Michelle
Do not go on name recogonition make sure you pick the place you feel most comfortable when you step on campus as this will be where you live for the next 4 years.
Amanda
I have advice for both the students and the parents. First, for the parents. Yes, it is important for your child to pick a good school, but picking the school you think is best is not going to make this process easier. Your child knows whats best for them, and chances are, your child will know right away which school is right for them. Make your child do the research, and step in only to guide when asked. As for the students, dont panic! Use your resources, and take your time. You'll know right away when your find the right school. And like i told the parents: this is your job! Don't make your parents do this for you - this is your opportunity to show that your are a responsible student who can handle this type of situation. You know yourself better than them ,and you probably know better than anyone what's best for you now. Just listen to your instincts, and don't kill yourself over it! Save the stress for when you're actually in college! So take a deep breath, and go for it!
Sarah
Wherever you end up, you will have a healthy college experience. Whether you're going to an Ivy League or a community college, every school has good and bad professors. You will struggle to make friends no matter how big or small the school of your choosing is. Everybody is scared their first few weeks of school, you are not the only one. Apply to a variety of schools even if you are not initially interested in all of them, it's good to see how different colleges work. In college, experiment with classes, take something you would have never imagined yourself taking in a million years. Be active; if you are not involved, you may not enjoy your college experience to its fullest. If you do not enjoy something you're doing, quit it and find something else that appeals more to you. Get your money's worth. Be open. Smile.
Jonathan
When chosing a school it is essential to visit the campus, there you will be able to feel the pulse of the school and can sense if you see yourself as part of this student body. Importantly you have to ask questions, even if you think you've read everything on the website and know all the answers, you need to ask students - they know the best. Ask what people do for fun, what options there are for things you enjoy. When selecting a school don't just visit the department you think you want to study in. You never know, half way through school you may change your major. Know what is out there, and walk around, see the place, a campus and the way students behave in public at their own school says a lot about the school, the students they admit, the values and the goals. Enjoy it, searching for college is stressful, but it can be very exciting and fun. If you chose the wrong school, remembe it isn't permenant, you can always transfer - its not a bad thing to do and often people are happy after. Do your research and have fun.