Lacee
Let your kids do what they want, don't steer them they'll figure it out for themselves.
Elise
It is so important to visit your prospecitve schools. If they have a campus tour, go on it. Take a look at the dorms if you're planning on livin in them. Find out what kind of career placement the school has, and what they do to help you your career. Also, heavily consider what it will be like to go to an out-of-state school versus an in-state school.
Ryan
Finding the right college is something that kind of just happens. There is no right way to find a college that will be perfect. What someone who is looking needs to do is visit the schools that they are interested in, talk to the students who go there (and not just the students running the tour or whatever) and get their opinions of the school. If the opinions that the students gave you are not ideal for you, then don't look there. Don't pressure your kids into going to a school. Let them choose. College is supposed to be an experience that allows you to figure out who you are and what you want to do with your life. So it is your decision as to where you go and what you get out of it because each college is different in every aspect and the experiences can differ drastically from student to student.
Ebone
The first advice I would consider giving students is to consider how far they would like to live from home . I know a lot of students who transferred schools because they were home sick and were attending a school that was really far from home. Another piece of advice for students would be to get involved in their schools community: join a frat, a soriety, a club team, a group on canpus, and etc. Gettting involved in your schools community helps and allows you to meet new people and to network yourself. The final tip I would give would be to live on campus during the first year of school. Living on campus the first year of school is the best choice any freshman can make because there is no commute to school, all the resources students will need to succeed their first year of college are right on campus, helps students meet new people, and students will get their first taste of freedom and independence.
Stephanie
The advice that I would give would be to visit campuses. Sit-in on classes if you can and most definitely stop students and talk to them. Talk to professors, administrators and other staff. Get the first hand experience and visit, visit, visit!
Herbert
Be a yes person and just pick the college that feels most comfortable with you.
Kevin
Go somewhere where you feel comfortable. Keep in mind this is were you will spend the next four years, and make sure there are things that are there to do besides for school.
Dylan
It is really helpful to already have a major in mind when looking for college's, that way you can find one that best suites your needs. Really you should be thinking about what you want to do with your life senior year of high school. Transferring after the fact is always an option, but it's a pain and time consuming. I chose the University of Denver because it has a great Audio Production program that also focuses on music. It was the perfect fit for me.
Rachel
It is important to go and visit the college to make sure it is right for you. Touring a university is a must.
Frazer
The biggest thing to keep in mind is that no one college is perfect for everyone--everyone is suited to a different type of college. You need to go out and do research (there is no such thing as doing too much of it) and figure out what you want in a college. Think about academics (class size, strengths of the college, etc.) as well as social (student life) and geographic aspects (location and size of college). Go out and visit the college--you can't ever get a true feel for it from just a brochure. Actually take some time and sit through a class you're interested in. Yeah, I know--more school. But the only way to tell if it's right for you academically is to experience the academics firsthand. If you can, break away from your parents and spend some tme with the students to see what they're like. And finally, when you do decide the right college, apply early if possible. Once you're there, try to meet as many people as possible early--it really helps. College is fun, but difficult. Just remember to go to class and you'll be fine.
Tanner
You must look hard to find the school that fits you well. Think about what your ideal experience, not for college but for growing up would be, and actively search for a school in a region that will facilitate these desires. If you want to see the world, come into contact with people you might not meet otherwise, pick up a new sport, make lifelong friends, challenge yourself intellectually or get rich, make sure that you consider these things when choosing a school. Find one the right distance from home, with the right mixture of individuals and paths of study conducive to what you want to accomplish in the next stage of your life. Wherever you end up, giv eit a fair shake and try to make the best of your new situation. Be flexible and strive to put yourself in unique and, if necessary, uncomfortable situations that will stretch you into developing as an open-minded and inquisitive human being.
Faith
I would suggest that you really consider what you want most out of a college or college experience before you start looking into anything. By knowing your priorities and values, you can then do more effective research about your college choices.
Shaun
When selecting the right college, it is important to go on campus tours and meet current and former students. The Princeton Review or any other college analyzing resource can outline a picture of what a college seems like, but seeing it for yourself and recieving the stories of actual college students is the only way to fill in that picture with color. The union of a student to a university is not something to go about without doing plenty of preliminary research. Decide what you are interested in and create a checklist. Going on campus tours is like going on multiple dates. Before you commit to that kiss of enrollment, make sure you know all of your options. There may be some prettier college under your nose that you never even knew about. Also, talk to professionals in the field you plan on going into. What do they look for when they are highering an employee? Will your college refine you into that perfect job candidate equipped with the brawny business biceps that make women swoon? If so, then you have found your college.
Eliana
Elenor Roosevelt once said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent". Every person has thier own individual strengths. It is important to recognize those to set yourself up for success and happiness. Do not assume that a college with a noteable reputaion, status or hype is the one for you. It may be but give yourself the chance to find out. Visit schools, talk to students and professors. Look at colleges that deliver programs of interest to you. Know your comfort zone and also be willing to take a risk. You will get value out of an education that fits your character and interests you. Take classes in areas that appeal to you; don't just take a class because "you have to" or "it fits your schedule". Learn to love learning. Your education is invaluable and will motivate you for your future. Give yourself the chance to meet people; offer your knowledge and accept thiers. You will learn from your peers; good friends will be with you long after college. Know your boundaries, when to say no to challenges that arise in college, but also know your goals; take on a career in what you love.
Amber
In your heart you know what is the right school. Don't let money be a problem in picking the right school- get in touch with the academic advisors because they can help you. Picking a school is hard, but don't forget you can always transfer. Always remember all the freshman are in the same position as you. Let that be a bonding experience, meet as many new people as you can. Although college is about learning and getting a good education, it is also some of the best times in your life. Enjoy them!!
Nicole
Research and choose a college that will cater to you and not the other way around!
Jennifer
Make sure to research what you would like to study and what schools woudl best fit your personality and educational values.
Melissa
I would advise students to visit campuses that they're seriously considering. So many times once you get onto the campus you just know that's where you belong! Also, I advise parents and students both to ask lots of questions. Advisors at the school love to help you out and it meant a lot to me when students could answer lots of questions regarding their own school. Ask lots of questions about things that are important to you like class size, activities on campus or about your major. Once you get into the college life, I feel it is extremly importnat to jump right in and make the most of your experience. Go try out different clubs and/or groups. Leave your dorm room door open and make the effort to go talk to new people. It takes a lot of effort to do this, and even may make you feel out of your comfort zone, but it's totally worth it after you have a large network of friends right off the bat! Try new things every day and take advantage of everything that your college offers students. Have fun-it's the best time of your life!
Matthew
I think personal goals are the most imporant factor in choosing a college. I chose to transfer from a community college into a prestigious private university close to my house, for the best combination of academic and financial results. This hasn't really helped my professional and social life, however. To make friends you really have to spend more time on campus than I do, and to get a well-paying job you need a professional rather than a liberal arts degree.
Matt
Unbeknownst to me at the time of applying, the best decision I could have ever made when deciding which school to go to was going out of state. I have been exposed to so many different and exciting things that friends that stayed local missed out on. Also, I have learned how to deal with things on my own, figuring out things without leaning on my parents for help.