Frank
Go with what feels best. Go and visit the college before deciding.
Laura
Be sure to thoroughly research the school and make sure that it is right for you. There is no worse feeling in the world than attending a college and struggling through it while miserable when you know it is not right for you. Do open house visits, and recruiting visits and be sure to check out extracuriccular activities available through the college. Do not limit yourselfs but do not overdue as well because academics come first. If you do not succeed academically then everything else is not worth it.
hunter
Make sure the school is the right fit!!
Aaron
Not every college and university is created equally. I chose the narrow path that is the Virginia Military Institute. Coming here is not for the weak hearted but in the end I know that all the trials that I will and have gone through will make me a better leader, soldier, and person. Yet that is my college experience and may not be the experience that will fit you, your son, or your daughter.
Todd
I would advise students to participate fully in the college they pick, and to pick a college that works well with what they want out of college. Also I would advise to study hard.
R.H.
The best advice I can give are two simple words. Research and travel. All students and parents need to have an accurate idea of exactly what they are looking for in a school. When the number of possibilities is reduced to 7-10, then I recommend a trip to each school for a tour of the campus and a possible interview with admissions. I would also see if the said school has any open house programs and if so, apply. Lastly, talk to students about the school. Talk to as many current students as possible. Have fun and good luck!
Carl
The advice that I would tell parents and/or students about finding the right college would be to visit all the colleges that they are planning on applying to and to talk to some of the students there to get a sense of what it's like at those school. I say this because some people want to go somewhere for school but end up not enjoying their time there or end up being disappointed about their decision because it was nothing like they had ever expected. As for making the most of their college experience, I would tell them to find something that the school has to offer, like a club or an activity, that they have never done before and to pursue it. As a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute, I became interested in learning the bagpipes since the school offered to teach us how to play one and we can then join the band. This has been a tremendous and awesome experience that I am glad I chose to do. For me, it's these experiences that make college life enjoyable and well worth it.
Carolyn
Let the student make the decision.
Eric
Work hard and play hard