nicole
The most important rule is to visit the college many times throughout different season, and not to believe everything the flyers and tour guides say. Try to sit in on classes to make sure you can adjust to the type of teaching that is provided. In regards to a social life, school must come first. There is plenty of time to go out with your friends to have fun, but when there school work, it is far more important to do well in school, and try not to stress; it will get done. Try to get involved with people around the school in different groups because it creates more relationships, gives more opportunities to your social life, and academic work. Try to work on campus. College is expensive, and any little bit helps. Most schools work around class schedules so school still comes first. One of the best things about college is that is it about four years that you get to figure out who you are, who you want to be, your likes, and your dislikes. Don't take it for granted because college is some of the best times, and fastest years of your life.
Rebecca
You want to pick the right campus? Here's what you do. Tour the campuses you want to visit in person if possible, or take a virtual tour through the campus's website. Ignore your friends. Sure, it's nice to go to a place where you know somebody, but you'll make a lot of friends more quickly if you're on your own. Besides, you know Sarah wants to go to school near a Louis Vuitton boutique and Shawn will only go somewhere that has NCAA playoff chances, but all you really care about is the number of concerts you can see in a semester. And remember to browse the school's website. Check out the crazy classes you can take to figure out your major. Figure out how much it will cost you. And use your MySpace and Facebook page to contact current students to get their opinions - your parents can't yell at you for wasting time on the Internet if you're doing research. No matter which college you end up deciding on, remember: this is your life. Your four years. You own the outcome.
jill
I would advise students to look for the best academic programs first and of course the right living environment because, even if you have the best education, it wont be worth it if your not comfortable in your living situation and if you can't make friends.
Melissa
What I've learned from my time in college, including the time I spent picking the right college for me, was that you make your college education what it is. You can go to the most prestigious Ivy league school and have a horrible time, or you can go to the local public school and have a blast and learn alot along the way; it's all what you make of it.
meghan
find out about academics and advising foremost
john
Make sure you look at every school and make sure it offers an array of job possiblites because chances are you may not graduate for the same reasons you originally applied for. School will always be school and how much you enjoy from it and gain educationally really matters not only on the schools enviroment but on how much you are willing to put into it as well.
Jane
Do your college research early in your high school career. Junior year is an optimal time to completely know where and what you're getting into. I applied to UMass because I couldn't afford to go to Smith without the proper financial aid package. I did little college research before going into it and got hit with a ton of bricks. It's a life-changing experience and one that you can actually prepare for!
Maggie
Make sure to really look around at different schools so you get a feeling of what you want
Brett
College is more than just a place where one attends classes. College is a developmental stage of life. Yes, college offers students a chance to further their education and get a head start on career options, but the most important part of college is the personal growth that occurs within the student. The four or five years in between when a student enters college as high school graduate and when they leave as an adult are some of the most important years of a persons life. When choosing a college, look for a place that not only matches your academic goals, but that also matches you as a person. Many students have said that they knew after a day at a prospective campus that this was the place for them. An experience similar to love at first sight. Choose the place that you can see yourself growing in. Where can you see yourself evolving as a learner and as a person?