Karen
I know a lot of students freak out about colleges a lot in high school, but I was not one of them. I applied where my counselor/parents/friends suggested, pretty much only based on what the weather would be like (I'm from Southern California. Warm climes were a must!) and got in everywhere I applied. Which then led to the problem of picking a place because I honestly didn't really care.
I'm not saying that this is for everyone, but I do believe that for a lot of people, the stress is unnecessary. As long as you make the effort, you will meet incredible people, have once-in-a-lifetime experiences (seriously. Some things you'll always look back at and think "only in college..."), and you can be HAPPY no matter where you go. So chill out! Relax and enjoy high school while you can.
Matthew
Choosing the best college and receiving the greatest benefit from a college education depends on the person.
Any college that allows you to pursue your interests can be a good fit as long as you are ready to put into it what you expect to get out of it. Consider colleges not only by their academic record, but also by how close they are to your interests and how much the students enjoy them. While it is important to do well, college should be about learning rather than succeeding. The ideal college is one that piques your interest and provides the means to continue your discovery of self and the world.
Making the most of your college experience is as simple as maintaining a positive outlook. This is easiest at a school that suits your tastes and keeps you comfortably challenged, but can be achieved anywhere. Make the most of these years: expand your horizons, try new things. Saying "yes" to new opportunities and stepping outside your old comfort bubble will allow you to discover a wealth of new interests, make many lifelong friends, and redefine who you are.
Katelyn
A great number of people choose a college based on its name and academic status, but the important thing about undergraduate study is finding the school where you feel most comfortable. When I arrived on the Rice campus for the first time, something clicked. I knew right away that it was the place I would be attending, although I didn't officially make the decision until a month later. In my opinion, the best thing a student can do before choosing to attend a certain school is to visit. For me, I had narrowed down my choice of places to attend to three schools, and then I visited all of them, talking to current students, getting a feel for the campus and the area nearby, and if there was anything I didn't like or feel comfortable with, I weighed how that negative would affect my experience. Rice is in Houston, Texas, the most humid and uncomfortable place to be during the summer. However, I realised that if that was the worst thing I could find about the school, then I knew I had made the right choice.