Susan
I would honestly tell them that it is ultimately the student's decision of which school they would like to attend. However, the parents should also lend a helping hand when makinig such an important decision and help the student to weigh all of their options together. Although, most students would rather attend a school that is well-known (such as UT or Texas A&M for example), it would also be wise to consider the option of attending a school that is still somewhat well-known, but maybe not as much as other schools. Another factor to take into consideration is that no matter what, it's not the school that you attend that matters the most in the end, but what you learn and get out of your time there. One should also compare and contrast the cost of attendance, the amount of financial aid being awarded, scholarships, and other financial aspects. I would also tell the student to think about the location of the school and whether or not they would be alright with being miles and miles away from home or not. Choose wisely, but remember that it is not the end of the world.
Bry
Don't waste any time. Every semester counts, can't have a bad one.
Michelle
When a student first walks onto a new campus, there is often an initial gut feeling. My best advice is to follow that feeling. Of course, there are many different criteria to determine which schools may best suit the student, but it is more likely that a student will succeed if they are comfortable with their environment. This feeling can include positives and negatives about the scenery, the current students, the way they are treated while visiting, along with many many others. Make a list of criteria the student will be looking for and document or take notes on these while visiting, not after to keep the information as accurate as possible. Above all, make sure that this new campus can be a comfortable home for the next two, four or even more years.
Brady
Do not join college farterity for they ruin your college life.
Whitney
Its different for everyone you can't choose what college you want your child to go to. You have to let them be of their own mind and body. Tour all different types of campuses all of different sizes to see what you would like. Small colleges tend to have less people and you won't get lost in the crowd. Make sure you get the most out of the college that you attend, go to different functions, but also use the library and tutoring services even if you don't like them. College is all about finding out who you are away from your parents, and being independent. Make the right decisions and you will have the best time.
Rebecca
Make sure that the college you want to go to is the right size, the right distance from home, and has the best of resources. Talk to professors, counselors, and other staff. Also find students and talk to them about the campus, classes, and social life of students.
Jessica
I would advise the parents and students to look for a school that will better the student's education at a reasonable cost. I also think that while touring a school, they should pay attention to security posts, turoring opportunities, and the overall cleanliness of the campus. It is also important for parents and students to notice the layout of a school to determine how far things are from each other which impacts time management. Also, it is important to recognize whether the community and school work together when it comes to interning, social activities, or volunteer work. Good Luck!
Preston
Visit the schools, once you have been accepted, selecte your top two. Between those two visit them, just walk around on a week day, see how helpful they are at getting you to go to school there, because that will probably be the best you will be treated, during your stay there
Ashley
Check into the community and surroundings of the university, because the local community will have a significant impact on the students ability to adjust to thier new environment. As far as making the most of the college experience, dont be afraid to try out different opportunities as they are set in your path. Not everything is set in stone, and college is a great time for first time experiences. Anywhere from getting involved with a sorority/fraternity to going to campus housing activities is a great way to make new friends and keep you feeling connected to the university as well as your studies!
Michael
To go ahead and weigh the amount of freedom that your child has been given, to the social voracity of the campus in which you will be putting your children. If you have not properly prepared them, they can very well be swept away in a torrent of alcohol and the opposite sex; leaving their studies to drown in a sea of confusion. Take great pains to work out financial aid, housing, and everything else BEFORE you get to campus, it will make life easier on you. Don't buy textbooks until the first day of class, otherwise you end up either spending too much, or buying the wrong materials. Make sure that whatever your reasons for going to school are being fufilled, otherwise you will end up wasting your time and efforts on ventures that would best be left for a later time and place. Try and keep a job while you're in school, work gives a very good structure to your day, and helps keep you from becoming distracted by various things that would otherwise pitfall your attempts at achieving your collegiate education within the timeframe you set out to accomplish it in. Good Luck, Keep Learning.