Denise
My advice for both students and parents when finding the right college is to go with your gut. Unless its unreasonable financially, the gut instinct is more likely the school students will enjoy and the parents will support the most. When it comes to making the most of the college experience, do not give up when it gets tough. The college transition may not be too difficult academically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, it can be rough. This is the time you have to put yourself first, and make your decisions based on whats best for you. Besides that, have a good time, focus the most on classes, and be happy!
Rebecca
In order to find the right college, you definitely need to visit the campus and maybe even talk to the students there. There's no way of knowing for sure if it's the right school for you until you actually start. If not, you're free to transfer. Before deciding to transfer though, you need to get involved. Participate in clubs, groups, sports, intramurals or anything else the campus offers. It's easier to find and make friends that will make your experience at school a lot better. If you don't get out and meet people, you will be miserable. Be yourself but make sure you reach out. Make sure you have fun, but also be sure to spend plenty of time studying and doing homework. That is what you're there for. :)
Jessica
With parents and students about finiding the right choices, i would say that it is important to find someone who is attending or has attended the school to give you a precise idea of what the school is about and what to expect. Look for schools that will describe everything to you good and the not so great.
Alicia
Follow your instincts. If the college if far away from home just remember that if you are really family oriented you won't get to see your family that often. Really look at the programs offered at the college and don't expect to graduate with the major that you started with, that rarely happens. Get invovled while at college, don't party until the wee hours of the morning and stay away from those people who know will get you into trouble. There will always be someone and it could even be your bestfriend that wants to do something that isn't right. Don't follow the crowd, make your own statement.
Samantha
Choose on you see yourself in. Do campus visits, it helps choosing the college you want to go to.
Gabrielle
To all the parents and students steeped within the throws of selecting the right college: examine yourself. Take inventory of values that are uncompromising to your character. Know your goals and where you eventually want to be in life, whether it is a career or just a feeling. Do you want to impact the world or be the first one in your family to write a best selling novel? Then, find a college or university that embodies your mission and will help you along your way to accomplishing your goals. In this way, you can be sure that as you grow and change, the college or institution you have chosen will provide an atmosphere that will be advantageous to molding you in the fashion of your dreams.
Jennifer
My advice to find the college right for you would be to find a school that has caring professors. If the professor cares about the success of the student, it drives the student to succeed. The school I attended has amazing professors and several of my former classmates agree that the professor makes all the difference, not only in success, but in enjoying the classes and really learning about the subject. When the professor is excited about teaching, it makes the students excited about learning. The way in which the class material is presented can make the difference in whether a student "survives" college or makes the most of it. Caring professors are also great resources to find successful post-college avenues; they may know someone in the chosen field or be a contact person for an internship. Small schools are usually the way to go if you want this one on one connection. Though there may be a sacrifice of the expensive, state of the art facilities and certain programs that only large schools have, it is worth it to have the support you need right there in the classroom and make college the experience of a lifetime.
Justin
I think a student should inconspicuously put their parent's advice aside and establish the true reason which they desire to pursue a college degree. Every parent wants what, in their mind, is the best for their son/daughter, but their ideas of what is best is often subject to extreme biased and favored beliefs which they have established on their own. I believe that happiness is the drive behind every student's desire for higher education, therefore a student needs to first off establish what they feel would inevitably make them happy. Once this is established, the student should begin their quest to recognize institutions which offer degrees and/or programs which embrace the field of study that they desire to pursue. The student should then itemize the institutions they have selected, and begin weighing the pros and the cons from each individual institution. The pros and cons from each institution will mostly balance out, but depending on the degree a student wishes to pursue, there will ultimately be around three or four which clearly stand out. Apply to them all, tour them all, and experience them all. Pictures do no justification to what an institution has to offer.
Tamira
Just have fun and make the best out of every situation. If you dont get into the school you really want dont worry bout it because you will have a better time at the one you do end up going to.
Alexcia
Visit the school before making an actually decision.