University of Nebraska-Lincoln Top Questions

The best advice I could give is that this is the time to think about yourself and where you see yourself. Don't go to the college where all your highschool friends are going just because you're afraid of not knowing anyone. You'll meet new people at any school you go to, the important thing to focus on is whether the atmosphere and academics fits you.

make sure that you check into the program and see what they have to offer and what they can help you with. dont just pick a school becasue that is where you want to go or where your friends are going, pick what is best for you.

Most students want to get away from where they grew up. They want to get away from their family and the same boring town they have always lived in, but not me. Sure I hope to travel the United States and maybe even the world someday, but there is no place I'd rather be, there truly is no place like Nebraska. I'd say to the parents and students out there trying to find the right college that even a public university in your home town can be just as good if not better for you than moving many miles away. I'd also say make the most of your time in college. Attend football games, attend basketball games, meet new people. Have fun, lots of fun, and yet work hard and chase your goals. College is the time between growing up and being an adult. Have fun, don't let these days pass you by.

Research. Find a handful of colleges or universities that you really like. Then, talk to them. If you know what you want to major in, then talk to a professor from that area. See if you could maybe sit in a class and experience the classroom. And, also research within yourself. Find out if you want a big college experience, or if a smaller college is right for you. Do you want to live on campus where you can meet people and be more involved with the social life on campus, or would you rather live at home and save money where you can have more studying time. Just know what you want, and in what environment you can learn and grow best and then find that college. It shouldn't be about which college has the best reputation but about how you can build on yourself and grow to have your own great professional/career reputation.

The best advice I can give to parents and students is to take as much time as possible to visit any schools of interest. You may find out that the school you had in mind is nothing like you imagined and may stumble across a hidden gem of a school just by chance. Also, apply to as many schools as you can because you never know what kind of scholarships that school may offer you. I applied to my number one school even though it was out of my price range and ended up qualifying for one of their best scholarships. Make sure to look into both the academic and social aspects of the school as well. Just because you find the academics to be outstanding does not mean that you will enjoy your time there.

Make sure you go and visit each school you think you might apply to. The school that feels the best to you will come when you are in the area instead of just looking at pictures. Don't rush your decision because it is one of the most important choices you will make in your life. To make the most out of your college experience, make sure you meet people right away and also to get involved in your school and take your studies seriously.

The advice I would give to parents would be to let your child go where they really want to. Even if the college is a little out of your financial league. If you let your child go to the college they are passionate about then they will put in 100 percent instead of sixty. Advice for oncoming students on finding the right college would be to really look for things you can put up with for four years. Do you want to go to a big university where you will meet tons of new friends and expert professors in exchange for the giant, overwhelming campus? Or, would you prefer a smaller college where it might be easier for you to focus better. Either way parents and their childern should sit down and really take into consideration where they really want to go. Also, look into schools with majors you're interested in, because some schools have better business majors, or medical, etc. I personally love the college I am attending but it is a little pricey for just me and my mom, but I'm hoping it will pay off when I am finished.

Visit the schools and go with your first impressions.

Don't waste money and time by applying to too many schools. Narrow it down to 2 or 3 choices, and put all your effort into getting scholarships for those schools. Don't be afraid to visit campus. The right school should accommodate your entire person, not just your field of study. Be aware of factors like school size, campus setting, and general climate. The secret to making the most out of college is BALANCE. College isn't meant to be a 24/7 party, but it shouldn't be four years of incessant studying, either. Be responsible about your health; don't think that you can live off french fries and four hours of sleep a night. Join some extracurricular clubs and sports. This will help you make friends, find a niche, and gain valuable resume material. Remember: obtaining your independence is just as important as obtaining your degree. Have fun!

College is a major time in ones life, when it comes to choosing a school they should look at what all the school has to offer, not just what the school pushs out as the highlight points. If the family feels they may need financial aid they should start early looking for scholarships and other ways to recieve school funds. They should also not assume that good High School grades mean scholarships and financial aid in the future, becuase I witnessed that first hand when I was not awarded University based scholarships.

It is a good idea to know what you want to do, but sometimes college changes you which offers a different way of life.

Visit the campus and attempt, in some way, to meet students other than the ones giving tours. Universities strategically make the campus seem wonderful during the tour and it could be the complete opposite. The best way to get to know what the school is like is to know someone who attends. Facebook may be a good tool to meeting people from the school and seeing what they do in the photos they have.

The college choice is the quintessential life-changing decision. Choose the wrong one, you've just wasted a lot of money and a lot of time. It's stressful, but I think the key is to familiarize yourself with a school before deciding on one. A school you may have heard about may seem fantastic on paper, but the moment you arrive it may turn out to be your worst collegiate nightmare. To avoid this, start with a visit. Check out buildings, classrooms, anywhere you might go, and most importantly, the residences. Nothing can ruin college like a bad dormitory. Also visit the surrounding neighborhood. Find places you like to go, restaurants, theaters, shops, clubs, etc. and make a note of them, they are the perfect escape. If it's possible, try to establish a connection with someone who can help you throughout your college career. In my case, it was the Honors Program Academic Advisor. She was there to help me during my applications, during the school year, and whenever I need help. When picking a school, remember, it's much more than just student-professor ratios and number of Rhodes scholars produced, it's about you.

Listen to your child about those things in the educational system that are important to your student and then help your student match their needs to the academic setting.

Research your choices thouroughly.

from my experience it would have helped me to firmly decide on what my career path would be, this would ensure im selecting schools that have a strong committment to excellence in that particular area, because I had to change schools once I had made up my mind, I feel I missed out on the "freshmen" bonding that goes on. Live in the doorms-they certainly aren't good housing, but if you don't you will miss out on the opportunity to make a network of new friends. Parents: let your kid go-don't pay for everything, make them get a job and be responsible. Don't do thier laundry or give them credit cards to use for expenses, let them grow up.

know what you are offered at each place you look, and think about what you need. try not to be constrained by the cant's and remember that there is a way around everything, so pick what you need and want, not what you have to.

Visit the campus! Sit down and make a list of priorities, then when you go and visit the campus check off if the school has what your looking for or not. There is no real way to get a feel for thee school unless you go visit it. My family didn't have a lot of money to visit all the schools I applied to, but I did online research and narrowed down the three schools I really did want to go and we visited those. I also visited a local university that I knew I did not want to go to just so I'd have something to compare the others with. Which ever school you can imagine yourself walking around every day is the school for you.

I would tell potential college students to really consider their needs and desires in a school before making a decision. Students should first make a wishlist of everything they want in a school. They can then use this list to determine which school best fits them. I would also tell a student to make a decision based on themselves rather than the decisions their friends make. In order to make the most of their college experience, I would tell a student to try new things! College is the last opportunity many individuals will have to play a new sport or discover a new hobby. I would encourage students to step out of their comfort zones as much as possible. I would tell a student to get involved with new activities to help them meet new people. I would encourage students to get out of their dorm rooms and experience everything their college has to offer. After all, the college experience doesn't last forever!

Visit the campus and don't base your search on one program of study. The student will change their mind!