How to Make a College List

Q: What criteria should I consider when building my college list?

Building an effective college list requires evaluating approximately 100 different criteria across multiple categories. According to veteran college admissions expert Jamie Berger, students should complete a comprehensive spreadsheet with pull-down menus ranking factors from 'must have' to 'not interested at all.' Key criteria categories include: academic factors (majors offered, class sizes, research opportunities), campus environment (urban vs. suburban vs. rural, school size, big sports culture vs. smaller community), social factors (Greek life, diversity, club availability), location preferences (distance from home, climate, regional culture), and career preparation (internship opportunities, career services, alumni network). Financial criteria should be evaluated first—even families with significant resources often want to explore merit scholarship opportunities. The Great College Advice Family Handbook emphasizes focusing on 'compatibility' and 'preferences' rather than chasing the myth of a 'perfect fit' or 'dream school.' Most students will satisfy most of their criteria but rarely maximize every factor, so expect some compromise in the final decision.

Q: How many colleges should I apply to?

The ideal number of college applications is 12, according to Jamie Berger, a highly acclaimed college admissions counselor at Great College Advice. While many students today attempt to apply to 20 or even 30 schools, this approach often backfires. As Jamie Berger explains: 'If you make a good list, you don't have to make a huge list.' The key reason for limiting applications is quality over quantity—you want to write your best supplemental essays for every school on your list, not just rush through applications for schools where you'd be disappointed to attend. Professional college counselors typically present families with 20+ colleges initially, divided into reach, target, and likely categories, from which students select their final application schools. This curated approach ensures each application receives the attention it deserves while still providing meaningful options. Applying to eight Ivy League schools alone, for example, represents an incredible amount of work that often yields diminishing returns without a well-balanced list.

Q: How do I balance reach, target, and likely schools on my college list?

A well-balanced college list should include schools across three categories: reach schools (where admission is uncertain but possible), target schools (where your credentials align well with admitted student profiles), and likely schools (where admission is highly probable based on your qualifications). The critical insight from experienced admissions professionals is that you should work just as hard on finding schools at the bottom of your list as those at the top. Jamie Berger emphasizes: 'Having happy likelies will lead to a happy outcome regardless.' This means your likely schools should not be afterthoughts—they should be places where you'd genuinely thrive and be excited to attend. In today's competitive landscape, where even schools like Duke have admission rates below 5%, the traditional concept of a 'safety' school has evolved. Instead of treating likely schools as backup plans, approach them as genuine opportunities. If you don't genuinely like a school, don't add it to your list; there are hundreds of colleges out there, and you can find ones you'd actually want to attend at every selectivity level.

Q: How do I research colleges effectively for my list?

Effective college research requires developing specific questions based on your personal criteria before diving into resources. We recommend several authoritative sources for research: Books include 'The Fiske Guide to Colleges,' 'Colleges That Change Lives,' and 'America's Best Colleges for B Students.' Reliable websites include Niche.com, Cappex.com, Unigo.com, College Board Big Future, College Navigator, and College Scorecard. Campus visits remain one of the most valuable research tools—spending a full day or more on campus helps you understand the community beyond just the buildings. During visits, attend information sessions, take official tours, sit in on classes, and explore the surrounding area. If in-person visits aren't feasible, many campuses offer excellent virtual resources including online tours, virtual panels, and sessions with faculty and current students. The key principle from experienced counselors is to develop your criteria list first, then use these sources to answer specific questions rather than being overwhelmed by general information. Take detailed notes and photos during visits, as details become important when colleges ask about your visit on applications.

Q: Should I consider finances when creating my college list?

Absolutely—financial criteria should be your starting point when building a college list. Even wealthy clients are eager to consider schools offering significant discounts, noting that 'Just because I can buy a Mercedes doesn't mean that I will buy one.' Over 80% of college applicants apply for financial aid, making it a universal consideration. Before finalizing your list, run the Net Price Calculator (NPC) for each school you're considering—colleges are required to provide these tools on their websites. The NPC gives you a directional estimate of what a school will actually cost your family after aid. This step is especially critical if you're considering Early Decision applications, since ED is binding. As Jamie Berger advises: 'Every family should be going in and doing the NPC for each school they want to apply to, especially if they want to apply early decision. If they run the NPC for the college and it pumps out an amount, if you can't pay that amount, you shouldn't apply early decision.' Have open, honest family conversations about your budget, merit scholarship expectations, and whether need-based aid will factor into your decisions before building your final list.

