University of Connecticut Top Questions

I think one of the most important thing that helped me decide the right college was the visit. I fell in love with the campus at an open house and sent my deposit right afterwards. I'm happy with my decision. Another important thing is not to think too much about the school rankings, the most important thing is to feel comfortable around and on campus.

I would give the advise to parent and students to research the background of the college you are planning to attend, speak to students who are currently attending if you have the chance. Find out what you would like to major in and look into the programs that the college has to offer. Also when choosing a collge sometime a college or university in the state that you live in can save you money rather than going to school across the country away from home.

I would say that the best way to evaluate schools you are looking at and to narrow your options would be to make a list of the attributes you most want in a school (such as a big or small school, distance from home, city or rural, spors program, major options, etc) and evaluate the schools you are looking at on a 1-10 scale of how much of these qualities each school has. Then add up the scores for each school and look more into the one's that scored the highest.

Visit the campus twice and go to the open house. Make sure that the size of the school fits your personality

Dont look at cost ... choose whats right for you.

Definitely visit the school. Choose somewhere that feels really comfortable expecially if it is a 4 year school. If the student feels uncomfortable the first semester, still give it a chance...if by the end of the first or second semester it still doesnt feel right then change. Dont make any heavy decisions in the first few weeks-we need time to adjust. Definitely get involved in activities and dont let work build up because catching up is the worst but you'll find it happensmore than you want it to! It is ok to not know your major-I'm a graduate with a degree I absolutely love but I was in the wrong program for my first year and a half and it took me that long to realize i didnt like it, so its ok to change-do what feels right to you, not what everyone around you says to do or what society says- we'll reach our goals eventually no matter what route we take! Savor and Enjoy!!

The best advice I can give is to be in touch with your child's individual interests and aspirations when looking at colleges. For example, I am very interested in music and politics and in choosing UCONN, I assumed the large student body would provide plenty of people who share my interests. However, many of my classmates are extremely politically apathetic and are not very interested in the arts. When a student is in an environment that provides the opportunity to pursue individual interets they will be much more comfortable and happier while in the classroom.

Go where you feel you will be able to grow. Dont look for big name look for a fit.

Definitely tour the school and ask people you know you go there what its like.

I would tell the student to spend a day touring the school and even possible staying there for a night and have a tour guide show them around. Try hard to make a friend before choosing that school to get an outlook of it without a biased opinion of paid guides. I would also tell students to choose a school that not only do they feel comfortable with but one that is cheaper because school has become incredibly expensive and they will ultimately be paying for it once graduating.

a public university is just as good as any private.

visit the campus at least once, and dont bring everything, bring min of stuff because you can always go back home and get more if you need it.

For students, understand your strengths and weaknesses and figure out what you like to pursue after college. Do extensive research on schools you want to apply to. Speak to someone that attends that school. Figure out your reach schools, schools you would be guranteed admission based on your academic records. Apply to those first and then to schools you wish to attend. Make sure when you choose a school, the school will have accommodation to your needs. For example, you might prefer a school that offers tutoring for students in subjects you are weak in. This will help you succeed gearing you toward your goals. When you research schools, try to find out its ratings and reviews on various areas. Such as, do most students get a job after graduation in the area they receive their degree in? Are professors helpful and available to students when they need help? Most of these things you might find on alumni forums and discussion boards online. Do not feel pressured to attend a particular school because your parents want you to. You are a better judge of yourself than they are of you. You want to succeed and make your time well invested.

I am currently a sophomore at the University of Connecticut located in Storrs, CT. I can tell anyone right now that I have made the mistake many freshman make coming into college. Most high school students have been under the guidance of their parents that have been there to steer them along the right road for probably well over 17 years and this is their first years away from that, it is the onset of their freedom. Nine times out of ten, this freedom is what causes many students to go awry, me being one of them. It is highly important to keep and maintain communication to the same degree as during high school.

I would tell parents and students to find a college that emphasizes majors they are interested in and to find a school size comfortable for them. Coming from such a large school where all of my classes are big lecture halls, I almost wish I went to a smaller university. Once accepted into college, I would advise students to make the most of their college experience by balancing their academic and social lives in order to maintain a stable stress level and be relatively happy and motivated. I would stress the importance of studying to keep up with the material and receive high grades but it is also important to have friends to trust and have fun with when feeling burdened from the pressures of family and school. I would tell parents to keep in touch with their students on a timely basis but to allow them some space and opportunity to experience what life has to offer while they are at college so they can get valuable firsthand experience.

Initial acceptances are great, but remeber upkeep is key GPA has to stay up and you more than likely will never get the same amount of financial aid you got your freshman year i.e school get more and more expensive, plan wisely.

Work hard!

Making the most out of a college expirence has a lot to do with having a family and friends who strongly support you. Finding a comfortable atmosphere is also very important, because if you're unhappy with your environment, it can have a strong effect of your school work and social life.

My biggest piece of advice would be to follow your own path in life. As much as some school's may seem better than others for personal reasons, such as a parent may have gone to one or another, your child's life is their own. As much as it hurts to let a child go away from home for the first time, it's always the right choice. As for students, the decision to attend or not to attend a school shouldn't be determined for relationship reasons. Many friends of mine have chosen to commute to school solely on the fact that they do not want to leave their partners behind. It's never a sure thing when you leave for college if you're life is going to go as planned. Make your own decisions based on your own beliefs and goals in life. Don't let anything hold you back is my biggest piece of advice.

I would tell anyone looking in to going to college to keep an open mind. Find a school with a good orientation program as that best helped me get familiar with my campus and meet friends right away. Most of all, do not be afraid to make the wrong choice. Many people choose schools just based on how the campus looks, but this is not always right. I know many of my friends who have transferred from other schools and are now happy. If you don't like the school you chose the first year, do not be afraid to admit it and look inti going somewhere else. As far as being in school, get involved! No matter what college you go to there is so much to do everywhere, join a group or organization, do extracurricular activities such as sports, and be self-sufficient in making friends. The college experience is not just what the college provides to you, it is how you take advatage of what is provided! So don't be afraid to try new things and meet new people!