Schools What should I consider when choosing a university?

[Grands]

Hi guys, I'm new in the forum, and I'm from Italy.
I hope you will understand my english.
I'm opening this thread because actually I have difficulties in choosing my university.

Actually I'm at the last year of the high school, based on Science, it's called "Liceo Scientifico", you can Google it if you want more informations.

Anyway, this year I have to choose university and I have doubts about what to do.

Can I make questions on this forum and describe my situation in order to obtain some advices ?

Thanks for the help.

 

[fresh_42]

Hi guys, I'm new in the forum, and I'm from Italy.
I hope you will understand my english.
I'm opening this thread because actually I have difficulties in choosing my university.

Actually I'm at the last year of the high school, based on Science, it's called "Liceo Scientifico", you can Google it if you want more informations.

Anyway, this year I have to choose university and I have doubts about what to do.

Can I make questions on this forum and describe my situation in order to obtain some advices ?

Thanks for the help.

Yes, but make sure the discussion can't be used to track you. It might be read in the future and you cannot be sure that you still want it to be known then. And I don't know if we have any expertise regarding Italian universities, so you might want to describe them if necessary.

 

[Grands]

Yes, but make sure the discussion can't be used to track you. It might be read in the future and you cannot be sure that you still want it to be known then. And I don't know if we have any expertise regarding Italian universities, so you might want to describe them if necessary.

Hi, what do you mean with " be tracked"?
Do you think that there are examples of people that wrote about their life on a forum and now they regret that?
If yes, how can I avoid this problem?

Thanks.

 

[fresh_42]

Hi, what do you mean with " be tracked"?
Do you think that there are examples of people that wrote about their life on a forum and now they regret that?
If yes, how can I avoid this problem?

Thanks.

There are. And if we recognize it in time we advise them to avoid personal information. Some people post under their real names and describe things which they regret afterwards, e.g. disabilities or bad grades. You can avoid this, if you keep it general. As we don't know your specific situation - and won't even if you describe details - you can only expect general recommendations anyway. Which universities are in the selection? E.g. if you live in Milan you probably don't want to move to Palermo.

 

[Grands]

There are. And if we recognize it in time we advise them to avoid personal information. Some people post under their real names and describe things which they regret afterwards, e.g. disabilities or bad grades. You can avoid this, if you keep it general. As we don't know your specific situation - and won't even if you describe details - you can only expect general recommendations anyway. Which universities are in the selection? E.g. if you live in Milan you probably don't want to move to Palermo.

Thanks for this information, but it's still strange for me to read this.
Do you refer to the fact that when a person search for a Job, the "Boss" can find information about that person.
Anyway, it is not my interest to give my personal details, when I said speaking about my personal situation I intended to say that I want to talk about what I like to do and which are my economical possibilities, could be this something wrong?

I don't know how it is seen Italy and italian universities from outside and could be an interesting experience to talk about this argument.
I noticed that you already know that Italy is not the same everywhere there are good cities like Milan, and bad ones like Palermo.

 

[fresh_42]

Without any further information, I would say that for mathematics and physics, Pisa is still a first address among European universities. But this is more of a biased gut feeling, because many of the papers with Italian authors I have seen, have been from Pisa.

 

[Grands]

Without any further information, I would say that for mathematics and physics, Pisa is still a first address among European universities. But this is more of a biased gut feeling, because many of the papers with Italian authors I have seen, have been from Pisa.

Do you refer to the "University of Pisa" or to the " scuola normale di pisa" or to the " scuola superiore san't Anna di Pisa" ?

 

[fresh_42]

Do you refer to the "University of Pisa" or to the " scuola normale di pisa" or to the " scuola superiore san't Anna di Pisa" ?

This is one of the things I don't know, since Pisa as the home of the authors is all I remember. But I would guess that they have different emphasis: natural sciences, economy, art. It's probably easier for you to figure out which reputation they have than for me to guess.

 

[Grands]

This is one of the things I don't know, since Pisa as the home of the authors is all I remember. But I would guess that they have different emphasis: natural sciences, economy, art. It's probably easier for you to figure out which reputation they have than for me to guess.

The " Normale of Pisa" has the biggest reputation but is very hard to get into, every year at the course of physics are admitted only 10 people.
A friend of mine study math there, and he is a genius, he never studied math and he was always good at it.

 

[fresh_42]

I think you can't do anything wrong with one of the big cities like Milan or Rome instead and which are likely easier to get to. Personally I find Firence more beautiful and with the better climate, but I don't know anything about their universities. Maybe we have some Italian members here who read this thread.

