University of South Carolina-Columbia Top Questions

When choosing a college, make sure you consider how close you want or do not want to be to your home location. The first year can be hard and you may want to be able to go home as often as possible. Also consider how well the college is recognized for their academics and teachers. Once you are in college, try to find at least one extracurricular activity/club that you are interested in. You need to be well rounded and should not only depend on good grades to get you a good job once you graduate. Be sure to talk to your counselor and ask for advice. Use the services that are avaiable like tutoring and career centers. Most of all keep up with your college work but also have FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Financial Aid.

Have you ever met someone with whom you immediately felt comfortable and engaged? This person somehow just made you feel at ease by the very nature of their personality and truly allowed you integrate yourself into whatever activity the two of you were doing, whether it is a casual conversation, an athletic challenge, or an academic project. Colleges have similar personalities, and it is an interaction between you and the colleges you visit that will ultimately determine where you attend. Just as in meeting new people, physical appearance, interesting facets, unique qualities, impressive facts, and fascinating traits create impressions and attitudes about each campus. When you meet a (future) best friend and have enough in common to sustain a relationship while still having enough differences to create interest and room to explore, something clicks, and you feel like you can be yourself while simultaneously looking to learn and improve yourself in the presence of this person. Choosing colleges is the same. Look for a place that provides comfort, excitement, AND opportunities to challenge yourself in new and old ways. And when you get there, capitalize on every chance you get because they exist for you to use.

I would tell students to figure out what it is they really want to do in life and pick a school that will cater specifically to those needs. If your child does not know what they want to do with their life, pick schools that have a wide variety of majors that the student seems interested in. Staying close to home may have its benefits, but going away is a great experience. College years are some of the best so don't be affraid to test the waters a little bit. Although drinking is a big part of student life, not everyone out there is a drinker. I for one am not. Don't let others impact your decisions to drink. Register for classes ASAP! Research your professors to ensure a good semester. Really think about the meal plan. Are you really going to eat 21 meals a week? Having a car on campus makes things easier (so does having your own computer). Not doing as well as you would like is normal your first semester. Remember you are learning how to study for a college exam. Don't beat yourself up! You'll get there!

Go with your gut. Don't choose a school because your friends or significant other or parents want you to go there. Visit campuses and get a feel for what life at that campus is like. Choose a college where you feel like you fit in and don't be afraid to speak out and make friends. On a campus with a large student population, it's easy to feel lost, but if you take the time to come out of your shell and join an organization, new friends are sure to follow.

Finding the right university or college for a young adult is engaging in the right educational environment. Certain educated minds tend to go to schools with a specialty in a certain field. If a rising high school graduate does not know what he or she wants to do like most 18 year olds, then it would be wise to pick a large university with a variety of specialized and certified courses such as iberal arts. Going to school in South Carolina in a major university has shown me the opportunities to succeed with course variety, career management , advisement, and specialized majors. My university has a warmy country campus in Columbia, South Carolina which makes it different from urban campuses in large cities as New York or Boston, as well as not distractng you from the education your parents or you have to pay for. Overall, the best way to figure out what college is best for you is collecting common interests together and searching for those traits in schools where you want to be located for the next four years. People transfer often because they realize they do not want to be plastic surgeons but a accountant instead.

Apply early, try to make as many friends as possible, and study hard.

Deciding on a college should be based on 3 things. First you want a campus that has the major you want. Many colleges provide make your own majors but these are difficult to do and a certified program is always better. Next look at the activities the school provides and decide which ones you would want to be a part of. Another factor should be location, many students want to be far away from home but find out later that they rely on family support far more than they realized. College is a time to have fun. For those of you looking to go to medical, dental or graduate school, these first 4 years will be your chance to let loose and enjoy life before the tough stuff really begins. Join any clubs you want to and participate in as many activities as you like. This is the only time you will be in college so make the most of it.

The most important thing to remember when finding the right college is make sure it is the right fit. You need to make sure that that are picking the school for the right reasons and not just because it is where your friends are going or where your parents think you should go. Visiting the schools you are interested in definitely helps determine which school is for you. Most people can tell the second they get on campus whether or not they could picture themselves spending the next four years of their life there. If you are not sure of your major (most people aren't) then its a good idea to pick a school with a variety of options. Once you get to school, the best way to get the most of your college experience is to get involved in campus life. Whether you decide to get involved in Greek life, play intermural sports, or join student government, involvement is a great way to make new friends. After all, college is not just about the grades, but it is also about developing as a person and discovering yourself and your strengths.

Find the cheapest college for you to go to. I will most likely never use my degree directly, and could have gotten the same peice of paper for 1/5th of the cost. And I will pay back greedy banks and lenders for the rest of my life for an education I was told I needed... when come to find out, the wealthiest people I know have little or no education. Some are even high school drop outs with a good work ethic.