Aletta
The best advice I can give about finding the right college or university is to follow your heart and your finances. If you can't afford a school, don't get you heart set on going or sending your child there. If you do send your child away to that college, they will have nothing but stress over paying for the college on their minds and their grades will suffer. Also look into colleges that are just far away enough for you or your child to express themselves without worrying about you(or your parents) looking over their/your shoulder. It lets you grow into who you are going to be as an adult. Visit the college and talk to people that have gone there themselves. If it feels like home, go there. It'll be better for you.
Shaudia
When it comes to selecting the right college for you or your student, one of the most important things to consider is setting. Where you choose to go to school not only says a lot about you as a person, but it can also determine whether or not you will be able to focus. Another important factor to finding the right college is being social and finding the right major. Some people are anti-social,therefore certain school may not be a good match. And finding the right major means just as much as anything. The reason for this is because your major will open the doors to the career you will spend most of your life in. Your major should always be somthing you can enjoy and somthing that is interesting to you.
Hagen
Focus on class size and how teachers will help you when youneed help.
Karen
Most people do not like to think about the money issue when it comes to picking a college. My best advise is take your main classes at a community college then go into that dream school. College is harder than highschool and when picking your college you need to know if it is a party school or a university that you want.
Meiosha
Make sure it's the school that the student wants to go to. They shouldn't listen to their parents to decide for them. They should also make sure that the school has everything or most of the things they need, for instance, the right major, who gives the most money, the living conditions. The student is what makes a college experience. If one doesn't socialize, there is no garauntee that their college experience would be great. College is a time for a student to come outside of their comfort zone. Be able to try new things and meet new people.
Heather
Be sure to visit the campus and talk to as many people as possible. Ask about dorm quality, food quality, resource quality, etc. Ask real students--not just the students who greet you on your visit. Try to seek out other students; they might give you a strange look at first, but they will probably help you out. In addition, check the area in which the school is located. Is it a dangerous area? If so, is it an open campus? Also, try to talk to as many students as you can if you're applying to a single gender institution--my school told me up and down they would never go co-ed. One year later, we are. See if you can find out about "campus politics."
Stacie
Chose the school that fits your personality best. I like smaller communities so Brenau is perfect for me.
Rebecca
First, if the person attending college knows what they want to do look speficily for colleges that support what you want to do. Then look at the price tag. Make a point to visit the college in person. Ask questions, that is one of the best ways to learn. If the college is pricy talk to a person in finacial aid. Look at the attitudes and actions of the people on the campus. Just because a school offers what you want to take does not mean that you will want to deal with the people. I would suggest if a person does not know what they want to major in: still visit campuses, ask questions. There is nothing wrong with going to a school and spending the first year-year and a half getting the gen ed requriments out of the way. I am reciving some finacial aid at my school but is not enough I still pay over $12,000 a year not inculding books and have recantly had with my family several finacial problems. When you do find the college: particapate, do your homework respond to teachers, talk to them after class, use what stuff the school provides.
Ittiqa
Find a college that suits your needs. Consider financial aid, housing, food, travel, values and traditions. Decide if you want large classes or small classes and whether you want your college in the city or metro area. Look into what majors are offered and what extracurricular activities take place. Also, see if the professors are qualified to handle your academic needs. All these aspects are crucial to finding the right college. Your college education determines your career. It's so important. So, choose wisely. It's the beginning of a new chapter in your life. Don 't be to anxious to get everything over with. Look at all options presented. You'll be spending a couple of years away from home, so why not choose a college you can feel completely comfortable at?
Elizabeth
Look at everything about the school. Look at the nieghborhood around the school. Visist the school during normal hours not when they plan it but just show to see the actual school. If you are going to live on school make to sure to look at the house you are going to live in. Talk to students at the school how they like it and what they think of the classes. Make sure it is what you really want.