 

[ISamson]

Hi guys, I'm new in the forum, and I'm from Italy.
I hope you will understand my english.
I'm opening this thread because actually I have difficulties in choosing my university.

Actually I'm at the last year of the high school, based on Science, it's called "Liceo Scientifico", you can Google it if you want more informations.

Anyway, this year I have to choose university and I have doubts about what to do.

Can I make questions on this forum and describe my situation in order to obtain some advices ?

Thanks for the help.

Universita di Siena?

 

[Grands]

Universita di Siena?

What do you mean with Università di Siena?

 

[Grands]

Generally speaking, how I said before I study at "Liceo Scientifico" that is a high school of Humanities, we study math, physics, chemistry, biology, philosophy, history, art, italian and english literature, and students are supposed to be good at everything.

The main problem is that I don't know what I like to study most, because I always studied everything and, I like almost everything.
I appreciate philosophy, history, art, and literature because they gave me the possibility to interpretate how the society and the world work.
I like this subjects because by studying them I can understand so many thing about society and understand why something is happening or happened.

At the same time I really enjoy math, physics and chemistry because this subjects describe nature in a so precise and meticulous way that is unique.
I can understand how nature is, how it works, which are the materials that compose it.

Anyway, in the last period I start to be interested to have some doubt about studying a theoretical subject and not a technical one, I started to think that in my life, one day, I would like to create something that works, and that is innovative.
So, very soon, I was impressed by what is a start-up, being amazed but what people like Musk or Page did, and i started to get information also by people that made his own little business after finishing the university.

So, if in the first period I was interested in studying subjects like physics, or math, doing research, I realized that I can use my mind to study engineering, and having the possibility to take part in projects or maybe, having my own company.

When I start to get information about engineering I realized that the field of engineering that I'm more interested in, is computer engineering, even if I'm not 100%.

My main problem is that we don't study at high school computer science, we don't learned about how to code, and honest to be, I don't like if I will like it.
I do some work on my own, little thing, I started to study HTML, but this doesn't resolves my doubts about what to study.
I went also some days to the computer engineers course at one university, hoping that I will see something that will help me to make the choice, but it didn't happened, since was only the first lesson, and teachers didn't make important lessons.

Besides this, there is another issue, where to study?
I always study very well at school, and I found in the activity of studying a satisfaction.
I always want to know everything, cause I'm always curious about almost everything, probably the only subjects that I won't like to study is law.
What I want to say is that I want to choose a good university, not only for the preparation that can gives to me, but also for the importance that this one has upon the society.
Unfortunately, even if italian universities are very cheap, and I don't have to pay taxes for the low income of my parents, it is still expensive, especially cities like Florence ( the most expensive), Milan and Rome, because I have to pay for the food, services and for the rent.

I forgot to say that in Italy we have big problem with the research, because researchers has very low salary or doesn't have it at all, and it's those ones who have a salary, live in a temporary situation, it's always a shot time contract.
In the best case they have something like 800 euros, that and for Italy are very few money, because life is expensive, and to survive a person need at least 1000 euros.

 

[ISamson]

I mean that that uni is a good one.

 

[Grands]

I mean that that uni is a good one.

How do you know this?
And good in with kind of courses?
I'm just curious.

 

[Dr. Courtney]

Generally speaking, I recommend the best school you can graduate from debt free.

"Debt free" is much more important than best, and best depends somewhat on your goals and geographical constraints.

 

[Grands]

Generally speaking, I recommend the best school you can graduate from debt free.

"Debt free" is much more important than best, and best depends somewhat on your goals and geographical constraints.

In italy we have a different way to think, is far different from UK or USA referring to the debt.
I our country no one ask money from bank to study, and banks aren't aware of the possibility of giving money to students, the most expensive tuition fees is about 2000 euro per year, the only exception in Italy are private universities like Bocconi in Milan or Luiss in Rome, that have very expensive tuition fees, like 5000 euros per year ( it's expensive for Italy).
Usually students tend to work while studying to paid for food and rent, but most of them can't finish in time university, because is not easy to work and study.

I hope I interpreted well what you wanted to say with the expression " debt free"

 

[Grands]

I really want to choose the university, I really want to study and develop new knowledge, but even if I thought so much time which university to choose, I still have no idea about what to do.

Can anyway give me any suggest from where start to get new ideas?

Thanks.

 

[CrysPhys]

I really want to choose the university, I really want to study and develop new knowledge, but even if I thought so much time which university to choose, I still have no idea about what to do.

Can anyway give me any suggest from where start to get new ideas?

Thanks.

Visit a selection of universities. Sit in on some classes. Talk to some professors. Tour the lab facilities. See if you like the town or city ambience.

