University of Utah Top Questions

find schools that have the "best programs" in area of study. look at pros & cons of each.

I was happy participating in the survey. Although the $10,000 is a very promising reward, I have already participated in this in the past - before the above stated drawing date. I hope my response was helpful to your survey and its purpose. I hope the feed back I have given you will get to my univeristy.

My advice to parents or students about finding the right college would be to look for one that best suits the individual. Make sure that the college is within the right price range, and if not, check to see if the college offers scholarships and financial aid. Look for a college that offers extracurricular activites that would most benefit the student, such as volunteering or a sports team the student is interested in. If the student is interested in a large or small campus, then I would suggest looking for a college with an ideal campus size. I find that class sizes are the most important. I would recommend checking out what the class sizes are, and choosing a college depending on what class size best fits the student. Culture is another very important concept. If the student is ethnically diverse, then finding a college with clubs or organizations within the same culture can make the college experience more dynamic. Finding the right college can be hard, and there are many considerations to take into account. Taking the time to find the right college that best fits the student's standards will be worth it in the long run.

Look at more than just the school but the community around it as well. Culture can be very different just a few states or even cities over. Make sure it is a culture you want to learn about and have infulence your life. College is more than just the education and degree, it is about expereinces, friendship, and networking. See if the school does CLEP tests (or accepts them from other places) and test out of the areas you already know to free up space other classes the summer before your first semster. That way it is not a stresser during school time. Go visit them after you have narrowed it down to see if you like what you see as well as what you know.

Take time to research and visit campuses. Visit and meet with the acedemic department for the degree you are interested in pursuing. Speak with other students to find out what they like and dislike.

find a college that has an accredited program that you're interested in. not just in general. meaning that if you're interested in science, pick a school that has a good science program, and not one like harvard just for the name. another thing is to get a degree that will put money in your pocket, you can learn anything you want by reading or researching. but only your diploma will decide how much money you will make.

It's important to find a school that will help you reach your goals. The prestige of any school can only get you to a certain point, so be certain not to compromise a direct path to your goals in exchange for a degree from a school that you might think is more prestigious. Once you have selected a school, be certain to familiarize yourself with the campus and the surrounding communities. You will be spending a lot of time in these areas and knowing your surroundings will help you to adjust. It's important to be proactive and make new friends. These networks can benefit you academically and professionally, and many of these will turn out to be long-term friends. Education is a lot different in a college/university setting and may require a new approach from many incoming students. Higher education requires a lot of self-discipline and resiliency. It is imperative to keep a healthy balance of school and a social life without over-doing either category. This is an experience that will impact the rest of your life, be sure to chase your goals and make it as enjoyable as possible.

Look into the student life on the campuses your son/daughter is going into. What is it you want, or think your son/daughter wants out of school? Is it the party scene, or is it the academics, or is it a nice mix of both? Not to mention be open to allowing your kid to move or change schools, perhaps the first one isn't what s/he needs.

My best advice to students and their families looking for the right college is to keep your options open. If you think you know what you want, thats great, but its good to remember to keep your eyes open for different options. I definetly believe in researching and visiting as many colleges as possible. The earlier you start making your list of choices, the longer you have to revise and edit that list. Once you've started college, hooking up with a great group of friends can really help you delve into your new environment. Its great to have peers that support you and understand what you are going through. I think the most important things to remember to make the most of a college experience are to have fun, learn a lot, and stay safe!

I am a non traditional student. I didn't attend college until several years after high school so my decision as to which univerasity to attend was based on different criteria than the average student. I chose the school that was close to where I lived. The degree was the goal for me not obtaining some great job after graduation. I love my college experience and the students and faculty at the U of Utah have all been great.