John
Make sure to know what you want before you start looking at schools. If you can't figure out what you want, keep an open mind.
Remember that every school visit is essentially a recruiting visit so the guides will show you what they want you to see, ask questions about anything you don't see on the tour.
Samantha
I think that it is very important to make sure you explore all options. It is important to settle on a budget and then tour and research all of the schools that fit in that price range. It must also be decided how close or far from home you would like to be and how big of a school you would be interested in attending. I think to make the most out of college you need to get involved in multiple activities and try to meet as many people as possible. Also make sure to explore a variety of majors, and that will allow you to meet a wide array of people.
Steve
When making the right choice about where to go, make sure your son or daughter is somewhere you feel comfortable and where people are friendly and helpful. Schooling is are very important but so to is the place where you or your children live. College is very hard your going to have bumps in the road but it is what you make it. Find a college where you can always be doing something fun because that will effect the attitude of school's students and staff. Find somewhere thats safe so your kids can walk through campus late at night and not be in any danger. Its a tough time finding the right college but find somewhere where you can grow as a person. If your learning, having fun, and getting involved on and off campus your college experience will be great anywhere you go.
Lauren
I would tell parents to listen to their children and then decide what they believe is best for them. It is the student's decision in the end to make themselves happy and chose the university that is right for them. I would tell students to make sure that they do their research and read what the colleges offer and what they would get out of it. It is a great idea to know what your chosen college can offer you later down the road, when you start looking for internships/ jobs. I think that students have to work to become involved, especially at big universities. In order to make the most of college, students need to get involoved and be social, making new friends and experiencing new things in order to mature and grow as an adult.
Ahsha
Find a place that will benefit you financially, academically, and socially. Make sure you have a somewhat clear idea of what you want to do when you graeduate so you pick the right school from jump and dont put yourself at risk of transferring from so many different schools. Go somewhere where you will be exposed to the world as you dont see it. For example get out of your comfort zone meet people not like you. It's way to learn more than you would ever learn in a classroom. I also recommend that students go to a school where they can be independent, being so close to home can be nice, but at times it can really be suffocating and not give you a chance to really be on your own. School is really fun its like real lfe, you go to work (class) meet new people (students), learn and apply info (studying classwork). School puts you in a better place financially and socially it's the perfect position for anyone to be in.
Mary
Selecting the right college for you is a process that requires a lot of honesty. You'll need to be honest with yourself about what you want out of your college experience, honest about what kind of housing you will want to have, honest about how far from home you are willing to be, and honesly about how much money you have saved to put towards your education. If you are not completely honest with yourself about any of these questions, you will quickly find that you are unhappy at your chosen university. My adivce to you is to make a checklist of the things you want, and then compare how all of the colleges you are thinking about fit into your needs. Also, don't get too hung up on the "perfect" school. Apply to several schools,; visit as many as you can before making your decision. Some campuses look great on paper, but the environment may not fit with your personality. It's important to feel like you are part of a community during your college experience- you'll learn more, be more involved, and happier- so make sure you select the community that is right for you.
Susannah
The advice that I would give to those seeking the right college for themselves or for their children is to tour as many universities as possible. I toured several universities across the state of Kentucky; and I believe that this is what most helped me to make the choice of which college I desired to attend, a choice that I have been completely satisfied with since the first day of my college career. It was important to me that I felt comfortable in the surroundings of my college, and that I could see myself living there and interacting successfully with the people and the campus. You cannot fall in love with a campus unless you have experienced it for yourself, so I would encourage the touring of many universities to assure exactly where it is you can see yourself the most.
In order to make the most of a college experience, I encourage all students to become involved. Universities have so many extracurricular activities to offer, and participating in those that suit you enhance your relationship with the campus and your fellow students. Being involved on campus is imperative to making the most of your time at college.
Jennifer
Pick a college where you will feel most comfortable, do not let anyone else choose for you. You want to be somewhere that you feel accepted and that you will get the best education. Make sure to get involved with school activities even if it is just going to a sporting event. You never want to look back and regret not doing something.
Nichole
My own limited experience as a full time student and now as a full time member of the work force tells me that there is one crucial mistake we make as a culture in terms of college decisions. Our society is very task driven, leading us to get more accomplished faster. I believe this is a mistake when it comes to college. My education was developed more in the four years I spent taking courses that did not pertain to my degree and socializing with intelligent and diverse groups of people than the hours of classroom time I invested reaching the degree I thought I wanted. Most of us end up in careers that were not foreshadowed by our degrees, but I can personally contribute most of my personal and mental growth to the process of earning my degree. I believe students who take online courses or accelerated degree programs just to get into the work force sooner suffer in the long run because they miss out on an important time of self development and discovery that cannot be attained elsewhere. My best advice is to take advantage of every event and extra class and not rush through the experience.