This week we are going to nail down your list of colleges -- the colleges where you would consider going and where you will be applying.  I know some of you have already spent some time on this task and have a preliminary list -- good work!  Skip to step 2.  If you don't have a preliminary list yet, start at step 1. 

Step 1.  Assemble a list of 25 Possibles

Your goal is to assemble a list of at least 25 colleges that you would consider attending. This is a brainstorming exercise, so go about it with these guidelines in mind.

• You should have an open mind. Any college that appeals for any reason should go on the list. Push beyond the obvious and play a little. Maybe the South Pole would be interesting - after all you loved that March of the Penguins movie!
• You should consult every resource that you can access: online resources, directories in your school's libraries, people who know you well and whose opinions you value, older students or graduates from your school.
• You should worry about what you want, not whether they want you. You can eliminate the schools that are really beyond your reach (either because of admissions requirements or costs) later. Some things to consider in determining what you want:
  • Location of the College: urban, suburban, rural? Near home, mid-way from home, far away from home? Warm or cold climate?
  • Size of the College: tiny, small, medium, big, city unto itself?
  • Programs of the College: Majors? Study abroad? Combined or accelerated degree programs?
  • Life at the College: Residential or commuter? Single sex? Ratio of undergraduates to graduate students? Diversity in the student body? Housing options? Sports? Extracurricular Activities? Social Life? Sororities or fraternities? Distinctive culture e.g. Nerd, jock or party school?
  • Life After College: Graduation rate? What do graduates do next? Does the school credential open doors to a new network of influential folks?

Step 2.  Categorize your possibles based on your likelihood of admission.

You can assess your likelihood of admission to any particular college using online resources.  I prefer the College Board's matching mechanism because they have the most schools in their database.  But you can also consult those at Princeton Review or US News.  They will ask you to plug in some information about yourself --  test scores, grades, courses, school, activities, etc. and compare your stats to the overall admission stats of a particular college.  While you can't absolutely positively determine whether you will be admitted using these resources, it gives you a good sense of whether the school is a "reach" (you are on the lower end of their previous admits, but possible), a "match" (you are their average admit, so likely), or a "safety" (you are above their average admit, so almost definitely).

Categorize each of your possibles.  You want a range of colleges on your final list.  So if you are short in any particular category, go back into brainstorming mode (Step 1) and generate some more possibles.

Step 3.  Categorize your possibles based on affordability.

Affordability of any particular college is a function of your available resources and their available financial aid.  If you have sufficient resources to pay tuition and living expenses for your 4 years there, then the college is affordable.  Likewise, if you will receive sufficient financial aid to close the gap or fully cover your tuition and living expenses, then the college is affordable.  For most middle income families, the financial reality is somewhere in the middle.  So again, I suggest a ranking of reach (you can maybe afford it, if the family makes it a priority and you get the maximum financial aid), match (you can afford it, but it will be an investment, you may have to take loans as well as make some sacrifices), and safety (you can afford it).  Be sure and build in the extra costs that may be important to you, but won't be considered a part of your "total educational costs" for financial aid purposes, such as travel home, activity costs (your skis for the ski team) etc. Try out the calculators at www.FinAid.org to start thinking about how you're going to pay for college.

Again, you want a range of colleges on your final list.  So if you are short in any particular category, go back into brainstorming mode (Step 1) and generate some more possibles.

Step 4.  Pick 5-10 as your final set.

Applying to a college takes time and money, so don't waste either by applying to too many.  Spend the time you need to narrow your possibles to 5-10 finalists.  I generally advise that you put together a final list that includes:

• 1-3 Reach Schools
• 2-4 Match Schools
• 1-3 Safety Schools

Step 5.  Start a master file for each school on your list and put each school's deadlines on your master calendar.

Now that you have a final list, start a master file for each school on your list.  Put the following in the master file:

• A copy of the school's application
• Contact information for the school's admissions office
• Any information you've collected about the school

Research each school's application deadlines (including financial aid deadlines) and put them on your master calendar.

Comments or Questions? 

Having trouble putting together your list -- either too many to narrow down or not enough?  Can't find a good safety school?  Can't convince your parents that you should include a particular school on your list?  Confused by the whole process and need some specific advice?  Please post a comment!

Alison Cooper Chisolm has worked in admissions at Southern Methodist University, the University of Chicago, and most recently Dartmouth College. She is a graduate of Yale College and the University of Virginia Law School. As part of the Ivey Consulting team, Alison works with college applicants and their families as they navigate the college admissions process. Read more about Alison here.