I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, choosing a college is a really big deal. The choice has so many consequences. On the other hand, it doesn’t matter at all: Most people will be happy at whatever college they choose and, if they try, they’ll get a perfectly fine education wherever they go.
But here is a great primer on the subject by Frank Bruni of the New York Times. Prospective college students should take his advice to heart, especially his closing: “College can shrink your universe, or college can expand it. I recommend the latter.” He’s right: choose a college that will expand your universe. Whatever else it’s all about, that’s the most important thing.
Sense and Nonsense 