University of Kansas Top Questions

I think the most important thing to remember is comfort; look hard at the college to which you're considering applying and ask yourself, "Does this sound like the right place for me? Am I going to be comfortable here?" That isn't speaking strictly to academics. When I was applying, there were several schools that offered competitive degree programs, but after visiting the campus, I walked away feeling like the atmosphere just wasn't suited to my style. And I think that's totally natural; not every place is for everyone, and sometimes it takes a good eye and some determination to find the kind of university where you step foot on the campus and think, "This is it. This is me." And while academics may come first, a lot of what college life truly offers is a chance to explore things you haven't been exposed to before. Make sure the university you choose is going to let you do the kinds of things you want--both inside the classroom and out.

I would tell parents to not focus so much on the quaity of the school but on the dedication of thier child and willingness to succeed. Also they must undertand the personality of their child. If their child is timid, shy and tends to be homesick, it woud be wise to pick a smaller local school. Big universities are more for students who are indipendent and outgoing. I beieve that if your child is dedicated enough to succede that they will do well whereever they go. However, I also believe that larger universities tend to challenge the students more because of the diverse sets of people that the student will have to learn to deal with on a daily basis. All in all, you are going to want to find a school that will both fix your childs needs but also challenges them to go outside of their comfort zone.

With regards to finding the right school for you, I think it is very important to have a good idea of what you are wanting to do after school. For example, the University of Kansas is geared more towards pre-health degrees whereas Kansas State University has a great school of engineering and agriculture program. Knowing what you want to do after school can help make the decision very easy. Also, make sure that you are comfortable at the school. If you are not comfortable, the learning experience and social experience will only make everything more difficult and less fun. As far as the experience, you also need to make sure you are comfortable with the school. Furthermore, make sure to get involved with things you know you love as well as new things so you can learn more about what you love and experience new things.

Get information about the colllege from various other students and check out the campus for yourself for a week.

My best advice is to visit the campus. That way you can get a feel for the campus and actually see yourself there. The campus tours are really helpful and go into it with an open mind.

Follow the student's instincts as to what is right for the student. Prior to making a choice visit various campus situations such as an athletic event and a college town. Additionally, discuss what the student wants to study and how long the course of study will take.

Finding the right college is just like finding a girlfriend/boyfriend. You need to know what you want in a school. And not everyone has the same taste. There is the size, cost, and location of the school. However, there are other things such as research opportunities, greek life, and career possibilites to consider. You cannot pick a school just by reading the brochure! A college visit is a must! It is even ok to visit schools you may not be as interested in. Not only will you learn what you do like, you will learn what you don't like in schools. This may make it easier to pick a school later on. I was a "big fish" in high school and I took a pretty big blow to my self esteem in college when I struggled with coursework for the first time in my life. Consider talking to current students (not just admissions, which is trying to convince you to choose their school) of schools you are intersted in. They are more likely to give you the honest truth about campus going-ons than an admissions counselor. Good luck!

When you trying to find the perfect place to go to school just walk around the campus and see if it feels right. When i walk around my campus I feel at home. Even though i have problems with the administration sometimes and can feel lost in the crowd, It keeps me going to feel like the campus is my home. The acedemics are important too, but they are no substitute for sitting on the campus green and feeling like you belong. Ultimitly you will be happy with any university as long as you feel like you belong there.

Finding the right college is tought. Do your research! Visit potential school that you would like to attend. There is no better way to learn about a school than to actually visit the campus. You don't want to attend a school when you feel no connection with the people or the campus. Attending a campus tour helps a lot, you just might find the school of your dreams that way. Making the most of the college experience is what is most important. Join student organizations and just be active in anything you possibly can! You make SO many new friends and learn a lot as a person. It will also help with all this character building that our parents have been instilling in our brains when we were young. Being active is the way to go!

