Though parents and counselors approach the college search process from different points of view, their goal is the same: to help young adults find a college that suits their needs and career goals. To that end, parents and counselors can do several things to help students.

• Encourage friends, neighbors, recent graduates and co-workers to talk to young people about career choices
• Ask high school students general questions about where they'd like to go to college — a big or small school, a rural or urban environment?
• Make college guides and resources available to students as early as ninth grade, or encourage library use of these materials
• Encourage students to make use of college guides and resources and request information from institutions they are interested in

Resources

For counselors: Promote Minnesota Private College Week

Visiting colleges during Minnesota Private College Week is a great way for your students to discover what they're looking for in a college. Help spread the word.

For counselors: Counselor News

Read our latest issue and sign up for this three-times-a-year e-newsletter containing tips and info about our colleges.

For counselors: College Guide: A Resource for Counselors

The 2011-12 guide includes general information about Minnesota's Private Colleges as well as individual college profile pages. Download or order.

Undergraduate majors grid

This chart categorizes majors by subject area and shows which of our colleges offer them. It's handy as a printed reference. (Use our College Finder to search for a major online.)

For counselors: Counselor Breakfast

Admission representatives share information about their campuses at a breakfast meeting with counselors. Find out more about this event.

Tips

Here are four tips for using this website to help students sort through the options at our institutions. Or consider using U-CAN (University and College Accountability Network) to explore private colleges nationwide.

Our value

You're looking for the right mix of opportunities for your student. There are lots of ways to choose a college, but in the end, it is about value. Find out about the value of our academic excellence, variety, affordability, liberal arts foundation and more.

How much does college cost?

The college with the lowest listed price may not be a bargain in the long haul. This handout outlines three steps families can take in comparing costs. Download or order.

Affordability + Variety + Career Value

Discover the benefits of attending a Minnesota private college or university. Download or order.

The Facts

• Enrollment
• Degrees
• Academic excellence
• Access and diversity