University of Louisville Top Questions

Choosing the right college and making the best of the situation in college requires a lot of choices. Initially parents play a significant role in choosing the college for their son or daughter. However once the student is away from home and on that college campus mommy and daddy won't be there to make any decisions for them. That means in choosing the college the parents have to keep the best interests of their child in mind. Visit several different colleges and have the potential student shadow a current student. In doing that the child will get a hands on experience with someone who is already there. There is nothing like veiwing a college campus from the eyes of a current student. That way you can see what real campus life is all about. Once at the college of choice its up to the student to make the best of what "people" say are the best years of your life. That means get involved in various organizations, live on campus for atleast one year, meet people you wouldn't normally meet, study hard, and also have fun. So the straightfoward advice about college is to LIVE IT UP!!

Choice very wisely. If your major is better out of state go out of state. If you are undecided, stay in state until you know. Save your money!!!

For anyone who is in the process of determining what would be the right college for them, it is very important not too just look into all the information/tours provided for the colleges but to actually take the extra time to talk to some random students about how they've felt about their campus experience. Almost always everything provided for colleges pushes toward the advantages, in talking to real students on campus, besides the tour guides, you may be able to find out more specific information and even some things that might turn you away from the college.

Make sure you can afford it or get enough aid to cover it

In my opinion, the location and size of the school are just as, if not more important than anything else. The academias will generally be the same (you get whatever you put into it), and paying a lot of money does NOT mean you are going to learn more. Now for the "location and size" statement I made. The location is important for two reasons: 1. Do you want to be close to home and possibly commute, or do you want to be away and live on or close to campus? and 2. There is a big differnce between schools that are located in urban areas, and schools in rural areas. This matters when you start to think about what kind of social life you have/and/or want to have. Do you want to be able to go to movies, bowling allies, malls, tons of restaurants, concerts etc. (urban college), or basically go to house partys and off-campus bars every weekend because thats about all there is to do socially (rural) which is good or bad factoring in many variables. And size, do you want small or large classes. Advice; its important to work hard, and get involved!!

Let your children decide! It's their experience, and although I understand in many cases it's YOUR money, they are going to be the one going through the trials, tribulations, lessons, and events at whatever institution they pick. You should be their guide, advisor, mentor, support system, and foundation, but it's there choice. Tell them about your experience with choosing a college if you went to one, or offer advice about the universities they are looking at if you're familiar with them. If you have a friend that went there for college, or a family friend who has children there, let them talk to your son or daughter. No matter what, they will never be happy at a place they are "forced" to go to.

Undergrad is about demonstrating your ability to learn. If your child is planning on obtainning a masters degree, it will not matter where they obtain their bachelors degree. You'll notice some children's burning desire to move out a get a taste of independance during undergrad, others are more homebodies and need to live at home during college. Both have to happen that way inorder for you child to have the best college experience they can. Also, situations may arise that cause your child to need a semester off to re-evaluate life a decide what they really want to be when they grow up. That kind of decision only comes with life experience that they can only gain through a semester off. Don't freak out! Just make them promise to finish school in some capacity (trade school, Bachelors, Associates, etc). They will make you proud, they just don't want to make the most expensive mistake of their lives.

I would have to say that although money is very important to most families, when it comes down to it its the experience that you cannot put a dollar amount on. I transferred from the school of my dreams to play the sport I love at a better institution, and ended up paying MORE then i had at the school i loved. But i wouldnt take it back for the world because in 50 years i can still look back and say that I played lacrosse on the very first lacrosse team at the University of Louisville, and that i was a part of history in that program. I cant put a dollar amount on that, so when youre deciding where youre kids should go to school, send them somewhere where they would be HAPPY, because in the end thats all that matters.

Dear Students and Parents, As a student who recently chose a school that I regretted, I refelcted on my reasoning. Due to my family situation and financial status I had to stay close to home. Students, visit your campus several times before making a deffinite decision. Make sure there are things that you can get involved in and things that fit your interests. Parents, if you have the financial means available, please help your child pay for school. While dealing with course work and peer pressure and social lives, it is very hard to worry about money and school work. If the course load is very tough it is also hard to work a job and get the required GPA. I'd like to stress again making sure that the campus you choose is a place that you feel at home. Its important. Its going to be your home for several years! Good luck!

In considering the college experience, realize it will be an entire life stage. Don't let the university you choose put your life in a box.