For many parents, the college admissions process can feel overwhelming. With thousands of colleges to choose from, changing admissions requirements, and constant pressure around rankings, college list building often feels like one of the most stressful parts of college planning. A strong college list, however, isn’t about finding the “best” school—it’s about identifying best-fit colleges where a student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. As an independent educational consultant, I approach college list building with care, experience, and a deep understanding of each student. Below, I’m sharing how I thoughtfully build college lists and what families can expect from a process rooted in fit rather than prestige.
List building is a big part of my being. I have notebooks filled to the brim with lists ranging from daily to-dos to grocery lists, gratitude lists, and travel lists. As an independent educational consultant who works with high school students to find their best-fit schools, building a college list is also a central part of my job. I thought I’d give you some insight into the care it takes to build a college list, especially as we enter the season when I create preliminary college lists for juniors.
We visit a lot of college campuses.
Every year, I visit anywhere from 10–20 colleges and universities in the U.S., UK, and Europe. When I visit college campuses, you’ll know. I frequently ask questions or strike up conversations with students—asking how they like the school or what they do on the weekends—while imagining my roster of 15 students and who might thrive there. I consider academic rigor, access to professors, the location of the school and surrounding community, and the characteristics of the student body. I jot all of my findings into a spreadsheet categorized by questions such as: Who would be the best fit for this college? What are the main attributes of this campus? How does the location impact the feel of the community? What are the key academic or program highlights? Visiting campuses allows me to build thoughtful, balanced preliminary college lists.
We get to know our kids.
Another substantial component of building a stellar college list is truly understanding our students. During the intake process, I collect hard data like transcripts and available test scores, but I also gather soft data by asking intentional, reflective questions. I listen as students consider whether they prefer tests, papers, or projects, and what they are thinking about as potential majors. I want to understand how they form friendships and build community, what their favorite courses are, and how they manage stress. All of these factors influence where a student will best fit—whether that’s a large research institution or a smaller liberal arts college. When I build a preliminary college list, I take the time to thoughtfully consider each school and whether my student would truly thrive there.
We think of fit over prestige.
I intentionally have early conversations with parents to gauge whether they are chasing rankings or genuinely interested in best fit. Many families hope their child will attend a highly selective university. However, most students would not actually do well or feel successful at those institutions. Many highly ranked schools are so rigorous that there is little time to engage in community—the work-life balance can be challenging. Imposter syndrome is also very real. Students may suddenly find themselves surrounded by top test-takers and high-achieving peers, no longer at the top of their class but somewhere in the middle or bottom. Some students struggle in that environment and do not thrive unless they are seen as “the best.” Prioritizing fit over rankings leads to far better outcomes.
We analyze academic competitiveness.
When building a balanced college list, it’s essential to assess a student’s academic profile and determine whether each school is a likely, target, or reach option. To do this, I examine course rigor progression within the context of the student’s high school and compare standardized test scores to each university’s Common Data Set. Ideally, students fall within the middle 50% range of admitted test scores. For preliminary college lists, I often include 20–30 schools across all levels of selectivity. For the final list, I typically advise students to apply to two likely schools, six targets, and two reaches.
We consider insider knowledge and data.
As college admissions consultants, we attend conferences each year where we connect with colleagues and admissions representatives from around the world. We listen to presentations by deans, senior admissions officers, and leaders in the counseling community. At one conference, I met the dean of Boston College, who shared that despite being “test optional,” submitting test scores significantly improves a student’s chances of admission. A representative from Colorado College provided an in-depth look at how applications are read behind the scenes. At the University of Strathclyde, I spoke with professors across disciplines—from economics and engineering to psychology—learning about their programs and the types of students they are excited to teach.
We talk to colleagues.
Collaboration is a cornerstone of our work as educational consultants—with families, school counselors, and fellow professionals. When you hire me, you are also hiring my network. You benefit not only from my expertise, but from the collective insight of colleagues I regularly consult for advice and perspective.
We listen to feedback.
After presenting a preliminary college list, I always listen carefully to family feedback. College list building is a fluid process that evolves over time. Across three sessions, I guide students through researching schools in depth. We begin by reviewing academic programs and student organizations, then I encourage families to visit campuses during school breaks and record their impressions directly in the spreadsheet. As students share what they like and dislike, I add or remove schools accordingly.
For parents, college list building can feel like the highest-stakes decision in the college admissions journey. But when guided by thoughtful college planning, insider knowledge, and a clear understanding of a student’s strengths and needs, the process becomes far more manageable—and far more effective. A well-built college list creates balance, expands options, and supports long-term student success. The goal is not just college admission, but finding a place where a student feels challenged, supported, and truly at home.