Peter
Find the school that has a decent program in the field of study the student wishes to pursue. Money should not be a hindrance to receiving an education, so seek out financial aid and scholarships either from the desired school or other financial aid programs. For the student, making most of the college experience means to trying out things that interest him/her in terms of academics and extracurricular activities and finding the right people to establish lifelong friendships with. Most importantly, it is important that the student overall remains positive about college life in general, which would facilitate making the most of it.
Joshua
Go to the best possible school you can. Money issues are tough nowadays, but you have to look at school as an investment.
Katie
It's impossible to know until you've tried.
Lisa
No matter what college you attend, you are the decider of whether you are happy or not. I never wanted to attend the University of Virginia. I hated the fact I was going there, but now I could not be any happier. All you need to be happy is some good friends- and that is what I found. Good friends can be found anywhere- whether in the Ivy League or at a community college. At the end of the day, they are who you will remember about your college experience, not your classes. So, don't worry, it will be okay no matter where you go to college.
Courtenay
Applying to colleges is stressful and emotional for both students and their parents. Even though during the process it's easy to believe that only one college could possibly be "the one", its important to keep an open mind about all schools you are considering. Visit your top choices, remember it can't hurt to apply, then re-visit the ones where you have been accepted. Pay attention to your emotional response to the college, but take it as one factor among many others in your decision. Once you have decided on a college get ready to take every advantage of the opportunities you'll get in the next four years! The first semester can be tough at any college, make sure to explore lots of different groups and try out for anything that intrests you. First semseter may not go as smoothly as you envisioned, but if you experience all you can of your college or university, you will find groups that 'click' for you! Good luck!!
Kaitlyn
In both finding the right college and making the most of your experience, I would say it is most important to keep an open mind. In the college search process you are definitely going to have to narrow your choices down but it is important that you do not rule out any school because of a statistic or ranking. You could find that the best fit for you may not be the most exclusive college and that is okay. Look for the school that plays to your academic interests, learning style, and has extracurriculars that you may want to explore.
In college you will be presented with so many opportunities to participate in something you have never done. Although it may seem foreign or not right up your alley, try it! Try everything you can! You never know what you will have a knack for or what you will enjoy. Plus, by participating in new activities, you will meet many new people. The people are the most important part of college, so expanding your friendship circles will only lead to more fun, comfort and additional new experiences to enjoy and learn from.
Dawn-Sherryl
I would say that it is a lot easier finding the colleges that fit you, than having to pick between two or three colleges. When it comes to the right college, I would start out by deciding if I want to stay in-state or out-of-state. After that, I would pick which region I would want to stay in, for example, east coast or west coast, even the states that I like. After that I would narrow it down by picking the colleges that meet my interest. If I have a major in mind, I would look at the colleges that have that major. When it comes down to picking between two or three colleges, make a pro and con list. This allows you to see the ups and downs of a school. When it comes to making the most of the college experience, relax. Don't stress out so much. Though college is hard, you have to figure out how to balance out your school work and your social life. It's good to have a planner; this can help you stay organized. Make sure to always put in time to have fun and hang with friends!
Christa
In the end, it is about comfort - go where you feel most comfortable and MAKE SURE you visit, preferably overnight, at a random time of year when there are not activities preplaned for you by the school.
meriem
Look for a campus and academic program that suits you and dont be intimidated to ask the professors questions.
Erica
Look for the school that will give you the most value for your money. Scholarships are always available. Study hard and stay focused because your GPA and employment prospects depend on it. Always make sure to use your alumni resources and network because it will prove invaluable after gradution.
Jason
First, students and parents should realize who ultimately has the power in the college application process. A lot of people think it's the colleges, because after all they are the ones who read applications and send out the acceptance letters, but really it's the other way around. Students should be trying to pick a school that best fits their needs, and parents should have a vested interest in this decision too; after all, they're the ones who will most likely be writing the tuition checks.
Second, students should make the most of the fresh start college provides. Chances are your peers won't know much about who you were in high school, so take advantage of the opportunity to try new things and explore. Take a class in a subject you would've never imagined learning about, join a new club, or maybe make friends from a group you would've never known about in high school. You've worked hard for four years to get to college; now's the time to reap the benefits!
