Admissions

Definitely consider the weather if walking from class to class. Also make sure to visit before deciding. Make sure they have the degree you want.

Don't be intimidated by the cold weather. You can always add more clothes whereas down south you can only take off so many. If you're looking for cold, or for a very unique experience, UAF is the place to be. Also, what will all of your friends back home think when you say, Yeah, you're going to Yale, but I'm going to Alaska!

UAF has lots of opportunities. There's tons of groups and clubs to join, you get your daily work out if you live on campus without a car, if you stay in Moore remember that some people ignore quiet hours with loud blasting music and occasional screaming, do your homework and study, ... and ... don't become a hermit. Don't sit in the dorms all winter just because it's cold. Get some friends! Go out and meet people! Doing that not only gets the stress off your shoulders but the new people you meet can sometimes help you with homework or start study groups. Totally worth it.

Look at the accreditation, if the school isn't accredited in the program you want, it's not for you. The winters can be harsh, stay active; go hiking, camping, ice climbing, to the gym or pool. Take one recreation class a semester, college should be fun. Get adequate sleep, studies show it improves performance and efficiency. Find something constructive you can do that makes you happy, I enjoyed gourmet cooking, breakdancing (a class is offered and should be taken), slacklining (court 3 has posts for it), and snowshoe running. Realize that you determine your education, its quality and its value. If things get overwhelming, step back, give yourself a day or two of f*ckits and get back to it. Finally, if a university isn't for you, look at other options.

Never talk to Student Employment. They were the only people who were never very helpful. If you want information about jobs then go to the uakjobs website. Student Employment will just direct you there anyways

Research what degree fields interest you, and if you can't decide talk with an adviser to get an idea of where to start. In addition, be sure to take full advantage of the numerous scholarship opportunities UAF has to offer. Don't be worried about making new friends, since all the students at UAF are extremely welcoming and have diverse backgrounds.

If you plan on transferring to UAF after a few years in a different, perhaps closer college, take all of your math first; don't take it at UAF. That's what I did, but I have heard from many how much more difficult it is to take a math course here, especially upper level. Also for transfer students, be sure to compare courses so that you transfer ALL of your credits; UAF is notoriously hard on transfer students. Other than that, in general, be prepared for an extremely cold winter: -30 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit is normal from November to February and maybe even March.

Sign up for classes as soon as you can - the important ones fill up fast. Remember to bring winter gear.

Buy the big meal plan, you'll get to try more of the goodies available to you, and the cafeteria offers so much variety and themed meal events that you'll want to be able to spend a little extra every now and then to satisfy your curiosity.