University of Wisconsin-Madison Top Questions

weigh all your options, think about your priorities first, and be excited to grow up and mature and learn about yourself.

Picking the right college to go to is one of the most difficult decisions that I have ever made. I chose to forgo a large scholarship to attend the University that I am currently an undergraduate at. I also chose to go out of state. I know that it seems strange, but there really is a feeling of "rightness" when I stepped on the campus for the first time. The biggest piece of advice that I can give is to keep your mind open. Don't worry too much about finances, and never give up on the school of your dreams. As far as making the most of the experience, make sure you get involved with at least a small group your first semester. Stay in the dorms for 2 years ( I know it sucks...but then you really know people well enough to say if you can live with them or not), and just because you now have a huge amount of freedom, don't let classes slip so you can have fun. In the long run, it really is about finding a balance between work and play and once you do you'll love being in college.

Visit the campus. If you like how it feels when you are there, attend it.

Go to a local bar college with your child for lunch, sit at the bar and just talk to the bartender and people around you. You will get the most honest opinion of the area, and certain tips about what to see to help you make up your mind.

When searching for a college that is right for the prospective student, it is important to look at all the school has to offer and also to look at the surrounding community. Looking up the statistics of schools can give insight to what the classes may be like and if the college is affordable for the degree that will be seeked. Not only are the classes important but the living area also since that will have a massive impact on the student's life and ability to learn/study. If the city is too big or small for the student, then he or she may feel out of place which would in effect be harmful to their studies. Also having access to stores and entertainment can provide the student with necessities and a way to relieve stress. A general rule to go by is that if the student will be happy in their environment then everything else should fall into place.

Finding the right college has many factors associated with it. I believe that the quality of education you receive at a college is based primarily on your own desire to learn and educate yourself. The college is only there to provide you with the tools for your future, it cannot force you to learn or to gain experience. I suggest looking for the college that will most closely match your own needs and desires as you perceive them. Do not expect college to fulfill desires for you that you are not willing to work for though.

Make sure you're ready to attend college and give it your all. It's a huge commitment and different from high school (i.e. amount of homework is quite a bit more, you're away from home). There is an emphasis on getting involved in student organizations and the importance of volunteering in the community. And the best thing you can do if you find yourself in a dilemma? Always communicate with your advisor and professors - they're there to help you achieve educational success.

No matter where you find yourself currently, or see yourself going in the future, any student has to be comfortable in the university environment that they choose to attend. Although it may seem irrational to disregard tuition costs, I would recommend using this criteria only as a last resort when evaluating a potential school choice. If you're able to find somewhere that fuels your passions in life, by all means seize that opportunity, no matter what obstacles you may see somewhere down ther road. Having this type of environment will only enhance a students ability to grow and develop into the profession that they wish to be, in whatever field they desire. Ultimately what it boils down to is finding a school that you know you can wake up every morning and be pumped to start your day whether it's raining, clear skies, or snowed a foot the night before. If you can find some place like this, I assure you you'll enjoy every bit of your college experience. I know I did. ON WISCONSIN!!!

The choice of finding THE college cannot be something found in a pamphlet or by the school's statistics. It all comes down to each individual student and the comfort level with which they find themselves on campus. I strongly encourage as many campus visits as possible. If you (the student) get out of the car, look around and feel right away that it is wrong for you, that is good enough. Finding the correct school takes time and consideration, certainly the most important decision thus far in the students life. Emphasis there was on student. The best a parent can do is be supportive, and be a good listener. Forcing a school on your son or daughter will not end well, and can only end in heartbreak. Believe and trust yourself, you are about to start the most amazing transition of your life.

Choosing the right college is one of the biggest decisions you may have had to make so far. Other people may influence the decision, but ultimately, it is your decision, that will impact you in the most direct way. Having recently graduated, I look back on four amazing years of my life. I formed friends I will never forget, passions I never knew existed within me, and the person I am and want to become. In order to fully benefit from your college experience, I would first recommend visiting the college. University of Wisconsin-Madison was my last choice until I went on a college visit and fell in love with the campus, the people, and the opportunities available. Can you see yourself as one of the tour guides, or a student in one of the lectures, or a person studying in the libraries? Invest as much time as possible finding out what kind of options the shcool can provide because if you change your major path, or career aspirations, you will want the tools to form a new path. And finally . . . when picking the college for you, find one aspect of that school that excites you beyond any other.