Q: What is the biggest mistake students make when creating a college list?

The biggest mistake students make is chasing prestige rankings instead of finding genuine fit. As veteran college admissions expert Jamie Berger emphasizes: 'There is no such thing as a top 20 school. It is a false list that is bad in many ways.' The rankings that students obsess over don't account for individual fit—the student who thrives in Ithaca, New York won't necessarily like Morningside Heights in Manhattan. Another common error is underestimating how many excellent options exist outside highly selective institutions. Fewer than 50 schools in the United States accept fewer than 50% of applicants; most schools accept most students. The college admission process doesn't have to be brutal or super-competitive unless you're exclusively targeting highly selective schools. A related mistake is treating likely schools as afterthoughts rather than genuine opportunities. One parent in the Great College Advice community shared that finding schools their student would genuinely love at every selectivity level transformed the entire application experience from stressful to exciting. Students should build lists based on their personal criteria across all 100+ factors that matter to them, not based on external perceptions of prestige or what stickers would look good on the back of a car.

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How to Make a College List

Creating a strategic college list is the foundation of a successful admissions journey—one that balances your academic goals, personal preferences, and financial realities with realistic assessment of your admissions chances. The key is developing clear criteria across multiple factors, then identifying 8 to 12 well-researched schools divided into reach, target, and likely categories where you’d genuinely be happy to attend. For a comprehensive understanding of how this fits into your overall timeline, explore The College Admissions Lifecycle: A Guide Through High School.

What criteria should I consider when building my college list?

Building an effective college list requires systematic evaluation across multiple dimensions of the college experience. According to veteran college admissions expert Jamie Berger, the process starts with a comprehensive assessment: “One of the first things we do with someone is they fill out a long spreadsheet with like 100 categories, pull-down menus of ‘must have’ to ‘not interested in at all’—everything from majors to big sports schools, to small, to urban to suburban to internships.”

These criteria typically fall into several major categories:

Academic factors encompass the majors and programs offered, average class sizes, student-to-faculty ratios, research opportunities for undergraduates, and the overall academic rigor and teaching philosophy of the institution.

Campus environment includes school size (small liberal arts college vs. large research university), geographic setting (urban, suburban, or rural), campus culture (big sports vs. quieter intellectual community), and housing options.

Social and extracurricular factors cover Greek life presence, diversity of student body, club and organization availability, and the overall social atmosphere.

Location preferences address distance from home, climate considerations, access to internships and job opportunities, and regional culture.

Career preparation elements include internship pipelines, career services quality, alumni network strength, and graduate school placement rates.

The Great College Advice Family Handbook emphasizes one important mindset shift: instead of chasing “perfect fits” and “dream schools,” focus on compatibility and preferences. As the handbook explains, “Most students may be able to satisfy most of their selection criteria, but very seldom can they maximize every single factor on their lists of desirable characteristics.”

Financial criteria deserve special attention and should be evaluated first. Even families with significant resources often want to explore merit scholarship opportunities—the goal is finding the best value for your particular situation.

How many colleges should I apply to?

The magic number, according to Jamie Berger, is 12 applications for students applying to more selective universities. While many students today attempt to apply to 20 or even 30 schools, this approach often produces diminishing returns.

“More kids are applying to 20 schools these days,” Berger notes. “We still like to say 12 is an ideal. If you make a good list, you don’t have to make a huge list.”

The reasoning behind this recommendation is quality over quantity. Every supplemental essay you write deserves focused attention. When you spread yourself across too many applications, you risk submitting generic, rushed essays to schools that require thoughtful, personalized responses. The schools asking supplemental questions want you to answer their specific questions in limited words—you can’t veer off with unrelated anecdotes.

Professional college counselors typically present families with 20+ colleges initially, divided into reach, target, and likely categories. From this larger list, students select their final application schools based on deeper research and reflection. This curated approach ensures each application receives the attention it deserves.

The exception to applying broadly might be students with specific circumstances—recruited athletes, those applying for specialized programs, or students with highly particular academic interests that only a few schools can accommodate.

How do I balance reach, target, and likely schools on my college list?

A strategically balanced list includes schools where admission is uncertain (reaches), schools where your credentials match well (targets), and schools where admission is highly likely (likely schools). The critical insight from experienced admissions professionals is working just as hard to find schools at the bottom of your list as those at the top.

Jamie Berger puts it directly: “Having happy likelies will lead to a happy outcome regardless.”

