How to Build a Successful College List
Over the summer, rising seniors should try to finalize their list of colleges. Ideally, they have already researched or visited a number of schools. Here are tips to help your child create a college list that will maximize their chances for a successful admissions process.
Research academic offerings at each college.
Students should check that every college on their list offers a major (or majors) that they are interested in pursuing. They should also check out the courses offered in the major to see the differences in curriculum between colleges.
Students should be sure they are comfortable about the other academic requirements at each of the colleges on their list. For example, some colleges have required core courses that every student must take while others offer more flexibility with distribution requirements or even an “open curriculum” which doesn’t have any requirements.
What non-academic factors are important to the student in a college?
Typically these types of factors include the size of the college, weather, extracurricular clubs, housing, food, political climate, and the community around campus. Make sure that any college on the list satisfies a number of these factors.
Families should also determine early on how much cost is a factor in choosing a college. If the student requires financial aid to afford to attend, families must consider that as a priority when the student compiles their college list.
Research colleges to find those that match the student’s priorities.
There are many resources available to research colleges. Visiting a college while it is in session for an in person tour is preferable. Campus visits (including virtual) are especially important if the college tracks demonstrated interest by the student.
When building the college list, it is fine initially to have a fairly large number of schools. It is better to research more rather than less in terms of the number of colleges. It will be easier to edit the number down later than to try to add schools at the last minute.
How many colleges should a student apply to?
The number of colleges to apply to for most students who are applying to selective colleges is generally between 8 and 14. However if the student is applying to 8 colleges, the list should include selective and less selective schools in terms of admission for that student. The Common App limits the number of applications to 20 colleges.
If a student is applying to a number of highly selective colleges, their list may have more schools than students applying to less selective schools.
The student should be willing and able to attend every college on their list. There is no point in having schools on the list that the student does not want or can’t afford to attend.
If a student applies to a rolling decision or early action college and gets accepted early in the process, they may have a shorter list.
Students should check to see if their high school limits the number of colleges they are permitted to apply to.
The list of colleges must contain a range of schools in terms of admissibility.
A student’s college list should contain reach, target, and likely colleges. A college or university is a reach if it has less than a 20% admissions rate or if the student’s GPA and test scores are at the lower to the midpoint of the range reported by that school for their admitted students.
A college is a target if the student’s GPA and scores are toward the higher end of the school’s reported range.
A college is likely if a student’s GPA and test scores are at the very top, or even above, the college’s reported range. Colleges usually report their ranges on their websites which also contain any other requirements that they have.
A balanced list contains at least 3-4 likely colleges.
If you have questions or would like to learn more about college admissions, please visit Excelsioradmissions.com or click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation to learn how I can help with your college admissions process.
