Stacey
Make sure you visit the school a few times. Know the rules and regulations because they may not fit you. Look into how long the school provides you with housing. Don't just go to a school because your parents like it. Its your choice, your life, your decision. Remember, you do have to spend four years there. Get out there! Do not sit in your room all the time. There are so many oppurtunities that colleges offer it's unbelieveable. GET INVOLVED! Speak to students that attend the college. They give the best advice. Do not pick a school at the last minute. Give it as much time as possible. Have fun, but make sure you know how to balance your time. WATCH OUT FOR THAT FRESHMAN FIFTEEN!
Alisa
I would say narrow it down by major, region of the country and the size of the school you want. It makes your choice much easier when you know those three main components.
Jillian
I recommend finding a college that you or your family can afford. I would also recommend a college in a college town. That way the student can have a full college expeirence with out any regrets.
Rajiv
A student's college experience is mostly up to what he or she makes of it. While institutions and faculty play somewhat of a role, at the end of the day, it is the student's attitude that will dictate how much he/she takes away.
Arline
You have to make sure that the college you are interested in is, first and foremost, the best school for you acadmically. Finding a school that is very strong in the field you choose to study is of the utmost importance. Networking with teachers who are commended professionals in that field can and will help you in the future. Personal experience from professors is very helpful because in the real world, there are some things that cannot be learned from a textbook. Secondly, you must find a college that is realistically affordable. This means taking into consideration things like tuition, transportation, books, rent, and food. You don't want to be stuck with student loan bills the rest of your life. Lastly, in the long run, you can really get the most out of your college experience by making sure it is in the geographical area that best suits your personality. Are you someone who likes to go surfing at the beach, go clubbing downtown, or relax in wide open spaces? It is all about location, location, location.
isabella
that they have to visit all their top choices, make sure you can afford it and its somewhere you wont have any regrets about going there.
nelsina
visit the colleges for an overnight stay before you choose where you go
Allyson
Visit more than once, find out about all financial aid, dorm policies, and ask REAL students you run into while you're there how they like it at that school as well as their personal preferences.
Kashina
I would say that first pick a school that is in a enviroment that you are comfortable in. Next, look at the price and make sure you are able to afford it because you dont want to take out to many loans. Once you get to college, you need to use your resources. Most freshman waste time and dont jump toward the opportunity at scholarships and class advancements.
Abu
The advice I would give to both students and parents is to never rely on anybody but yourselves when it comes to education. College life is not easy and really should not be taken lightly. Take it as your only way out to establishing a decent career in the future. Also, to parents I suggest in supporting your kids financially however learn to let them go at this point. They can no longer be spoonfed and must be responsible for what steps and actions they choose to decide now. To students, when choosing your first college, In my own experience I found that commuting is actually more helpful than dorming to a distant campus, this way you still feel as if your home and would not bump into distractions or obstacles during your studies. Choose the college that pertains to your major/career in which you wish to do! That's very important as you cannot afford to waste your time taking courses which might not benefit your major. That is my advice to parents and students who are upon entering college.