Try a few of these things before going to college:
• If possible, independently visit the campuses of the college you are interested in. Have a self-guided tour of the college. Transfer rates and drop out rates can be a tool in the final decision.
• Try to talk and chat with the students of the college, staff and faculty about the college, so that you can be aware about the true inner workings of the college.
• Try to ask questions about the college and just note it down, so that in future you do not get confused. Keep good notes for this will help you to keep things clear and dialog fresh.
• Ask about the scholarship programs. The best method is to ask financial aid for a breakdown of what is available.
• Visiting about the eateries on and around the campus is a good idea. If possible, you should go around and visit the campus bookstore.
• Try to find out the campus security and safety. Check whether the campus has emergency alert system, the response time of campus police, whether the panic buttons are located in the campus or not.
• In the end, try to shape the college according to the information collected, especially if they all come in one category.