How do you start a college search?  First ask yourself  do you know what major or type or environment you want?  If not, don't despair.  I recommend a self-accessment quiz like the ones in College Match by Steven Antonoff.  You can learn a lot about yourself which will help you narrow your college search.  

Do you post photos to facebook?  Do you tweet?  Do you always think before you post or tweet or sometimes do things to be funny or popular?  If you are in high school it may be time to investigate your online self - before the college admission officers do!
If you think items you post on the internet are private in any way - you are wrong!  Your online self is something that others can view whether you are applying for a job, a scholarship or college admission.  The wrong tweet or racy photo (remember the drinking age) can take you out of the running for something important for the rest of your life.
What to do?  Do online and investigate yourself!  Find every photo, post or tweet and think of how a middle aged college admission counselor or boss would view it.  If anything is questionable get rid of it!  
Social media is a great equalizer in good ways and bad.  Sharing your life with others keeps you connected.  Just remember - you may be sharing with more people than you know.

Have you ever wanted to be famous?  Now it is possible, through podcasts.  I had no idea that there were legions of people worldwide recording their voices speaking about everything you can imagine.  Some sound great.  Some are interesting.  Some should discontinue and just listen.

 Technology is the lifeblood of the college admission process.  It allows students, parents, college admission staff and college counselors to connect and communicate.  Everyone involved in the college counseling process uses technology for emails, college applications, searches and career inventories.  Advances in the types of technology demand that college counselors not just consume but also produce knowledge through podcasts, blogs, websites, tweets and instagrams.  It is very helpful for a college counselor to curate her resources into one location such as a website.  The only problem with technology in the college admissions process is that some families do not have internet access at home.  This can negatively impact a student's future and creates a culture of have and have nots.