This philosophy represents a significant shift in how many families approach the process. Instead of viewing likely schools as disappointing backup plans, treat them as genuine opportunities where you could thrive. Ask yourself: if this were the only school that admitted me, would I be excited to attend? If the answer is no, remove it from your list and find alternatives.

The competitive landscape has intensified this need. When schools like Duke have admission rates below 5%, and even formerly less selective universities like Northeastern now publish acceptance rates in the single digits, the traditional concept of a “safety” school needs reconsideration. Schools that were considered safeties a generation ago now reject highly qualified applicants.

Berger’s approach challenges students to think differently: “I will really push you. And a reason not to apply to 20 schools is I want you to be able to write your best supplemental essays for all the schools on the list, not just like, well, if I’m stuck going to SUNY Stony Brook. No, if you don’t like Stony Brook [although Stony Brook is a fantastic school], there are hundreds of colleges out there. We’ll find you one you like that you’ll get into.”

When determining which category each school falls into for you personally, consider your GPA in context of your school’s profile, standardized test scores if applicable, extracurricular accomplishments, and how you compare to each school’s admitted student profile. Your counselor can help you make realistic assessments.

How do I research colleges effectively for my list?

Effective college research requires structure before diving into the sea of available information. Develop your criteria list first, then formulate specific questions that these resources can help you answer.

We recommend these authoritative sources:

Books: The Fiske Guide to Colleges, Colleges That Change Lives, Dream School, and Who Gets In And Whyoffer curated perspectives that generic rankings don’t provide.

Websites: Niche.com, College Board Big Future, College Navigator, and College Scorecard each offer different data points and student perspectives.

Campus visits remain invaluable. The more time you spend on campus, the better sense you’ll develop of the community. Ideally, spend a full day or more—from morning through evening—experiencing the campus life. If scheduling requires multiple visits in one day, limit yourself to two schools maximum, otherwise experiences blur together.

During visits, maximize your time: attend information sessions and official tours, sit in on classes, meet with faculty in your intended major, explore facilities relevant to your interests, and check the campus events calendar for performances, lectures, or sporting events. Explore the surrounding area too—try local restaurants and test the transportation options.

If in-person visits aren’t feasible due to cost or distance, many campuses offer excellent virtual resources: online tours, virtual panels, information sessions, and opportunities to connect with faculty, students, and alumni remotely.

Take detailed notes and photos during visits. Months later, you may struggle to remember which library belonged to which school, and many colleges ask about your visit on their applications.

Should I consider finances when creating my college list?

Financial criteria should be your starting point, not an afterthought. Even wealthy families are often eager to consider schools that may offer a significant discount.

One parent in the Great College Advice community explained it this way: “Just because I can buy a Mercedes doesn’t mean that I will buy one.”

Here’s the practical approach:

Run the Net Price Calculator (NPC) for every school on your list. Colleges are required to provide these tools on their websites. The NPC collects basic financial information about your family and estimates your actual out-of-pocket cost after aid. While these estimates aren’t precise—they don’t capture all circumstances or sometimes merit aid eligibility—they provide directional guidance.

Understand the distinction between need-based aid and merit scholarships. Need-based aid depends on your family’s financial situation as calculated by FAFSA and sometimes the CSS Profile. Merit scholarships reward academic achievement, talents, or other qualities regardless of financial need. Some schools offer substantial merit aid; others offer none.

Consider the timing implications for Early Decision. Since ED applications are binding, you must know what a school will cost before committing. Jamie Berger is emphatic on this point: “Every family should be going in and doing the NPC for each school they want to apply to, especially if they want to apply early decision. If they run the NPC for the college and it pumps out an amount, if you can’t pay that amount, you shouldn’t apply early decision.”

Have honest family conversations. Whatever your assets or income, discuss openly the role financial considerations will play. If receiving financial aid or merit scholarships is central or even secondary to your decision, make sure everyone, including your counselor, understands this priority.

Over 70% of college applicants apply for financial aid. This isn’t just for lower-income families—it’s a universal consideration in what has become an expensive proposition for nearly everyone.

How do I show demonstrated interest to colleges on my list?

Demonstrated interest has become increasingly important in college admissions, particularly at schools focused on improving their yield—the percentage of admitted students who actually enroll. These schools use demonstrated interest to identify applicants who are genuinely likely to attend if admitted.

The most effective ways to demonstrate interest include:

Applying Early Decision is the ultimate show of demonstrating interest as you’re telling the admission officer, “If you accept me, I will happily attend your university.”

