ssions board. Will all your hard work pay off or will you be stuck at your "safety school"? I remember applying for schools. It's such a stressful time! And what did I know about deciding my major and my entire future at the age of 18? That is kind of young to know what you may want to do with your life. My limited life experience as head cheerleader and SCA Secretary could never prepare me to make a decision like that.
So I did my research ... lots of research. I learned about the different universities out there and what they had to offer. But how was I supposed to know if it was going to be a good fit for me? Did I want a big school or a small school? Did I want to go in-state or out-of-state? And don't even get me started on what programs different schools offered. That was an entirely different story.
As an official adult now, I am happy to say that my research paid off and I definitely made the right decision (go Hokies!). But I wanted to see what colleges and universities people were looking into these days. No, not the most prestigious or most expensive universities ... just the ones that people are showing interest in. It has always been a really interesting topic to me.
We see searches for campuses that span the country from University of Michigan to University of Arizona. It seems like a lot of the top searched universities have strong football programs with Boston College, Virginia Tech and Ohio State all making the list. I guess that makes sense with the BCS games coming up.
Did your alma mater make the list? What do you think of our top schools? If you are doing campus research try searching for universities on AOL Search. Or check out what universities are in your state on AOL Yellow Pages.
Top Searched Colleges and Universities on AOL Search:
1. University of Michigan
2. Boston College
3. University of Florida
4. Indiana University
5. University of Delaware
6. University of Maryland
7. Ohio State University
8. Virginia Tech
9. University of Virginia
10. University of Arizona
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posted by Allie
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299
comments
Allie,
I agree with you. Choosing the right colleges is one of the most important decisions you will ever make in your life.
By Kate-Tuyen on Nov 29th 2007 at 8:55AM
Tell me about how hard it is to find the right college for your daughter. I settled on Smith, only because my mother and grandmother had graduated there.
By William on Dec 4th 2007 at 1:21AM
so what if your parents and grand parents went to a college? Is the college right for your daughter not you!
By dand678 on Dec 6th 2007 at 6:28AM
of course BC is listed in the top 10. there are so few of us who are awesome enough to go there.
By greensfg on Dec 6th 2007 at 6:57AM
If one is uncertain about a life career, undergraduate studies can be done at a variety of schools, but the larger and more diverse the better since your goal is to gain exposure to a lot of different personal and academic disciplines for use in helping select a career goal. That career goal should then be shaped in graduate school. Those graduate schools specializing in your career choice will be easier to find and come with recommendations from those places at the top of your chosen profession. Get to know your chosen profession before choosing a grad school. Talk with people working in it, find the top 2 or 3 places in that field and study them finding out everything from what their future direction might be to where they go to hire their people, and do internships and summer work at places in the field you choose. It's highly unlikely that 18 yr olds know what they want to do for the next 50 or 60 years. Use your undergrad experience to narrow your sights. Start broad and diverse and narrow it over time. The key choice is which grad school, not which undergraduate school. So pick your undergraduate school starting with where you want to live, find schools there with diversity of students and programs, use what you hear from friends and teachers, and visit different campuses a few times. And know what? It's hard to pick a bad college. Pretty much whichever you pick will provide an enjoyable and fulfilling experience and a lifetime of fond memories. And if it doesn't it's most likely because of an attitude problem you have. Not the school.
By michael dane on Dec 6th 2007 at 7:11AM
The list is a reflection of who is on AOL and the sheer size of the schools. And of course, affordability of state schools. And I'd say damn near nothing else -- certainly not academic reputation.
By dscott1575 on Dec 6th 2007 at 7:17AM
You are seeing so many state colleges because no one can afford the private colleges anymore. It is now more common than not to see tuition/assorted costs approaching $40 - 50k a year. Children should start off at community colleges, get some basics down, travel, work, get a sense of self and then finish off at a four year. $150k to $200k for an undergraduate education is insane.
By Audacte on Dec 6th 2007 at 7:21AM
excuse me, that is THE Ohio State University !!!
By thomjefferson on Dec 6th 2007 at 7:21AM
I THINK ANDREWS UNIVERSITY IN BERRIEN SPRINGS,MICHIGAN.IS ONE OF THE BEST CHRISTIAN
ORIENTED UNIVERSITY.I GRADUATED IN 1956 AND MY SON
RICHARD ALSO GRADUATED IN 1980.CHECK IT OUT AND YOU
WILL BE BLESSED TO ATTEND THE UNIVERSITY.
