Kwesi
Really take the time and make the effort to visit school you want to attend. Especially if it is a service academy, take the time to ask questions and dig around. Do not just be "wowed" by the nice building and scenery. Grab an enrolled student or alumni and really get to know what's going on at the school. Take a tour or even spend the night one weekend and see if it is everything you want.
As far as the student-athlete making a choice. Make sure the program is everything the coaches are selling to you. Talk to players on the team, and inquire the about their daily routine. Are they able to get an adequate amount of rest? Are they able to get their work done?
Talk all this over with your parents, counselor, and maybe even your friends. Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions of your life, so make sure you make the right choice the first time.
Montika
Finding the right college is hard work and you should really and trully visit the campuses and research the schools. It's nothing like paying all this money for education but not get what you was looking for. Students and parents should take their time and know that this decision is for the next for years of their lives and they would want to make the right one. Students should know that college is definately for getting the degree for a great career , but students should take advantage of all the extracurricular activites around campus. Going to college is not just about the classroom, students should socialize and network with others, and just enjoy the college experience.
Katie
For undergraduate, building a pedigree doesn't matter. Get your 4 year college educ ation at the lowest price or with as many scholarships as you can. Then for your graduate degree, work on a prestigious place. There are so many people who waste $40k a year at these ridiculously expensive colleges just so they get a fancy piece of paper with their name on it and a pile of debt the size of Texas. Put the study hours in and you won't be let down. Use your friends as study aides. Be courteous to your roommate. Be mindful with your money, join the military (it's great), call your parents every weekend, don't drink too much, if you cheat, may you cheat death. If you steal, may you steal a woman's heart. If you fight, may you fight for a brother. And if you drink, drink to the night.
Cheers! Long live college life!
Alex
First of all, before you even begin to visit colleges and take tours, sit down either by yourself or with your parents, and get a general idea of what YOU want. Do you want a small school or a large school? Are you planning on studying humanities or math and science? What do you want to do after college? Then, once you have an idea of what you want, go to colleges and ask questions! But don't really pay attention to what the tour guides have to say. Try to talk to just regular students about what life is really like at the campus. Because tour guides and the "official" image of the school only ever show you the best parts of the school. Ask about the bad parts. Every school has them, and it's important for you to know all the facts. But bottom line, go with your gut and with what you want. You are the one who has to attend the college for 4 years, not your parents or friends. Do what you want.
Mark
Find a college that mirrors the person you are and what you want in life. Don't settle for the expectations of parents, friends, and the aspects of a college that don't define you. Pick the school that you want for yourself and the school you want for the right reasons. Remember to think about your future beyond college in your decision and make, probably, the first most important decision of your life. Most of all, find a college that will develop you in the ways in which you see your future self when you look in the mirror.
Brandon
Look at yourself and figure out your values and talents - not what your parents or your friends - and find a college that embodies those values and lets you expand on your talents and build on them. In this way, the college you find will bring out the best in you and you will be a better person for it. When you find the right college, do not hit the cruise control and just coast through. College has a lot to offer, but you will only get out of it what you put into it. Make every effort to improve yourself and take advantage of the opportunities that you are presented with.
Arwyn
Take the ACT/SAT as many times as possible; apply early; have a number of back-ups; really research where you want to go to school.
Joseph
While applying to college, systematically list out what is most important to you (e.i., the things you want to be a part of your college experience). Examples would include academic strength, cost, location, social scene, and so on. Through reading and exploration, find a few colleges or universities that best fit this list, and then rank them according to how well each fits your list of desired attributes. This was my method for selection, and I could not be happier with how my experience has turned out. As far as "getting the most of the college experience," I would suggest that you completely immerse yourself in what your school has to offer. Creating a good experience requires action on your part - you cannot sit in your dorm room and sulk about how your school is awful. If you get out and find out what your school is all about, you will enjoy your time much more.
Solomon
Look at the long run. Go somewhere that you can afford so that when you come out, you aren't crippled by your financial burdens. Also, understand that the quality of teaching at each school is always different. Some schools are primarily research institutions where teaching is on the backburner in lieu of money-making research. Always keep that in mind.