Choosing the right school for myself was a little different but I still had to find out what it is that I wanted out of my school. I originally thought I would love going to a big school. My brother goes to a big University and I always seemed to have fun on my visits to see him. Once I started on my own college search it seemed that the things I thought I wanted didn't seem so fun after all. Big school means far walks! Aside from the long hikes to class, I thought about class size and not being the greatest student ever in high school. Why would I want to be another number in the class where to teacher may not even know my name? I visited a few schools for hockey and finally ended up choosing RMU. My teachers are awesome, they have worked with me around my crazy hockey schedule and are always willing to help me out, aside from class, when I'm gone on trips.

Before running around freaking out about what school you want to apply for think about what you want. Do you want to go far or stay close? Big school or a small school? What do you want to major in? Those are just a few. My suggestion after that is to apply and visit as many places as you can. Choose some that aren't really what your looking for because sometimes you end up liking things you never thought you would. Then write down what you liked, what you didn't like, etc about your experience at that school.

Lastly...don't go somewhere just because your friends are going there! My highschool class graduated 127 kids, 47 of them went to the same school about an hour and a half away. After the first year, half of them either realized they were going no where and got their life together and transfered or are barely in school. On top of that, they all found their own friends and split off. Not everyone does this but I'm trying to emphasize the fact that maybe where your friends go, isn't necessarily for you. I split off to play hockey in the opposite direction as all my friends to a place where I didn't know anyone. You make friends so fast so that should be the least of your worries! Live in the dorms at least your first year and get involved in as much as possible.