University of Tulsa Top Questions

Dont take school so seriously. Have fun and be nice

As clich? and overstated as it may sound, the number one rule you should follow as a prospective college student is this: visit as many schools that you are considering as possible. In my quest to find the right school, I found that my number one school quickly dropped to my number two school after my visits. Confused about why? Websites and phone calls can only tell you a tiny piece of a college?s story. By visiting a school, you learn of its atmosphere?how responsive faculty members are to your questions, how friendly the students are, and even how tasty (or sometimes nasty) the cafeteria food is. I picked my school because I felt comfortable and at home there, and I don?t regret it! Once you pick your school and start your college journey, be yourself! If you felt right at this school when you visited it, make yourself at home when you get there. Join as many activities as you have time for?this will help connect you to people of many different interests and backgrounds. From one of the shyest, most awkward people in the country, try new things, trust yourself, and have fun!

The best advice that I received was to make sure the professors know who you are and that you are serious about your grades. Make sure you've been to see each of your professors in their office because a one-on-one interacting conversation will make the difference in your grades, understanding the material and helping to develop contacts for the future. The best advice that I never got was to get involved in EVERYTHING. Join and take an office in a club, ask to assist in research and always keep and use business cards for future reference.

The most important factor to consider when choosing a college is size. Small classes have a much different learning environment than larger classes. Professor availability outside of class as well as the quality of the personal relationship taht students can have with a professor are almost directly correlated with the size of the class. Secondly, and almost as important, one should consider extra-curricular activities. If sports are important, students should investigate the level and quality of the sports teams as well as the campus recreation facilities. If religion is important, students should visit the religious organizations on-campus, as many of these organiations are not included in a standard campus tour. The extra-curricular aspects of campus are as much a part of the college experience as the academics, and should be investigated when considering a potential school.

Make sure you know for sure what you're interested in as far as majors are concerned. I wasted two years of my school time and put my GPA down the tubes because I thought I wanted to do Mechanical Engineering. But it turned out that's not what I wanted to do, so I changed my major. Just make sure you know exactly what you want to do, and if it turns out that you aren't doing what you really want to, change as soon as you can and don't waste time.

Of course, the first thing you should make sure a college has is the major or field that you are interested in studying. I also think that different sizes of schools have very different atmospheres, and you have to figure out where you will thrive. After that, anything goes. I have friends who have made complex, weighted equations to help them decide, and others who relied purely on the "feeling" of campus. Personally, I ended up eliminating some schools just because of their school colors or because their name made me think of toothpaste. How much you enjoy college will be based on what comes after your decision. Don't be surprised if your first semester or two is difficult, especially if you're going away from friends and family. Get involved, keep up with your school work, introduce yourself to new people and trust that you'll come to love your new and different life!

Probably the most important thing in selecting a college is taking campus visits and sitting in on classes. It's very important to get the feel of the campus, professors and current students. Guided tours paint a nice picture, but it's the unguided tours that are most valuable. Evaluate the area surrounding the campus to ensure that all necessities are within walking distance. Though most parents focus on security issues, most campuses are very safe and have excellent security programs; they should instead look at the things that will add value to their child's quality of life. Talk to former and current students to determine if the school's claims match what students really think--after all, the students are the heart and soul, and the very reason of existence for the school.

Tour as many campuses as you can! I feel like the best advice I have regarding college selection is to visit as many different types of college campuses and get a sense of student life. Many questions you'll ask yourself about class size, campus involvement, campus sizes, or even type of living situation, can't really be judged unless you have a broad basis of comparison. I had applied to a small private school, a large state school, and a medium sized public school, and after touring each campus I found the environment where I would have all the opportunities and guidance I could need, as well as a high quality of living and positive motivation from my peers. Everyone fits in somewhere, and its extremely important to find out which environment is for you based on experience. My student-led campus tour influenced my decision so much, that now I am a University Ambassador for my school, and I hope to pass on the the fantastic and life changing experiences I've had so that many more students can anticipate the same!

Parents would probably want to visit the city--students should remember you only live once--make it good, but not embarassing. Always do your best, someone is always watching. You don't want it to bite you later.

I would tell them to really choose a college that fits them. I would recommend you make a list of things that you definately want at your college and a list of things you would like. When you visit colleges, keep that list with you and score each one. The professors, classes, and statistics are important, but the students are the life of a campus. If you see energetic people, you will get energy from them. You create relationships with the next generation going into the work field - great connections to have! Once you are at the college you pick, meet as many people as you can in the first week. Make little mental notes to remember their names. If you are able to introduce people to each other, it makes other people attracted to you. Yes, it is scary, but it pays off. Also, college is a place to have fun and try new things. I would suggest trying something you have never done before, such as an art class, intramurals, or going to a play. Going through greek rush is another idea. Even if you do not join, it is a great way to meet people.