University of Wisconsin-Madison Top Questions

Finding the right college is all about finding somewhere you can see yourself living on your own in and being dependent. It is about walking around the campus for the first time and being able to imagine yourself doing this every day. It is about learning about the opportunities available at the univeristy and deciding whether or not you will be able to succeed in that environment. Many people say that when they arrived at the right college for them, they just knew right away. Discovering the right academic path for you is all about analyzing yourself. Ask yourself: Do I feel comfortable in this environment? Can I see myself succeeding here? Will I be able to take advantage of all the opportunities provided at this university? Choosing the right college is one of the hardest decisions a person can make in their lives, but it can be easy if you reflect back on yourself and imagine what your life will be like at that university. In the end, it's not about the college at all; it's about you and highlighting your abilities.

Visit, visit, visit!! Go with what you feel is right... when you step onto that campus, you just know.

College is a time of self-discovery. Everyone comes here and has a completely different experience. It's all about what you make of it- whether you join a club, a sport, student body government, get a job, party, the classes you choose, the people you meet, whether you study hard, whether you don't- everything you do shapes the experience that you have here. And don't worry if you don't have a plan, no one really does. I've changed my major at least 5 times. But it does get tough, there will definitely be days when you wonder why you're here, when the stress throws you over the edge and all you want to do is quit. But you have to remember that you are not alone. It will all be worth it in the end. And only you can make the most of your college experience, even with the ups and downs, it will without a doubt be the best four (maybe five) years of your life.

I would tell students to go and tour the campus. Visit on a Friday and then maybe stick around for the weekend, just to get a feel for campus life. In addition, I would encourage the student to talk to currently enrolled students. To make the most of their college experience, they need to make sure to get involved. Campuses offer a variety of activities for students to get out and meet new people. I would advise to make the most of it.

Choosing the college to attend for the next several years of your life is a big decision and one that should not be taken lightly. It is best to start the decision process early. It is never too early to start surveying your options. To potential students, don't be afraid of asking for help. Your parents, your peers, your teachers all have opinions and it is not a bad idea to hear them all out; they may know things you can't find in pamphlets or on websites. To parents, essentially, it is your child's decision. Give them enough room to let them discover what they want to pursue and where they want to pursue it on their own with your comforting guiding hand not interfering too much. This time in a teen's life is the first spark of independence that will only ignite further upon admittance to a university. Fitting in will all come with time and isn't something to fret about. Everyone finds their way eventually and neither kids nor parents should be worried how long it takes for the student to find their niche in their college community.

Don't stress too much about finding the perfect fit and don't be heartbroken if you do not get into your first choice school. Things have a funny way of working out, even in ways that you don't expect it. Once you get to college, take advantage of all the resources given to you, from libraries to office hours with your TA or professors. Make sure to go to class. Its very basic, but its incredibly hard to catch back up once you've missed a few lectures. Try out a bunch of little things, and in that search, you should find something that you love. There are an excess of clubs and things to do. Meet people. And remember, if it really doesn't feel right, you can always transfer. Take everything a day at a time.

Apply to many schools even if you have your heart set on one. Try and go on a college visit to every school you are considering and make sure you take a tour led by a student or faculty. Talk to students from different colleges and ask questions. If you have a certain major in mind look into the different academic departments of the school to see if they offer classes that fit your needs. Once you get into the school of you choice, make sure you talk to your advisor to pick a class load that is managable for you. Get involved RIGHT AWAY! Have an open mind and give every new person you meet a chance, no matter what demographic they come from. Keep up with reading. Study, Study, Study. And remember to have fun and make the most of your college experience because it will be gone before you know it!

Make sure that you get out there and meet new people. College is going to be what you make it. Study hard but have fun while you're doing it. Work Hard but play hard too. Have fun.

Going and visiting the colleges and sitting in classes is a great way to get a feel for the classes. Make sure you are on top of what you want to do and be your own advocate!

Breath, don't rush into your decisions. Look at a few schools; find out what they have to offer, find out what they lack. Don't be afraid to look outside your comfort zone, don't be in to big a hurry to get away. If you don't know what you want to do, don't panic. If you do know what you want to do, keep an open mind. Find a balance between work and play, you need both. Take one class every semester that you look foreward to, regardless of whether or not it counts towards your major. Don't do anything you'd be ashamed to tell your children you did in your wild youth. Listen to what your parents have to say, even if you don't think you'll take their advice. Don't forget old friends, don't be afraid to make new ones. Live in the dorms your freshman year and leave your door open, it's the best way to meet a variety of people. Be nice to freshmen when you are a senior, you were one once. Help when you can, get help when you need it. Pray every day.