 

[Johnsmith5969]

Yes you have to go by appropriate path. I mean you have to select university on the basis of your high school percentage as well as your interest. select the subject you are interested in. like in science you can choose Physics, Chemistry, Biology. and in these you have to select your specification like in Chemistry you can select Organic, Inorganic, Analytical etc. If you are interested in Arts, you can choose your subject.

 

[Grands]

Visit a selection of universities. Sit in on some classes. Talk to some professors. Tour the lab facilities. See if you like the town or city ambience.

Yes, that was my idea but I think that I didn't explained well my question.
I wanted to ask help in choosing what to study and not were to do it, or in which city.

high school percentage

What is the high school percentage?

 

[ISamson]

What is the high school percentage?

The grade performance you achieve in your end of school exam which determines the potential of you entering a good university.

 

[Grands]

The grade performance you achieve in your end of school exam which determines the potential of you entering a good university.

In the US the grade of high school decide which university a person can do?

 

[ISamson]

In the US the grade of high school decide which university a person can do?

Sorry if confused you but I was speaking of what I know in Australian terms. I know nothing about US university admission.

 

[Grands]

The funny thing is that I actually don't live in US

 

[ISamson]

The funny thing is that I actually don't live in US

Me neither...

 

[Grands]

If you remember I said I live in italy, but this is not the issue, my question is about what study and not where.

 

[fresh_42]

If you remember I said I live in italy, but this is not the issue, my question is about what study and not where.

Scusa, "How to choose a University" is where, not what.

 

[ISamson]

Scusa, "How to choose a University" is where, not what.

Have you learned Italian or lived in Italy?
I have...

 

[fresh_42]

Have you learned Italian or lived in Italy?
I have...

No, I once translated websites also to Italian, and as a European you automatically know a couple of words in many languages, and the bookmark to a translator isn't far. Italian is as familiar to me as Spanish is to a New Mexican. You don't have to speak it to be at least used to hear it. Although I prefer if it is sung

 

[Grands]

Scusa, "How to choose a University" is where, not what.

So I have to write " Which university I have to choose ?"

 

[CrysPhys]

So I have to write " Which university I have to choose ?"

There is great confusion in your posts as to whether you are asking (a) "How do I choose which university (among multiple options) to attend? or (b) "Which field (among multiple options) should I major in"? Now the questions are somewhat interrelated: if you know which major you want, you want to choose among universities that have strong programs in that particular field; but if you don't know which major you want, you want to choose among universities that have a broad range of programs (at least of good quality, though not necessarily the best in any particular field).

 

[Grands]

Should I open a new thread and be more clear ?

 

[CrysPhys]

Should I open a new thread and be more clear ?

Given that you are on post #33 and the thread appears to be diverging rather than converging, that would probably be a good idea. Otherwise people who might help would be discouraged by having to wade through all these past posts.

 

[Grands]

The Mentor told me to not do that, I hope that users will understand.

 

[Grands]

@fresh_42 what I have to do?

 

[fresh_42]

@fresh_42 what I have to do?

As your threads are all more or less of the same topic, you could stay within one instead of opening a new one. In general it's 1 topic = 1 thread. I got a bit of the impression, that you do not really read the answers you get, or don't take them seriously. It's true that we don't have many members from Italy and therefore only a few who can answer specific questions about Italy. But even Italians usually won't have a complete image of all possible Italian universities and their programs in a specific field. If someone studied Physics in Rome, he will probably don't know the nuances between a study of mathematics in Pisa and Siena. On the other hand is Italy not so much different from other European or North American countries, so you could either make use of the many experiences which had been offered to you, or keep ignoring them, in which case another new thread won't make any difference. E.g. I couldn't answer which school in Pisa is famous for which courses, but this is something you could easily find out on the internet. The same is true for the difference between computer engineering and computer science. In general there are differences and which have been mentioned, in Italy as well as in any other country, but if you want to know details, you should read the programs the universities offer.

 

[symbolipoint]

Hi guys, I'm new in the forum, and I'm from Italy.
I hope you will understand my english.
I'm opening this thread because actually I have difficulties in choosing my university.

Actually I'm at the last year of the high school, based on Science, it's called "Liceo Scientifico", you can Google it if you want more informations.

Anyway, this year I have to choose university and I have doubts about what to do.

Can I make questions on this forum and describe my situation in order to obtain some advices ?

Thanks for the help.

Yes you have to go by appropriate path. I mean you have to select university on the basis of your high school percentage as well as your interest. select the subject you are interested in. like in science you can choose Physics, Chemistry, Biology. and in these you have to select your specification like in Chemistry you can select Organic, Inorganic, Analytical etc. If you are interested in Arts, you can choose your subject.

