Balanced College List

Crafting a personalized college list entails doing research. Students will be better equipped to make good decisions if they are educated and exposed to the wide range of universities. We will provide a plethora of options that best meets their wish list. A balanced college list will be created to meet the individual strengths and goals of each student and will be fluid throughout the application process. As grades, test scores, and other holistic factors change, the college list may be revised.

A balanced college list includes a few “reach” schools which are “dream” colleges. These universities have the most selective admissions criteria. If the applicant is below the academic and standardized test score averages (if applying with test scores), it is considered a “reach”. “Target” schools match the academic record and test scores of the applicant and “likely” schools are Plan B. The balanced college list should include colleges/universities that the student would be thrilled to attend. We encourage students not to let one or two factors govern their choices but to evaluate all the opportunities that a college has to offer. Students should be careful about letting any one individual, whether it is a best friend, a teacher, an alumnus, a sibling, or counselor completely influence their choices. Family and friends  are wonderful coaches but the ultimate decision should be up to the student.

Factors to consider when building the college list:

• Big or small? Public or private? East, West, Midwest, South? Liberal Arts or pre-professional?
• Traditional or non-traditional? Majors/minors?  Warm or cold weather? Time zones? Cost?  Religious life?
• Fraternities/Sororities, Study-Abroad programs, Gap Year programs,  Academic learning support?