University of Washington-Seattle Campus Top Questions

To make the most of the college experience, one must take the time to "test" the area and begin networking with students that will be attending the college of interest. To test the campus, I would recommend visiting for at least two weeks. Attend classes, eat at campus venues, study in the library, attend campus events, and parties; just endulge yourself in the college life for the whole week. Do this to make sure you are comfortable and feel at home with this campus. There is no feeling worst than being an outcast in your own school. To network with students that will be attending, I would recommend using the internet. Facebook.com or even myspace.com are great networking channels for one to use: check out college groups that interest you and join and be proactive in discussions and asking questions. This will be a great way to start friendships with people that share a general interest with you such as dance, music, or volunteering. Make plans to meet up on campus and see where it goes from there! To ensure the most out of your college life, make friends and feel comfortable!

Make sure you visit wherever you think you will most likely be attending and be extremely open and outgoing to make new friends!

Advice I would offer to students and their parents looking for the university that would guarantee them to get the most out of the college experience, would be to visit the campus. When I was deciding where to pursue my educational future, I realized that once I stepped onto a college?s campus, I either felt at home or I did not. Once you are on the campus, you can ask yourself: Do I picture myself walking through this campus, feeling like I can relate to the environment here? It?s amazing what this experience provides when it comes time to make a decision. If visiting is not a possibility, I suggest researching as much as possible, and don?t limit this research strictly to the college and what it has to offer. Make sure to look at the area surrounding the campus, like the city/town, and determine if you can relate to the people there. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable where you live because this will enable you to be involved in the school atmosphere as much, or as little, as you desire, making your time on campus everything you can hope for.

First off, try to meet an academic advisor in the field you want to go into. That way, if you end up going to that school, you already have a strong connection to an advisor who knows something relevant to what you want to do. Visit the college when it is busy, not on weekends or holidays when there might not be anyone around. If a campus seems dead, you're less likely to feel comfortable there and not truly experience what it would be like to go there. Attend a typical class (an intro class especially) to see how your first year will feel like. Lastly, take advantage of every opportunity you get. Whether on campus or off, if you see something that looks intersting (a club or an event) then go to it! If you're shy but want to join student government, try it anyway. It's amazing how easily you can get connected to campus if all you do is take that one step outside of your comfort zone.

Pick a college that you would enjoy even if you decide to change your majors. If you do not enjoy the city or state your college is located in you will have a much harder time getting involved with your school. Once you are in college do not hesitate to try new things and meet new people. The more you are willing to push your comfort zone the more you will get out of the experience. Take advantadge of the chance to meet people who live and think differently than you are used to. Make sure to do everything assigned by your professors whether or not it is for points. It will impact your final grade and there is no way to overstress the importance of going to class. Not only will you do better in the class if you attend you will also enjoy yourself more.

Visit visit visit! Sit in on classes. Ask curren students their opinion of the place. Spend the night if possible. Really get a a good feel for it before you decide. Decided what is best for YOU! Don't decide on a school based on its name, mascot, color, prestige. Though all good things you need what a fit that is best for you so you will be happy!

Be friendly, and live on campus.

Find a college that suits your needs. It should be a balance of costs and academic needs and health needs. You should also ask current students if possible how they like the college.

Don't worry about the presitge of the school. If you know what you wanna do with the rest of your life go to a school that has a good program for what you want to do, and if you don't know, go to a bigger school where you can try on lots of hats and see which one feels the best. MAKE SURE you like the campus physically (ie size, layout, architecture) and ideology (ie don't go to a school where everyone is going to have extremely different views than you.) Do you best to push yourself outside you comfort zone and take classes you wouldn't normally think you would enjoy.

I think it's very important to visit the college you want to attend during the school year. Talk to the financial aid office and advisors to make sure they have the courses you're interested in. Stay overnight in a dorm room, eat at the cafeteria and attend a sporting event to see how students interact. Be open, positive and don't be afraid to reach out or step out of your comfort zone. Look at this as a golden opportunity to meet other kids and accept the responsibility to live on your own. Don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe in.