Catherine
Listen to your gut instincts. I only wanted to go to one school. I was so sure of my going to that school that it was the only school that I would apply to. I took it as a sign of my being where I am supposed to be that I got accepted. Pay attention to how you get along on campus when you visit. It is how you will feel If you attend that school.
Catherine
Campus life is absolutely crucial. When deciding on a college take the time to visit the campuses and really take the time to interprate how you feel about the campus and the people there. Money is important but I feel that it's not as important as how you feel on campus. The college experience is just as important as the education you're working to receive. If you don't feel like you fit in on campus and aren't having any fun it's going to affect your grades. College is a delicate balance of playing and studying - don't be surprised if your grades droop a little your first semester. This happens to many college students because not only is your workload going to be more difficult than in high school but you are the one who is managing your time; you don't have your parents there to tell you what to do and when to do it. Really take the time to try to prepare for your first year of college, make sure you make time for both socializing and studying. Taking time to make a daily schedule was the best decision I made.
Timothy
In order to make the most of your college experience choose a school that fits you. Don't go to a big school if you want small class sizes and for your professor to know your name. Likewise if you prefer to have someone hold you accountable and know that you exist as a person and not just a number, consider a small school. As far as succeeding and making the most out of your college experience it is important to remember that grades aren't the only thing that matters, growing as a person and discovering who you are and what you want to do is just as important. With that being said however, grades are definitely important. To succeed in the classroom know that college isn't necessarily more complex, it simply requires more effort and work in order to be successfull. Learning to manage your time and be responsible is of the utmost importance becuase classes move faster and cover more material. It's better to be diligent and possess a strong work ethic than be a genius in college, although being a genius certainly helps too. Ultimately, the school doesn't make your experience, you do!
Kelly
It would help if you have an idea what you want to study and choose colleges that have a program for that. If you don't know what you want to study pick colleges that have programs that are close to interests you already have (don't pick art colleges if you want to work with computers for example). Once you have chosen a type of college narrow down your search. Look at location, class sizes, classes, extracurricular activities, etc. Once you eliminated (or chosen) a few based on your criteria visit the campuses during the school year. This is important so you can know if the atmosphere is right for you or if you absolutely hate it.
Make sure the campus life will fit your personality. Otherwise you may love the classes but hate the rest of your time there. You need to find balance though. Don't choose a school completely for the academics or for the atmosphere/lifestyle. Find one where you can learn and enjoy yourself at the same time.
Arminda
I would tell each and every parent and student to be open to ALL possibilities, and to not be bias about a school based on its location or whether its public or private. Its extremely important that you explore all of your options and that you seek out a school that will challenge you both socially and academically, but that will also cater to your needs should you be looking for direction or struggling. Also, for many students, it seems tempting to pick the school that's farthest away from home, but that can be just a monotonous as going somewhere too close. Visit every college, test your limits, and if homesickness would be a deciding factor, then honor that, because it most certainly has the potential to take a toll on a student's academic performance. And especially for parents, be enthusiastic and excited and be PRESENT in the college application and picking process. It can seem daunting to a student and its important for them to know that they have their parent's support.
Carolyn
Always tour the schools before you apply. You can't really know where you want to go until you set foot on campus. Talk to alumni, talk a lot with admission counselors and anybody else who has a personal relationship with the school. Do a lot of digging and push on the financial aid. College is expensive but most colleges (even the really expensive ones) are willing to work with you.
Septembre
Students should make their best efforts to figure out what type of college setting is the most necessary to accomodate their learning styles and social needs, and parents should do all that they can to facilitate such discovery. Asking the proper questions and getting a better feel for college campuses, professors and surrounding environments is important in addition to the level of education available. The college experience is a valuable one, one that should not be taken for granted. College provides a wonderful opportunity to make life-long friends and network for future success. One never knows where certain roads will lead, especially if one never sets foot upon them.
Scott
College is a time of change, and a time of growth. When choosing a college to attend, remember that you will be there for the next 4 years, most likely, and will be doing more than just studying for classes and tests. One should remember how important the social aspect of college is, and even if the university or college you are looking at has a good repuation for academics, if you don't feel comfortable, do not go there. In order to suceed, you must feel comfortable in your surroundings, and college is no exception. Also, when deciding on a college, make sure to ask every single question you can think of about the school. Even if the questions seem outrageous, you have the right to ask those questions, as you will be making one of the largest investments of your lifetime. Most importantly, enjoy the experience of college, and take from it everything you can. College is, many times, the greatest experience of anyone's life, so don't be afraid to step outside of the box, try new things, and have fun while doing it.
Allie
You should always keep in mind that it isn't so much the school that you go to, but what you do there. I've done an internship at Cosmopolitan, had one of my short stories published in a local magazine and maintained a very nice GPA. I credit these accomplishments to the amount of work that I put into my studies and how often I took advantage of opportunities that I was given, not a particular school. So choose the school that fits your personality rather than the one that had the best success rate or the most famous graduates.
