College search: Here's the very first step every family should take

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In this video, I share the very first step every family should take to kickstart the college search—and it's simpler than you think. Forget information overload, forget knowing exactly what your child wants to study, and forget expensive cross-country flights. The answer? Visit 2-4 colleges within driving distance this weekend.

I explain why the goal ISN'T to find schools for your child's final list—it's to understand the VIBE. By mixing and matching three key characteristics (big vs. small, urban vs. rural, campus vs. no campus), your child will quickly learn what they love and what's a dealbreaker. One visit to a small liberal arts school nearby could eliminate 20 similar schools across the country from consideration—saving you time, money, and stress.

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0:00 - Holiday break = perfect time to start college planning
0:45 - Why getting momentum early makes college planning enjoyable
1:29 - The #1 hurdle I hear from parents: Information overload
2:13 - What happens when you kick the can down the road
2:57 - The very first step: Visit nearby schools (within 2-hour drive)
3:45 - Why it doesn't matter if these schools won't make the final list
4:29 - The Amherst example: One visit can eliminate 20 schools
5:17 - The 3 characteristics to mix and match: Big/Small
5:45 - Characteristic #2: Urban vs. Rural
6:01 - Characteristic #3: Campus vs. No Campus (NYU example)
6:45 - How to document what your child likes and dislikes
7:31 - You don't need to know their major to start the search
8:21 - Get the ball rolling: 2-4 easy day trips changes everything