Anthony
Parents/students, please consider the personality of the student and how that would fit into the atmosphere of possible college selections. Be open minded about your selection and do not be afraid to go to a college that will test the borders of your comfort zone. Look at college as valuable experience that will develope you as a person, not just get you a piece of paper to show at an interview after four years. Consider the amount of money you will owe after you graduate and educate yourself on expected monthly payments you will make for all bills after you live on your own and begin working full time. Lastly, if you have a strong desire to go into a specific career, be sure to go to a school that has a strong department in that field with interniships available. Do not be afraid to be on your own and meet new people. Accept it as a personal challenge that you will benefit from later and enjoy shortly into it. Decide with your instinct. Take the information others give you with a grain of salt. Visit possible schools and see for yourself. You'll know where you belong.
Christine
NO MATTER WHICH COLLEGE YOU APPLY TO, VISIT EACH CAMPUS AND STAY OVERNIGHT BEFORE YOU MAKE A DECISION. It's so important to get a feel for the campus, to talk to students candidly and to visit a class or two. Also, try to go out with your host and see if the social scene is to your taste. Realistically, most people just enroll in whichever college delivers the best finaid package, but no matter how little you pay for college, it's not worth having a sub-par college experience. Go into college with an open mind: you will probably change you major three or four times before you finally decide what you like, so take classes in various disciplines to figure out which you enjoy the most. Do what you love, not what your parents wished you loved. Get involved with campus activities, ESPECIALLY FRESHMAN YEAR so you can get your name and face out there. Stay on top of your work and seek out your professors for help whenever you need it (they love it...usually). You should have an amazing time at college, so work hard, play hard, and don't forget to do the laundry.
George
Follow your heart and don't let the pressure get to you.
Caitlin
Finding the "right" college is all about finding the best fit for you! Each college has something unique about it, something that makes it memorable, but finding the "right" college truly depends on whether you want to go there and can picture yourself living your next four years at that particular school . Try to choose a school that makes you excited at the prospect of going there and partaking in the activities you hear about students doing.
Once you get to college, my advice is to involve yourself in a variety of activities that appeal to you, whether you've done them before or have never heard of them! Participating in clubs, sports, and activities in general is the best way to meet people and get excited about being at a new school. You may end up being a part of something that changes your perspective, goals, or group of friends! (I decided to be a part of my school's newspaper with no prior experience and am now thinking of becoming a journalist someday! )
The point is, college is what you make of it; everything you do is by choice, so choose wisely and enjoy every minute of it!
Allison
Your friends are your strongest aspect of college. Meet and get to know career services early.
Arlie
Do the research. It's the only way to know that you've found the perfect school for you. It's overwhelming but most people have an idea of what they want and when you find it you'll know.
Liz
Get involved! College is fun if you want it to be!