Determine the student's educational and vocational goals by answering the following questions: 1) What are your favorite subjects? 2) What are you most interested in learning at the college level? 3) What kind of job or career do you hope to have after college? Online interest inventories are plentiful and can be used to help clarify your goals and interests.
Determine non-negotiable limiting factors restricting where the student can go to college by answering the following questions: 1) Are you limited geographically in where you are able to go? 2) Are you limited in terms of time available to devote to your college education? (Is going part time an option?) 3) What are your limitations financially? What can you afford per year? Keep in mind that most colleges have financial aid available, both need-based and merit-based aid.
Use the Internet to conduct a preliminary search for colleges and universities offering courses of study appropriate to your goals and interests while also satisfying your limitations. Some Internet resources that may help include comprehensive college research sites such as College Board, Peterson's and CollegeView (see Resources).
Call your local high school's guidance counselor and ask two questions: 1) Given my/my student's interests, goals, and limitations, what are some colleges that I/we should investigate? 2) Can you provide a schedule of college fairs in this geographic area?
Attend one or more college fairs. Gather information from those colleges and representatives who seem most able to address your needs. Be sure to have a list of your interests, goals and limitations, so you can make the most of each conversation.
If you find that you are still struggling to find the right fit, hire a college planning company to assist you. These multi-pronged service providers have expertise in finding the best schools for you. The College Planning Network is one of many such companies offering comprehensive assistance and guidance for those in the college search and selection process.
Plan and take a visit to those schools that seem most appropriate for your goals, interests and limitations. The admissions office at any college will assist you in planning your visit so that it includes a campus tour, an information session, and a chance to meet and speak with students. Take notes during your visit so you will be able to review your findings later.