University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Top Questions

First, I would advise parents and students to consider their expectations and concerns of their future collegiate institution. These may include and are not limited to size, finances, social life, extra-curriculars, ranking, etc. Whatever these may be should play a large role in the selection process. From there, I would advise visiting all the colleges that meet these intial expectations. On these visits, come prepared with questions because they may not be tailored to each individual. If you already know your major, it would also be extremely helpful to visit the specific department to determine if it also meets your needs. It would be beneficial to meet with faculty members and current students to aid in the decision making process. Considering all of these factors before making a final decision will maximize an individual's college experience. You should ask yourself, "Do I see myself on this campus?" This question would apply to all the aspects of academia and campus life. Although this is an extremely important decision, ultimately every experience is what you make of it.

As a student, it is important to find a college that you feel the most comfortable at and that you feel you will have the most opportunities to become successful in life. You can not be afraid to get involved in different organizations because this is a time when you can explore different paths and further discover what you like and dislike. It is like trying on a pair shoes; they come in varying shapes and sizes, but if the shoes are not comfortable, they can amount to a very agonizing experience. So just like a pair of shoes, it has to be the right fit in order to enjoy walking through the next four years of your life. As a parent, no matter how badly you may want them to attend your alma mater or a university closer to home, it is critical that you support your children in their decision. This is a stepping stone in your children?s life in becoming adults, and the only way they can soar is by letting them go. Do not forget, it is not about your children chasing your dream, but them following their dreams and building their own future.

Visit the school without your parents for a weekend. If you like it come back with your parents to take official tours.

Really go look at the school you are thinking about attending. Go visit it, take a tour of it, visit a few classes, etc. This way you can REALLY get a feel for what the college is like, and how the teachers treat their students, how students get a long on campus, etc. A school can look really good in books and pictures, but until you really get an experience for it, you may be getting something other then what you bargained for. Also, dont just pick a college based on academics; for you won't survive if you do! Make sure there are other events, clubs and activities you're interested in as well, because as important as it is to study, its also important to have some fun as well! So go out there and get involved, make friends, and make the most of your college experience... you only get it once!

Finding the right college can be really intimidating, especially at the beginning when you have a whole world of options. Looking through schools based on dozens of factors, such as size, location, quality of programs, diversity, and cost, can only make the process more overwhelming. I would suggest choosing just a few aspects that are the most important to you--for example, location, quality of the program, and diversity--and ranking schools based on only those factors. It will make the process less overwhelming. Also, the best advice I can give is to visit your options! The school you attend school "feel" like home. Most of the people I've talked to have made their decisions based on visiting their options and feeling more at home at one school than another. To make the most of your college experience, my best advice would be to get involved in groups/organizations as soon as you can. Especially at a larger school, that's where you'll find people with similar interests. Those groups are where you'll meet your cloests friends. Also, in the first week, introduce yourself to the people in your dorm. Everyone else is looking for friends, too.

Go to the school for the academics, because you will find friends and fun wherever you go.

visit and talk to sudents. studnets are the best resource. conselors can only tell you so much, and they will not always be truthful about the nvironment

Choose the school that feels right in your gut.

The best advice I can give to parents about finding the right college for they're children is to listen to them, and take into account their interests and needs. It can be very stressful for students to find a school to attend. Parents should be patient with their kids. For students, finding the right college for them can be one of the most difficult things they've ever had to do. In order to find the right college, I recommend thinking about what a student would like in their college. Deciding whether a small or large college is best is a great way to start. After deciding what kind of college to go to, visit several campuses. Get a feel for the type of students that go there. Take a tour of campus, but also walk around for a bit on your own. Sit in on a lecture. Hopefully one of these campuses will just feel 'right'. It also may be helpful to talk to people who have already graduated from high school, and find out if they are happy where they attend college. I am very happy in college, and I think everyone deserves to be.

Honestly, you won't know where the right place to go will be. The trick is in finding for yourself the commitment to adapt to your new environment., meet new people and try to find some organiztion of club to be a part of. After a couple weeks, being on camus will feel more like a home that home did. Remember, focus on your classes, stay positive, and enjoy the next four years of your life.