Listen to what the student specifically wants out of his college experience, and help him find schools that would work for him. For example, if he is interested in living on campus and getting involved in student organizations, look for colleges with a thriving campus community and where most students live in campus housing. Other factors such as his intended major, financial situation and desired location will also help narrow down schools.
Search a variety of publications in order to weigh schools against one another. The Princeton Review rates schools in terms of cost, academics and the quality of faculty, as well as the social makeup of the student body. U.S. News and World Report also ranks degree programs at different schools. Education blogger Steve Cohen points out that such lists can be highly subjective, however, so think of them as a piece of the college search puzzle.
Encourage her to engage actively in the process by visiting campuses, scheduling interviews, researching scholarships and talking to students who are already attending the college. Regardless of how many articles she reads on a college, she cannot get a real sense of what it would be like to attend unless she goes to the campus and takes initiative in searching.
Emphasize the importance of his last two years of high school. Make sure he is focusing on his grades and studying for standardized tests, both of which will impact his applications. Also encourage the student to take on a challenging course load and join organizations, suggests Lynn O'Shaughnessy, author of The College Solution: A Guide for Everyone Looking for the Right School at the Right Price. Balancing school and extracurriculars impresses admissions counselors.
Help her compose a checklist to ensure each school has been thoroughly researched. Include check boxes for her ideal school's characteristics, specific steps she will take to learn about the school (such as visits) and steps toward applying (i.e. essays and application deadlines). The whole process will be more organized and less confusing once she works out a system, and she is less likely to overlook missed steps once she applies.
Share experiences you or people you know have had with the college search and what you learned from them, including mistakes as well as the best decisions. Talk about what your goals were and how your college experience helped you achieve them; if you did not go to college or did not achieve the success you wanted, discuss what you would have done differently.