Becky
Find one that fits in with the needs of your lifestyle. Don't pick a school based on your social life because you will get behind fast. Research different options because you may find something you didn't even know existed and even if it is the most expensive don't give up on going there for that reason alone.
Ryan
Look for a college that fits your needs. It is better to attend a college that emphasizes teacher help and availability then to go to a big name college just because of the name. Make sure you visit several places and not just set your heart on one place. I wanted to go to Michigan State really bad but when i found UDM, I discovered how much more potential i would have by attening the later. Financial aid is also important and could help in your desicion process but finding a place that makes you feel comfortable is most important. It is very easy to get distracted and hard to find help sometimes so also look for a place which offers tutoring at throughout the whole day and not just during the peak hours of class.
Michal
Reputation is obviously a big deal. For me, however, it goes a little beyond that. When attempting to make a decision about the right college, what's most important is that you make sure you'll enjoy your college experience. I must admit that I made a bad decision; I decided to strictly look at repuation (UDM's Dental School is my goal, which led me to land at UDM). I do not enjoy myself as much as I would someplace else. Education is a big deal, but it's much better when you're in an environment where you can enjoy your stay. I can say that since I don't enjoy it, it really has affected my grades; I'm more stressed, and just not having a good time. College is about getting an education, and enjoying your last years before the real world. If you're at a school where you don't enjoy yourself, it just makes the education that much tougher, more stressful, and just a miserable experience.
Briana
The one thing that truly worked for me was visting colleges. As soon as I stepped onto Univeristy of Detroit Mercy's campus it just felt like home. The style and atmosphere of this school matched my personality completely. So, the first thing to consider would be how you feel when you arrive on campus. Try a trial and error phase where you go to different schools with you parents. If the students is unsure, then your parents know you well enough to let you know if it is were you belong.
Of course college is expensive and it is hard to fathom the idea of that much money, but don't let it hold you back from what college you want to attend. This is your future, so why would you want to be cheap about it. There are always ways to pay for it. Once you find the right school there are plenty of professionals to aid you in the search for moolah! I'm not going to lie sometimes it can become stressful, but in the end it always works out. The school wants you their just as much as you want to be their.