Building a college list can feel like a daunting task – there are over 2500 four-year colleges in the US, and yet, it can still feel as though admissions is so competitive since the colleges you tend to hear the most about are gaining more applicants and driving down acceptance rates every year. So how do you know what it takes to make a great college list, that’s not too big, not too small, not overreaching, underselling, or missing the mark? 
Here’s our advice for calming your nerves and building that just right college list –
Start with you. 
The key to a great college list is rooted in just one thing – you. That’s right. It really can be just that simple. The most important factor in building your college list is knowing what matters most to you academically, socially, personally, and financially. When you prioritize what matters to you, you can choose colleges at every admissibility level that align with your vision. So dig in, and ask yourself for your honest answers to some key questions: 
What academic experiences are important to me? 
Is it a particular major, a style of learning, a chance for hands-on experience, research, or close relationships with professors and mentors? Hone in on not only what you want to learn, but how you want to learn. With these in mind, you can explore the qualities that will make colleges an ideal academic home for you. 
Where & how will I find my people? 
Being part of a community where you can find people who share your values, interests, and passions or invite you to explore new ones is key to shaping a college experience that works. Pressure test your fit by identifying the kinds of residential life experiences, clubs, student organizations, traditions, as well as formal and informal spaces and groups you see yourself reaching out to to build your community on campus. Evidence of these points of connection can help you know that a college is a great social fit for your list. 
What else is important to my thriving? 
Beyond academics and social life, what do you need to thrive in your college life? For some students this will be very specific campus supports for your academic success, your physical or mental health and wellbeing. For others it will be things that your heart pulls you to, like living in a particular climate, region, or setting. There’s plenty of room for compromising in college fit, but if the beauty of the campus, or access to a thriving little college downtown is just something that feels essential for you, take this into consideration as you build your list. There will be colleges at all admissibility levels that align with your own priorities & values. 
What family input is essential to my decision? 
Have some honest conversation as a family about the factors that will influence and shape your final decision. These may include considerations like distance from home, campus safety, or finances. Plan for these early and talk about them openly. There’s nothing worse than getting back your acceptances and feeling constrained by factors that would have been better to discuss early in your process. It is especially important for parents to get clear about any essential factors and take the lead in bringing these to the list building process early on. 
When you step away from the external measures of what makes a college ‘good’ and turn your attention instead to the internal measures that will make your college experience good for you everything changes. Exploring what you want and need to thrive and prioritizing these factors in every college you put on your list, will help you identify the colleges that align with your values and will be eager to value your contributions. 
This is the fifth in a multipart series on mattering in the college process. Catch up on the full series: Think Grades Get You In? Think Again, Want to do something that matters? Just begin, What Really Matters in the College Essay? and Two words to transform your activities list, to explore how mattering can shape a student’s high school experience, prepare them to thrive in college, and create the foundation for the kind of application that sets a student apart in the college process. 
TBU Advisors are experienced in supporting students to navigate their college choices and personal best fit. If you’d like to explore working with a TBU Advisor, get in touch here. We look forward to connecting with you. 
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