Deciding which colleges to apply to is one of the most important—and overwhelming—steps in the admissions process. It is the culmination of all your child’s hard work and a testament to the person they’ve become in the process. But with so many options out there, narrowing down their options can feel nothing short of daunting.
Not only are there academics and extracurriculars to consider, but the schools your child applies to must also nurture their personal growth and future career aspirations. The good news? The process is more manageable than you may think.
Here are the essential steps in choosing the colleges that best meet your child’s needs and goals.
Narrow down a geographic range
Geography might not be the first thing that comes to mind when building a college list, but it can make a big difference in your child’s experience. Start by talking to them about what kind of setting they’re drawn to and how comfortable they are being away from home.
Do they like the hustle and bustle of a major city? Or do they want a college campus immersed in nature? When it comes to college environments, there truly is something for everyone: urban, suburban, and rural. Consider the climate, possible internship or job opportunities in the region, and their local support system of friends and family.
Someone who hates the cold probably won’t enjoy winters in upstate New York. And someone who thrives in a tight-knit community may not feel at home in a large city. There’s no wrong answer—just preferences that determine which schools would help your child thrive.
Sort by likelihood of acceptance
Likelihood of acceptance is another essential consideration. Your child’s college list should include a mix of:
- Safety schools, where admission is practically assured. Here, your child’s test scores are far higher than the school’s typical students’, even the top 25th percentile. These schools also have a high acceptance rate, at least 50%, making admission very likely. Every college list should include at least two safety schools.
- Target schools, where your child’s academic profile aligns perfectly with the school’s average. These schools should still have a relatively high acceptance rate, no lower than 20%. A balanced list contains at least two or three of these.
- Reach schools, where admission is most competitive. These schools are very selective, with an acceptance rate below 20%, and your child’s test scores fall slightly short of the average academic profile. Admission is unlikely but still possible, especially if other elements of their application stand out, such as essays, recommendations, or extracurriculars. Your child can apply to as many of these schools as they want.
What determines the likelihood of acceptance? GPA is a big component of your student’s academic profile, as are test scores and class rankings. You can see how your child matches up against the average by checking each school’s webpage on admitted student statistics, the College Board’s Big Future website, or the NCES College Navigator. Including schools from each category ensures that your child has good options no matter how the admissions process shakes out—keeping doors open and stress levels low.
If your child is just on the cusp of reaching a school’s average scores, there are still ways to get closer to their dream. They can raise their GPA through a combination of hard work and specialized tutoring. They can also take AP classes, which are weighted higher than regular classes and can provide a big GPA boost if they do well. AP prep helps students ace these specialized courses, as well as the AP exam in May, if they choose to take it.
And if they’re having difficulty improving their standardized test scores, ACT or SAT training is an excellent way to understand and address their testing strengths and weaknesses. For example, C2 offers both ACT prep and SAT prep, as well as summer boot camps, that help your child build skills and confidence.
Compare academic opportunities against your goals
One of the best ways to narrow down a college list is by focusing on schools that offer strong programs in your child’s areas of interest. Whether they’re set on engineering, passionate about the arts, or still exploring, it’s important to look at what each school offers academically.
Start by checking if a school has the major your child is considering—or the flexibility to explore different paths if they’re undecided. Look into special course offerings, faculty expertise, research opportunities, internships, graduate programs, and even study abroad options. Some colleges have a strong reputation in certain fields like business, medicine, journalism, or computer science, which can make a big difference in the quality of your child’s education and post-grad opportunities.
The goal is to find a place where your child will be challenged and inspired to grow. The schools on their final list should include ones that satisfy their intellectual interests and career aspirations.
Explore the school culture through campus tours
College isn’t just about academics—it’s also about growing outside of the classroom. When building a college list, it’s worth looking into the extracurricular opportunities each school offers, potentially shaping your child’s social life, leadership skills, and even career path.
A vibrant campus life helps students feel connected and engaged, which can make a big difference in your child’s overall experience. Encourage your child to think about what they enjoy now—sports, music, debate, volunteer work, student government—and whether they want to continue those activities in college. Look for schools that support those interests with clubs, sports teams, or other student organizations.
Campus tours are a great way to give your child a feel for the school’s culture and activities. Being on campus helps them determine what life as a student would be like and whether they could see themselves there. They can also learn about or even connect with the different clubs and groups on campus. And if they find that a school doesn’t offer an extracurricular they’re interested in, they can always start it themselves.
Weigh the cost of attendance
Finances are a major part of any college decision. It’s important to be realistic early in the process, so you can narrow down the college list to purely viable options. Before your child falls in love with a school or pays the cost of an application, take time to understand the full cost of attendance—from tuition and housing to textbooks, meal plans, and travel—and what your family is prepared to contribute.
Colleges may have different financial aid policies, so it’s worth doing research into each individually. Some offer generous need-based aid, while others may provide higher merit scholarships based on your child’s academic profile. Consider also the cost of living in each location, with city schools often coming with higher costs and rural areas lower.
Trust your instincts
At the end of the day, your child’s college decision won’t come down to just extracurriculars or school rankings. After they research programs, visit campuses, and compare opportunities, it’s time for your child to consider where their instinct is pulling them.
How did they feel about the prospect of attending for the next four years? Did they like the campus? Could they see themselves walking to classes, making friends, or joining clubs? Even little things like how students interact shape whether or not your child thinks it’s the right fit. By trusting their instincts, alongside their other practical considerations, they can pick out the places where they will succeed.
Find a school that helps your child soar
Choosing the right college is a big step—for students and for parents. Beyond rankings or name recognition, it’s about finding schools where your child can grow, learn, and feel at home. By looking at your child’s unique goals and personality, you can build a thoughtful, balanced list that reflects who they are and where they want to be.
The college admissions process is as much about self-discovery as it is planning. That’s why C2 has spent over 25 years helping students and families navigate this complicated and exciting process. Our tailored college admissions counseling provides both in-person and online advising from certified counselors, including guidance on course selections, admissions essays, and interview skills.
Financial aid, standardized tests, extracurriculars, recommendations—the admissions process is stressful enough without any extra confusion about your choices. Make sure the next step in your child’s college journey is the right one for them by scheduling a consultation today!
