University of California-Santa Cruz Top Questions

Make an effort to really visit your choices and make sure that you find a connection. Connection to your school and its style is cruical.

Visit the college campus, and if possible, talk with current students and alumnis of possible colleges. Research online about colleges (princeton review is a good site). When students are actually at college, talk to people--just introduce yourself randomly even. Everyone else is new too, so they will be open to it. It's a great way to make friends. Also, form study groups for your classes, and try to get to know your professors. Don't be afraid to ask questions--you're better off than those who don't, and you'll learn quickly. Good Luck!!

I suggest looking for something farther from home. If you cut ties with home, you're more likely to commit to a new environment. Move far away, study abroad, etc.

find someplace that feels comfortable when you are walking around. be open to new things but not afraid to say no for drugs and alcohol. study hard and try to enjoy yourself.

Finding the right college starts with a personal decision making process that will allow you to refine your college search. It is important to decide BEFORE attending college what type of setting you wish to spend the next 2-4 years living in. Do you want to attend a University or Community College? Do you want to live near family or make a drastic move? Do you want to live in an urban area or do you prefer living near the country? Answering questions like these will help narrow your college search. Next, make a list of schools that fit these criteria and begin a second round of questions. The most important of which, do these schools offer the academic programs I feel most interested in? Will this school allow me to follow my passion? As a future college student, you are the one to make this important decision about your future. It's okay to listen to advise from parents and friends, but do not let them make the decision for you. If you can do this, your college experience will be a reflection of the fit you found between college and student.

Visit the campus and talk to the students and faculty while school is in session. Also, for science majors, try to get an internship and do research with the faculty!

Dont mess around, you can always party later but you can never take that test again.

Finding the right college for your child or for yourself is about finding a school which will fit ALL of their needs. From their academic programs to extra-cirricular activities to a type and size of the social/living/school environment that pushes oneself but doesn't make one so uncomfortable they cannot thrive. A person's education is as much about preparing for career and "real-life" after college as it is figuring out who one wants to be, what they truly like and dislike, what life-style they want to have, how to express themselves and how to find what makes them happiest. Your college experience are foundational years in who a person is and during that time you've just got to put yourself out there, try new things, and don't look back. It'll be over before you know, and hopefully you'll like where you've been.

Parents and students should consider a number of factors when deciding on the right college. Academics are one. If the student knows what they want to study, the academic programs offered are the most important consideration. If the student doesn't know, they may want to choose a larger school with more options so that they can experiment with many different fields of study. Another important factor is the school environment. The location of a school ha a huge impact on the school experience. Students should take into consideration whether they prefer a more rural or urban environment, the availability of transportation and housing, and the general appearance and upkeep of the campus. The cost, the activities offered, and the makeup of the student body are also important factors to consider. With that said, college is really what one makes of it. In order to have the best experience, the student should pursue a course of study that interests them, and take every opportunity to interact with their professors. They may also want to take advantage of recreational opportunities on their campus and in the community, as the college experience is greatly enhanced by a balance of academics and extracurriculars.

Go where your heart tells you will be the most comfortable. The vibes you get from a school are not to be idly dismissed. Remember that it's what you put into your education that determines what you will get out of it. It's not necessarily good to decide colleges based on "popular" reputations because almost always, they are wrong.