<p>@piroud321 some students know they want to stay fairly close to home while some want to spread their wings.</p>
<p>Sometimes schools that offer good merit to a student may be a good place because they really want your student; however sometimes a student may not be satisfied at a place where it is not offering enough for them despite the merit $$$.</p>
<p>Multiple college visits, talking to other families you know. It depends if your student knows what they want to study or not (if getting scholarship money, want to be able to take advantage of that money for 4 years, even with a change in major).</p>
<p>Will the student work hard at college? Does the school offer resources for success? Will your student make friends and enjoy the campus and other students? </p>
<p>Can the student ‘finish in four’? </p>
<p>How mature is the student? Does the student make good choices? Will the student get the academic benefit of what the school offers or is the rush of independence too much for them?</p>
<p>Review the US News and World Report Best Colleges to look ‘on paper’ about general facts - and try to ferret out your students’ feelings. Then you can search more via the WWW and individual college info.</p>