Lauren
To parents I would advise to direct and guide giving their child the opportunity to grow and choose. Remember that you are going to be experienceing so much emotion in letting them go, try not to allow this to effect in the decision. To students I would advise them to remember that all of our choices impact our lives for the long run. So often, I have seen college students think of the now, neglecting the impact that a single choice may have on the rest of their life. Live life for who you were created to be, not who we all so often try to be. College is so much more than an academic experience, it is a time of growth the molds us into the person we are going to become. You look back and years later recognize the effect of a single choice in your life. I would suggest prayer and seeking wisdom from others in your life in choosing a college and living out it's experience.
Anthony
When selecting a college, it is important to find one that is strong in your field, but one that also is diverse in its students and academic programs. Academics should be a strong focus, but book knowledge can only get you so far in the real world. The real world is about getting along with people, pursuing a dream, and fulfilling your own purpose in life. Diversity on campus not only teaches students about other cultures. It helps them to learn more about themselves. The most important part of the college experience is getting to know your fellow students. Study hard, but get involved in activities like clubs and sports. Sometimes it is hard to find time to fit them into your schedule, but one of the happiest people I know is an electrical engineer who plays every intramural sport he can and is on the school?s rugby team. If the art department is showcasing new work, check it out. If the foreign language department is showing a French film, ask if it has subtitles. College is a great time to make lifelong friendships, discover new interests, and broaden your knowledge.
Samantha
When searching for a college the most important step is to visit the campus of the college you are interested in. Arrange a tour to learn about the history of the school and the way things work, but most of all take time to talk with students around the campus. Ask them questions where the answer could perhaps sway your opinion of the school. When you get there, making the most of your college experience is really up to you. From personal experience I would say to take your time. There is no hurry to get through school and if you go at your own pace you will do better. Make as many friends as you can with the students and professors, speak with them outside of class and form lots of study groups. A good way to experience new things is to join a club or a team, but if those are not right for you, go to a different school event every month. Remember that college isn't going to guarantee your foot into a great job, so find an internship program and pick a major that you love, never do it for the money.
Colin
I believe that when you are choosing a place to go to college, go somewhere new. It is an excellent life expierience to leave the place that you grew up and go somewhere else completely. Pick a place that would be reasonably cheap to attend. You don't want to stretch yourself out to thin financially. The best way to start the college experience is to live in a dormitory on-campus. You meet many new and wonderfull people that you will remain friends with forever. It also forces you to become involved with your school. You really start to feel a strong sense of pride about your new school. Go out and get to know your professors. It will help you out untold amounts later on. Focus hard your first two semesters. Develop a string work ethic early on. Nothing feels better that having great success in your first year of college. Go into college with an open mind adn really find out who you are as a person. Learn from mistakes and experience new things. Lastly remember, have a good time all the time.
Dominique
To find a college that best fits their economic situation, interest and a college where you can grow as a person in your career before moving on to bigger things. It's always good to pick a college based on opportunity and not so much the name becuase people can transfer to whereever they would like in the future. It's about getting that degree the best one can!
Nicole
Definitely visit your college campus. It isn't until you actually step onto your future campus that you can really get a feel for what you are getting yourself into. Also, get involved. It is one thing I wish I had done. It makes the time go by so much faster and then your really enjoy your college experience instead of getting overwhelmed with work. While studying is important, everybody needs a break. Take time to be young and enjoy your campus. There are so many opportunities to network and meet people who share your interests and can help you with classes and hard decisions you might need to make in the future.
Kali
College. It's a word that brings about many different feelings; both positive and negative. For some it is a pathway to success, a major stepping stone in life, and four years of fun. But for others it is yet another half-decade of learning and papers and deadlines. College should be a positive experience, and with the right tools, it can be.
In finding the right college there are many different factors that should be taken into account before deciding on one. You need to decide whether you would feel more comfortable at a big or a small college, since the students themselves are a big part of the college experience. The location is also key. You want to attend a college that fits your personality and preferences. After choosing theright school for you, you need to take advantage of everything that your school has to offer. Go to every sporting event, participate in on-campus activities, hang out in your library every once-in-a-while, and keep a positive attitude. With the right mindset, you'll be able to make life-long friends and keep your stress level down to a minimum. Now go enjoy your school!
Bridgette
My advice to parents and students in the process of selecting a college is to foucs on both academics and social experiences each college has to offer. College is a time to not only grow academically but also and equally as important to experiences life and find out what you really want. There is more to choosing a career than just how much money you will make. It is important to like what you will be doing and that is more important than how much money you make.
Look for a college that will challange you in more ways than just your papers and tests and remember to have fun. College is a great time in your life, use it wisely. When you do get out there in the real world there are no summer vacations or winter breaks just the 9 to 5 daily grind. Make sure your daily grind is something you can look forward to. This is YOUR life , you have choices and with those choices come responsiblilty.
Lauren
Go to a college out of town, that way you get a fresh start. Don't be too scared to try a wide variety of new things to see what fits you best. It is ok to do different things and grow apart from your high school friends. Just make sure you are making your decisions based on what makes you happy and what you want to do, not what you think you need to do to fit in.
