Mianna
I would definitely recommend doing a lot of research on any college that the parent and student may be interested in. The website collegeboard.com was of great help to me and my dad. This website makes it easier to send in SAT scores and look up all the different colleges you are interested in, and comparing each and every one of them. I will stress that tuition should not be a factor in deciding on a college; each university has many opportunities for financial aid for all of its students. Once you are accepted, I recommend joining any clubs you may be interested in, for joining any on-campus activities will make any college experience a positive one. Making friends with the faculty and students also brings positive college experiences. I know that, with the economy the way it is today, that many cannot afford college like myself. Many have to work full-time jobs and go to school at the same time, but no matter how hard this is to do, I will say that continuing on to college was one of the best decisions I have ever made, and I know many like me feel the same.
Jade
When finding the right college, there are a few things one must look at. First, does the school have the major that you want to study? Many schools specialize in certain feilds of study. Second, if you are a very political person, you might want to take a look at the overall political standing of the students on campus. Another thing, if you are planning on dorming, look at the housing situation. Make sure you are happy with how you will live. If you are not living there, make sure the commute is not going to be miserable. You are going to be driving there a lot and if you're unhappy with the drive, school will not be fun. Another HUGE thing is quarters vs. semesters. If you are a quick learner take quarters. If not, do yourself a favor and take semesters. But finally, walk around the campus and make sure you enjoy the atmosphere. If it's too industrial, perhaps look more towards an AG school. You will spend a lot of time here. Make it a school you will love going to everyday.
Holly
Choosing a college can be a life-altering decision. It can be very difficult at times, but there are a few things to really focus on while choosing where to go to school. First, it is important to understand exactly what you are looking for in a college or university. This will help you determine which school will actually be right for you. During the application process, it is important to know what each school is all about. Look into what its strengths are, along with its weaknesses. If you have an idea of what major you want to choose, be sure that each school you apply to offers it. Once you get accepted to certain schools, go visit them if you haven't done so already. Getting a hands-on idea of what the school's campus community and student life is like is vital. Hopefully throughout each visit, you can determine whether or not you can see yourself attending, if not living, there. College is a fun experience, but it will only work out if you take the right steps in choosing where it is you see yourself living the next four years of your life.
Esther
they need to researches about that school that they are planning to go. see the history of the school, as well of the rating that school has. Cal-Poly is a very good school, which provides students with the right tools to be succesful in life.
Barbara
visit campus's in advance and stay for a few days, not just one day.
Amanda
Go on campus tours and ask questions. Every university has a bookstore and a library, but each differ in what they have to offer their students. The more questions you ask at each school you are looking in to the better understanding you will have about how you can fit into that location. Look at schools that offer the types of programs you are interested in both academically and socially. Once you are in college GET INVOLVED! Join clubs, work on campus, become a member of student government or live on campus. The more chances you have to particiapte in events on campus the more you will take pride in your school. Don't forget that college should be fun. Yes employeers want to see that you got good grades but they are also looking to see that you had some type of leadership position and were involved in clubs/sports etc.
Lastly, don't limit yourself when you oare applying for colleges. Apply to a variety of differentschools in different locations and then start looking into them more in depth once you get in. Who knows, you may fall in loce with a school you would not have before.
Lindsay
I would advise them to do a lot of research! There are hundreds of schools but only a few that meet the students needs. Make sure they offer good courses. Look into the professors and see if they come highly recommended and where they went to school. Many professors don't really care about their students and many do. Also to make sure that the school they are planning to attend have a variety of majors the student is interested in. Almost all students change their majors and it is good to be enrolled in a college that has other majors the students can be interested in. IT helps by not having to transfer schools and deal with units being transferrable and untranferrable .
Andrew
I would suggest any college as long as your children or you yourself know what kind of living environment that you will enjoy. Follow your instincts and feel out for what major you would like to choose.
Leonela
Fisr of all, I would tell the student or parent to go for the school that offers a great program on the majo he or she is majoring. Another advice would have to be tuition costs. There are many schools out there that offer a great education withought having to pay a lot for Tuition. They should also check what type of school it is, in regards to the diversity it offers. Some schools are very diverse and very liberal and others are not. A way to make the most out of a college experience is to live on campus and join clubs offered on campus. This is a great way to meet new people and share common interests. Student clubs can be very beneficial, since, some of them have contacts with outside companies and it can be very easy to obtain jobs and your network tree can grow. The most important thing in deciding what school should be picked should be the experience you want to get out from college. Every colloege varies and research should be done to decide which one would be the most rewarding for you.
Jennifer
To find the right college I believe it's important to prioritize what is most important to the future student. While 'party school' may be appealing to one individual, it will not necessarily be a compelling reason for another to enroll at School A and the same applies to students averse to intense study environments. I would ask parents/students to list 5 attributes that they place more emphasis on for a university rather than going by the general rankings seen in U.S. News or the equivalent. I remember classmates informing me that they chose a small liberal arts school over a #1 ranked university because Smaller School was a better fit for their personality and goals that they hoped to achieve while in school.
To make the most of the college experience I would ask the students to be open minded to what is around them, what is available to them, and what may be possible for them. Coming out of a parochial mindset is integral to enjoying all that college is about; meeting new people that are different than yourself, trying new activities/foods, and engaging in causes that you believe in are all worthy experiences.