<p>I've been at this site for a long time, but now I'm starting to become frustrated because so many new members ask questions that I've seen many times before. Look, this site has been around for a long time, and I'm sorry, but the question that you have that is so pressing, was probably very important to someone else as well. The point is, there are a lot of tools available that are at your immediate disposal to find the answer to your question ** faster AND efficiently**. </p>
<ul>
<li><p>First, use the search function at the top of the page. It can help you search inside the exact sub-forum you want, search for member names and their posts, and even search inside threads. </p></li>
<li><p>Second, use google to search INSIDE College Confidential. You can do this by typing what you're looking for (generally putting strings in quotes brings back better results, and works well if you know exactly what you're looking for, and there's usually only one way to descirbe what you're looking for) and then following it with:</p></li>
</ul>
<p>IF after you have exhausted those two options, post a new thread. But the thing is, senior members have been there, and likely know the answers to your questions. And generally, we're very happy to answer your questions (because after all, we were where you were not so long ago). But * please, ** please *** search for what you're looking for first. You'll find your answer faster, and keep more knowledgeable senior members on this site.</p>
<p>I know I can't speak for all senior members... but remember, colleges like kids who are resourceful ==> kids, that can use the resources readily available to them (Google, CC's search function) to find good and quick solutions. </p>
<p>This applies directly to every kid that wants their chances at the UCs. Searching the hundreds of threads on that topic should give anybody a good idea of where they stand.</p>
<p>Can we also add STOP BRINGING UP THE TOPIC OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND WHAT OUR OPINIONS OF IT ARE? </p>
<p>There are 7349787879837837489743943048304830480348038 threads on this topic and it's getting really irritating when new members bring it up as their very first post.</p>
<p>I appreciate knowing about your second search hint (search using google). CC's search is far from useful in the way that you can't connect a string of words and you get a return of all results that contain the individual words; putting quotes around a string or phrase also does not work; you usually get a "not found" reply. Thanks</p>
<p>IMPORTANT: For new users. Log in, go to my control panel located top left screen in the skinny blue line and click it. Look for edit options and click that. Then scroll down to where it says thread display options and look at default thread age cut off and change this to show all threads. Now you can access much more.</p>
<p>I found searching very useful in finding out about credit cards for HS/college students. But the thread I found was a year old, and am thinking about a new one for more recent experiences...</p>
<p>Not having been a CCer that long, I see both sides to this. On the one hand, I've already seen a lot of repetition and that can be a mite annoying. However, I really, really appreciate the kindness shown me when I asked questions that I later learned had been asked and addressed many times. </p>
<p>In whole, I think the site benefits from being as helpful as possible to newcomers. If one doesn't want to answer a question that's been asked a lot, then just refrain from answering.</p>
<p>Look - I'm not saying that I nor other senior members won't answer repeated questions. But the point is, you have all these tools at your finger tips, tools to help YOU find the answers YOU need faster and more efficiently... Why not** USE THEM?!?!?! ** Furthermore, this site doesn't work if the knowledge thrown around is bad. You don't want this site to become a place where answers are going to be answered by hardly knowledgeable new members and junior members.... because the truth is, most of you don't really know what you're talking about. Some do. But many do not.</p>
<p>fhimas88888888--I much appreciate your helpful pointers on how to navigate and get the most from CC. But in my opinion, if a question gets asked a million times, who really cares? Either ignore it or answer it. ... I agree with Momfromme, that we really should be nice to CC newcomers.</p>
<p>I don't post and ask question anymore but I disagree with the tone of this post. If you cannot attract newbie to this website, I think eventually this website will be shutdown, don't you think.</p>
<p>I totally disagree. If there is a thread topic you've seen before, don't bother reading it. It is so tiresome to look for threads and answers to questions that have been asked before. It's infinately easier to just start a new topic and ask what you want.</p>
I don't. I find it pathetic that kids want to major in journalism yet they lack the basic research skills to find the dozens of threads on "what schools have the best journalism programs?" These posters have 2200+ SAT scores; they can't manage to use a search feature?</p>
<p>
[quote]
If you cannot attract newbie to this website, I think eventually this website will be shutdown, don't you think.
[/quote]
Actually, nothing shuts the forum down more than thousands on people trying to log on at once...to ask the same questions.</p>
<p>
[quote]
colleges like kids who are resourceful ==> kids, that can use the resources readily available to them (Google, CC's search function) to find good and quick solutions.
[/quote]
This is very true. For example, AdmissionsDaniel has made it clear that repeated threads on the same topic are annoying and useless.</p>