University of Southern California Top Questions

For me it comes down to three things: How will the college help you grow personally, how will it help you grow professionally and what lasting advantages will you have as a graduate? USC was the perfect fit for me, and as an alum I'm in excellent company. Good luck!

There will be no right way to find a college: it is just a feeling. I remember the first time I walked on the grounds of USC. I knew I belonged here. It is all about feeling that you can make it at a place for four or more years. No one can tell you if the place is right or not.

I would suggest that parent's do not force their opinions on their child. My mom didn't want me to go to a school so far away from home but when she saw the look on my face when I walked on campus she knew I had found my new home. Be prepared for the adjustment to be hard but don't blame the school. Going to college is a big step and it takes time to love it. Also, visit the campus before making your final decision. Yeah, you may like the sports or academics, or even the prestige, but does it feel right?

Finding the right college is a question: What will a college can do for you? Prestige is nothing if the cost is apathetic professors and social negligence. An excellent view of the ocean is not helpful if your university is such in name only. To pick the right college, I?d suggest making a list of personal requirements. If you find a school that meets every requirement, congratulations; if not, compromise and reconsider. As logical as this process seems, there is also a time when you might follow a gut instinct, go to that school that will put you $70,000 in debt, and still feel good about yourself. When you know what you want and what is important, not following your gut feeling is something you may regret. I?d say the key to a good college experience is to leave your dorm room as much as possible. In college, you will have opportunities to join clubs, meet people who are in the same position in life that you are, and take part in once in a lifetime events. Never neglect schoolwork, but always neglect, say, the television. It will still exist in four years; these opportunities will not.

The best advice that I can give about finding the right college is to take the time to visit the school and talk to students who are currently attending. It may also be best to talk to students who are not employed by the school, just to ensure that you are not receiving an edited or scripted responses. The college years, for many, are times of self-discovery and growth. To make the most of this time, it is best to keep an open mind. You will meet people who have come from diverse walks of life. Take the opportunity and the time to get to know some of these people. They will help you to discover who you are as well. Another important thing to realize in college is that you may become frustrated or want to give up at times. Most schools have resources that can help you to overcome many of these struggles. Once you get through that time of doubt, however, you will realize how much you have grown from the experience.

When I began the application process five years ago there were a great amount of questions that I had for my advisors and for myself. My biggest question focused around which university would offer the most socially and professionally adjusted atmosphere. I needed to decide this in order to obtain an education that would have the greatest impact on my college experience and then later on my professional life. With that I applied to a fair amount of schools in various locations with diverse educational backgrounds. This gave me multiple options and great perspective. So with that, the advice that I would share with any individual who is beginning his or her collegiate journey would be to keep their options open. Having more options to chose from may seem difficult short-term, but in the long-run it gives anyone the ability to, inevitably, make a sound and well developed decision. That is what helped me and I still believe that it was one of my best and most important decision to this day.

I would encourage students to put school as their priority in order to flourish and succeed. By stating to "school" not only am I referring to the academics, but extra-curricular activities on and off campus - get to know and love your surrroundings. Learn to feel at home away from home. Learn to feel comfortable and confident with the people you know and the places you go. Create friendships that have deep bonds which will last a lifetime. Don't be afraid to try new things or pursue different goals. Set high expectations for yourself without fearing failure. Live life for today so that you won't regret tomorrow. I would encourage parents to give their children, who are now young adults, freedom of choice. Allow your children to make decisions and make mistakes. Encourage them to reach outside of their comfort zones in order to find themselves so that they'll become excellent contributing members of society. Allow them to make their own expectations - their own assumptions. Tell them that you're proud of them, and always remind them of your love - regardless of their failures and successes.

Focus on what the student wants to do in the future, not what you want them to be.

In all reality, college is just a means to an end. For me, it isn't the best time of my life (it is fun because I enjoy learning). It is a time where I learn what I want and need for my future. The people you meet may or may not be life long friends. The teachers you have might remember you later on, but might not. For me, the right college wasn't the one with the best sounding social life, but the one that would allow me to do the most things with my life after college.

The best advice to parents and/or students about finding the right college is: * Research thoroughly the colleges that offer Majors that are of interest to the student; an active college alumni association will help find jobs after graduation. * Be passionate about what you study and what career you will ultimately choose for your life's work versus choosing a Major to 1) please someone else or 2) guarantee financial stability. * Get involved in campus life and community and learn about other cultures. My school offers the best curriculum taught by industry experts in my Major but it is pro-community service as well. * Determine what your contribution to society will be - - starting at home. * Don't be deterred by your socio-economic status; pursue avenues of financial aid and never let naysayers dissuade you from getting the education you deserve. * Set goals. Consult with school educators to help you develop a plan of action to achieve your goals. * Believe in yourself and your unique abilities. * Have faith and remember that the struggles we endure to reach our goals are what truly build mental, physical and spiritual character. Knowledge is information but wisdom is enlightenment. Turn your light bulb ON!