University of Nevada-Reno Top Questions

Make the most of it. Plan early, and be aware that it is not all fun and games, but it is not hard. You don't have to be smart to get good grades; you just have to be aware that hard work will be required, and be willing to do it.

Make sure you look at all your options because the school where are your friends are going is not necessarily the best choice for you. You should also look into the activites the college provides for students. Being busy will help keep your grades up and keep you out of trouble. You should definitely take a tour of the campus to make sure that is a good fit for you. College is quite and adjustment so the fewer obstacles you have to overcome the better. Being in a place where you feel comfortable will make the transition that much easier.

I would have to say that families absolutely have to visit the prospective campuses, if a student doesnt feel comfortable/ enthusiastic/ and challenged at the campus then, then how are they going to enjoy their time at college and be successful when they attend. There is a lot more to a college experince than walking away with a diploma and a stong GPA, its about making yourself, maintaning a social life, networking, and growing into a strong and confident individual ready to take on their next challenge. I would also really try to encourage students to have an idea of what they are interested in, so they can make sure that there are programs and faculty at their school, so they will have the resources and guidance to keep them motivated and reaching towards that goal. Not having the resources for what you are interested in can really hinder your potential.

Students should look for a college that fits their personality. For example, if the student is a more liberal and green thinking person, they should find a liberal school. They will be living in that environment for about 4 years, so choose well. The parents should help rationalize this decision. "Is this college environment benefical for the student's success?" If the student is very social and parties all the time, then going to a party school may not be in the best interest for the student. Students should also look at what degree programs interest them and which schools have good degree programs in the desired field, especially if they want to do research. Students should choose their location based on how far from home they can stand being. Many students become homesick after the first few months. Money should not be the only deciding factor because there are many scholarships availible to student. Students and parents should be willing to go for the "perfect" school because college will be much more rewarding. Students can also work to offset the cost of school. Being a full-time student and working is very do able.

Choose a college based on the things that are really important to you. It is important to find a school that offers a major program for the course of study you are interested in pursuing. If location is an important factor to you, make sure that you are not too far from home. Once you have chosen a school, learn about the history of the school, and the activities available both on and off campus. Join a club, or spend time studying in the library and eating on campus. Go to sporting events, even if athletics are not your thing a crowd of fellow students uniting for a common purpose is an exciting thing to be a part of.

Find somewhere that you'll be comfortable. There will be plenty of times to be uncomfortable in college with classes, social settings, finding friends, etc. Find somewhere that you can realistically call home and not feel uneased.

If you are interested in a particular major, you need to make sure that the schools you are looking at have a good department in that particular field. I would try to make an appointment to talk to the Dean of that particular College to make sure that it is indeed the school that you want to go to. Antother thing that is crucial, are the resources that are available to the students. I would look at the Library, and the Student Union to see what kind of computers are available to the prospective student. UNR just built a huge new Library that is absolutley amazing. It has private group study rooms on every floor, that have a white board, and a t.v screen so that you can practice presentations. I would also see what activities are available to the student on campus. Does it have intermural sports, and other fun activities. Are football/basketball games well attended. Does the school have plenty of clubs to get involved with. All of those things are ways for the new student to get involveded, and make some friends on campus. College can be a great experience, take advantage of it!

Understand that a four-year degree cannot be completed by a student working full-time. This university assumes its students are covered under the Millenium Scholarship, and so gears its programs for non-working students. Submit the FAFSA early, and ask your department for additional scholarships it may offer. These are not always well publicized. Keep in contact with Admissions and Records, for prerequisite and course offering conflicts that can delay graduation by semesters. Don't rely on an academic advisor to tell you everything you need to know. Check course catalogs, etc., on your own. If you think something is wrong, it probably is. Find someone to ask, until you find an answer you're satisfied with.

When finding a college, the community aspect is very important. If people at the school are not very involved then there could be problems integrating yourself in the community. It is especially hard if the community that the school in involved in is a fast paced community. More slower communities that are integrated in smaller cities tend to be more open to meeting new people and trying new things. If you are trying to find a college community, find a small city that has a majority college population and people who have school spirit for their city's university.

My advice to parents and students is to find out what really interests you and then search for a college that will best serve your interest. If you don't know yet what you want to be after you graduate or you have trouble pinpointing the things that you want out of a college. Don't be afraid to visit some nearby campuses to get a feel for what college life is really about. Remember, it's not all fun and games. You need to take into consideration what will happen when all the fun and games just aren't fun anymore because there will be a time when you will want to settle down and get a good job and maybe start a family. Don't be afraid to take some career specific courses too. I am now a computer science major but I would have never decided to pursue that degree if I had not taken a beginning course in computer science. So take some time to figure out what you really want out of life and don't be afraid to try new things.