Campus visits and official tours are next on the list. Jamie Berger explains: “The best obvious way to show demonstrated interest is to go visit and take an official tour that definitely lets them know that you’re not just throwing darts at a wall of colleges.”

Attend information sessions when college representatives visit your high school or community. Sign up early, arrive prepared with questions, and follow up afterward.

Engage with college portals after applying. Accept opportunities to explore academic programs, attend virtual meetings, and participate in prospective student events. Berger advises: “Once you have applied, you get into their college portals and they offer you opportunities to explore biochemistry—just say yes to everything.”

Communicate with your regional admissions representative. A short, direct email can signal genuine interest. Keep it brief and purposeful, asking a detailed, pertinent question that can’t be found on the college’s admissions website.

Attend college fairs and virtual events offered throughout the year.

However, context matters significantly. Not all schools track demonstrated interest equally. Many of the most selective colleges. including most Ivy League schools, don’t consider it because their yields are virtually guaranteed. Meanwhile, many mid-range selective schools track it carefully and may reject qualified applicants who show no genuine interest.

The Great College Advice Family Handbook warns against crossing the line: “There is a very fine line between showing genuine interest and harassing admissions staff. If you catch yourself emailing and calling admissions multiple times, you’re pestering the people who will read your application. Showing too much love can backfire.”

If visiting isn’t possible, particularly for international students, Berger recommends writing a sincere letter: “If you can’t visit, write them a letter so they know you’re not just applying to 30 schools blindly. Something short, though.”

As noted above, remember that applying Early Decision is the ultimate demonstration of interest, showing the college you’re serious about attending and willing to commit. But this should only be done if the school is truly your top choice and the finances work for your family.

What is the biggest mistake students make when creating a college list?

The biggest mistake is building a list based on prestige rankings rather than genuine fit. Jamie Berger confronts this directly: “There is no such thing as a top 20 school. It is a false list that is bad in many ways.”

Rankings fail to account for individual compatibility. As Berger explains: “The kid who likes Ithaca, New York won’t like Morningside Heights [Columbia]. Fit is what we focus on.”

This prestige-chasing leads to several related problems:

Overlooking excellent options outside highly selective institutions. Here’s a reality check: the average acceptance rate at a four-year college is over 70%. Most schools accept most students. The University of Iowa, for example, accepts 80-90% of applicants and offers an excellent education.

Treating likely schools as afterthoughts rather than genuine opportunities. When students build lists with schools they’d be disappointed to attend, they set themselves up for unhappiness regardless of outcomes.

Gaming the system instead of self-discovery. Berger describes a healthier mindset: helping students “who’ve always done it right” start to realize ‘I’ve earned access to one of these schools. Now what do I want?'” The process should help students think about what they actually want rather than just accomplishing and meeting bars.

Applying broadly without depth. Students who apply to many schools without genuine research submit weaker applications everywhere. If you’re choosing schools just because the stickers would look good on the back of your car, you’re approaching this wrong.

The college admission process doesn’t have to be brutal or super-competitive unless you’re exclusively targeting the most highly selective schools. For most students, there are many wonderful options where they’ll be happy, challenged, and prepared for their futures.

Ready to Build Your Strategic College List?

Creating your college list is one of the most important steps in the admissions journey. By developing clear criteria, researching thoroughly, balancing selectivity levels with genuine fit, and understanding financial realities, you position yourself for both admissions success and genuine happiness with your outcome.

For guidance on how this fits into your complete high school timeline, explore The College Admissions Lifecycle: A Guide Through High School, which walks you through each phase from freshman year through enrollment.

Book Your Free Consultation

Building a strategic college list doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Our expert counselors have helped thousands of students create personalized lists based on 100+ criteria—identifying reach, target, and likely schools where they’ll genuinely thrive.

Ready to take the guesswork out of your college search? Book a free consultation with Great College Advice today. We’ll discuss your goals, answer your questions, and show you how our personalized approach can transform your college admissions journey.

Great College Advice provides personalized college counseling services, including comprehensive college list development based on 100+ criteria, with lists divided into reach, target, and likely categories.

Jared Hobson

Jared serves as President of Great College Advice, where he sets strategic direction for the firm as well as being involved in sales & marketing and college consulting. Jared has an MBA from Cornell University, where he served on its Student Admissions Committee. His consulting philosophy emphasizes personalized attention to help identify the right college fit for each student.

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