Sabrina
Advice that I would give to parents or students is to look at small private schools since they offer more interaction between students and teachers. Smaller schools tend to give students a better education since the classrooms are small and teachers can focus their attention on each student and ask questions to make sure everyone is on the same track. Also, look around at schools that offer the most help with loans or scholarships to help pay for school. The school may seem expensive, such as Saint Leo, but they have given me tons of help such as a Florida Resident Scholarship, a Scholarship for having a certain GPA and etc. College is a bid investment so it is important to take your time and check out a few schools and go with what your feel is right.
Michael
The advice that I would give parents is to simple let you kid(s) discover the country and let them discover themselves. Don't force your kids to stay home for college or make them attend a specific university. Let them be free and be able to make a really big decision for themselves. By allowing first time college students to choose where they want to attend school, it gives them their first step of freedom that they are in need of.
The advice that I would give to students about finding the right college and making the most of their college experience would be to do research! Find out nformation about each university that appeals to them. When they pick the college that they wish to attend, the next step would be to get involved! Being involved on campus make your college experience worth it. You get to meet new people and create friends for life. It also allows you to stay out of trouble that most students do when they experience new things in college.
Michael
As a prospective student, one may believe that college selection is a big decision. The truth is that college selection is very important these days. With so much to choose from, individuals looking for a college that suits them best often find themselves in a whirlwind of confusion. My best advice is to let the student choose what is right for them, based on their desires, because the person going to school is the student, not the parent. Parents should guide their children financially and realistically so that the student can understand what options are actually feasible. Students should plan to attend a campus tour and to stay overnight in the dorms to get the full effect of the campus. Last but not least, it never hurts to ask for extra financial aid when a college is not within the budget.
Making the most out of a college experience begins with clearing one?s mind, and time management. Clear your mind of all worries, past habits, and high school. Arrive with a renewed look on life and positive outlook. Mange your time carefully, plan ahead, and understand that academics come first in college, and your success is guaranteed.
Joshua
dont try to over load your self. take college slow and get good grades. people dont look at how many and how quick you got your classes done, they look at how well you did and how much effort you put into it.
Antonette
In determining the right post-secondary institution, my advice would be to consider all aspects of the school in regards to size, academics, student life, and most importantly, cost. A good school does not always have to be the most expensive. While in college, be open-minded to everything whether it is religion, clothing, food and other aspects that may vary within different ethnic groups. Be active in community service and an involved individual in school groups and orgaizations and strive for a leadership position. Most importantly, remember the reason for attending college: Academics. Stay focused and do not overload your schedule with strenuous courses. Enroll in at least one elective course such as photography or art, that can ease the mind at times of term papers. Lastly, if eligible, take adavantage of work-study, specifically one that applies to your major, and make sure to complete at least two internships prior to graduation. Stay positive!
Daniel
Stray from the norm. I swore by senior year of high school that I would never attend another Catholic/Private institution. I am really glad a did! People seem to be more friendly in St. Leo versus where some of my friends go to college. Also look at the small colleges, bigger may not always be better. I personally enjoy being called by name instead of number 532521. It is not alwways true what your teachers tell you in High School that SAT/ACT and GPA are everything! I am living proof! I did not do so hot on the SAT or get a good enough GPA to actually get into my University. I showed them I had the charisma for the school and had a phone interview as well as a face to face interview. Do not let your poor test scores and grades discourage you from looking at any school!
Shalonda
I would tell parents to allow your child to go to the school and get a feel for it. I would tell students that you only have one life to live. So I say study and get good grades and still find time to have fun. I think that it is a great exprience to stay on campus so if you can afford to stay on campus then you should. It is great to get to know different people and different cultures. Don't judge a book by its cover. It may be a really good book once you get to know it. I think that if you study and are willing to learn then everything else will just fall into place. Don't be in a hurry to rush life, let it just happen!!
Andrew
never settle for less, go with what you really want to do and follow your dreams
Patrick
I would tell them to make sure the college feels different than any other one they look at. Take everything into consideration, from academic programs to the type of food they have in the dining halls into consideration because the littlest things can become pretty annoying after some time. Always be aware of the special rules or restrictions that the university has in place because they may not fit into the lifestyle of the student.
Jean
The advice I would give parents and/or students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is to choose your college wisely. Quality of education is the most important factor. Just because a school is more expensive does not mean it offers a better education. There are some public colleges as reputable as some private colleges. Price is another factor to consider. For example, there may be a private college and a public college that offers the same type of curriculum at significant differences in cost. The private college may be thousands of dollars more expensive per year than the public college, but you obtain the same level of academic excellence. With the economy today, we must take tuition and cost of attendance into consideration more than in the past. The cost of college has drastically increased over the past years. When searching for the right college, take into consideration all aspects of the time and money spend to attend college. Quality of education, cost, location, reputation, on and off campus living arrangements, and campus security are important things to consider when choosing a college. I advise searching different schools before making a decision.