Project GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) encourages disadvantaged youth to stay in school and prepare for college. To gather baseline information on incoming seventh-grade students' and parents' awareness of, interest in, and aspirations for students' postsecondary education, surveys were administered to 2,454 students and their parents in 29 middle schools in 9 rural West Virginia counties. This report summarizes findings from the surveys, administered in February 2000. Findings are presented in a regional overview, followed by significant county differences. The findings indicate that: (1) parents played an important role in their child's education; (2) students were willing to admit they needed academic help and were open to participating in enrichment opportunities; (3) most students recognized the benefits of postsecondary education and believed their parents wanted them to attend college, but were unsure of their own aspirations; (4) students viewed poor grades and limited finances as the biggest obstacles to continuing their education; (5) students viewed parents as the most important source of educational information, but few parents were familiar with postsecondary entrance requirements; and (6) parents and students were both disinclined to believe that students would receive scholarships. Recommendations are made for increasing student and parent awareness of, and interest in, postsecondary education. Appendices present the survey form with summary responses, and explanatory comments on significant chi-square items from the surveys. (Contains 14 references.) (TD)