Tony
Pick a school that fits your personality and has your area of study, regardless of cost.
kathryn
Four years is a long time. Go where it feels right.
Kristen
Remember that big schools with lots of small departments can give you the same effect as a small school, especially if you want the city atmosphere and life. Small schools in the country are as quaint as they seem, and if you're used to a fast-pace, a small school may not be for you. Big schools offer lots of smaller groups to join so that you feel at home just the same. I love my school, but I would have been more involved and had more friends at a bigger school.
Megan
It's good to take a lot of time and consideration in your search for the appropriate college. Gather all the information you can about a college, but know, too, that a college likes to represent itself in a particular light, so there will always be parts of a college that you don't like or that they don't publicize. With this in mind, weigh each college very carefully. Sleep on it. Think about it for a while. And after considerable thought if you haven't made up your mind, just pick one. Your gut reaction can lead you in the right direction too, if you're head can't decide for you. That's what happened for me: I was debating between 3 schools and just decided one day to go for Gustavus. Lucky me, because I love it! Remember, too, that if you hate that school you can always drop out and pick another. No big deal!
Bethany
Find a school that fits you. Some schools have very strong programs but little or no sense of community within them. Being at a school where the people are as important as the facts is a great experience, so if you can find a school with a strong academic program as well as a good atmosphere, you'll do great.
Nicole
I would advise parents and/or students to take the time to visit the colleges they are interested in prior to making their final decision. Take the opportunity to visit during a non-school sponsored visit day to have more opportunites to talk to current students, professors, and other employees at the schools and get a real feel of what the school is like. Be sure to do an overnight at the schools you are considering prior to making your final decision, as this can really impact your feel of the school. You have to remember that the atmosphere of a campus can really change from day/classtime to evenings, so it is important that you have an idea of what both are like at the school. To make the most of the college experience, just enjoy the time you are in college, because it goes by so fast and it is so easy to just sit back and let the time get away from you.
Denise
I think it is important to find a college that has all of the main academic and cultural aspects that you want, but no college is perfect. You make your college experience, regardless of where you attend school. Money, classes, and social activities are important to look at when deciding which college is for you, but the most important thing to consider is how you will approach your college experience. If you visit a college campus and can picture yourself being an active student, consider going there! If you visit a campus and can picture yourself being overwhelmed by the amount of work or people, maybe it is not the college for you. Yes, the college you choose will have a huge effect on your life, but the attitude you have toward it is what will really matter.
Nicole
Get out and look. Research can only do so much and although its very helpful, get on campus and ask students what they like about their school. Talk to students, faculty, administration and coaches. Colleges want to to attend their school so they'll make accomidations for you. They may like to jazz up their school's facts a bit, so ask around campus. Sit and people watch even for a bit. The student should figure out by the end of the day if they can see themselves at that school or not. And parents, don't be too pushy, its the students choice.
Marit
Visit colleges as much as you can. And when you feel that the place is a fit for you, trust your instinct. Take notice of how people talk to their friends and others passing by, that is how the community will fee to you.
Jenna
find a place where you feel most at home and comfortable