I think the best piece of advice I have heard since coming to college that I wish I had heard before I came to college is that it doesn't really matter what the initial costs of your education are, provided that you don't plan on being a failure. I think if I had heard that before going to college I would have allowed myself to open up to the possibilities of traveling around and finding the best school to fit with me and my major. Provided you don't plan on failure, it doesn't matter how much you take out in student loans so that you are able to completely focus on whatever it is you need to do to accomplish your goals and complete your major. The most important thing you are going to school for is the experience, the knowledge, and the community. If you constantly have to focus on working, you won't be able to put all your effort into what it is you want to do for the rest of your life. Not in a competative way, anyway. You will always be better off picking a school whereyou really want to be.

I would tell the student to go where there heart desires. Your parents may not agree that it is the best choice but you all should talk it out. This is one of your first adult choices, make it for you. If you go where your heart is telling you, that is where you will achieve the most. And get involved in what ever school you do choose. Good luck!

Just pick what works for you. Don't worry about what your family wants, its your life. You are the one that has to be happy. Get involved. You will be miserable if you don't. Come out of your shell and show people who you really are. They will love you for it.

My advice would be to take the time and actually go visit each college you're interested in no matter what. If I hadn't visited the University of Kansas I would have never realized what I was about to miss out on if I had decided to go elsewhere. The minute I stepped on to campus I knew that no matter what happened here I wouldn't regret it because it was a start to something new and terrifying/exciting in my life. I made friends that eventually turned into family and that I won't ever forget no matter where life takes each and every one of us. I came to Lawrence, KS not knowing how things would turn out, who I would meet that would change my life, and if I would find what I was looking for in my life. Fortunately for me, I found the greatest people that I could ever ask for, an advisor who will be my mentor and hero for forever, and teachers that have changed my life more than they'll ever know. While I made some poor choices I regret nothing here, if anything it made me better and stronger!

Visit as many as you can, but ultimately no matter what the prestige of the college may be, let your student make their own decision as to where they feel most comfortable.

When deciding on a college, my best advice would be to first decide what you want to do for a living. What do you plan on majoring in? Then think about whether distance from home matters to you or not. If you are an undecided major, I would suggest attending a Community College where you can take classes for a lot less money and get your general classes out of the way. Making the most out of college is all up to you. You have the resources at almost any college you attend to become anyone you want. Be aggressive in whatever it is you choose to do.

You don't always have to be where your friends are in college. Making new friends is the most important part of school (aside from the academics). College is the most frusterating yet rewarding time of a young person's life and to make the best of it you have to throw caution to the wind and get out. Make sure to live in a dormitory if you can, you'll meet friends for life there. Make sure you take the classes you're interested in because you won't have the motivation to study if you're not interested in the subject. Find places off campus to hang out and make your own, you'll be living in this city for 4 years or more so it's important to feel as comfortable as possible. AND it's okay to be homesick, no one cares if you call your mom every day.

Start saving early and often. Don't only apply to one school. Make sure to visit many campuses and talk to college friends about their experiences.

To take a campus visit, find out all the information about clubs and organizations, and get a true feel for the school by attending at least one major athletic event

What led me to The University of Kansas? Was it the gorgeous, rolling hills of Lawrence? Was it the tradition? The tuition? The football and basketball teams? These things I indeed love, but they didn't bring me here. In June 2006 I moved from New York to a small Kansas town. I hated it! I wanted out. Until... I was introduced to another, yet very different, small Kansas town. Lawrence is where I fell in love with Kansas. It was there that I met the people who will be in my life forever. It was there, after a nomadic-at-best 18 years of life as an Army Brat in 14 different towns on two continents, that I found home. And in Kansas I'll stay...for...well, forever. Two years later, as the sound of the campus belltower wafts gently through my window with the chilled night air, I realize that the most vital factor in my choice to attend KU was my heart. So seniors, go where your heart takes you and settle for no less than love. Find a place you never want to leave. Then, it's up to you to make your mark.

Don't limit yourself. Look everywhere, even if you think it is too much money, or too far away, or too small or big. Do not limit yourself, look at all of your options. You may regret your decision if you limit yourself