Kelley
Choose a college that interests you with a variety of academics, sports, extracurricular activities, clubs, etc. Choose a school in a setting that you prefer. Choose a school that you will be proud of attending. School pride is very important!
Taylor
College isn?t about grades. It?s not about what you got on your Bio final, or how many hours you took each semester. It?s not about how organized you were, or how long you spent in the library. Sure, it?s important to do well and prepare yourself for later in life, but success isn?t determined solely by your GPA. Going to college is about more than just a piece of paper you can hang on the wall. Meet people, join a club or fraternity. Speak out for what you believe in, take an active role in existing organizations, or fill the holes and make your own. Go to football games, tailgate, show your spirit. Make a positive name for yourself. Go to the library and work hard, then go home and play hard. Have a snowball fight at one in the morning. Road trip to basketball games or conventions. Be safe, but make memories.
So when you?re looking for the right college, look past the academics. You can study hard and receive a good education from almost any school. But you can?t have the college experience just anywhere.
John
College is more than just picking a place to get the degree you want. While it is very important that you go somewhere that is supportive of your career goals, it is equally important that you enjoy where that place is. It won?t matter how successful you are academically if you get stuck at a school where you are miserable. Just make sure you visit all your choices and do all your research before making a final decision. Finally, and most importantly, no matter what outside influences say (whether friends, family, teachers, ect.) make a choice that YOU want to make.
Krista
Work hard, get involved and enjoy yourself. During your first year, don't be afraid to drop out of various things you've tried--infact, thoughout your college career, it's never too late to try something new, get involved in something else. Take more classes than you're required to for your major--expand your boundaries intellectually. You're at college to learn, after all. When the studying is done, enjoy yourself--not just partying. Go to the schools museums, check out a friend's art exhibit, go for a hike a few miles down the interstate. There is a lot to see and experience, but don't get stressed about trying to do it all! Four years goes really fast...
Sameer
the on e that u fit in the most and feel most comfortable with the environment around
Margaret
Enjoy every moment of it.
Bryn
I would advise them to look beyond their own state for a stellar education. Virginia has tremendous schools and there is no doubt that UVA is among the best of them if not the best of them. However, there is a very strong culture here and if you do not wish to buy into it then you might be somewhat dissatisfied. That being said, the social life is pretty vibrant and I have had a decent time with the friends I have made here. Honestly, I feel blessed to know them. Your college friends will be among the closest in life. Also, you do not have to drink tons of alcohol if you do not want to although it is undoubtedly available whenever you want it. Visit as many places as you can and think very carefully about where you choose. Choosing a college sets you on a path that will influence the rest of your life without a doubt.
Danielle
The most advantageous college experience is an atmosphere that allows for the most growth of the individual. Sometimes in order to grow we must face people, ideas, and situations that are unfamiliar and/or uncomfortable. When looking at school it's most important to take into account what type of environment is going to provide the means of the most growth and sucess of the individual student. This means being honest about one wants from the school they'd like to attend. If academics are a primary concern then be realistic about where the student can get in. If social life if more important, than recognize which school will provide this. Honestly, when choosing a school one should look at a variety of factors in determining which school is best suited. A school is the sum of its parts, just like us as individuals. Choosing a well rounded school will help to create a well rounded individual which in turn makes one more flexible within their environment. A college experience is what you make it ;so choose a school with the most resources to mold your own educational experience.
Sean
Exploring different campuses and comparing different college environments is necessary to see what is a good fit for you. There are so many factors which comprise having a good college experience and schools should not just be purely judged based on how they rank academically in journals and on web sites. When visiting different places, there is nothing more valueable than asking a random student how they feel about the college because they can present much insight on the intricacies of the school and how college life there really is. When examining different colleges, think of who you are as an individual, what your likes and dislikes are, and what type of friends you had in high school. Your friends can reflect different aspects of your own personality which you may be unaware of so when visiting different college campuses, try to think whether or not you could imagine yourself enjoying that campus. Also, be prepared to examine the college classroom settings more closely to see whether or not the professors actually enjoy teaching.