Jerry
Go to the campus and hear what students who have gone there have to say. This will help the student see if that environment will fit what they are looking for. Keep and open mind and try to have the most fun you can.
peter
Finding the right college starts with getting the necessary grades to gain acceptance to the particular college(s) of your choice. One should do research on the colleges, whether it is by visiting or asking around to see if they would mesh with the types of people at that particular institution. They should also speak to a counselour, whether it is their high school counselor or some other counselor to see if the college has the available programs and classes that he/she would like to take. The financial situation is another important part of applying to a university. Research should be done on financial aid, scholarships, and other ways to receive college funding if it is needed or neccesary. Overall the choice should be upto the student because the institution that he/she goes to plays a heavy factor on the course of the rest of their lives. College matures and shapes a teenager to a young adult and helps to form who they will be for the rest of their life; choosing your college is a huge decision, so choose wisely.
Courteney
Stay focused on your class work, but also go out on the weekends and get to know more people to have a good time. I feel if you balance the both of those you will get the most out of your experience.
Richard
Do not pressure your kids to go directly from high school to a university. Sometimes a student might need time to grow up, mature and research a variety of oppurtunities they have in life. Although higher education is very important and in high demand with all the emergent technologies, some teens may chose a different course with their life i.e. military. Immature teens might not have all the adult coping mechanisms to deal with the taboo that surrounds college life. Instead of going to class they might sit in the dorm and play videos games or go to parties instead of studying. While it is important to have a social life it is not smart to spend valuable study doing so. Make sure they are mature enough to attend an university, maybe community college is a better choice. It is also a good idea to make sure the students' school choice fits their personality, and is not just because their best friend goes there. Some students perform better in small classroom settings with 30 students per class where others prefere the larger 500 person lectures also consider whether they prefere a rural or urban campus setting.
Kari
The most important aspect of a college search is figuring out what you want from your college experience and finding the school that best fits those desires. If academic success is your greatest concern, look for schools that focus first and foremost on research and scholarly activities. If you're interested in athletics and social life, look for schools that promote these aspects of campus life. The best idea, though, is to search for a campus that integrates each of your interests into one lifestyle. Many schools offer fantastic academic opportunities while also giving you the chance to experience arts, culture, athletics, and new social activities. These are outstanding because they allow students to really make the most of their college career by helping them to prepare for their future and become a more diverse and culturally aware person.
The bottom line in a college search is to make sure you find what's right for you. Don't let anyone else decide for you. It's a big decision - your choice will certainly change your life forever.
Jayesh
Make sure studnets make their decision based on what they think about the college. They(the studnet) will be the ones spending the next four years of their life at that college. They should also visit the campus to make sure its the right fit for them. They should also try to talk to someone who currenlty goes to that college and say what there expierences are like and what they think about the faculty and students that attend that school. They should also research all the different programs and extra curricular activities that the school has to offer. Lastly the student should make their choice on what college they feel best fits their needs and that will give them the best education to be ready for the real world after graduation.
Tony
When selecting a college, don't just take into account the size of the University, or how the social life is. Focus more on what program one would want to go into, how it fits in with the social setting of the campus, and also how the whole campus is layed out in general. It is more important that a student is comfortable with their entire college situation than going to a school where the face value positives are the only visible advantages.
Bijan
Choose a college that will best fit the student needs and wants. Its not the parent life, its the student life. Make sure there is a strong student-staff/administration bond also. Administration and faculty should care about students as if they were their own children. There should be alot of resources to help the students get through their college years. There shouldnt be any secrets or hidden facts thats not kot known about the school either.
Brooke
Go with your heart. I was accepted to three schools and Michigan State stole my heart. Don't hold back, make new friends, and become involved with on-campus activities. Parents, stay involved. Your child will need a lot of support as they begin this new journey, and as much as they will hate to admit it, they will need you. Ask questions and encourage them to stay involved.
Jessica
My advice for students who are searching for their perfect college is pretty simple... Make sure you go visit the campus! That was truly the deciding factor for me when I visited my university during my senior year of high school. I stepped foot on the campus and immediately felt at home. So, go with your gut instinct when you visit campuses... If the people are friendly and you are impressed by all the opportunities and programs available, then why not attend college there?
Once you make the decision to attend the college of your choice, don't be afraid to ask questions and step out of your comfort zone. Your four years at college are the best time to grow up, experience new things, and explore what you really want out in the "real world." There is no better time or place to stretch out your wings and figure out where you want to fly.
Best of luck to all you prospective college students out there. If you truly belong on a college campus, you'll know it when you visit and have that liberating, satisfying feeling that you have found your new home!
LaShonda
I think that college is most important for finding your own identity. Take the time to figure out who are and where you want to be.
Kelly
Move away from home! College is about life lessons, not just book learning.
Mia
Find something that fits your personality. Don't go far away from home just for the sake of getting away from your parents, if you're uncomfortable in new situations, it's good to have someone to talk to.
Tom
Attend a smaller/cheaper school (where credits will transfer) to take your core classes. Try to find what you really enjoy doing while at that school. Once you know what you want transfer to the school of your choice. You'll save a lot of money and already know what you like to do.
Keven
Don't worry about what you think is best for your child, let you child pick what is best for his/her. It's their life now.
Cameron
Choose the right size; don't get in over your head; beware what a smile can hide
Laurel
Find what school you feel most comfortable with
Krystal
When deciding to go to Michigan State University I was scared to go to a big school. I graduated high school with 60 people in my class, so for me to go to a campus that had 45,000 people was intimidating. All I can say to new college students is never judge a book by its cover. You never know until you try it, and that is what I learned because I love this campus. It truly is small at heart, even though it may looks big.
DeShaun
I would tell both parents and students to pick the colege that fits your interests best. Whether it 's academics, or partying you will decide how the experence is for you. Also look at the award letters that the schools send you so you can best see how your going to be able to pay for your education, because many schools change loan programs at the last minute and wont tell you until its close to the start of the semester.
Hannah
Students need to visit each college they are considering. Even though the asthetics of a university or college is not the most important factor, the type of environment a student will spend the next 4 years of their life is crucial. The college experience is all about thriving: academically and socially. To get the most out of their college years, students must be balanced. It is important to get the most out of your college education but it is also important to grow socially and learn the people skills that are needed in almost any line of work. Students need to find a college or university where they feel comfortable and where they can blossom in all aspects of their lives.