Dan
The best advice i could give to students and parents is to actually go out to the campus and get a tour before making your decision. Campus tours are free and you can learn a lot about the campus and its students by walking around campus for a day. Not one colelge will be completly perfect and there are plenty of colleges around that will give the student their proper education. Also, if the student has an idea of what thier major is going to be they should definetly talk to a professor or advisor in that content area. A lot of students only talk to their advisor while starting their progam (usually year three). But if you talk to the advisors early you can possibly cut the number of classes you will take and graduate sooner. As for getting the most out of your college experience, i believe students should spend more time on campus. A lot of younger students go home every weekend and fail to experiecne life on their own until they live off campus. If you think you might regret somthing 3 years from now , chances are you probably will. so think about the future!
Eric
Go where you want to go, not where others want you to.
jennifer
get involved with some organization and trust your advisors they might save you in the future
Mitch
Look for a school that not only has the nicest rooms/ campus but other things like class size and accredited programs. Talk to friends or family to get the behind the scenes view on campus life.
Michael
The advice I would give students and parents on picking out the right college to is to look at your options such as what feels comfortable for you such as being safe living on campus or off campus of the college of your choice and where you think you can succeed academically in your classes. You can also look in other alternatives where you can have a social life such as having things to do to fun besides doing school work full time. These activites could include going to fitness center to work out, bowling alley where you can go bowling with friends, going your college athletic events with friends, join any club the university offers. doing work study in your choice of major of study, join extra extracurricular activities the college offers where you can meet with new friends from different town and nationalities and finally when I made my decison on what college that suit my needs I look where I would succeed academically in my major but athletically as well and where I can have a good time with friends out of college when not having class and Make sure you make college years fun and worthwile.
Kelsey
Go to a college where you can leave with a degree that you will like, don't go do one just for a scholarship.
Philip
The best decision I made was to go Greek. I have been more involved on campus than I could have ever dreamed of being. We have friendly competitions with other fraternities/sororities, give back to the community, and still have fun. Greek life isn't all "animal house." Greek life is like having a second family. If I were to be stranded on the highway, I could call one of my fraternity brothers and they would bethere as soon as they could. Be unique, Go greek.
Adam
Take your time, and don't rush through things. Taking a hard look at what the school has to offer both immediately as a freshman, and preparing you for after you graduate is just the beginning. The opinion of the student body, as well as the faculty, is something you should consider when looking at what school has a major you want to study.
Megan
The best advice that i could give a student about finding the right college for them would be to take the time to learn about the college. go and visit it if at all possible to get a feel for the environment, also visit with people who have gone or are going to the school. Finding the right school for you can be a hard decision to make but if you put a little time and effort into your selection you can have to best experience possible.
Heather
I would concentrate on basics, like your interests and make sure that the campus or surrounding area has a few places that you really like. Take a campus tour! They are free and a great way to see exactly what you'd be getting into. If it doesn't quite feel right, keep looking, but make sure to keep track of likes/dislikes. Don't box yourself into one major right away. Check out a few different things and don't write something off because your "friends" wouldn't like it. This is the time to do what you want to do, and find out who you are. I suggest dorms the first year because there will always be people around to hang out with and weekly activities, whichever ones pique your interest. There are so many different activities, but you won't find them huttled in your room playing video games. While that is okay to do sometimes, go out and just experience life. If hanging at the game is not your thing, try something else. Ask others where some great hangout spots are. College is about having the time of your life, so why not?