Description of tip for starting the college search:
One of the best places to start is at home with your child. Instead of starting with the ?Where do you want to go to school?" question (which usually generates an answer of ?I don? know?), you should ask your child to think about:

Their goals and values

Their education, formal and informal, what are their likes, dislikes, strengths

Their activities and interests

The world they live in: family, school, and home town

Their personality and relationships with others

An honest and thoughtful examination of what is important to them and how their life up to this point in time has shaped who they are can be invaluable in helping determine which colleges are right for them. This internal audit will be of use when selecting colleges to visit and/or apply to.

You may want to continue by asking comfortable questions such as:

Urban vs. suburban vs. rural setting?

How far from home?

What type of college?

Size?

Interests?

Campus environment?

Other comments or suggestions:
Next, hit the resources available to you: your school guidance office, college guidebooks, electronic databases, and your family and friends. Ask if your school runs guidance seminars on post high school planning. If your child has taken an aptitude test at school, ask for the results. This information can be helpful as your child considers areas of study. Look in your local newspaper for information on college planning and financial aid seminars and information on college fairs.