University of Maryland-College Park Top Questions

HONR100 section 0131 teaches incoming freshmen all of the things they have learned in their first semester at UMD

Financing a college degree is costly, but forgoing the experience is costlier. The right college can open up the right door to the right opportunity for you. There are online research databases that compare universities. They detail the size, the environment, the programs, the expenses, and the student body, all elements that may matter and should be considered. But nothing replaces a visit and many conversations with current students and faculty once you narrow down your top choices. The number one factor in making the most out of the college experience is the attitude of the student. Enter with an open mind for new ideas, an open heart for new friends, and an open wallet for all of the opportunities that are going to cost money. Budget for those unforeseen additional costs like studying abroad and excursions into the city so that money isn?t the obstacle. When you finally start school ? try everything. Take every class that strikes interest, join every club that appeals to you, and meet every single person who crosses your path. An education may begin in the classroom, but it certainly does not end there.

Make sure you look into every aspect of the school in question. College visits are a good idea, but they hardly show you what life is really like on campus. Find financial and academic resources to help get acquianted with and prepared for college life. Don't stress too much about declaring a major; wait until you find your passion, that way you're sure to succeed.

Visiting the schools will tell you very little except what it looks like. If you really want to know if a school is good for you you have to ask people who go there. Preferably this person should be someone you know well, who knows and understands your needs. Also price should be a determining factor, don't go bancrupt on your undergrad, that's what graduate school is for! Good luck!

The most important advice I would give anyone who is begining their college experience as a parent or student is to visit many schools. Do not just visit or apply to one. Atleast have 6 definite choices that differ in campus life, campus layout, distance from home, and maybe a little difference in their major curriculum. By doing so it ensures you are not committing prematurely before you have the chance to experience other options. Also try to visit the school more than once. As a student possibly schedule an overnite stay during the actual school year so you have the chance to experine and see how the school runs during a regurlar day and night.Instead of only participating in a structured over veiw by administration.

Find the school that you want to go to and will be most comfortable at. Don't go to school for your parents, or friends, or anyone else. It is an important decision that you need to make on your own terms. It is important to go somewhere where you will be happy, because if you are not happy then you simply will not succeed. If you are pleased with where you are, then good grades, friends, and everything will come easy. When you find that school make sure you take advanage of your opportunities. You have four years of college, and it is a time you need to cherish. Be involved- join clubs and organizations. Any one person you meet can lead you to that dream internship, which can lead you to that dream job and so on, but if you never talk to that person then you'll never know.

Talk to students at the schools in the major you choose. The difference in experience between sciences and art can be monumental.

Pondering upon the thoughts of how to advice parents and/or students about finding the right college as well as making the most of the college experience, I stumbled on the words of, "Set your personal location that you believe will launch you to your inevitable destination." Using those words, one can say to parents or students that the location of the college you want to attend will not only help you develop the necessary studying habitats ,a part of a recipe for success, but it will help you easily assimilate into your child's comfort zone. And with that noted in mind, living on campus to enhance the student's learning experience can serve to amuse their personal hobbies as well. In addition, aside from location, academics and associated programs play a vital role in preparing students for their bright prospective futures and one must be frank and forward in asking the questions that highlight the importance of the programs that will advance them in their fields or majors. Furthermore, cost as it is, the trailing fever for students and parents, especially their pockets, must be considered as well as working hard to complete scholarship applications.

My only advice is to tour as many colleges as possible! I toured between 25-30 colleges before my senior year so I had a good idea of what was out there. Taking student-led campus tours gave me the opportunity to get the feel of the college while talking face-to-face with actual students who could give more insightful answers to my college life questions. These tours helped me to determine if I preferred a more rural or urban campus, a large or small student population, or a public or privite institution. It never hurts to know exactly what your options are!

Apply everywhere! All colleges will give you an education so don't be afraid to branch out and try for places you've never heard about.