University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Top Questions

Whatever you choose, embrace it and get involved past jsut academics. You only go to college once.

Go on a college tour, speak with an academic advisor, and be open to new majors even if you think you're positive you know what you're going to major in. It will change!

In order to find the right college it is important to go visit the college. Parents, taking a school sponsored tour is a great way to get all of your questions answered and see where your kids will be spending the next four years. Students, I would recommend going on the school sponsored tour with your parents. If possible, try to spend time on campus without your parents. Try to interact with current students at the college to see what they have to say about it. I found one of the most helpful resources for exploring different colleges was taking to current students. Also, I found it was a great help to go on an even called "New Student Weekend." It was a student led weekend trip where new students could talk openly about any concerns/ask questions to students who had been at the school for at least a year or more.

I would advise parents to find a school that their child can explore multiple majors in. Your education is what you make of it, so most of the value of the college experience comes from the student, and usually stems from wisdom imparted by his or her parents. So, one's college experience lies less in the college, and more in the student and advice that he or she has been given by the most influential people in his or her life.

The process of finding the right college is like an up-side down triangle. At first, like the broad top of the triangle, be ready to explore. Pursue all the schools that interest you. After gathering general surface information, start focusing your options. Make a chart of your top 5-10 schools and rank them based on criteria that is important for you: majors that interest you; consider location, size, and cost; think about activties, sports, and clubs. The most important part: VISITING! On the college campus you get a feel for the school that you can't get online or from brochures. Once you've narrowed down your choices, apply to at least 3 schools. Dream big, but think smart. Have a "back-up" school. After ripping open that acceptance letter and dancing around with joy, it's SCHOLARSHIP time! Spend time looking for scholarships so you won't have to spend more money on tuition than you have to. When you're finally moved in remember: you can be alone when you're studying and sleeping, so GET INVOLVED! Invite new friends to hang out with and explore campus. Push yourself, have fun, and you'll do great.

The best advice I could give to a student about finding the right college is to pick a college that you feel comfortable in, and go with your gut feelings, even if this means going somewhere where none of your friends are going. This is a time to be open to change. If you do this, you will have chosen the college that is the best environment to allow yourself to grow and mature, academically and as a person. As for parents, I would advise them to provide guidance for their kids, but not ultimately make the decision or try to persuade the child to go to a certain college. The ultimate decision should remain in the hands of the student.

Work hard and prepare yourself for a culture change from high school to college. Take the time to look for scholarships and grants!

When finding and deciding on the right college, I would look at a very large variety of schools, all over so you can have as much information as possible. Don't limit yourself to one city or state. If you know what you want to study, look at every school that has your desired program. Start looking early, even if you think it's too early, because before you know it, it's going to be too late. Let everything go, don't go somewhere because your friends are, or because your boyfriend or girlfriend is going to that school, choose for yourself. Make a list of the things that you want in a school, and find the one that best fits your description. Once you are at school, get to know as many people as you possibly can. If they don't end up being your friends, at least they'll be contacts you might later need. Get yourself out there, explore your campus and what it has to offer. Find yourself and what you want out of life. College is a good place to make mistakes, so don't be afraid of making them.

I would advise students to start researching college options early in their high school career to help them discover what will be a good fit for them. Students should look at multiple aspects of the colleges they are researching from academics to advising to extracurricular activities. Tours are helpful, but one experience on a campus should not be the deciding factor in determining if that school is the chosen one. Finally, students should start the application process early to help minimize stress. Spread out the tasks that need to be done and give yourself the time to write an essay that truly reflects who you are as a person and are striving to become. A student's college experience is as exciting and challenging as the student decides. College is about pushing your mind and your work ethic. It's also about making friends, participating in organizations that let you use your talents or express your thoughts and beliefs, and discovering what direction you want your life to head. College is where academic and career dreams begin to blossom, and it's important that all students know that the professors and advisors are there to help you achieve your goals.

"Bloom where you are planted!" Trite but it works well. Remember you, can not change everything about the institution . Playing musical colleges because you "love" the quaint campus, but hate the party environment in the dorms is often counter productive and ads years and dollars to the educational experience. Who you are as a freshman is going to change - that is the point of education - a larger campus with many choices will help facilitate your experiences and possibly assist you when you decide to change you major for the third time. Look for a college that will serve you as well in your senior year as it appears to do as a freshman.