I returned to this topic a few weeks late.
Suggestions above quoted seem right. If you know you want to study for a degree in a science, then find the nearest university at which you could be admitted for whatever cost or price is reasonable for you; attend, earn your degree, and find and take a job. You might also consider possible major field in Engineering instead of purely sciences in order to make yourself more marketable.

 

[Grands]

Suggestions above quoted seem right. If you know you want to study for a degree in a science, then find the nearest university at which you could be admitted for whatever cost or price is reasonable for you; attend, earn your degree, and find and take a job. You might also consider possible major field in Engineering instead of purely sciences in order to make yourself more marketable.

Are engineering majors more marketable then Physics ones?

 

[symbolipoint]

Are engineering majors more marketable then Physics ones?

YES! Although so much depends on HOW YOU DEVELOP YOURSELF - what electives do you choose other than the program's courses; what internships might you find? Do you participate in some research and learn specific (and potentially marketable) skills?

Physics is a science, and the emphasis is on understanding matter and energy, and explaining.
Engineering is for design and technology, and the emphasis is, naturally, on designing.---- What should be added, is that engineers also need to solve problems, like to find remedies for bad situations. Remember the reports a few years ago about the miners trapped underground, and the great need to rescue them (South America)? Who figured out how to, and did much of the work? Engineers mostly.

 

[Grands]

YES! Although so much depends on HOW YOU DEVELOP YOURSELF - what electives do you choose other than the program's courses

Unfortunately in Italy you have to choose standard majors, you can't personalize them, once yo have chosen you have to study what courses are indicated.
If you chose a Physics degree you can't study engineering courses.

What should be added, is that engineers also need to solve problems, like to find remedies for bad situations.
Remember the reports a few years ago about the miners trapped underground, and the great need to rescue them (South America)? Who figured out how to, and did much of the work? Engineers mostly.

Nice story, thanks.

 

[fresh_42]

If you chose a Physics degree ...

nobody will recognize if you attend

... engineering courses.

 

[Grands]

nobody will recognize if you attend

Yes but what can a person do if are at the same time of the day?
And although this, who will allow you to write in you CV that you attended engineering courses ?

 

[fresh_42]

Yes but what can a person do if are at the same time of the day?
And although this, who will allow you to write in you CV that you attended engineering courses ?

If it is the truth, you can just claim it. If you want to have a proof, either inscribe yourself in two studies, which is basically possible, and in case they are related often manageable, or speak to the professors and ask whether you can get a certificate for his lecture. If they don't want the additional work to do (corrections, exams), then ask whether you can get a note, that you've attended the lecture. STEM classes are often not so crowded that they try to get rid of students as in other fields. More than denying it to you cannot happen. Be creative!

Of course there is a prize to pay: more work, the entire thing usually takes longer, and courses might be shifted compared to their usual order, because of schedule issues.

 

[Grands]

If you want to have a proof, either inscribe yourself in two studies, which is basically possible,

It's impossible in Italy.
The only solution would be ask a friend that study engineering to make registration of the lessons.

 

[fresh_42]

Then study one after the other and ask which qualifications of the first you will have to get, in order to shorten the second.
Or start to support them:
https://www.suedtirolnews.it/politik/doppelstudium-soll-auch-in-italien-moeglich-werden
(Although this is an article of an Italian newspaper (Bolzano), I haven't found an Italian version. Sorry. But Google translate might help.)

 

[symbolipoint]

Yes but what can a person do if are at the same time of the day?
And although this, who will allow you to write in you CV that you attended engineering courses ?

TRANSCRIPTS! Official University Transcripts!

 

[Grands]

Then study one after the other and ask which qualifications of the first you will have to get, in order to shorten the second.
Do you suggest to get to bachelor's degree?

Or start to support them:
https://www.suedtirolnews.it/politik/doppelstudium-soll-auch-in-italien-moeglich-werden
(Although this is an article of an Italian newspaper (Bolzano), I haven't found an Italian version. Sorry. But Google translate might help.)

It's an article written in Sud Tirol with is a part of Italy where people speak german.
How I can activate Google translate?

 

[Grands]

TRANSCRIPTS! Official University Transcripts!

Really?

 

[symbolipoint]

Yes but what can a person do if are at the same time of the day?
And although this, who will allow you to write in you CV that you attended engineering courses ?

TRANSCRIPTS! Official University Transcripts!

Really?

Maybe I misunderstood.
You can report courses you attended at a university, onto your C.V., and the official proof that you earned credit in such attended courses is your university transcripts.