University of California-Santa Barbara Top Questions

Be sure to visit the college campus and the surrounding area of the college you are considering, one may never know what kind of town/city one may be moving into. Also, be very sure about the life you expect to have while you are attending the school because, for example, if you do not like to party much and the school's social life revolves around that, you may not fit in or make as many friends as desired. Think about the majors given at the college along with the one you have already chosen, since in case you decide to change majors, you may not have to change schools in order to change majors, especially when you enjoy the campus already.

I think that every college has different qualities about it that make it amazing. I've only attended one college and I couldn't be happier with my choice, although had I chosen a different route its possible I would love that school just as much as UCSB. So my advice for choosing a school is ask yourself what you're really looking for in a school and go find it. If you want to live on the beach, apply to schools on the beach. If you're looking for a hardcore cirriculum, apply to a school with a hardcore cirriculum. In the long run, I think that you leave college a completely different person than who you were when you started, so any school can be the right school if you want it to be.

When students think about what college to attend they should base their decision on their own priorities and preferences. Nerver choose a school simply because your friends are plan to attend, or because you know someone who already goes there. College is about growing up and learning things on your own, you will miss out if you have someone to hold you back. Therefore you should not be afraid to leave your hometown or state. Travel as much as you possibly can. Sure, you might encounter some financial problems, you are not alone most college students feel as if they need more money. If needed get a part time job on campus, not only are they flexible with hours but it will give you the chance to meet new people. Also, always keep in mind why you are there, sure social lives are impotant but your school work should be your number one priorty always. Going away to college is an experience that you will remember for the rest of your life. Don't be afraid or underestimate yourself, you are as good as everyone there, which is why you were excepted. So enjoy every second of your college years.

Select a school that you want to go to, not just because people such as your parents of family members want you to go to.

College can be a once in a lifetime experience where students expand their knowledge about people and the world, discover hidden passions and learn something new about themselves. Choosing a college is a discernment process, during which students should spend time on various college campuses to get a feel for the environment in which they may spend their next 4 years. Happiness in one's environment is key to a student's academic, athletic, social and overall success in college. Parents should listen to their children when discussing colleges and not push them in any one direction. The institution that a student chooses should reflect their personality, academic and extracurricular interests and locale. Incoming students should enter into their academic experience with an open mind. Open-mindedness and an appreciation for diversity, the opportunity to participate in unusual classes taught by idiosyncratic professors, and the breadth of knowledge that can be acquired with a little effort positively impacted my freshman year. I realize that having a set plan for life is not the best plan when you're 18 years old and sometimes it is best to take a faith leap outside of your ?box?. You just might learn something.

Finding the perfect college can be extremely difficult and frustrating. The smartest thing I did while searching for the perfect school was visit the campuses I was considering. Doing so enabled me to look beyond the flowery descriptions found in advertisements at how the campus and those I would potentially share it with affected me emotionally in addition to the intellectual stimulation promised in pamphlets. The old adage of realestate rings especially true when considering the right college or university: location is everything. If you are unhappy with the environment in which you live, study, socialize and (occasionally) sleep you will suffer emotionally and academically and inevitably want to transfer or feel you resent your college experience. Prospective students and parents should keep in mind that not everything on paper is as great as it sounds and the only way to truly get a feel for a school is to visit it yourself.