PARENTING | Encouraging College at a Young Age

I've given a lot of thought to how I am going to put my daughter through college. I have a game plan that involves encouraging extracurricular activities that will qualify for future scholarships, contributing to a small savings plan and the probability we will have bought a house and built enough equity to refinance in time for grad school. It's not perfect but it's realistic.

Paying for college is one thing, but inspiring her to strive for a higher education is another. I want my child to not only WANT to go, but to be greatest she can be while getting there.

One of my immediate goals is to introduce her to a dozen or so universities and campuses before she starts middle school. The purpose is for her to identify with the different communities surrounding each college and begin building a bond that will hopefully fuel her passion and drive her to succeed throughout high school.

So beginning this spring and summer (and for every summer through high school) we will begin vacationing in some of the most prestigious college towns in America.

As she gets older I hope she feels inspired to contribute to our family trips by researching her own destinations but for now I know we will be steering the ship. And oh what an intimidating ship this is!

So the question of course is, which campuses should be on the list? And more importantly, how are you encouraging higher education in your own children?