Zara
The best advice I have for parents and students researching colleges is to consider schools that are not the most popular picks and to appreciate the admissions process. If the applicant can separate the emotional aspects of acceptance and rejection, he or she will recognize that the process is truly about finding the best placement. While it is glamorous to wave an acceptance letter from an Ivy League school, that is no assurance of happiness or success at that institution. Admission to a lesser-known college may provide opportunity for growth and individual recognition.
A checklist for parents typically considers tuition and distance from home. Prospective students, however, have a longer list of issues to consider. What are the school's academic strengths? Will the distance from home be an asset or a deficit? Consider extracurricular and social activities on campus as well as opportunities for field placements and area offerings.Once enrolled, the student should make new friends, join clubs and make ample time to study. It will be in a student?s best interest to establish a reputation as a leader on-campus and or in the surrounding community
Jessica
It's important for students and/or their parents to take a look at each college closely. Figure out what aspects you would like in a college, like small class sizes, the location of the college, organizations and clubs, etc. Once you have figured out what characteristics of a college fit you, then you can start your search. Just remember that not every college is perfect, every college has some flaws here and there. If the college has what you are looking for and if the staff and other students are friendly and inviting, then you have probably found the right college for you. In order to make the most out of your college experience, make sure you dive right in. Join some clubs, make friends with the people in your dormitory, and get an on-campus job. Participate in class, volunteer to do community service, and get to know the professors in your intended field of study. All of these things are important to making the most of your college experience.
Natasha
Finding the college is definitely not easy for everyone, but I believe selecting the right college involves consideration of the degree programs offered, tuition, and the overall experience the college with most likely give to the student and his/her family.
Its so important to find the right program since it will be want you will be studying for the next four years. Everything else will fall in place once that is found. And regarding the college experience; you must be in control because only you can truly have control over what experience you will get out of college.
Lisa
Make sure that you know what you want.
Andrea
Follow your heart. Make sure you like the location of the college, the faculty, and your classmates. It's very important to also be well- rounded as you are entering college. have fun and make sure you work hard!
Aisha
My advise would be to just go with your gut. What school you go to is extremely important. If you feel 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} comfortable with your school and it feels like home, then thats how you know it's the right school for you. Yes, money is also a huge influence on which school a person goes to, but when you think of your future and how a school is going to help further your career, you can easily put money on the back burner.
Felicia
Take the time to conduct a thorough self-examination before trying to pick a school. Don't make decisions based on your friends or college rankings. Think about what is really important to you and what you want out a college education. This will ensure that you find a school that is a good fit for you, and not just a good school.
Alyssa
You have to really know what you want before you choose the school you go to. It is a lot of money now and it cannot just be wasted. Figure out what your passion is, what you love, where you want to be, with what kind of people? Kinf of atmosphere. It is one of the most important decsisions you will make in your life. So, think about it.
Felicia
Finding the right college involves an intense look at yourself. It is easy to apply to the same or similar school as your friends, but it takes some real soul searching to determine what kind of school would be right for you. There are so many aspects of yourself that are important to consider when choosing the right school. Would you like a big or small school? What's your learning style and what environment will best support that? Is student diversity important to you? There are just a few of the many questions a student needs to ask himself. You also need to look past the name of the school. It is tempting to apply to big name universities and ignore the lesser known schools out there, but sometimes that unknown school is the perfect fit.
Important to remember is that if you are unhappy at a school, you should take the time to transfer to another school. It may feel like failure in some way, but finding the school where you can be happy and successful is most important, and making sure you find that school is not failure. Basically, just be true to yourself in your choice!
Emmanuella
First, figure out what kind of atmosphere will make you most comfortable. Rural vs. City, University vs. small college; whether it is Co-ed, the racial composition should be carefully considered. I would suggest going to collegeboard.com for these statistics. Most schools offer the same degrees and programs of study, so that is not a big issue. For students in their first year of college they are independent and isolated, if they don't feel included or comfortable in their school environment they won't return for their second semester. Cost and Financial Aid are the second most important thing to consider. Look for private scholarships, and make sure to contact the school about scholarships they offer, because it may not be announced or offered to you in your letter. Just stay well-informed, so that your options are numerous and specific to your needs.