Dakota
Advice for parents about making the right decision includes researching and determining what kind of outcome you expect in their childs life. If the parent is wanting their child to become a rocket scientist or to fit in with the elite crowd, an ivy league school would fit perfect.
Katherine
Definately take a tour of the college before you even apply. Seeing the campus is such an important piece of information to decide. It helps if its during the school semesters so you can see the environment. If you like a certain sport like football and a school your looking at doesn't have it DON'T GO you will miss it greatly. Consider everything when you decide one little factor could make or break your time as a college student! And parents look early for scholarships and get your child actively involved in looking too if a school is too expensive you may be able to get a scholarship or loan to help!
Kimberly
Future college students here is a piece of advice for you: Do not sell yourself short. Just because you do not think you are qualified for a particular university apply anyway. Do not let your shyness prevent you from becoming involved in campus activities. Campus activities will only help you become sucessful in the future. Do not become involved with people who will pressure you into activities that could alter your lifecourse. Instead focus on finding a core group of friends. Always set aside study hours and prepare ahead of time. Aviod stress at all costs. This means working an outside job as little as possible. Instead focus on becoming involved on campus. Senior year is the perfect time to search for the perfect university. I encourage you to stay on campus to get a feel for the students personalities, dorm life, accessablility, and general eduational enrichment offered by the school. Finally, do not let others put you down. Instead use the criticisms of others to encourage you to work harder. Follow these simple words of advice and you will have a successful college experience.
Alex
Make sure they have what you want and maybe even some back up plans if you decided to change majors. VISIT THE CAMPUS!!
Peter
Visit schools during the school year and talk to students who aren't tour guides. Once you're there get involved and strive to be a well-rounded student.
Michelle
As cliche as it sounds, I know that when I visited my university for the first time, something just clicked. I could really see myself living and thriving there. I went to a large high school and loved the capabilities it had when it came to providing strong academics, athletics, and networking so I knew that a large school would be perfect for me. Because I want to be a lawyer in the future, I knew that a school in the city would be the most practical, but loved the homely feel of the suburbs. I found a school that provided that very atmosphere for me in a climate that I couldn't say no to. I think the best advice I could give is to visit many different kinds of schools. The more you visit, the more you realize what you like and dislike. In the end, it doesn't really matter where you go. You can get a good education anywhere as long as you immerse yourself in your work and take every opportunity you are given.
Christine
Before basing it off of the school, consider distance from home, size, waht you want to be near, the type of people, and then look into its good aspects in terms of what type of fields it is strong in. The foremost are what you will remember the most.
Kara
If you don't really have an idea of what schools you're interested in, use websites like princetonreview.com and collegeboard.com that can help suggest colleges that meet the criteria that you're looking for. Also, try and visit as many schools on your list as possible. It really helps to bring into perspective which schools are right for you when you get to see them for yourself and spend a day there. When you finally go to college, make sure to have an open mind and put yourself out there to meet people!
Lauren
The advice I would give to parents and students that are searching for all of the right answers about college, and making the important decision about the best place to go, would be to do a lot of research and consider every aspect of the schools that they are considering. You never know what some schools offer until you go on a tour, talk to advisors, and even current students at all of the schools. Also, I would tell any prospective college student to make a list of things that they are looking for in a school, ranked in level of importance. Every college is different and students can also get completely different experiences out of the same school. My best advice about making the most of the college experience would definitely be to get involved and become a presence on their campus. Feeling like you are a part of a college, no matter the size, makes the overall experience so much more enjoyable. All of my involvement in school has really made a difference in my overall level of satisfaction, and the quality of my experiences.
Jessica
when you are looking at colleges you have to look at many aspects. First if they have your major and if they do how good and well funded is it so you really know what your tuition is paying for and if your education you will recieve is the best. Then you need to look at the social aspect what kind of clubs and sports they have. because even though school is all about your education you still need to make sure it has other things that you will enjoy while you are there college is a time to grow and learn. you can do that in the classroom but outside experinces are good as well. then you need to look at the size because you dont want to be overwhelmed but you also dont want to feel like you are living in a bubble with the same ten people. lastly you should look at the cost, this is what made my decision, after you chose your schools apply and get in then worry about if you can afford it because if you get into your dream school you will always know that even if you cant afford to go.