University of San Diego Top Questions

Find a place that makes you feel comfortable. A place that will allow you to be who you are.

I would reccomend that parents and students take campus tours. When on the tour, even though the guide is showing you buildings, I suggest looking at the students. When you enroll in a college you are enrolling in a small society. The people roaming the campus during your tour are your future peers. If they look and behave like the type of people you would like to involve yourself with in the future, then take note of that. College is about getting an education- inside the buildings and inside the friendships. Choosing the school with the right type of people will help create an amazing college experience.

the most important thing to look for is preference is class size. if your child is used to large classes stick to large classes. also try to place your child somewhere where they will be comfortable. if they like cold weather and snow put them somewhere its snows. overall its up to your child

visiting the colleges makes a huge difference as well as talking to students who attend it

Students, don't lie to yourself. Don't try to picture yourself at prospective college; instead, compare how the college looks to your current situation. For instance, if you attend an academically strong high school (and enjoy it), then look for academically strong colleges. When you think you can 'fit-in' at a different setting, you will not like nor accept the change. If your a zebra, your life will be much more enjoyable in 'zebra-land'. Painting over your stripes will merely cause you hardship.

I would tell incoming students to go with the college that they will be the happiest at, regardless of what their parents, friends, or college advisors say. Also, they need to get out of their shell and make the most of wherever they end up.

This school is a great small liberal arts school - it has a quiet campus, focused students, but is overall to conservative. Its strengths ARE NOT medicine or any science related fields. In fact those are overlooked when compared to Political relations, international relations or business.

The number one most important thing you should search for in a school is if they have the programs of study that interest you the most. It can be incredibly frustrating to think you have your life planned out, start taking the correct courses and then realizing that you want to change your mind, but the program you would prefer to switch to is not offered at your school. The second most important thing about finding a school is probably picking the right size for you. Also look to make sure that your prefered subject of study has a fairly large department with many possible professors. However, the biggest problem that I have run into after having been in school for a year has not really been my area of study, but the fact that I cannot get enough financial aid from my school. Make sure that you have the resources to continue at the school you are considering before commiting to it. Transferring can be stressful and very difficult.

Finding the right college is a tough process. Everything from financial costs and academic quality to location and social aspects tie into making a college decision. I encourage college visits, particularly during the school year, with both parents and students, to visually see what the school is like and witness what kind of diversity exists amongst the campus. Tuition costs play a huge role in deciding which college to attend. Regardless if the school is "too expensive", consider it anyway. There are huge amounts of financial aid and scholarships available if you take the time to apply. Choosing the right college should just fit. The student should be able to see themself spending the next four years at the college of their choice with no hesitation. There are answers and ways to get around all other factors. To make the most of the college experience depends solely on the student. Get involved, sign up for clubs you never saw yourself joining, and take advantage of what your school and its surroundings have to offer. Of course the main focus should be academics, but always make time for a good social life. Have fun and enjoy it because time flies.

The advice I would give parents/students about finding the right college is do your research. Read into your selected college?s academic policies, social life, financial assistance, and anything else you are looking for in your college experience. Also visit the schools. Paper will not reveal everything, so it is important to visit the school and feel out the atmosphere. Visiting the school can change your perspective of the school for the better or worse. It is especially beneficial to talk to current students and ask for their feedback about the college. Once you have finally made the selection of which college is right for you make the most out of it! How do you do that? Branch out, try new things, and indulge yourself in new surroundings. If you stay open-minded you won?t be disappointed. College is an adjustment for everyone, so it may be scary at first to branch out of your comfort zone, but it will be worth it. College is the time to try new things in order to find your identity, befriend new people, and discover what you want to spend the rest of your life doing.