University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Top Questions

If possible, parents should visit the college with the student when available tours are given during their senior year of high school. Students should have a first-hand experience with the college setting so that school is perfect for the individual.

The first step to finding the right college is to write down the most important things that you want in a college - do you want a big school or a small school? Also, visit colleges during the summer - as many as you can - that interest you. Apply to schools even if they seem too expensive or too hard to get into, you can't predict how much financial aid you will recieve. Visiting the campuses beforehand is important. You want to know what the school has to offer. I applied to 7 schools my senior year of high school. I ended up choosing Pitt because it was still close to home, yet far enough to be away, the offered the most financial aid to help pay for the tuition costs, it has a nice, big campus in the city, and there are plenty of things to do on or off-campus. It ended being a great choice, I love it!

Visit the campus. Before I visited Pitt's campus it was my third choice and a nearby college was my first choice. Then I visited them both within two days of eachother. My first college's tour and overnight stay made me dislike the school so much that I didn't care if I got accepted or not, I'd never go there. I visited Pitt's campus and immediately loved it! It was so alive and the people were so nice. It helped that the campus food was way better there too. As far as making the most of the college experience? Go out - explore! My first two days I was terribly alone because I didn't go out and explore. Once I did that, I made friends quickly and started having the time of my life. Get involved in campus clubs and meet as many people as you can.

I would tell them not to just apply to the schools that all of the student's friends are going to, but to actually look for themselves and visit as many different campuses that you can.

Visit as many schools as you can and try to make lists of pros and cons for each school you may be interested in. This can really help narrow down the schools you want to attend and make the final decision much easier

Look at several colleges and don't make your decision until you spend a couple days on campus while school is in session. Walk around the dorms and visit areas like libraries computer labs and academic advisors offices. Also definitly sit in on a class or two!!!!!!!!!

Finding and choosing the right college is perhaps the most important decision a student will make during their high school career. It is imperative that this process begins early in a student's high school career and that the entire family is involved in the discussion. Keep in mind, the "right college" will change from person to person, so it is very crucial not to choose a school based on your friends' choices. The best way to choose the school that is right for you is to make a list of characteristics you want in a school including the size, location, distance from home, public or private, cost, surrounding area, etc. After the list is comprised, talk with a college counselor at high school in order to get a list of possible schools. Visit them and apply to the ones you like the most. When you receive your acceptance letter, your search still isn't over. An important option to remember is that if you decide you don't like the school you choose, you can always transfer after your first semester. The most important thing is to remember to study and put the most into your academics!!

Stay in a dorm your first year. Dont try and go and get a lease your first year because you still wont be sure on how to handle your finaices. My suggestion would be yto get your feet wet in a dorm the first meet some new people and then the next year if you feel your ready then get your own apt but the dorm is part of the experience.

Don't over think things. There are so many colleges out there that it's impossible to get to know each and every one. If a student visits and feels at home, then it's a great match. just make sure you have researched the available areas of study, and that thres plenty of room for you to plan and switch majors, even if you're undecided. The best way to find a great college is by really engaging with students there, both as a prospective student and as an undergraduate. Once you're there, find people you can relate to, who you can spend time with both in and out of classes.

When you've been accepted to several schools and can't decide which to choose, think about where each campus is set. If you're a city person, then a college with its campus set in an urban area is probably your best bet. But if you're more of a country person, then one whose campus is in a rural setting would be a better fit for you. Now, make sure the college you have chosen has the major/program that you want to go into, and that you will be able to afford it. As far as making the most of the college experience, I think adjusting quickly to college life is important. Get involved with clubs, sports, volunteering, etc. early and often, and you'll become more comfortable and forge friendships that will last a lifetime. Once classes start becoming difficult, be sure to set aside time from your social life to read and study. Work with friends on homework and projects (if you're allowed) and study with them too. Don't be afraid to seek out your professors to ask them for help. They'll be more than happy to talk to you and help.