Matthew
Don't hold back. Once you make your decision go in with a proactive outlook on the situation. You will never be able to succeed in life if you can not handle new situations. Yes, it may be hard to deal with the new surroundings and a different environment, but its how you deal with those situations that makes you who you are. Try to surround yourself with the right people... who are not always going to be your best friends... You need to surround yourself with people that are going to help you on your adventure through college (grades, and social situations). Have fun, because the real world awaits you... But remember the real world awaits you so don't have TOO much fun! Finally, NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK. These days it's all about who you know when entering the work force. You will have unprecedent amounts of events giving you the opportunities to meet new people... take these opportunities. Always remember to have fun though... number one rule!
Kenneth
Make sure you visit the campus and its professors that the studnet will be taking classes with. Don't waster your time here because time is money
Elizabeth
Look into each college with great detail. Visit the college and ask as many questions you can about it. If you know someone personally that attends the school you are interested in, ask to meet with them so they can tell you about their personal experience and if they could would they choose their school all over again if had the change. The parents and kids should make the decision togther to find out what is the best fit for the child.
Joseph
That whether you know what major/school could best predict your future career endeavors, let yourself know that this portion of your life is experimental (at least your underclassmen years) and that it is okay to make mistake. You also have to know that those mistakes may cost you timewise and financially. You also have to make certain that you have fun throughout the college-finding process and while in college in general.
Samantha
The right college is one that has a major in the career that you one day would like to work within. You have to look at more than the majors though. You have to look at the size, what else it has to offer, such as clubs and organization, and other activities to keep you involved. Don't pick a school for the football team or the fact that your parents are alumni, you have to pick a school cause its right for you in every way.
Pat
Find a place where you can have fun and excell academically simultaneously. Make sure the size is right for you and make sure you get to know the school well before going there.
George
make sure that the size of the school and the classes are fine for you.
make sure that the school is the rigth school for you for example if the school have the major that you are pursuing.
make sure that you can afford the school and if the school have a good finacial aid status because some school are really expensive and they dont give a lot of scholarship.
Some school are boring , they have no social activities , everyone goes home during the weekend try to make sure that the school that you are applying is not like that because you might get depress or lonely if the school is like that.
at last apply to the school that you want to go not the school that your friend is going or some member of your family want you to go .
Tim
I would say you need to find something that you are passionate about and love doing before you even think about choosing a college. After you find what you love, you can pursue it at the right college and the coursework will be much easier. If you do not have a passion for something academic, then college is a good time to find that out, but it does make it a little harder to fit everything in in a financially healthy time period.
Gabrielle
Make the most of your college visits in determining the size, location, and type of school you want to attend. Talk to current students. Walk around town, check out the student centers. And most of all, go with your gut instinct. Last, but not least, if it doesn't work out, transfer. It's not the end of the world.