My advice when choosing a college would be to consider more than simply the academics. How close is it to home? Are you going to want to go to a college where all of your classes are filled with hundreds of people? How do you feel about teaching assistants? Though, I have to say, I think the most important advice I can give would be to say it's okay to be completely freaked out - that's normal! It may seem like every other freshman has everything all figured out, but they don't. And really, we're in college - we're ALL confused and stressed and a little bit lost, but that's the beauty of college! You can explore and have fun while surrouned by people who are all trying to figure out what they want out of life just like you are. So freak out! Be confused! Explore different subjects and classes! Just don't forget to enjoy the ride, because it will be over before you know it.

Don't worry about it. Work as hard as you can (or need to) so you can get into the school of your choice, but there's no need to stress . All that really matters in the end is getting an education in a good learning environment -- the specifics of different schools can seem pretty desperate, but you only need to go by general categories. To be honest, there's not much difference between Michigan and Wisconsin: they're both huge public schools in the midwest. Just like there's really not much to seperate Harvard and Yale or Kenyon and Emory. So long as you can achieve a general fit (small, urban, whatever) and attend the appropriate program it really doesn't matter where you go. Education is a consumer brand, but to focus on the brand name is to miss the product itself.

Find what you want to do in life before making your choice on the college you want to attend. You wouldn't want to go to a college that doesn't offer what you want out of life.

I would advide students seeking a college experience not to limit themselves to the comfort of going somewhere near to home and or friends. I decided to go out of state for school because of what the school and city had to offer me and my own interests. In doing so I have been stretched in ways I had not foreseen and have become a better and stronger person in the process. My best advice would be to follow your dreams. What makes you excited about life? Follow that passsion and find the best road/school/city that will enable you to spread your wings and really learn and develop your particular skill or passion. The rest will unfold naturally, just be brave enough to take the first step! Lastly, don't let money issues get in the way of going where you want to go for school. Paying out of state tuition hasn't been easy, but I know the things I have learned along the way have been worth every penny. So follow your heart and do what you love, because if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life!

College visits are helpful but not always necessary if you do enough research. Size and type of school environment matters a lot when it comes to your success. Students need to know what they are looking for when it comes to the type of school they are looking for before they start the application process. Choosing a school is very much like making a new friend. There are places that you can see yourself doing better than others simply because you match up better with your personality. Some schools are more quiet and simple while others are bold and boisterous. It just depends on what fits you best.

Take your time. When you visit a campus, don't focus on the school and what programs and departments it has. That is important, but its not what you are going to remember about your college experience. Stop and take a look around, and see if its a place where you could see yourself. Is it someplace you can picture studying? Somewhere you can live, make friends, learn about yourself? School is obviously the most important part of the decision, but don't forget about the other things. Don't be too decided on who you are either, because a lot can change in four years. Give yourself room to change, and pick a school that will allow you to do so. When you get to college, get involved. Not necessarily in school sports or clubs, but in other people and places around you. Study hard, but have the most fun possible. Don't miss out on your life.

Tour schools again after you get accpeted durring the school day -- you will instantly know which one is right for you!

Plan! Figure out what school you want to go to but deciding what they offer that interests you, then save money!!!!

First of all, don't stress out too much about the decision! Usually your gut feeling is the best choice. No matter where you end up you can be happy by keeping an open mind and a positive attitude. Secondly, make sure to think about the future, instead of your immediate feelings after high school. Although you may be feeling desperate to get away from home (I was!) keep in mind that when you are on campus, you will be away from home no matter how close the school you choose is from where you originally are from. Transportation is expensive and tedious. Believe me or not, as you get older, you will value being closer to home. Third, you can always make a big school feel small, but cannot make a small school bigger. I go to a school of over 30,000 people and have never felt more connected. Finally, get involved. Join an intermural, the art club, the drama society, or a sorority/fraternity. The friendships and connections you make is going to make your college experience rememberable because in college you really learn as much or more out of the classroom as in the classroom.

Pick Wisconsin!