University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Top Questions

Addressed on previous page regarding student parents.

Carlson School of Management

Do a lot of visits, make a list of criteria you want in a school: a certain academic program, a certain amount of students, the type of area the school is located in, social scene; these will help when comparing and deciding schools. Do what YOU want to do; don't let others influence your decision greatly because in the end, it's you that's attending the college, not your parents or your best friend or girlfriend or grandparent.

After taking the scenic route through college, I offer two pieces of advice to students about finding the right college and making the most of their college experiences: Set goals and take care of yourself. What do you want from college? A degree? A husband or wife? Friends? A job? Social justice? Be up front with yourself. This will help you find a school that fits you. Many goals are compatible but they add up quickly. How will you balance competing demands from classes, jobs, friends, and dating? Set goals that are specific and doable, and keep it simple. Take care of yourself. Good diet and regular exercise are key. So are routine, personal hygiene, and socializing. If you binge drink, do drugs, or have unsafe sex, at least know the risks beforehand. Ask for help when you need it. This is hard but essential. Keep talking to family, friends, teachers, counselors, and anyone else who can help you. Even if you have to go up to a stranger on the street, ask for help when you need it. Growing usually involves a wide range of thoughts, emotions, and experiences--use them to make the most of college and life!

Size doesnt matter and to never be intimidated by a large University. Ive been to both small private Universities and large public Universities and at a larger school you meet more people and get more diversity in your education.

visit the campus. feeling comfortable there is more important than the school's numbers. if you don't like the campus you will hate your time at the school and not get nearly enough out of it.

First, choose a college that fits you as an individual. Consider majors & minors, location, extracurricular activities available, and the potential for back-up plans. Once you have chosen a school, get involved. No matter where you decide to go, if you do not make an effort to become part of the college community, you will just watch others' lives go by without living your own. Your college experience is what you make of it, so find great friends, engage in exciting activities, travel, and make the memories you want to have.

I think the most important thing to focus on is that college should be a place where a student can see themselves for the next four years. There is a big difference in being nervous about attending a school and being comfortable about the choice you make. Parents are not going to be there very often so the choice should be up to the student and what is the best for him/her at the time. That is the whole point of college after all, students begin to learn what decisions can lead them to be successful. Try and think of the situations you encounter both frequently and rarely and see if there is an easy way to handle these events. There is nothing like running out of printer ink the night before a final paper is due. One of the best ideas from my parents was to fill a tub with all the little necessities: printer ink, paper, shampoo, stamps, batteries, my favorite eyeliner, gas giftcards, toothpaste, razors, etc. We refilled it together during summer break each year and it is just a connection to home knowing that your parents want you to have a good college experience!

It's all about the campus. The school you select ought to be a place from which you feel like you would actually benefit intellectually. There is no point to going to a "party school" -- you don't need to be attending college to party, you can do that for next-to-nothing out in the real world! Tuition is so incredibly expensive nowadays that students need to be as focused as possible on getting a proper education.

When trying to decide which college is right for you, make sure you tour the campus and have a chance to talk with a current student. I am a huge advocate for going with your gut; if it feels right and feels like a place you would enjoy being then chances are it will be. Also, remember that you will be living there for four years, so check out the area surrounding campus as well. As far as making the most of your college experience, get involved. The more you do and the more people you meet, the more fun college and life will be for you.