By JOHNSON S.CHRISTIAN on Dec 6th 2007 at 7:42AM
keep in mind most of the colleges in that search list are schools that are in the bcs top 10, or have players nominated for the heisman....I doubt all are because people want to go to the college!
By Dina on Dec 6th 2007 at 7:50AM
There are many smaller state schools that provide exceptional education opportunities without the expense of "major" schools.
Many state schools (check the Southern US) are affordable without sacrificing career opportunities.
You may also find the cultural change a valuale segment of the college experience.
Imagine graduating w/o student loan debt and having a competitive degree.
Many graduates from this environment are excelling in private business because they have the ability to meet employer expectations without the financial burden of multiple loans.
Good Luck !!!
By Patria on Dec 6th 2007 at 7:51AM
Go HOKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By wendisudhakar on Dec 6th 2007 at 7:53AM
Will you take some advice from a retired lady of 67? I've gone through my adult life doing two things: continuing my education by reading, and greasing into jobs, promotions, and social situations because of the universities I've gone to.
It seems that "Northwestern" and "University of Michigan" are magic words that open doors without much regard to what I majored in, my GPA, etc.
Go to the most prestigious college or university you can get into, even if you can only afford a year or two (then transfer if you have to, but do finish your degree). Then you can drop hints like, "when I was at Ann Arbor it rained every morning at 9:00."
So I got through on scholarships and summer jobs, including working as a maid in a hotel (it really paid back then). Nobody knows that.
I know I'm going to be besieged by posters yammering about the importance of small classes, learning to get along with other people, etc. etc. You can get all that warm and fuzzy and character-building stuff at a big famous university.
I'm in the "reward phase" of my life. I get a nice pension that lets me sit on the balcony of my waterfront condo apartment and look down at my boat in the marina below. Thanks NU and U of M.
By Helena Handbasket on Dec 6th 2007 at 7:57AM
Well...my Dad told me he was paying for college and all I needed to do was choose where to go. I said "which one is closest to the beach & surf"! So I went to FIT in Melbourne & got a BS & MS in Systems Mgmt. Got some killer waves at Sebastian inlet too and competed in surfing. Now FIT is on track to be one of the top engineering etc schools in the nation...so go figure.
By chip rohlke on Dec 6th 2007 at 8:07AM
It shouldn't be your choice, it's your daughter that is going to spend the next four years of her life there and becoming her own person. Here's an idea, why don't you ask her where she wants to go?
By beachgrl2 on Dec 6th 2007 at 8:08AM
The campus open houses seem to be more directed towards the parents. The thrill of sending your child to a "rah-rah" school is sometimes overwhelming, as is the tuition. It's becoming more and more common for the parents to dip into their retirement funds (401K, etc.) to send their child to their dream school and display that coveted college decal on the rear window of their car.
By bill on Dec 6th 2007 at 8:17AM
I think that most people who have gone to college or graduated from college will agree with me when I say "it not necessarily what college you attend that's important, but what you do and achieve at the college of your choice!"
By David on Dec 6th 2007 at 8:31AM
It does not matter where you go to college or what you major in. Graduate school is what is important. To any High Schoolers that are reading this article---You need to relax a bit. I didn't and I almost had a nervous breakdown at age 17. If you go to the college that feels right for you (whether it is Yale or a Community College) and you work hard, you will do well.
By Spofmonky2 on Dec 6th 2007 at 8:39AM
My daughter attended Berkeley because she wanted the best. After 2 years of living in culture shock she transfered to the University of Michigan and is delighted. At 18 you really don't know what's up. Be willing to change course and follow your heart and parents LET THEM. It is not about you. I am sick to death of college snobs. It's usually the parent and not the student.
By marcy janson on Dec 6th 2007 at 8:40AM
Choosing a college based on its football program? I have a tough time with the football mentality, macho men and bouncing babes. I'll stick to my alma mater, a Jesuit school in Philadelphia with a solid basketball program. Save some $$ for post grad education. I agree, it's not where you get your degree, it's what you do with it. Teach your kids not to fear failure. Take some chances.
By Bradley on Dec 6th 2007 at 8:41AM