Lasandra
Make sure the campus and environment is safe and has good resources surrounding the campus for those who do not have cars.
Erin
Both parents and students should look at, first, at the list of majors that the school offers and whether or not the school offers what the student wants to study. Secondly, they should look at the tuiton and whether or not it is affordable. They should also look at location of the school and whether or not it is fitting to the student. When a major and a college is found, go look at it. Experience what the college has to offer and make the most of your trip by visiting the town and getting to know the lifestyle that the town has to offer.
To make the most of your college experience, go to the events on campus. They are usually fun, entertaining, and you can meet new friends along the way. The friends you make in college seem to be your friends for life. Rush a soroity or fraternity. They may be what you want to be. Being greek has a lot to offer as well. Doing all these things and much more will make your college experience a blast and enjoyable. These are the days of your life that you will remember and enjoy throughout your life.
Shaquondra
Choose places thats most appealing to your lifestyle. Dont move for relationships; education is the most important aspect! Don't go to a culture based institution.
Stacy
Students need to go into college with an open mind. Attend all sorority/fraternity rushes, school events, and sporting events. Students have to find themselves in the college or they will not have a successful college career.
Lindsay
First of all, find a place with a low student to faculty ratio so that you can interact with the professor and he/she will know you and your work well enough to provide help when you need it. This is also important when the time comes to seek a job or an advanced degree since they will be able to write a detailed and personal recommendation for you. Take basics in a wide variety of fields during the first year, especially if you are undecided on a major. You will have to take them anyway, and you may discover that you love something you never considered studying before. This will save you time and money later on if you decide to change majors, as most students do. Learn to write well since you will need that skill no matter what field you enter. Also, take the opportunity to do research whenever you can. It looks great on a resume and will get you into grad school if you are so inclined. Most importantly, keep your priorities in order. Having fun is great, but college should be a chance to get a good education and prepare for a future career.
Nicole
When searching for the right college for you, no college is going to suit every need for you, the student, or you, the parent. Also when I began my college search, researching the college did not make a very strong impact on my decision. I had to actually visit the Universities and experience the atmosphere first hand. I know that may not be possible in all cases, but there are other ways. We have different tools that can help us network with individuals that attend the Universities in which we are interested. For example, there's facebook. Facebook allows you to become friends with anyone at any given University in the country. My most helpful tip that I feel can help anyone when choosing a University would be to go outside the box. Go somewhere that's not a familiar environment. try to choose something that's not so close to home. Meaning, try not to go around the corner from yoru parents house, or an environment that's the same as your parents environment. It will allow you to have a better learning experience and growth experience.
LaToya
May sure the college fits the child personality and career path.
Jessica
As a senior at my university, I have seen many students come and drop out after their first semester or two. The number one case appears to be the difference between school environment and home enironment. I suggest that when looking for a college, one should analyze what they like about the city and/or cities they have lived in. This will make it easier to find a school with an external environment such as malls, movie theaters, and more closest to what they like. Now, it's not just about the external environments. Most students also tend to have a hard time balancing school requirements with the things available in the eternal environment. For this problem, I suggest that the potential students and parents find a college that is similarly structured to the highschool they attend. A slight difference for the better will challenge the student, and they usually perform better. But, chosing a school that is too different in several different aspects will generally be the cause for the freshmen dropouts.
Monique
What advice that would be helpful to the parents/or students is to may sure you read all fine print . Please ask all type of questions concerning your major, financial Aid, and all different scholarships avaiable. Please keep in close contact with your high counselors to make sure you don't take to many elective classes and When you enter college continue with your advisor because need to take all your required courses and then chose some electives.
Please remember to make sure also that you don't take a class before you have a another that you need to take. Example : dont take ENG 102 and you have taken ENG 101. If you do you will be lost.
Corney
Go visit the colleges and not for the senior days. Ask the students that are attending the college about the atmosphere. Find out the costs.