Mapping Out Your College List
- Dane Copeland
- Jun 24
- 4 min read
Location has always mattered when building a college list, whether you want to go someplace new, experience a different environment from your high school, or stay within driving distance of home and take advantage of your familiar laundry options. Cost is likely a factor that plays into where you look for colleges, from your home state public universities to schools that participate in a multi-state compact like Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), Midwest Student Exchange Program, or UMass Five College Interchange. Looking for schools to maximize the breadth of your academic options while minimizing the cost of attending may be a key priority. While the recent social and political upheavals may become a larger part of your conversation when building your college list, it is also a reminder that clarity about the environment you want for your college experience has always been important. Safety and health may put a finer point on what matters to you.
So, how do you begin may be the first question that comes to mind, followed by, "What book should you use?" and "Which are the best college search websites?" It's tempting to rely on the US News College rankings as a starting point, but most students and parents know this isn't the place to find the information they ultimately want and need. It should be no surprise that there is a surplus of articles written on rankings that stretch back to former Forbes writer Willard Dix, who reminded us in his article, "College Rankings Just Confirm What We Already Know." If you're curious, don't stop there. In his book, Breaking Ranks, Colin Diver lays out what the college rankings are all about and helps put in context where they fit as part of the college journey. Crafting a college list means stepping away from college rankings to embark on robust research to discover what each college offers to align with what a student wants. For some students, a key component may include flexibility in choosing a major and time to explore. Students are often most familiar with colleges that family members and friends have attended, the college of a favorite sports team, or a college with a significant media presence. While that type of familiarity offers name recognition and potentially an on-campus experience, what often is missing are the details that will distinguish a school from others so that students and families can make appropriate comparisons.
Where do students and families begin that don't have access to a college counselor? The Fiske Guide Book 2026, the College Scorecard website, and the Common Application are accessible, easy to navigate, and good starting points for students beginning to map out colleges to research. Students who have taken a PSAT will be more familiar with College Board and might even receive correspondence, aka marketing, from colleges if they "opted in" while filling out their PSAT answer sheet. The Fiske Guide Book, College Score Card website, and Common Application app are only three resources. There are many other books, websites, apps, and resources that students can utilize that will provide specific details on programs, majors, courses, academic environment, campus culture, athletics, and location. Taking advantage of research tools like collegexpress and Niche will help you find colleges that offer what you want for your college experience—building a list of essential student-specific questions to find the answers to will also be a key guiding force.
It is common for students to explore the vast world of colleges to ask, "What is the right number of colleges on a balanced college list?" With so many college choices and the ease of the Common Application, students and families working independently might think that expanding the number of schools on their college list will leverage their acceptance odds, cover their bases, and reduce anxiety. While this rationale sounds good in theory, it is often counter-productive and is not a required component for the path to college. A larger college list creates more work and can lead to more stress. A targeted and balanced list of schools can lead to a successful outcome - going to a college.
Can students navigate the college admissions journey on their own? Absolutely. With tools and resources beyond TikTok and Reddit (and there are several excellent threads and college counselors providing free information), a student who is a self-starter, a solid writer, and has time management skills can fly solo and pinpoint schools to create a balanced list. And students can be in the driver's seat of their college search. Assessing a student's ability, desire, schedule, and time availability should also be considered when deciding if they can drive the process independently or need more support. Like any new endeavor, the value gained from accessing reliable resources, tools, and seasoned advice can make the difference between a challenging experience and a positive one and lead to a successful outcome. Mapping out the college journey, knowing when and where to start, and identifying end goals are key first steps. Ensuring that you have the right tools and support in place is an investment in a strong result.
Know someone starting their college search? Feel free to share.
Looking for tools, resources, and tips as you embark on your college journey? Add dream.search.apply. A Field Guide for an Inspired College Journey and order today.
Subscribe today for more tips and articles about the college search and application process.
Have more questions or looking for more support? Email me at dane@collegeu.solutions
