important, but you only get to do college once so you might as well enjoy it. Work hard and play hard, too. Explore everything your college has to offer because it is a time to find yourself and your friends for life.

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Find a school that has the best program for your major and/or your personal lifestyle so you don't feel out of place.

There is no right choice, only a choice. If you have eliminated your options down to several universities and can't decide which one is the best choice no matter what, they are probably equally good so just pick one and hope for the best.

Find a place that truly allows you to be comfortable with you who are and also to express yourself freely.

I would suggest that students go with their heart. The whole point of picking a college is to find that one that identifies most closely with their own morals, ideals and visions of the perfect campus. My college was the only campus that I applied to because I just knew it was perfect. In order to make the most of your college experience, make sure to be talkative and open up your mind to different people and attitudes! Do not be afraid to talk to the person sitting next to you and make contacts with your professors. You definitely need to make the effort in order to have a great college experience.