Before students begin an official college search, they are already forming beliefs about affordability, fit, value, career outcomes, and whether they belong in higher education. These early impressions, shaped by family conversations, school experiences, social media, career exploration, and emerging AI tools, can influence the colleges they consider and the paths they ultimately pursue.
Join us for an in-depth exploration of findings from the 2026 College Planning Report and examine how the college planning journey is evolving for today's students. You will hear what this research reveals about college search behaviors and how institutions can redesign the college planning on-ramp to build confidence, expand access, and create stronger connections with students before they make their critical decisions.
Key topics include:
- Where college awareness and perceptions begin for students.
- How uneven exposure to college information shapes student opportunities.
- The growing timing gap between student decision-making and institutional outreach.
- Re-imagining the college planning journey for Gen Z and Gen Alpha.