Finding and Applying to Colleges

Parents and students should begin the process of researching and comparing prospective schools as early as possible. We asked Becky Claster, founder of Claster Educational Services and a college counselor at Blyth-Templeton Academy in Washington, D.C., what timeline she recommends for students:

“Students should start exploring college in a broad way in the first half of high school… Once students have finished 10th grade, they should get more focused on researching specific colleges where they’ll find the academic programs and campus environment they’re looking for and where they might be competitive for admission. Students should have a tentative list [of colleges] by the end of their junior year.”

The number of schools you apply to may depend on a few factors, such as your willingness to live in a new area. In general, though, more is better. “Most students are in good shape with a list of 6-10 colleges,” Claster said. “I like most of a student’s list to be in the ‘target’ category, which is where they have a good shot but are not quite certain of the outcome. Students should also have at least two ‘safety’ schools where they can be confident they’ll be admitted, and at least one of these should also be a ‘financial safety school’ — a school where they can expect the cost of attendance to be manageable.”

Of course, every student aspires to attend schools where they might not get in — the so-called “reach” schools. As Claster points out: “Students should certainly have high aspirations, so two, three, or possibly four ‘reach’ schools would be reasonable. But since these are schools that the student is unlikely to get into, these should not be the bulk of the list.”

To determine whether schools are “reach” or “safety” schools, check out the school’s profile on the College Board’s BigFuture or The Princeton Review, or check the school’s admissions webpage. A FAQ page will usually provide a glimpse into a typical student profile, including average test scores and GPAs. When asked which resources and services they found most helpful as they helped their children choose colleges, the top three responses from parents in our own College Prep Survey were:

If you’re having a hard time comparing schools, don’t sweat it. “I don’t place a lot of value in an ideal number of schools or a mix of ‘safe’ and ‘reach’ schools,” says Jeff Gant, the director of undergraduate admissions at Montclair State University. “What’s important is to apply to schools where students feel there is a genuine fit and where they feel they will be set up for success.”

In the following sections, we go over different resources for college planning and how they can help parents and students during their search.

College fairs are events that bring together admissions officers from colleges and universities around the country. School professionals at these events represent their respective colleges and provide informational overviews and printed resources; they are also available to answer questions from students and parents.

Claster, a college counselor, thinks college fairs are worth the time for some students: “Since many students can’t make it to every campus they’re interested in, college fairs and visits from campus representatives to the student’s high school can be good alternatives.” For example, NCAC hosts well-known national college fairs in different cities across the country starting every September.

When it comes to college planning, there are many reputable and authoritative books and online resources. They are an inexpensive (and sometimes free) option for parents and students who may not be able to visit campus or attend college fairs.

Featuring the wise counsel of more than 50 deans of admission across the country, “College Admission” by Robin Mamlet walks students through the importance of various admissions factors, including extracurricular activities, standardized tests, and athletics.

A Blueprint for Choosing the Best School for You”: This book has provided guidance to students and parents for over 27 years. “College Match” by Dr. Steven R. Antonoff debunks myths about the application process and leads you through some essential steps that can make college admissions less stressful.

Written by Alan Gelb, a professional writer and college essay coach, this book helps students choose engaging topics and use creative writing techniques to compose college essays that reflect their individuality.

There are really only four types of admissions essay, according to author and college counselor Ethan Sawyer. What kind should you write? This book guides you through the conceptualization, drafting, and revision process in a few easy steps.

You can hardly begin the application process without knowing the full landscape of potential colleges. U.S. News & World Report publishes this annual compendium of the best colleges in the United States.

Colleges are as diverse as the students who apply to them, and while they have many common attributes, there is a lot that can set one college apart from another. Gant, Montclair’s director of undergraduate admissions, had some advice: “[Talk] with your student about what the family can afford and if the student will be taking on loans. If your student wants to go to school far from home, help them understand what that will be like by speaking openly about the challenges they’ll face and by visiting schools farther afield.”

When researching and comparing prospective colleges, it’s good to keep a few things in mind. For example, most colleges can be grouped into certain categories that cater to the needs of particular student groups. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the most important factors to consider when researching and choosing a college.