Choosing a College or making a list of colleges that interest you.
The first step is to understand your profile and find matches to the profile. It is always important to dream and reach high. We encourage that but many high selective schools are just that, highly selective. Even if you meet/match their profile, acceptance is not a given. They get to pick from a large number of applicants that also match.
 
What is your profile?

• Academic (Courses taken, GPA, SAT/ACT scores)
• Co-curricular life (clubs, sports, organizations, community service, jobs)
• What is important to me? Create a list of characteristics you need or want in a college or university.

 
Things to consider:

• Location – distance from home, is it rural, suburban or urban?
• Type – Public or Private, is it affiliated with a religious community or other type of affiliation?
• Enrollment/Size – large, medium or small, are there graduate programs on campus?
• Academics – majors, minors, read through the catalog to see variety and depth. Is the rigorof the school a match for your ability? Will you be able to explore other parts of your life.
• Campus Life – Housing, Greek system, is it a school where most people go home on weekends? Community experiences, volunteer organizations.
• Life after college – job placement, graduate school acceptance.
• Cost – scholarships, loans, average student debt.
• Visit – see for yourself what it feels like.

 
Complete multiple college sorts:

• Keep track of schools that reappear on those sorts. Explore multiple areas of study. Choose what’s right for you, not your friends.