As I’ve said in a previous post, I am currently a 4th
year college student at UCLA. Making it here was no easy feat, but once you
finally make it to college, it makes everything worthwhile. So for today, I
decided to compile a list of 5 tips to make applying and picking a
college/university much easier.
Pick a school with a good major program
One of the most important things you can do for yourself is
picking a school with a good program. Finding the right program is crucial
because that is what you will be studying under for the next 4 years. For
instance, I am a Poli Sci major. I looked for a good Poli Sci program with
interesting class topics, great professors and an easy to complete program. I
found the one offered here was great because of the amazing professors,
interesting topics, and shorter requirements. The easiest way to do this is to
look up a class schedule. Most schools have this available online and it is an
easy way to see what is likely to be offered while you are there. Also, check
out the department’s website and you could often see the requirements to
graduate, who the professors are, and any special requirements for admission.
Pick a school that is the right distance from home
Everyone differs on how close they want to be from home. I
had never lived away from home, and I definitely wanted to have the experience
of trying that out. I’m originally from San Francisco, so home is around 380
miles away from Los Angeles. It is pretty far, but it has given me the
opportunity to live on my own with fewer distractions, and an opportunity to
truly experience college life. For some, it may not be financially feasible to
make a choice like that, so definitely discuss this with your family and what
is best for you.
Pick a school that is the right price for you
Financial affordability of a university is definitely a hard
issue. Many students walk out with some sort of debt to their name. As nice as
it is to go to a private university with small class sizes, they often come
with high price tags. While public universities sometimes have smaller costs,
being out of state often rivals the price of private universities. Keeping in
mind your family’s financial situation is very important. But cost shouldn’t
deter you from going to college. Make sure to apply for the FASFA and various scholarships
for added help.
Pick a school with a favorable campus vibe
This is definitely important. Finding the right campus for
you sadly isn’t as easy as a buzzfeed quiz. A lot goes into determining what
school is the best for you and your interests. Schools differ on what programs
they offer outside of just you education. Here at UCLA, we have close to 1,000
student groups, many different services and activities. Plus there is Greek
life and cool places to hang out around campus. Definitely do research and ask
around to learn the different things each school offers. One of the easiest ways
to do this is by going on a few campus tours. The first impression you get from
a campus is a good way to tell if the school is right for you or not. I was
amazed by how amazing UCLA’s campus was and it felt like one of the most
amazing places to be a student. So finding the right environment for you is
very important to determining where you will fit in best.
Pick a school in the right area
Similar to the idea of picking the a campus with a great
atmosphere, it is important to pick a school in an area you would like to live
in for the next 4 years. I am a city girl and I could never imagine myself
liking a school in the middle of nowhere. I love all of the amazing things you
can do in a big city like Los Angeles. Everyone is different though. After a
campus tour, it is great to look into what a school has around it and whether
it would be something you would want to live around.
I hope this list helps out with anyone beginning their process
of deciding which school is best for them.
xx, Lexy
