Natalia
When it comes down to picking the right school make sure you learn as much as you can about the school you're applying for. Try to find programs that fit your needs and that interest you. It is very important to match the school of your choice with who you consider yourself to be, maybe a cheerleader or a someone who loves to do research.
Rachelle
Research all aspects of the school. You should know beforehand about costs, clubs, classes, extra-curricular activities. Try to make a trip to come see the campus and get a feel for it. Attend some classes in different departments and see how the students interact with the faculty. Explore the areas around campus. See if they have a lot of houses, bars, restaurants, or hang out spots. Try to imagine yourself living there for four years, it seems a lot of people forget that college is a fairly long commitment. Make sure it could accomadate interests that may change for you. Check out the level of outdoor activity. Remember that your life will now be there and the college and city it is in should hopefully accomadate most of your interests and lifestyle!
Marsha
Parents and students it is important to explore the school that you want to go to if possible to see what the environment is like. Make sure that you are very familiar with the financial aid process so that you know what to expect. Students get involved with campus activities, exploring a social life with peers and faculty is just as important as keeping up with the academics. Make sure that you learn very good time managements skills to succeed in your career goals. Have some fun but also realize that your at the school to learn so make the most of it and do well.
Shannon
Visiting a campus during the school year is important. This gives students a feel for the atmosphere of the school and its student body. Prospective students are able to decide if they can imagine themselves at the particular school. It is also important to start looking at schools early. Rushing to finish applications at the last minute may reduce your chances of getting into your preferred school due to a lack of quality in your application. Allowing plenty of time to research schools and fill out applications also allows students more time to meditate on their decision and decide which school is right for them. Don't let yourself be blinded by the artificial parts of a school. It is important to consider academics and campus atmosphere, not just the look of the campus and the activities of its student body.
Mary
For a student who is in the process of choosing a school I advise to truly think about your interests and what you want to study. Look at all of the degrees and programs offered at each of the colleges. Also keep in mind where you would like to live and what the school has to offer for housing. From experience, college can be intimidating and scary, so check out any clubs that look fun or any extra-curricular actvities, because there are some opportunities to meet new people and have fun. Another aspect about choosing the right school is the cost of attendance; evaluate all of the expenses so you are able to focus on school instead of worrying about financial status. One important thing to do before making your decision is to visit the schools, so you can have a feel for how it will be. After entering college, make sure to study hard and keep the GPA up, try not to get behind. Best of luck and enjoy yourself.
Alannah
I would advise parents and students alike to start preparing early. I think that it is critical to the student's happiness to find the right school for their individual interests, aspirations, and skills. It is very important to tour prospective schools to get a feel for the campus and surrounding environment, and to make connections with other students as well. I also advise that once a student is in college, to make the most of the experience, take chances and do things out of your comfort zone. The best advice I have is to join any clubs of interest and get involved as early as possible. Students should also take full advantage of office hours with professors to establish strong relationships that will aide them in the future.
Jason
I would tell the student to look into all of the acdemic programs that they are interested in. Then also to look into the social life of the school to see if they would fit in. As a parent I would say to look into what the cost of school is and the living enviroment.
Bree
Location is a very important factor, but not as important as the emphasis of the school. It is important to pick a college or University that will meet the needs of your student and cater to their interests in order to keep them engaged and attending class.
Michelle
The most important thing before choosing the a college is location and to know whether the student can handle being far from family or prefers to stay close to family and there level of responsibilty. Stick to a school who has several majors of interest to the future undergraduate.
Arlene
I would suggest that parents and students tour a school before choosing it and finding students who attend that school to get a first hand and real impression of what the school and campus are like. There are many resources when picking a school and it is important that the student is aware of all that a school has to offer. Also, look for a school that has a strong background in what the student would like to major in and if the student is undecided then choose a school with several options. College is a fun and eye opening experience so look at extra curricular activities as well as academics when choosing a school. Being involved is the best way to get to know people and feel like you belong to your school's community!