Tim
I would recommend that students and parents look into on the job training and work experience when looking for a school. I came to Kettering University because of its renowned internship program. Co-op training puts you in a job while you are learning the same material in school that you are using for work. You also want to look for a safe secure campus environment that nurtures growth as your college career moves forward. Make sure the campus supports student growth with study groups and tutors to help with material retention. Kettering has professors that are masters in their subject matter, which really helps whenever questions arise. Most of the professors even wrote the books for the classes they teach. The choice for the right college depends mostly on what you plan to do in your career. The most advise I can give is find out what you want to do early and get into a specialized school that will give you work experience and on the job training in your field before graduation. The more experience you have before graduation, the easier you will find a job and the better that job will be.
Josh
There are many factors that one needs to take into consideration before you decide on a college. First and foremost, you need to find a college that is relatively affordable with either your/your parents income, or with the income you plan on getting after graduation. Second, you are going to need to go somewhere you feel you will fit in; I strongly encourage campus tours before you decide on a place. University's can hype up the instution on their website because they want you to go there. Go out, and find out for yourself what the place is like. Also, if you decide to go far away from home, make sure you are ready for that committment, and that your parents are too. Eventually they will have to give you up to the world, but persistant calls can be bad, and hard to work into class schdules. Sit down, and have a talk either before or after the first few weeks to explain obligations they have of you and you have to your classes. It's a very dynamic decision, and I think these are the most important factors, and a good start, but definitely not all inclusive.
Andrew
Visit as many schools as possible.
Consider: location of the school, size of the school, reputation of the school, success of alumni
Justin
Education is an investment in yourself so chose a school that gives you the best return on your investment not the best parties. Drive to neighboring schools with good parties and attractive people get a good education at your school.
Andrew
I had 2 schools that I really wanted to go to., one for sports and one for my career. When decide on which college to attend, keep in mind what you want to do after you graduate.
As for the college experience, make as many friends as you can. Most likely, those friends will be there for a lifetime.
Artur
Choose a college that focous on the math and sciences and has a very good internship program preferablly a co-op
Brian
Parents and future students should select the college based on what kinds of opportunities their education will bring them. The opportunities can vary from person to person, but the right school can really enhance the way you grow into those opportunities. Some schools focus on academics or research or class size, but the right school depends on how you as a student feel you can use their resources to prepare you for the real world the best way possible. If you thrive on huge class sizes, then by all means go to a big school. As long as care is taken on how you can apply your education to your future endeavours, there is no wrong choice of school. A healthy balance of school and social life is also a must. There are so many life lessons that are learned outside of the classroom, and becoming involved in clubs, sororities, fraternities, community service, student government, etc. is a great way to grow into a mature adult.
Kristina
Moms and Dads:
Be supportive, as you usually are. Be honest to us, but let us figure it for ourselves if we're stubborn. The years in college go by fast. Let them enjoy it. If they change their mind, it's good. They're figuring things out.
Students:
I know about the feeling of being trapped in a university. Not being able to transfer without severe consequences. Kettering University has a lot of loop holes that they do not tell you about, until it's too late. It is hard to transfer out after you reach sophmore status. The credits are not always recognized at other institutions. Kettering is also about to undergo huge changes... to their acedemic calender, the WAG is finally going to the GPA scale, adding more degrees and concentrations, and their advertising campaign.
Talk to a student (who's about to graduate) from the school you're visiting... other than the tour guide!
Torrance
Students, do you. Don't choose a school based on what your friends are doing or what your parents want you to do. Make a conscious choice by doing the research and figuring out what is best for you. DO NOT let people make your desicion for you. Take time to think every possible choice through and remember, everything is changing so adapt and adjust.
Parents, let your children make their own desicion. Definately help them with research and getting valuable information as it is most likely your childrens first time venturing into this aspect of education. Trust the fact that you raised them to make good desicions and do not try to hang on for as long as possible. Once your children are out in the world and doing their own thing it is a completely new chapter in their lives. Mistakes will be made and hopefully learned from but mistakes are inevitable. It's just a part of life.
Joseph
Talk to workers in the industry the student wishes to work in. They often know which graduate students are most prepared to work. My co-workers speak highly of Kettering University graduates compared to other, usually larger, engineering schools.
Daniel
Look for a school that fits your personality, don't base your decision soley on what you think the school can do for you in the long run. If you do that then you won't be fully into the experience and it won't beneift you in the long run anyways.
Clint
Make sure to determine what you're going for by first defining the lifestyle you want to live, then learning from someone that has that lifestyle, then do what they do. Do NOT listen to your guidance councilor when they ask, "What do you want to do?" That is the question that traps people into a lifestyle that they may not want. Make sure to first define the life you want. Pick your path based on that. Keep in mind that college is not necessary for success. Most highly successful people did not go to or finish college.
Cory
Just think about what you want to do in life and than look at the best college for it. Do not make a choice based upon where freinds from high school are going because you will make friends at college and I guarentee that you will have a few for life.
Colton
This is a wonderful school, just get out there and have fun!
William
Visit the school. I can't put enough emphasis on this. Request as much information as possible and meet as many people as you can.
Justin
Find out the cost of the school and the scholarships they offer. Also a place that is has an easy learning environment to suceed at.
Sarah
Look at all of the possible choices and visit each campus. Make sure that you get a student's prospective of campus life and the coursework and fields of study. Also, look at the available financial aid, fastweb.com is a great tool to reasearch colleges, to find internships, and schools that match your particular field of interest. Most of all, look for a school that you will invest your future in, what you put in is what you will get out of school.
Kaitlinn
My advice to a student is to find a college that best fits you. Find the college that you think will serve you the best in satisfying your wants and needs. Its helpful to find the college that cares about your success. My advice to parents is to help your son or daughter find that college that fits them, motivate them look at all their options. As parents, you want your child to be as successful in as many ways as possible. Help your son or daughter find the college that will make them successful in life.
My advice to making the most of the college experience is to find that balance between social and academic life. Finding that balance will make college easier and enjoybale. Also, utilize the programs the college offers. College offers you programs that can help you find a new hobby, study, or find a career.
My last bit of advice for finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is to network. Networking is helpful in finding that college, getting help with your academics, and finding that career. Its an important tool that can really help you become successful in life.
Christopher
Make sure to vistit the college first before you accept your letter, talk to a lot of different student to ask them what they do and do not like about each school you plan to attend, and look into an internship or co-op program at your school to gather the experinece you need to land a job out of college. Don't ever be hasty when choosing, and know that while writing application essays is not much fun, those few hours will mean a lot to you later on when you are not stuck at a school you don't like for 2-4 years.