University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Top Questions

Make sure you're really careful about college looking. Ask people. Do lots of research. Visit the campuses. You'll know what feels right. Don't sacrifice your education for a school that you think will be "fun." Take advantage of every possible opportunity. It all exists, trust me. If you're confused in class, find a study group, and definitely go to office hours. No one wants to see you fail. Professors and grad student instructors are always happy to help. That's why they're there! Get involved in activities. Find something you're passionate about. Try different things. The point of college isn't to keep doing all the same things you did in high school. Take a random class pass fail like Renaissance Art History, Buddhism, or Linguistics. Definitely take a language even if it isn't in your requirements. Don't jump into a major too quickly. Make sure to take a mixture of requirements, practical classes, and a class or two that just really interest you. Study hard, but not too much. Have fun, but not too much. hah

Most kids who say they want to go to a big school have no idea what they'll be getting themselves into, so always remember that in a big school you're a number first. And in order to become personified, you have to work and compete against literally thousands of other equally bright, equally determined students your age.

Ignore the brochures, ignore the websites. Visit the campus and get to know some of the students. Set goals for yourself, and determine what kind of lifestyle you'll need to accomplish this in colllege. And once you find the school that's right for you, commit to it. Really commit to it. That's how you make everlasting friendships; that's how you get the most out of college. Join a fraternity, join a political group, join a singing group, anything - that's how you find your niche. And trust me - enjoy the Fall semester. Nothing will ever beat the Fall semester of college.

Visit the college

It is most important to feel at home on a college campus, because it will be your home for the next 4-5 years. I liken it to multiple choice tests...the common rule is "go with your gut". When you feel the right campus for you, you will know. Take the time to talk to students, professors, locals, anybody you can on your visit. Again, it should feel like home.

Don't let convention drive your decision. This is decision that is as much about feel as it is about rankings. Open your mind, ignore expectations, and put yourself in a position to learn in order to make the most of your collegiate experience.

The advice I give is to go visit all colleges that you are considering and try and get a feel for what it's like on campus and weigh you options equally because you do not want to make your decision based on something that is unimportant you you but other people seem to care about. Also get the facts, the real facts not just the rankings that are listed on the schools website because if you are an English major you dont really care how high the school's Aerospace Engineering program is ranked, you need to know things that pertain to you like class size, what happens on the weekends at campus, average class load for a freshman, and how the dorms and the food they serve are. So don't focus on the trivial details look at the things that will affect you daily because those are the things that are going to allow you to make the most out of your college experience.

It doesn't really matter where you go- it's what you make of it when you get there.

I don't believe in such a thing as "the right college." College is what you make of it. Any and every school out there can be right for you, you just have to mold your experience to meet your own expectations. Just choose the college that best fits your basic needs: finances, location, size, academic departments. Visit each school your accepted to and see how it feels. But ultimately, no matter where you end up, whether it's the college of your dreams or your so-called "safety school," it will be the right school for you if you make it right. Work hard, get involved, and live it up! That's all it takes.

The first and most important thing about finding the right college is researching and visiting a good handful of different schools. Small schools, big schools, public, private, in-state or out-of-state --- find all the schools that spark your interest and look into them. Get a good feeling for which schools make you feel comfortable and go for those. When you finally get there, to make the most of your experience, you should seek out the activities you know you're interested in, and even look into some that you've never really thought of before. College is a great time to get to know new people and experience new things, but you have to be active and seek them out. And above all - keep true to yourself and have fun.

Don't go to a college for the prestige or because it's what's expected of you-go to a college where you feel at home. Find a college where the people remind you of yourself, but also offer a lot to teach you. Academics should still be the most important factor in your decision, but look at other aspects, as well, such as housing options, extra-curricular options, and career options. Once you get to college, be sure to get involved with anything you're interested in-whether it's a club, sport, Greek organization,or anything else. It is a great way to meet people with the same interests, form connections and make friends.

Go VISIT! I remembering when i was looking for a school, I would go visit schools i thought i would love, and it turned out that they were not at all for me. Also, most importantly, don't stress about it. My senior year of high school was hell because all I was worried about was getting into college. I was terrified that no one was going to accept me because I couldnt do calculus and that i would get rejected because I wasn't "competitive" enough. I took 6 AP classes and was lucky I made it out alive. In then end, the ONLY big university that accepted me was the University of Michigan, and it happened to be my first choice. I always say that i owe it all to UofM because they had faith in me. Even though i had failed calc, they saw something in my essays that they thought would make me worth while. I couldn't picture myself anywhere else. I guess the moral of the story is, it will all work out in the end, and if the right school puts faith in you, dont let them down! GO BLUE!!

The best advice I can give to an undergraduate student is to make the most out of the options that life presents them. The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, was not my first or second choice, but my financial situation allotted me to attend U of M. But when I got my acceptance letter, it turned out to be the best thing that?s ever happened to me. I completely fell in love with my school; from the campus to the classes, and all of my new friends that I now call my family. I believe that finding my ?family? away from home is the one thing that has made me absolutely complete at school. We are as diverse and strange as a group of friends get! We all come from different backgrounds and socio-economic statuses, and bring different values and experiences, but for some reason, we mesh together and love each other as much as person can care for another. As I await my move in day, the thing that keeps me anxious for that day to come is the fact that I will be reunited with my Michigan Family! Go Blue!

Find the school that is big enough to give you a comprehensive university experience and small enough for the student to feel at home.

When I applied to colleges I only applied to one in state school. Although I feel that I made the best choice for myself and I'm very happy at my university, I didn't apply to more in state universities and as a result I do not know what kind of financial aid packages I might have been offered at a smaller, or slightly less prestigious university. I also want to emphasize the importance of applying to a variety of large and small schools, public and private. Finally and most importantly, visit the the campus of any university you are seriously considering and try to talk to as many current or former students as you can.

Being able to get into any college, whether it's prestigious or not, is an accomplishment that you should be proud of. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. My best advice would be to follow your heart and to make decisions based solely on you, not anyone else. The classes you take and the major you choose shouldn't be about what job you have post graduation or how much money it will make you. Choose the subjects that you are passionate about and really apply yourself. The more you give to your education, the more you will get out of it. Learning is something that gives back more the more time you spend doing it. At the same time, find a balance. College is not meant to be one giant study session. These years will shape who you are as an adult and you'll go crazy if you don't get a break from studying. Take risks. Have fun. Be passionate.

Find a place where you feel comfortable. A place where you can look around and feel at home. Going away to college shouldn't be a time where you can't wait to finish. It should be a lot of fun and very rewarding. Make sure the college you pick has all of the things you like. If you like a lot of people or a city setting don't pick the small community college because it has "the best program". Go where you feel comfortable and you will succeed.

Visit all of the colleges that interest in order to get the full experience of the college and to see if it's the right place for you. Plus, it's great to ask current students any questions that you may have regarding campus life at that school. Just do some research before you make your decision on what school is right for you.

You end up in the place that you belong.

Find a place where you feel comfortable. If not everything is perfect, don't worry, get involved and make friends. Because guaranteed: college will not be exactly the way you expected.