Rachael
I would say that the most important thing to realize is that during college open house events the school is prepared for you to be there, the current students know as well as faculty and staff. This is important to realize because that means the experience you have during the open house event may be really great but it may not be realistic. I feel like you should come during unscheduled events and avoid the campus tours, instead just look around for yourself - because then you can really get a feel for the cool and its environment.
At Linfield they offer a prospective student thing where student looking into Linfield can stay with current Linfield students and through I didn't do that as a prospective, I have hosted and the expereince is always great for the prospective student because they get a glimpse at how real college students are living and it's not stuffed with a bunch of fakeness, its a genuine experience.
Chaia
It is important to find a right fit college for you. Don?t let your parents or friends make your decision. The college search process can be stressfull, but if you take the time to research and visit different schools, you will find your right fit college.
When deciding on a college, there are many points to think about including size and location. Do you want a big school or small school? Do you want to be in a lecture with 400 other students or small classes? How far away do you want to be from home? Do you want to be as far away as possible or close to home?
If you have no idea where to begin, talk to people you know about their college experience. Ask what they liked and didn't like.
Visit colleges and universities near you so you can begin to get a feel for different college environments. and see what you like and what you do not like about each place you visit. Once you get to college, get involved. Join a club, do research, or play intramurals. Don?t be afraid to move outside of your comfort zone and try new things.
Jesse
The college you choose will be your home for the next 4 or more years make sure you want to grow up in that environment. Choose a school that you will feel comfortable connecting life, learning and community. DO NOT let money keep you from applying to a school, see how much financial aid a school will give you before turning away. Parents allow your child to find the school they want then do anything you can to make their dreams come true. Allowing them to fulfill their dreams will give them the chance to help others fulfill theirs dreams.
As a freshman entering school, all of your past high school experiences are unknown to others, which allows you to start new in any way you choose. Become the person you truly want to be for the rest of your life, and have fun and get involved in everything you desire. Try new things and be prepared to fail, but always get up and learn from the failures and never make the same mistake twice. Treat your RA with respect they have the HARDEST job on earth but they can teach you the most if you let them.
Katie
I would tell parents and future students that nothing is ever FINAL. If you believe a school is not the correct choice for you, you can transfer. It is not the end of the world. I think a lot of students with similar personalities go to similar schools. I feel that small schools have more social drama because everyone gets to know everyone really well. This is either be a good thing or a bad thing depending on the type of person you are. I think in big schools, no one knows who you are and depending on the person, once again, it can be a good or bad thing. If you are thinking about traveling abroad or entering the school for a special program, make sure they will still have that program available to you in a year or two because programs often change every couple of years. I feel that the more you like your school you will achieve more things and get great grades. If you do not like the univeristy or do not feel like it is a "good fit" I advise switching schools to somewhere that will be a better fit. Good Luck!
Geoff
Pick somewhere close enough to home to be able to go home fairly often, but far enough away so that you can't live there.
Jake
Do the Competitive Scholarship Day! Easy way to view the campus and win money towards Linfield tuition!
Katherine
The best way to figure out what college is right for you is to visit the college and talk to as many people as you can who go there. Planning an overnight stay is also a great way to feel what it is like to go to the college. Ask yourself some basic questions such as: Do you like big or small schools and class sizes? Are you interested in sports or clubs? Do you enjoy a more independent community or one that is very social and cooperative? Then, when you visit schools, have someone answer these questions. Don't get stressed! Remember that education is very much what you make it to be, and no matter where you go, you will have an educationally enriching, life-changing experience.
Andrew
Find a college that fits your personality. Ask yourself questions like; Do I like a really big community or do i want to be a part of a smaller community, What do I want to study, will this college help prepare me for life after college, and will i be able to have fun and learn in at this college
Evyan
The best advice I could give is really find the right SIZE school for you. If you're a person who benifits more from small classes and personal attention, then look into small liberal arts colleges. On the other hand, if you like the bigger scene and a super diverse campus, then maybe you'll feel more at home at a state school.
Never be afraid to transfer if you're not happy where you are, but college can be the most amazing time of your life. It's worth finding a campus that you can call home. You'll be most successful, most happy, and most likely to make lasting and worthwhile friendships if you're happy in your environment!
best of luck!
Katie
For finding the right college, be sure to visit the campus. The most important thing about choosing a college should be how you feel on the campus. As for your college experience, get involved. Figure out what things you really love and then do everything you can to support those, if you don't know what you love try different clubs or activities on campus. Also, be sure to balance school and your social life so that you don't get overwhelmed. Most importantly have fun!
Quinn
The years spent at a college or university have a significant impact on a persons life. Choosing the right school is crucial to the success and enjoyment of their higher learning. Finding the right college doesn't have to be difficult, and by visiting and touring several different campuses, it is easy to decide what type of college environment is best suited to your personality. It is important for parents to allow the student to make their own decision, and not to add any extra pressure to their decision making process. Once a student has decided on a college or university to attend, they need to make sure they are completely prepared for the experience. Getting involved in campus activities helps to smooth the transition into college life, and makes it easier to meet people with similar interests. Getting established in the college community early will help to ease anxieties, and make the following years some of the most memorable of their lives.