University of South Florida-Main Campus Top Questions

A big part of the college experience is the social aspect, so it's really important to get plugged in with groups on campus and to interact with other students. If your son or daughter is a "people-person", they'll probably enjoy a smaller school where he or she will know everyone because it's easy to feel lost and alone at a big school.

First go visit the colleges and walk around; pick a school where you feel most comfortable and get involved at much as you can. This is a time to meet new people and to take risks.

To stay focused and always try your best.

I think it is important for parents and students to visit the colleges they are interested in. I think they should look into the clubs and organizations available at each school and think about which ones they are most interested in. I think it is important to be apart of a group because you meet and make friends that way and connect yourself into a group. It helps a student feel like they fit which is important.

Search around at various schools to see what will best fit you. Get involved with school activities and attend all of your classes.

Make sure you do all you research to narrow down your list. Before going to tour a school have you questions ready to get the best out of the the tour as possible.

Every school has its own personality. Students and parents should keep this in mind when choosing the right college and making the most of the college experience. Choosing a college or university is a lot like choosing a husband or wife for the next 4 years. It would be foolish to decide on a school without doing research about the activities, lifestyle, and location. Start by figuring out what you love and what you want your school to be like, then go hunting for the right one. Visit the school, check out the city or town, talk to the teachers, and ask current or former students about their experiences. Once you decide on a school and start your journey, make the very most out of the experience. This does not mean to go wild and crazy. Instead, learn as much as you can, meet as many influential people as you can, and make every day better than the last. Choosing a school is like choosing a mate. There are plenty of choices but you must search around, find "the one", commit yourself, and make the most of your time together. You will be happy that you did.

First and foremost I am a strong believer that a school that costs a lot does not mean you will get a better education. It just means you get a more expensive diploma. I've been to Northeastern University, a very good school. I didn't work out for me there. The people were very different and trying to fit in was hard. I left and transferred to the University of South Florida, and although it is not as prestigous, I am learning more and having more fun here. Of course, this is just one persons experience, but it is a reminder that students need to figure out what environment they want to learn in and what types of people they want to acssociate themselves with. Once this is established a student can truly have a better decision on where they want to attend school. They should also be reminded by the parents that they are attending college to get an education and learn. I can't stress enough that the student needs to be responsible, because once he/she leaves for school nobody is there to tell you if your messing up. Balance between school and play is important.

USF Sarasota is a great school. It is a small hometown campus where the professors carea about the students. The faculty is caring, helpful, and a great support for student success.

To choose the right college for you begin by researching the school websites first. Make a checklist to see that the potential school offers the program you're interested in, the admissions requirements, the cost of attendance, availability of scholarships and financial assistance, offered extracurricular activities, options for on-campus or off-campus living, and what the city surrounding the campus has to offer. Once you've narrowed your list down to three to five schools, plan several days to make trips to the colleges you're interested in. Take a tour of the campus, eat a meal at the dining hall, tour the on-campus living facilities, and imagine yourself as part of that college's student body. Choose the college that you see yourself being happiest at. Once you've made your decision make your experience worth it. To do well in school read the material ahead of time, attend lectures, form study groups, visit the professor's office hours, and do the homework. Doing well academically should be number one priority, but make sure you still make time for yourself by getting involved in different organizations, staying active and taking advantage of campus activities available to you.

Make sure future students open themselves up to new and different experiences in college. Do not be afriad to be yourself. Try to attend a diverse school because it will benefit you in the future.

My advice to parents and/ or students about finding the right school is to start your search early. Don't be afraid to try a new area with alot of diversity. When you attend a very diverse school you are exposed to alot more experiences that will prepare you for the future. Don't be afraid to apply for scholarships that require an essay. You never know what might happen. Start you search for financial aid and scholarships early. Remember the early bird gets the worm. Vist all the schools that you apply to and get to know the people that already attend the school. Ask question because you wouldn't know unless you ask. Also visit the area around the school so you know what options you have with social activities. Once you've found the right school don't be afraid to get invovled. When you're involved you meet so many different people and you are exposed to more opprotunities. College isn't all about work. Enjoy yourself! Make sure that you manage your time effectively. You can have it both fun and the degree!!

You need to make sure the college has a good program for your degree/career path. Then things like financial aid and housing come into play. Also, other things like a good sports team help build pride and give more opportunities to go to sporting events and meet new people.

I would tell parents to look at their kids' interests and to see what their chosen colleges have to offer that fit their child's interests. Also, pick a college that is affordable, but do not worry so much about that. Having a great college experience is not always about money. For students, pick a college that well known for the major/academic program you want to go into. Also, pick the college that has a variety of social events, outdoor recreation, and activities going on, especially ones that you are interested in. This is a great way to make friends and to develop a social life in college. Your college experience would not be the same if the school had nothing going on outside of classes. Pick a college that is in the kind of setting you want, for example, a big city or in a country town with a small population. If you are happiest in a big city, pick a college in an urban area, such as New York City or Chicago. If you are happy in a small town, pick a college in a small town.

Don't be afraid to "not know." Allow yourself time to make up your mind about where you want to attend school and what your major will be. Don't be stuck on a timetable.

Go to whichever college feel your going to be most comfortable.

I would let parents/students know that picking the right college depends on the type of person the individual is. If the person excels in smaller classrooms, then go to a small college. If the person is a well-rounded individual and takes pride into meeting new people from a variety of ethnical backgrounds, attend a larger college. Most of all, choose a college that will offer what the student is interested in learning. Of course, that can change several times throughout the college experience, but as long as the student is goal-oriented, focused, and determined to succeed no matter what trials the student may face, he/she will overcome. College isn't like high school, it is hard work and the one that survives college is the one that studies hard, socialize with others in class, and relax. Stress can kill so enjoy extra curricular activities outside of class work. Hard work will pay off.

Find the school that meets the criteria for your degree, don't forget to do a well indepth research on it, it will pay off once school starts. When it comes to college experience, join anything you can (athletics, band, clubs, etc) it will open you up to endless opportunities not to mention the amount of networking that will be nedded once your ready to find a job.

Attend the highest rank college you get accepted to it will be worth it in the long run.

Look at schools that are in your state first, because the in-state tuition can save both of you a lot of money. Make sure you visit the school and talk to current students while you are there. Find out what kind of extra-curricular activities are available, or what students do on their free time most often. Take the cost-of-living of the city of your school into consideration when choosing a university/college. Most importantly, make sure the interests of your school are similar to yours, because different schools might focus on different academic areas while other schools may be well-rounded in progressing their disciplines.