Sharon
My advise for any parent or student that is looking for the right college is to "do your homework" . Choosing a College is one of the biggest choices you will make in your life time. Go to open houses and look at the campus culture. This should give you a good idea how the campus life is like.
Deciding on the right college will enhance your educational expierence, If you chose the wrong one you will not like nor do well. Your GPA will suffer and you will waste money and precious time. Attending the right college you will enjoy your college life and your GPA will reflect that you enjoy what you are learning everything you need to graduate and land that perfect job.
Finally, from my past experience the sooner you go to college after graduating from High school the more time you will have to apply and achieve the promotions you deserve. Education is important for you to gain the knowlege that you will need in the future.
Kevin
Give your child time to visit each campus. It is important to allow them to experience everything before hand so a feeling is instilled in the child. With many schools to choose from, keeping the options open are essential in order to find the perfect fit. As the child come closer to a decision, it will become harder and harder to for them to make it. Remind them of the past experiences that you have had and the important memories that been etched in your mind. Sometimes it is the little things that can turn into the biggest interests that related to your college years.
The educational aspect of your choice will be the easiest decision of all, as facts are facts. If you will be residing on campus or off-campus for the next 4-5 years of your life, it is essential to research the area and opportunity that is available. Job growth, opportunity, and economic conditions will effect your schooling just be being in a particular area. The choice should match your goals, aspirations, personality, and passion.
Stephanie
When choosing a college, you must consider which college(s) fulfill your individual needs. For example, I chose Davenport University because of its reputation as well as for the accelerated learning and small class sizes. I will be able to complete by Bachelor's in Business in a year and a half.
Other needs to consider are campus and off-campus housing, campus activities, and learning environment. Each and every person has their own individual needs and situations. Considering these is the most important factor when choosing a college.
Justine
"What do you want to do when you are older;" one of the hardest questions to answer. My advice would be to answer the following questions first: "What atmosphere is the best atmosphere for your learning style," "How big do you like your classrooms," "What field are you most interested in," "Within five years what do you see yourself doing," and last but not least "How flexible does your school schedule have to be?" Once all of these questions are answered the next step should involve campus tour. Get to know who would be your advisor and your classmates. It is very important to feel comfortable in the environment of a campus. So, in conclusion my advice for parents and/or students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience would be...Do your research and enjoy.
Jennie
College is an amazing growing and learning experience. Before choosing a school figure out what you expect from the college experience. If you are unsure , don't be afraid to take tours of the different campuses, read their histories, talk to current students, research their locations, etc... It is during the college years when most make the transition into adulthood. Find a school that is a good fit for you as an individual but also find a school that benefits from what you can contribute to it. If the decision of choosing a college includes your parents, each make a list of the top five things you are looking for and the top five schools you would like. Then sit down and compare. Finding the right fit is key and can contribute to your personal health and happiness for the next couple years. It is so important to find a college where you can excel and grow. Once at college surround yourself with people that you enjoy, join groups, or teams, with your interests. "Be the difference you want to see in the world."
Keith
Identify what you want out of your college education. This could include building your social life, getting a respected degree, or just. The most important thing to remind parents and/or students about college is that it is not at all like highschool. Your not their just to get a good grades to get a degree, because a college educcation is worth nothing if you don't retain any of the knowledge you learned. Instead, you should choose a collage that will best benefit the career field you will be devoting your working life to. That is why it is important to focus on the long-term benefits of a college education. So the best way to find the college that will fit you best, you must identify the career you wish to go in and the best college for that career.
Rebecca
Parents and/or students, I would recommend researching at least 10 colleges of interest. By getting to know the facts about a school as well as visiting the campus, it is possible to make a rational decision. The student should feel comfortable at their school of choice and be able to excel as a person and academically. If a career choice is known, a more career focused school may be appropriate. If a career choice is not known, it may be a good idea to find a school that offers career counceling and/or job shadowing experiences. Another important aspect in choosing a school is the transferability of credits earned. As much as one may love a school, further education may require transfering credits to another institution. Social stimulation and extra curricular activities should not be ignored when looking for a school. College life would become stressful without involvement within the community and fellow students. I would advise not to get involved with "party" schools that may become a distraction to the best of students. Ultimately, choosing a school should reflect the students goals in life and the experience they would like to gain from their college jouney. Good Luck!
Stephanie
Do a lot of research before picking one school, it never hurts to look into different schools. Even just so that you can get a feel for the different types that are out there.
Kadi
Go to a college based on acedemics, not where your friends are going. Choose a school with programs specifically directed toward your career.
Paula
For parents and students alike, the first and foremost advice is to start early. Freshman year of high school is not to early to begin conversations and investigations into college goals and to begin to formulate ideas about the types of college that best suit the student. If possible actually take organized and impromtu tours of campuses to really get a feel of the student life. Parents and students should also take advantage of financial aid seminars where scholarships and loan opportunities are explained and gone over in intimate sessions as to get a good idea of the tools available for financing college. After making an informed choice, take advantage of early orientation sessions, where students are invited to campus during the summer before school actually starts, to make the transition into the fall sessions less hectic and intimidating because the student is familiar with the new school already. Encouraging the student to take advantage of tutoring and study groups is also beneficial because it not only help students strengthen their skills, but will build lasting relationships that will last a lifetime.
Lastly, encourage your student to make his or her own decisions now, because you've given your best!