The Search Stage: When, Where, and What Information Do Urban Public High School Students Gather About College

This qualitative longitudinal multiple case study offers a perspective into the college information gathering practices across a sample of low-income students at two large urban public high schools. The findings show that students engage in and benefit from comprehensive information gathering strategies but that disparities exist across academic performance levels and demographic factors. The study sheds light on the paramount role that school counselors play during the students ’ college information gathering “search ” stage. The presented findings offer concrete strategies that can aid school counselors in evaluating and improving their own college-related services