Antara
When choosing a college, make sure that you are not simply taking the next assumed step from highschool. An undergraduate degree must be earned willingly and eagarly for the work to reflect in the grades. If you do not want to be there, then do not waste your time and money. Know what you want. Be decisive. And do not hesitate to explore beyond your textbooks and enjoy the learning experience. It is a privalage.
Leonard
Go and visit the schools to include the academic advisors and teachers. Don't just go by what you read or get at orientations you need to physically go to each of the areas that your student will interact with and get a feel for the people who work there. You need to talk to the financial program advisors, academic advisors and counsellors. Look at the rooms where your students will stay, the places they will eat on campus and the security available at the dorms and campus.
Adelle
When I was choosing a college, the most important part of the decision-making process was that I was just as satisfied with a potential school as my parents were. It is easy for parents to try to persuade children to attend their alma mater or their personal favorite, but the student is the one who needs to be happy with their experience. Additionally, non-academic opportunities in the surrounding area are crucial to a student's satisfaction.
When choosing a school, it is important to consider not only the campus and the academics, but what the surrounding area provides as well. In order to get the total college experience, off-campus and non-academic opportunities can be just as important as intellectually stimulating classes.
Finally, remember that you are about to embark on four years of amazing experiences, new and lifelong friends, and some of the best times of your life. This should be something to look forward to and to be excited about, so remember that when the applications, interviews, and campus tours start to overwhelm you.
Stephanie
make sure you really look into the schools you're applying to and remember that sometimes the place you least expect will be the best for you. and enjoy your undergraduate degree while you're there because it goes by faster than you want.
Lauren
Make sure you tour your campus choices! That was what gave me my final push, the people and atmosphere at my college is great , and you get that feel on tours and campus visits! Dont just sit online!
Laura
Every freshman has a professor tell them that to get the most of their college experience, they have to do more than the minimum required of them. I remember Profesora Bustos telling us that we should read extra books outside the ones on the syllabus. We should plan ahead so that our papers were thoughtful and well organized. I was never as thorough as she suggested but I did more work than most. I thought an A at the end of the semester reflected this. It wasn't until my final year that I realized what Profesora Bustos meant. I wasn't happy to slack off and get an A. Only when I put in extra effort did I feel good about myself.
I would tell future students that they should have fun, that's part of college too. Pick a college that has a good atmosphere and set in community you know you'll like. Start early on projects and it'll be easier. But to get the most from college, you eventually have to do more than the bare minimun. In the end, it's not your GPA. It's how you grade yourself, that matters most.
John
Visit the college, talk to students who have gone to school, talk to the freshman orientation folks and spend some time at the campus.
Leslie
Visit the college in advance and ask lots of questions.
Bess
I believe that in order to find the right college, you must go and visit the prospective school. Take a few days to stay in the town or city. Experience what the area has to offer; is it an outdoors focused town, or a thriving metropolis? Go to restaurants, stores, shops, movies, and local attractions around the school. Take a few days to experience campus; sit in on classes, lectures, club meetings, activities, theater, music, and performances. Ask current students about their experience at the prospective school. Try to immerse yourself into that campus and the surrounding area to find out if it is a good fit for you or your children. To make the most out of college, my advice is to get involved. What are your interests and passions? Does your school have clubs, organizations, or groups that cater to those? If so, sign up for them all! I have met 85{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of my college friends through involvement in student groups and organizations. Take a wide variety of classes, talk one on one with your professors, and carve out a niche for yourself. You are paying for it, so make it a worthwile experience.
Joshua
Let go of your kids, and let them experience life! look at unique small town schools
Rachel
Applying to colleges can be overwhelming. There are so many choices and it is easy to believe if you choose wrong you will ruin your life. I held this attitude for a while and then realized because of finances I needed to choose a school that was not my first choice or the most prestigious. So I decided to attend the University of Montana for at least a year and then transfer if I hated it. Luckily I choose one of the most relaxed and beautiful campuses I could have found. After attending college I believe the most important qualities to look for in schools are finding a university of a size you will be comfortable at, choosing a town you like, and closely examining finances to make a wise choice for you and your family. It is easy to feel you need to attend the most expensive and selective school, but as long as you hold a positive attitude and engaged in your learning you can create a wonderful education at any institution. Once you are at school get to know your professors and get involved in activities that will enhance your four years of college.
Dean
As a parent myself, I would tell parents to expect the most out of thier students, and be sure to provide adequate incentive for that performance. Incentives based on acedemic performance and or community service would be appropriate, in my view. However a parent must also be understanding when a student changes a major, as it is common for many students to change several times as they discover the real direction they wish to go. If you demand acedemic performance, provide incentives and rewards for performance and understanding support you and your student will have a positive college experience.
Sarah
When selecting a college make sure to do a visit during a busy time of the year-like football season-it'll give you an idea of the school spirit and atmosphere. Try and do an overnight stay in a dorm if it's available. When you get to college, check out all student groups that sound appealing, and get involved! Even if you don't join a house, go through recruitment - you'll meet some great people! Most important, take classes that interest you and get involved! College is what you make it!
Allison
I suggest finding a college the fits your educational needs. It is important to feel comfortable in your surroundings and to feel secure in the area you are living. I understand how a parent feels when their child leaves home. Montana is a state that anyone can feel safe while attending college. The students and staff that I have met are genuinely friendly and helpful. People choose to attend college here because of the natural beauty of state, the outdoor activity and the quality of education.
To make the most of your college experience try to find out as much as you can about the campus resources available. This can be very beneficial in providing everything from financial assistance to extra learning tools. It is important to plan ahead for housings, meals and commuting. The more organized you can be, the less stress you will have. I am still learning this!
Everyone needs to have some fun. Find out about the local activities through the college you are attending. Look through your school newspaper to know what's happening on campus and participate in a club.
Dora
Find someplace where you feel comfortable. There are quality professors at most colleges, and you can get a very good education at many universities that you have never heard of.
Sara
Visit the school first, that is very important!
Eric
The best way to decide on the right college is to talk to everyone you can about it. You must first find who you are, what you like to do, and what it will take to get there. To start searching, having a general idea of what you want to major in can narrow down your choices. Assess who your friends are and why they are your friends. It will help you figure out the kind of people you enjoy hanging out with: So if they are all engineers it probably would be a little rough to attend a small liberal arts college. Obviously you should choose your college based on what your friends are doing, but what their personalities are. Finally, there is that money issue. If you are looking at getting through on loans, a place that will cost 60,000 a year is probably out of the question. So be reasonable in what you can work off and what you have available. And, if you get turned down from your dream college, keep your head up, put in some hard work and transfer later.
Kristy
Advice I would give to parents and/or students in search for the right college would involve closely reviewing academic programs and their requirements. Make sure the course of study fits your preference. Also, I would highly suggest the student to try and have a certain degree desire in order to eliminate "waste" of time and money that may or can be used for other expenses.
Caitlin
Visit the schools you are interested in. The school may look perfect for you on paper, but if it doesn't feel right--it's out. Don't think about cost--there is financial help available if you look hard enough. If you're not sure about your major, think about other aspects of the school besides programs. You will find your school. Making the most of your experience? Well, get involved in something you love. Or something you're completely new to. LIVE ON CAMPUS, at least the first year. You will make friends immediately and probably never forget them.
Katherine
When making your choice for which college you attend in the end it does not matter where you go rather what you make of your experience.