---
title: What You Need to Know Before Kicking Off Your College Search
description: Author Janet Marthers explains a common pitfall of college searches.
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published: '2016-07-28T15:18:51.000Z'
modified: '2016-07-28T15:18:51.000Z'
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![Prospective college students taking campus tour with guide](https://img.money.com/2016/06/gettyimages-515010957.jpg)
*Prospective college students taking campus tour with guide*

Educational consultant and author Janet Marthers provides some helpful tips on the correct way to begin your college search and research. One common misconception she touches on is not to go after the "big fish" school just because of the name.

You don't want to base your college search off by looking at the toughest school you can get into, says Marthers. It is a much better idea to start out by looking at the school that have programs in what you want to study, and the clubs and activities that best fit your interests.

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