Accepted at Hyundai U

We've received a number of questions here at U Sphere world HQ about what make and model we ended up with (see info about our great minivan hunt below). The answer? The Hyundai Entourage.

The parallels between our search for the right minivan for us (as we have a family of 5!) and the search for the right college or university for you (or, if you are a parent, for your son or daughter) are striking. I'll let you draw your own conclusions from some of the key learnings.

1. Know generally what you want first, then test drive. And test drive. And test drive. We knew we wanted safety first and foremost. Bells and whistles came next. Color was down on the list, but still sortof important. We lost count of what all we test drove, but, in the minivan class, we've been in everything in the class.
   
2. Know who wants what and what is a deal-breaker. Navigation was great, but since my wife is never lost, all she needs is a compass. A DVD in the back is necessary for the kids. Cargo space important, stow-and-go seating not that important. (We're using this van to haul children, not large amounts of freight.)
3. Listen to the dealer, but find out who is really in charge of this process. At one dealer, the person who let us test drive a brand new van with squeaky brakes was obviously not in charge of the situation. When I asked if I could see the model with the leather and other accoutrements, she was taken aback. She then asked for a deposit so they could find one. The Internet manager kept sending me links to some attractive blonde's sales message on behalf of their dealership. Not a very targeted message, mind you. Didn't sway me at all.
   
4. This is the biggie: trust your gut. When my wife came back from the Hyundai dealership saying she liked the van "a lot," I knew we were onto something. But, when she said "the people were really nice and they didn't talk down to me," at this point I figured we had the leader in the clubhouse.

Readers, college admissions types, fellow bloggers: I'd love to get your thoughts on the parallels between this process and the college search process -- and hear your stories, too.