University of California-Santa Barbara Top Questions

Talk to people who attended the school. Only they can tell you the truth about it. And once you are in college, try everything and be open to meeting new people that seem nothing like you. They could very well become your best friends!

My college experience has defined who I am as a human being. Before coming to UCSB, I thought I knew myslelf. However, what I believed then is completely different from now. My advice to students would be to choose a school where you feel most at home. Don't pick a university because of its prestige or reputation, its cost or distance from home. Pick the school that you feel will allow you to be yourself when you ARE NOT IN CLASS. Most of my growth as a person has been due to experiences outside of the lecture hall. In my opinion, if you cannot connect with the people, you cannot grow as a person. You will be spending the next four years of your life there, and it would be a shame if you don't enjoy it. For parents, don't let your personal beliefs or expectations get in the way of your child choosing the best place for them. As much as you think you know your child, you cannot predict who they will be in four years. Be supportive, and as much as you love to offer advice, only give it when asked.

Apply to a variety of schools and leave your options open. Once you get in, visit the school's website, check out their course catalog, visit the campus facilities and chat with the current students. You'll be with these people doing exactly what they're doing for the next four years of your life so see if you like being around them. Make sure you can handle the weather and the scenery before you sign up. Check to see how easy it is for students to study abroad if you mght be interested. Once you've decided on a college, get involved and find people you enjoy spending time with. College is undoubtedbly about education, but social atmosphere is important, so find friends who share interests with you. Join an intermural sports team or an a cappella group or an outdoors club or a campus organization. It's also a good idea to remember your decision isn't set in stone, so relax, take a look around and try to enjoy everything that's coming your way. If you let them, the four years at college will become lasting memeories pf social comfort and self discovery.

Do not base which college you should go to on the hype, rumors, and stereotypes of the colleges, but personally go and visit the campus and check out the people, classrooms, and campus. Choose the college that best suits you, your personality, and your needs. To make the most of your college experience get involved with the students, classrooms, community, and different campus events. Meet a lot of people and take advantage of the different resources provided to you by your community and campus. Don't let the campus define you, but you define YOUR campus. Leave an impact on your school to say that is your school and you are proud to be a part of it. Succeed in every way possible: in sports, with your studies, with the people around you, with your environment.

Find the college that fits the kind of person you are. I always knew that I wanted to go to a college by the beach, so I immediately felt comfortable when I visited UC Santa Barbara. Make the most of your college experience. Join a fraternity or sorority, and meet all kinds of people. Try a variety of classes to learn what fields interest you.

Don't limit yourself to your "top choice" college . I was hell-bent on studying public health at Berkeley, but I didn't get in. My last choice was UCSB, and I love it. I'm so glad I wasn't accepted to Berkeley. Once at UCSB, I put my long term goals in perspective, not just my career goals, but my visions for the future of the country and the world. I realized the best way to enjoy my life and to maximize my potential effect on humanity was not through being a doctor, as I had decided before, but through rationally analyzing different situations, and deciding the route to take afterwards. The first step to achieving these goals was to start my own environmentally friendly restaurant. Through the opportunities in this school and a little networking, I was able to start my business within a year of my decision to do so. I don't believe this would have happened at Berkeley or UCLA. Looking back, I realize how naive I was to limit myself to one school and major. If I had been accepted to my top choice, I wouldn't have the opportunities I have today.

Fisrt of all, I highly reccomend that students and parents visit the schools before making a final choice. It is not the same to see it on a website and see it in person, this way tou get a feeling of the enviornment you will be in for about 4 years or so. Y ou can see the neighborhoods and the expense of living in that area. Also i advise students to take into consideration that quarter schools are very fast paced, you cannot procrastinate because there is a work load..its not highschool anymore and it is not easy yto catch up. In a quarter school especially if in in the science programs you will have midterms almost every two weeks, make sire this is something you can handle. learn to have a social life as well because you need it. Finally, get involved and take advantage of all the academic help offered. School is tough but there are lots of programs that help you in your education. Get to know your professors and ask for help when in doubt. Remeber there is no dumb question and we are here to learn.

I think the most important thing to think about when choosing the right college is to visit the college and really try to get a grasp of what life would be like if you lived there. It's always best to go with your gut because that's how you'll know that you're meant to be somewhere. Choosing the right college is difficult but the most important thing is to stay true to yourself and to make a decision that you know you'll be able to live with for the next four years or so of your life.

It is absolutely crucial to visit the campus, because that is the only way to get a real feel for the school. Choosing a college that provides a really good education is very important, but college is more than just school. It is an experience, a place to grow and change and learn how to be an adult. Students will do better at their studies when they are happy and comfortable at the place they live. Also, it is easy to get overwhelmed with all the course work and the fast pace of classes compared to high school. Make sure that the student takes breaks from studying to take part in fun on-campus activities/athletic events, or just some quality time with friends. It will take some time to learn time management and study techniques, but it is very important to maintain a balance between work and play. Try to enrich your life by meeting new people, participating in cultural events, studying abroad, etc.

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