Gillian
The effort you put into finding friends will make a huge difference in the happiness of your social life. while the school is important there will be interesting friends to be made at every school. So you need to join clubs, talk to people in class and in the dorms. Think more about what kind of acidemic environment you want and where the school is located when choosing a school. Don't go to a giant state school if you like small classes and lots of teacher involvement. And if you love concerts and art musumes don't pick a school in the country side. Lastly visit as many schools as you can to get a feel of the differences.
Michael
Make a point to visit the schools you are most interested . Spend a night or two with a current student and do your own investigative work. College guide books and school brochoures can give you plenty of facts but a visit gives you a story. The best "story" will probably be the right school for you.
Stephanie
Be who you are in everything you do, and nothing less. Find the school that lets you be exactly that.
Timothy
Visit, visit, visit. Stay overnight. Listen in on classes. Don't go to a school just because your friends go there. And don't go to a school just because you are expected to.
Daniel
Quality not quantity, dont apply to too many colleges just get started early and visit those you like the best. Better to know a few colleges well than the other way around. While visiting, note everything you can because it will matter later. Note the campus, people, classes and especially the surrounding location. Is there a city nearby or somewhere to go at night or on the weekend? After your acceptance letters arrive, view your options in regards to your major and which school has the best program and or internship opportunities. If you dont know your major, sit down and think about your interests and just get a ballpark idea of a few probable majors and apply those to your options. If you can get your schools down to 2 or 3, take one more visit and follow your gut. Where do you just feel better? Which campus feels right? If you can't visit, refer back to all those notes you took. In the end, however, if the decisions is that tight just remember it doesn't matter. Wherever you go you will make friends, learn, have good times and bad. College is what you make it.