College shortlisting

Start with a broad range of colleges in your early junior year. 

Attend virtual info sessions and tours: Virtual events can provide valuable insight into the colleges you are considering. Make sure to register for sessions and tours in advance and come prepared with questions to ask during the Q&A portion.

By the summer before your senior year, you should have a better sense of your academic and personal preferences, as well as your likelihood of admission to the colleges on your list. At that point, you can begin to narrow down your list to a manageable number of colleges, typically 10-15, that you will apply to during your senior year.

Your college list is not set in stone, and it's okay to make changes as you learn more about each college. Use your tentative list as a starting point and continue to refine it as you gather more information and insights. Good luck with your college search!

• Start your college research by visiting the college's official website.

• Watch college-specific YouTube videos and explore Facebook groups to learn more about student life and campus activities

• Look for college ratings and rankings specific to your intended major.

• Consider factors like location, class size, tuition, and financial aid options.

• Take note of the college's acceptance rate and the SAT/ACT and GPA range of admitted students. 

• If you're considering a public university, keep in mind that there may be a significant difference between in-state and out-of-state acceptance rates. In-state students have a higher chance of being admitted because they are residents of the state where the university is located. 

When selecting a college, there are several criteria to consider. Before you start researching and selecting colleges, it's important to determine what matters most to you. This will help you narrow down your options and ensure that you choose a college that meets your needs and preferences. Consider making a list of 3-4 non-negotiable factors that the school needs to meet. For example:

• College rankings: Look for colleges that are highly regarded in your field of study or overall.

• Your major/program availability and reputation: Make sure the college offers the academic programs you're interested in and has a good reputation in those fields.

• Cost: Consider the cost of tuition, room and board, and other expenses, as well as the availability of financial aid and merit scholarships.

• Financial aid prospects: Research the college's financial aid policies and determine whether you are eligible for any need-based or merit-based aid.

• Location: Think about the location of the college and whether it's in a city, suburb, or rural area. Consider factors like weather, distance from home, and transportation options.

• Size: Decide whether you prefer a large or small college, and think about class sizes and the availability of resources like libraries and labs.

• Diversity: Look for colleges that value diversity and have a welcoming campus culture.

• Housing availability: Consider whether the college offers on-campus housing and whether it meets your needs and preferences.

• Campus culture: Research the college's social scene, extracurricular activities, and student organizations to get a sense of the campus culture.

Once you've done your research and identified your non-negotiable factors, it's time to start building your final list of colleges. It's a good idea to divide your list into three categories: Reach, Target, and Safety schools.

• Reach schools: These are colleges with a low acceptance rate (usually less than 20%) and are a bit of a stretch for you academically. Even if you have high test scores and a strong GPA, these colleges are still considered a reach. It's important to have at least a few reach schools on your list to challenge yourself and aim high.

• Target schools: These are colleges that match your academic profile and are within reach. Based on your GPA and test scores, you should have at least 3 target schools on your list where you have a good chance of being admitted.

• Safety schools: These are colleges where you are very likely to be admitted based on your academic profile. Make sure you have at least 3 safety schools on your list where you will be happy to attend.

When building your list, it's important to be realistic and consider your academic profile. Applying to too many reach schools can be time consuming and costly, so aim for a balance of reach, target, and safety schools. A good rule of thumb is to have 10-15 schools on your list, but it's okay to add more if you have the time and resources to do so. Remember, the most important thing is to find colleges that are a good fit for you and your academic goals.

Depending on your high school GPA, rigor of your coursework, test scores - figure out what type of student you are. Your college list will depend heavily on your 9-11th grade academic record and test scores. For finding out the acceptance rate of a college use their website or common data set for the college. The common data set is a standardized form that colleges and universities fill out each year with information about their admissions process, enrollment, and more.

Acceptance Rates

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System

Based on your weighted GPA and SAT/ACT scores you can determine probability of getting into certain colleges. Any college that has an acceptance rate <= 20% should be considered a “reach” school even for the most accomplished students. This is not an exact science as college admissions are very subjective, but the “academic profile” is the first gate that needs to be crossed before the other factors like extracurriculars, essays, Letters of recommendation are considered.

The acceptance rate and middle 50% test score ranges are important criteria to consider when creating your college list. The acceptance rate provides an idea of how competitive a school's admissions process is, while the middle 50% test score ranges give you an idea of the academic profile of the admitted students. you can find this information on the individual school's admission website, or by searching for the common data set for a particular school, http://commondatasets.com. Section A of the common data set typically includes information about the number of applications vs. number of admits (which can give you acceptance rate), while section C provides information about the middle 50% test score ranges and other admission criteria.