If you daughter is ready to begin a Masters program, she probably already has figured out some of her own preferences - and knows at least a little about "where it's at" for her field of study. Of course the choice should be hers.

Especially if she's depending on financial aid, she should be in touch with any potential schools as soon as possible if not already. For graduate study, direct contact with the department(s) in which she's interested is probably appropriate.

Most graduate level financial aid is in the form of "Assistantships" where the student is "employed" to assist some member of the faculty, so if she knows, or can identify, a faculty member specifically interested in the areas where she'd like to work, politely seeking a contact is usually acceptable. The few graduate "scholarships" available are frequently tied to studies in specific areas, so the department may have information not "up front" at the general admissions office.

Most schools do require a GRE (graduate record exam) for entry into graduate studies; and if she hasn't already, she should immediately find out what's needed, and get the necessary test(s) scheduled. It can take a couple of months to schedule, and the tests are not given too frequently - especially if she'll have to travel to get to where she can take one(?), and if she needs one or more of the "specialized" tests.

And of course, search the web - for information from the colleges of choice, and for information about them from "outsider" sources.

Most students at this point "know just about everything" so she'll get through it. It's mom who needs (and gets) our support and good wishes, since her survival is less certain.

John