Stacy
There are a few things to look for in a college; big or small classes, the sort of people that attend the university, the environment, activities to do around campus, etc. When picking a university, you need to know what you (or your child) is looking for. For example, I knew that I did not want to be lost in the vast amounts of students so I found a college that has smaller classes, so I can learn and ask questions. It is also important to know what other activities there are to do; for example, what will you (or your child) do on the weekends? What do you want them doing? Here I knew that I would be able to go hiking, biking, walking, or kayaking to keep me busy. And last, but not least, ask the attending students how they enjoy the university, if many say they do not like it you might want to look somewhere else, but if they do enjoy it they may have some teacher preferances to share with you that will make your college experience more enjoyable.
Brannon
A student must be prepared to motivate his/herself to study diligently every single day. Do not worry about missing a party or finding dates. These gratifications will hold a solid place for the student AFTER graduation. I promise, it is always better to make the grade the first time around. Also from experience, meet with your academic advisor at least once a semester. Do not take classes you will not need! Spread classes that are directly related to your major out over your time at college so you will not be pressed to take classes you are not ready for. I know this because I took every class available to me at a community college before transferring. This has lead to my professors needing to give me a waiver for almost every class I enroll in now. Meet with your advisor and lay out a schedule that is the most conducive to learning. If a student studies effectively, does not party, and takes the time to make sure they are on the right track with an advisor, he/she will make the most out of the time at college!
daryn
really look into what you want to do and what major you are going into. look at the surrounding community and not only the campus itself as far as what there is to do there, the city transportation, and the economy of the area.
Jacklyn
The best advice I would give is to really think about what it is you want to do. From there it is all about the commitment and what you put into your education. You will get out what you put in. You cannot always rely on instructors to provide the best education, you have to take the initiative and put in the effort as well to really receive the education you want.
Jessica
Whether you decide to stay in the same city you grew up in or go and explore a new area the first and most important step in choosing a college is visiting the campus. Pictures can only tell you so much. By visiting a campus you can decide and envision yourself as a student there, if you can't well then at least you know its not for you. Talk to a student at the university and set standards on what kind of education your want (like if you want to be taught by a professor or graduate student, small classes or big lecture halls).
Once you get onto your campus the best advice is to get involved whether its just for fun or helps your academic and career goals. You meet people with similar goals, make instant friends, and its something you can later use on a resume. College is the best time to open your eyes to new things and make memories to last you a lifetime.
Dawn
Although cost is usually a big concern for most students, I would focus on finding the school that best fits your overall goals such as if the degrees offered best suit your professional goals, etcetera. Accreditation is also an important factor for many students also.
Tara
With 2,363 colleges to choose from in the US, it?s no wonder why there is so much confusion about deciding where to go. Picking a college is like purchasing a home for the first time. Initially, it has to be attractive and have character. Secondly, it needs to have a strong foundation and the proper amenities. Finally, the location and price have to be right. The individual has to bring something to the table as well. Throughout the application process, colleges search for students who stand out above the rest with good grades, adequate SAT scores, and personality. Obviously, some universities have a more competitive acceptance criteria than others based on their prestige. That?s why it is so important to research potential colleges while keeping your interests in mind. What?s suitable for someone else might not be for you. Be sure to apply with several colleges to maximize your options just in case your #1 choice doesn?t work out. Even though college prepares you for a career, make the most of your learning experience by working concurrently with school to also gain the professional skills necessary to prepare you for success in the real world.
Andrea
Students, in order to make the most of the college experience, one needs to know themselves. It is important to keep in mind likes and dislikes, for example are you an outdoorsy or city person, do you like big populations or smaller populations? Picking the right enviornment is essential; there are more layers to college than studying or going out.
College is not about being shy. Once you are in college, you need to open up your mind to a different world. If you live in the dorms, have your door open, meet people with same or different interests that could potentially become your best friends for the rest of your life. Get involved! Not only will extracurricular activities give you something else to think about aside from studying, studying, studying, but the people you meet there will most likely help you academically as well. You never know, you might just meet a literature or math genius!
Parents, never make money an issue. There is really a lot of financial aid out there. Sometimes choosing the pricier school over the less expensive school, could give your child a richer college experience and offer a brighter, full of opportunities future.
Rachel
I would recommend looking at the cost of each college and checking out the housing, campus and student body of each college. One last thing find if the college offers intercollegiate sports or clubs that you would be interested in joining.
Erica
My number one piece of advice would be to follow your gut inctinct. If something is holding you back, then don't go. however, don't let it be money be the issue. You only have these short four years to expierence college, and if you don't make the most of it you will always wonder "what if". Also, get involved. This will be stressed a ton when you are first looking at colleges, but it's the only thing that will make you want to succeed and be able to find yourself.
Amy
The most important advice i would give is to make sure you, the student, is happy. That is the most important thing becuase this is going to be four years of your life. Make sure the college you want to attend has the necessary programs for your degree and then go from there. Make sure the college is located in an area you will enjoy. Talk to friends and see if they are maybe going to the same college because then you can have roomates in the dorms and experiance college together. Visit the campus. But most importantly make sure you will be able to afford it. If not, look into getting scholarships so that way you aren't stressed about paying for everything. You want to completely focus on school and have no worries.