University of Maryland-College Park Top Questions

Take chances!

Visit the school and read the college newspaper - great way to find out what the campus is about. To make the most of it, get involved, use all the resources the school provides (you already paid for them), and get as much professional experience before you graduate as possible

1.) Have an idea, at least, of what you want to do in life; rather than being undecided for the first 2 years or so of being an undergraduate. 2.) Once you choose your field, explore on how to get the most out of it, via working as a research assistant for a professor, TA or working with faculty of some sort. 3.) Establish good relationship with your academic advisor, and a Faculty advisor -- it'll help with references in the future. 4.) It is easier to start of with a high GPA (your first semester as a freshman will serve as a base of your GPA in your entire undergrad career. It is is easier to maintain GPA than try to bring it up. i.e. starting with a 2.0 GPA on your first sem might take you 5 semesters to raise it to a 3.0 (at least) 5.) College is not like High School. 6.) Get internships and jobs that may help you in the future. Be modest, think of low PT / student salary wages as an investment -- you gain experience that will pay off in the future. 7.) Enjoy it very much and make friends.

In order to find the best college for yourself or your student, you have to visit the campus when school is in session. You truly get to see what the campus is all about, how it lives, and how it breaths. When you finally get to college, in order to make it all worth it, you have to be ready to step out of you comfort zone a bit and experience everything. What you put into doing well in class, joining activities, and making friends, it is what you get back. You also have to know that in college that there are failures and success and one is not better then the other. It is all a life learning experience and even when you mess up you do something right if you learn from it.

make sure you have the financial resources to commit to a good education!

Don't allow a first impression to make your decision for you. Really get to know the principles behind the school - this isn't hard. Go into the dining halls and look at the fliers on the tables. Read the chalkings around campus. Hang out in the student union. You'll soon learn about student life. Read the literature that your potential department gives you, but then go to their website and look up class assignments and announcements to see what the coursework is really like. But also, remember that you can never really tell what college is like until you've been there a semester. You may think it's too big or small, too liberal or conservative, too close or far from home - but how do you really know what you want at college until you've been there? I have found that bigger schools have more opportunities, with chances to find a smaller community within. That's what I did, and it really worked for me, socially and academically. There are so many resources to help me succeed, in college and in my future career.

I remember when I was looking for schools that I asked many of my older friends about how they made their decision. Everyone gave me good advice like what size campus do you want and what kind of location do you want to learn in. Strangely enough, when I first made a list of schools Maryland was not on my list because I wanted a small school. However, when I visited I realized that Maryland had what I was looking for. Your friends and family can give you tips on how to select a school but it comes down to how the school makes you feel. Definitely visit your school before you make your decision so you ensure that it is the right fit for you. Stay overnight with a current student and see what student life is like. Learn about all the opportunities available to you and participate in all those options that appeal to you and stick with the ones that you enjoy most. If you really enjoy something you will make time to accompolish both academics and extra-curricular activities.

Agree on a school that is close and far from home. Therefore, it is far enough that the student does not have to go home every weekend. Building independence is a huge skill to gain from college. It's important to go outside your comfort zone in college and explore. Thus, the university you choose should be one that offers both opportunities you are currently pursuing and opportunities you would never think to try. Find somewhere you know you will grow and change. College is the best time to explore and try things that you will never try any other time. A large amount of programs and clubs is great so the students at the university are all diverse and have a chance to be unique. Academic competition between students is a positive aspect so that you know students consider academics a priority. On-campus housing is very important to consider, especially if the school is far from home. Ease of housing can relieve so much stress from a student during the semester so location and price are two important things to consider.

Don't get stuck on a single school. I ended up at my last choice school because they offered me the most financial aid and now I can't imagine going anywhere else. Join activities and clubs you are truly interested in. It's a great way to make a small school feel a lot smaller. Strongly consider less prestigious schools if you are admitted into their honors program. You get small classes, top notch professors and interesting people just as you would at an ivy league school. Have fun!

Be realistic about your goals for college. Think about what you want to accomplish in college, and what type of school will help you do that. Of course you want to get a degree, but what else do you want to do? Many people want to explore lots of different career paths. A large school is better for this, as it will attract great faculty from in many subject areas. Do you want to have a very active social life? (Note: This doesn't necessarily mean doing drugs or drinking) Look for a school that has a good night scene, with plenty of fun places to hang out and explore. Think about where you want to live. Will you be living with family or friends, or in on campus housing? Ask current students where they live, and how difficult it was to find that type of housing. Finally, do ask campus guides and representatives about the campus, but do not always believe what they say. They are paid to recruit you to that school, so they won't always be truthful. It's better to talk to students and check out college review books to get the full picture.