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
More Sponsored Links For: universities, college finder, free scholarships
posted by Allie
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299
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COMMENTS
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
It's not about you choosing the right school for your daughter, but your daughter choosing the right school for herself. You should just be there to provide guidance. This time in her life is about becoming an adult and beginning to make her own decisions. I think these schools are the top-searched, not necessarily because ppl are thinking of going to school there, but because its football season, and those are good football schools.
By BH on Dec 6th 2007 at 8:46AM
Great article. However, you're trying to judge interest in universities from the number of times they've shown up as search terms. You have no way of knowing whether the people searching these Universities are looking for an educational institution or themed steins for an upcoming tailgate party. Not that there's anything wrong with university-themed steins (I'd actually like some as a graduation present when I get my PhD), but the idea that appearance as a search term equals interest in the educational institution is a pretty weak statement, especially (as you mention) at the climax of football season.
By fndrbndr79 on Dec 6th 2007 at 8:57AM
Looks like people from california know where to go.
There's no any CA-college and beleive me it's very hard to get into some. Califormians usually don't leave CA if not for some full-ride scholarship and some other benefits.But it should be always kids choice because as little as they know what to do when grow-up , we know even less.
By tom on Dec 6th 2007 at 9:06AM
My daughter is thinking about Roger Williams in Rhode Island. Anybody have any info positive or negative. Thanks.
By susie on Dec 6th 2007 at 9:11AM
Although there are many reasons to seek out the University of Virginia, I'm surprised to know that UVa may qualify as a "top football school!" It certainly wasn't when I was there in the 70's.
By Wahoo on Dec 6th 2007 at 9:14AM
Looks like kids from CA knows where to go as they do not leave California if not for good scholarship or
some Ivy.California UC (University of California) system is perfect but it's hard to get into some like Berkeley.But it's worth to work for it while in high school as you get best education possible.
By tom on Dec 6th 2007 at 9:20AM
To the previous comment, state schools most of the time end up being more expensive than private schools. I applied to IU and a small private school in Indianapolis which says its about 30,000 a year. I would be paying 18,000 a year at IU and I pay 8,000 at the private school because they give out more financial aid and scholarships.
By Jill on Dec 6th 2007 at 9:22AM
Choosing a college can be so overwhelming that my daughter opted to do a post graduate year at a boarding school before making her final decision. Although the cost of a PG year seems exorbatant, making the wrong decision could affect her entire future. I would much rather invest the money in her future now so she can be happy and self sufficient later with no regrets.
By NmF on Dec 6th 2007 at 9:25AM
Hea Allie, (allie is my daughters name too...)
What are the Odds that a VT grad just happens to do research... that finds VT is searched more than UVA LOL hmmmmmmm I think we need an investigation on that!!!! Go Hoos.... oh yes and as a Wolverine myself I was glad to see that UM was searched out much more than OSU No surprise there !!!Go Blue
By antiqueproperty on Dec 6th 2007 at 9:25AM
I agree with audacte. I always told my students and friends that getting an associate degree in Liberal studies at a two year college first. You can take a whole variety of different courses and get a better idea of what you want to do before you transfer to a 4 year college.
By jk on Dec 6th 2007 at 9:42AM
William,
"Settling" is never a word I would use to describe going to Smith...I would have LOVED to have gone there, if we could have afforded it. As it was, I went to Indiana (fourth on this list) and loved every minute of it, both in terms of intellectual stimulation and the social side. And, I have done very, very well in life with that degree.
State schools are great schools...it's a shame we give so much weight to college branding.
By lbewiz on Dec 6th 2007 at 9:30AM
i just wanted to tell alli she is very beautiful
By robby on Dec 6th 2007 at 12:58PM
young ladies it is very important to be able to supports yourself. Please get as much education that you can and in a field that you are happy doing.
By VICKIE on Dec 6th 2007 at 9:35AM
As a parent, I would love to relive the past 6 years. My daughter applied to 5, got into 3. She really wanted Duke (got 2 interviews and a final no). She got into UF which was a state school for us. She claimed she wanted a smaller school. She chose Vanderbilt. I would say it was a wonderful experience, however, after a degree in Neuroscience and with plans to continue, she did not. She is now working in an unrelated field, living out of state. I wish she had gone to UF; there would have been so many more contacts statewide and so forth.
By Bette on Dec 6th 2007 at 9:41AM
As a parent, I would love to relive the past 6 years. My daughter applied to 5, got into 3. She really wanted Duke (got 2 interviews and a final no). She got into UF which was a state school for us. She claimed she wanted a smaller school. She chose Vanderbilt. I would say it was a wonderful experience, however, after a degree in Neuroscience and with plans to continue, she did not. She is now working in an unrelated field, living out of state. I wish she had gone to UF; there would have been so many more contacts statewide and so forth.
By Bette on Dec 6th 2007 at 9:33AM
I am very glad for the student who transferred form UC Berkeley, but the comment about culture shock is troublesome. There are a lot of hangovers in the Berkeley City from the 1960's and the anti-war protest years, but if anything, the campus is quite conservative in this era. UC Berkeley is almost always ranked #1 and Michigan #2 in ratings of public universities, but the real shock for students is that because of the quality of the faculty and students the classes are more on the order of Harvard, Yale and Stanford. This can be indeed shocking for students who received straight A's in high school. If you doubt this comment try looking at the Uc Berkeley web-site and peruse the awards faculty memebers have garnered.
By fpetertyler on Dec 6th 2007 at 9:36AM
#5 makes the most sense - it's what I always believed
By Jenny on Dec 6th 2007 at 9:36AM
What kind of survey is this? Obviously, if "football" schools are the only choice on the top of your polling list, than your subject pool is too limited. I also think your experience as SCA secretary and cheerleader bias you. You are probably not talking to students whose interest is in the arts or science for example.
By HeeHitta on Dec 6th 2007 at 9:39AM