University of Miami Top Questions

Greg, a graduating senior, reflects back on his time at the University of Miami and offers advice to incoming freshmen.

Definately visit each college and carefully look into the specific program of study that interests the student! Academics are important, but I believe an active, productive, and happy environment is even more necessary for success! Carefully choose a college that best suites the student's needs on the whole: academically, socialy, environmentaly, professionaly, and personaly. The college you choose makes all the difference! After choosing a school and enrolling, GET INVOLVED! The more you can get out of your college experience, the better! Your degree is just a piece of paper, but character development through experience is intangible and will grant you success in all that you do. Good luck!! Most importanly, relax. College is a privelege, not an obligation. It should be treated as vacation not occupation. It is a time to learn and grow, not stress and be anxious. Enjoy!

Despite the fact that questions on all the college entrance tests have only one right answer, there is definately more than that for colleges that are right for you. Take the time to look around and explore options. Decide the criteria that are most important to you, and make your decisions based on those points. By narrowing it down, you will feel less overwhelmed. One of the best questions I learned to ask was "Is this school the best choice for getting me where I want to go in the next four years?" Think not only about what you want now but what you will want as you are growing, learning, and perhaps changing many of your thoughts on life. As for making the most of the experience, the more involved you are the better. Take every chance you get to meet new people, learn new cultures, try new foods, and explore new places. There is just as much opportunity to learn outside the classroom as there is inside. These will be years filled with more opportunities to get to know the world around you than ever imaginable. So, use them!

It is important to make an on campus visit to any college that you are considering attending. Make sure you consider the size of the student population and the location of the college. If it snows for 80{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the time at your college and you do not like winter, scratch that university off your list. My parents and I were very impressed with our on campus visit at Miami. Everyone we met was so helpful and understanding. I really had to convince my parents to send me to Miami because we live in New York and I am an only child. My mother kept saying it was to far away. However, she was blown away by the campus and the staff. My move in experience was exceptional. Miami went out of their way to make everyone (students and parents) feel welcome and part of the Miami U community. I would overwhelmingly recommend the University of Miami to anyone.

The best advice I can give is to talk to a recent graduate! Going into college, I was very green and unknowledgeable about the whole situation. For instance, I chose to go to a rather popular school without considering how much scholarship I would receive. Only now, after graduating about a year ago, do I realize that if I had applied to less known schools I could have gotten a "free ride." Moreover, when I started college I wanted to be a psychologist, but did not realize until my senior year how long and winding the road to a PhD would be. I now know a PsyD is much more advantageous for one going into clinical psychology. Entering college is a completely new situation and the rules/customs are foreign. When I first began I did not know all of my options and resources; which I now know to be many. There are so many things I would have done differently; like looked into scholarships more earnestly, considered which schools were less expensive, and which degree would guarantee me a job upon completion. With everything I know now, looking back, I should have consulted a recent graduate!

I think that it is important for high school students to have a good idea of what they think is best for them. It is really important to visit the schools that they are interested in and to try to get a sense for the campus and the campus life. By doing this, they can decide whether they want a large or small school, rural or city. Students should make sure that their major is offered and that there are alternatives if they change their mind. If you live in a warm climate like Florida, make sure that if you are applying to schools in cold climates that you visit in the winter to get a real feel for what you will encounter. As for the college experience, embrace it and get involved in campus life, but don't forget the main reason you are there: academics. Find the right balance between your academics and your social life. Keep in mind that these years are the foundation for your future years, but don't forget to enjoy them as well!

Challenges and obstacles will always be around the corner, you and only you with the support of your parents can and will surpass every challenge in life. When you derive from a low income family it is diffucult to endure the path towards a superior education, but that harass pathway will one day lead you and your family to greatness. Sacrifice 4 too 8 years all the possible goods and luxuries that your mind desires, after your studies you will have the means to purchase anything you desire. With endurance and hope dreams do come true; slow and steady will win the race.

I would encourage parents and students to visit the school while it is in session in the middle of the day. this way you can observe the normal day-to-day of the school. They should also stay overnight, if possible, near the college so that they can get a feel for the area they will be spending the next four years in. This can also reveal if the college is situated in a safe area. another important, and sometimes make-or-break factor is the resources that are available on campus. Free tutoring and a good career center (internships, job finding, etc...) is a must. After choosing a college, the best way to make the most of the experience is to get involved - join a sports club, form a study group, or help plan events. there are so many ways to keep yourself busy on a college campus, and if there still isn't an outlet for you, then create one. Most colleges have a decent amount of funds available for people wishing to start clubs or organizations. Being involved on your campus can be the difference between a great college experience and a dull one.

The main piece of advice I would give about finding the right college is to try and identify what you're career goals may be. If the student knows what they want to focus or major in, then they should pick a school with a strong department. Alternatively, if the student does not know what they want to study, it may be a good idea to pick a school with a strong liberal arts component, that way the student has more options and longer to decide. Either way, It is good to pick a school with strong auxiliary functions. For example, my school has several of these, such as a 1st rate library, a full time career center, a counseling center, and other functions such as a health center and shuttle services. While some of these may seem superfluous, these amenities help to maintain a psyche good for learning. Another quality I appreciate is that there are constantly conferences and presentations that get the students to think past college, to facilitate a smooth and successful transition into the workforce Additionally, one has to see if the campus culture fits their lifestyle, but remember: You need to study!

Go where your heart tells you to go, as your happiness is the number one factor in deciding your ultimate success.