<p>In junior high school (7th-8th grade)? Or a junior in high school (11th grade)? If she is in junior high school, it may be way to early to plan for colleges other than choosing rigorous courses and doing well in them.</p>
<p>The first screens should be:</p>
<ul>
<li>Admission chances: based on her grades and test scores, which schools would she have realistic chances of admission for?</li>
<li>Net cost after non-loan financial aid: which schools are affordable? (check the net price calculator on each school’s web site)</li>
<li>Academic offerings: which schools have good departments in the subjects that she is interested in studying, or good departments in the several subjects she may study if she is undecided?</li>
</ul>
<p>At least one safety must be found that is:</p>
<ul>
<li>Assured admission.</li>
<li>Assured affordable.</li>
<li>Academically suitable for the student.</li>
<li>A place that the student would be happy to attend.</li>
</ul>