Narrowing Down Your College List Before Applying

With about 5,300 colleges and universities to choose from in the United States, you'll want to start narrowing down your college list during your junior year of high school.

Not sure how to narrow down a college list? This checklist should help you get started!

Here's what I cover in this blog post:

• How many colleges should be on your final college list?
• Make Sure to Discuss Financials with Your Parent/Guardian
• Research and Record These Things for Each College on Your List

How many colleges should be on your final college list?

Are you applying to in-state colleges? Narrow your college list to 3-5 colleges.

Are you interested in spreading your wings and applying to out-of-state colleges? Your list will likely be longer with 7-10 colleges.

Make Sure to Discuss Financials with Your Parent/Guardian

For financial purposes, most students should consider applying to at least one in-state public college.

I live in a state that has two separate public university systems. One is the university system with an annual cost of attendance of $25,000 as of 2020, and the other is the state system with an annual cost of attendance closer to $17,500 as of 2020.

The starting price (before financial aid) may be the difference between a student attending a four-year college versus the community college system or tech and trade school. Make sure you discuss financials with your parents before applying to any college. Ask your parents if you are solely responsible for paying for college or if they have saved for this endeavor. Do your homework before spending valuable time applying to colleges outside of your price range!

Know your SAI

After your FAFSA is completed, the government will determine your Student Aid Index (SAI), using the Federal Method.

Your SAI is not what you will have to pay for tuition! Rather, your SAI is a government formula that provides colleges with an indication of what you can afford.

There are plenty of SAI calculators available online. Check out this one if you don't already have this number in mind.

Research and Record These Things for Each College on Your List

Refer to this checklist when you're narrowing down your college list. You'll want to check...

1. Your NPC results from each college website

Net price calculators published on individual college websites are not always accurate reflections of your likely out-of-pocket expense. However, we suggest you utilize this function and then make a follow-up call or appointment with that college's financial aid office. If you provide more context around your financial situation and ask the right questions, you should be able to get a more accurate number. 

Having a more accurate picture of what you'll have to pay if you're accepted at an institution can help you rule some colleges out (if they're too expensive).

2. The four-year graduation rate

It's worth noting that many colleges are using the 6-year graduation rate in their marketing materials instead of the 4-year graduation rate. Make sure to get an accurate number for the four-year graduation rate. This may change your calculus!

3. The retention rate

Just as you should gather the four-year graduation rate, you should also make note of the percentage of students that return sophomore year. If a lot of students don't return sophomore year, that can be a red flag.

4. The percentage of Pell Grant-eligible students on campus

This is good information for any first-generation student to know and understand. The college's website or financial aid office can likely provide this information to you.

You can learn more about Pell Grants on the Federal Student Aid website.

5. Diversity of graduating classes 

It's not only important that a college admit a diverse student body, but also that it emphasizes the graduation of those same students.

6. Campus life and academic programs

This will be a huge factor in your college experience. Be sure to check that the colleges on your list check the right boxes for you in these areas:

• Academic programs by department
• Extracurricular activities
• Location
  • Urban: housing will be more expensive, internships more readily available, access to the local arts scene, possibly professional athletic teams, public transportation
  • Rural: more outdoor activities, lower cost of living, college community
• Class size
  • Large: ability to blend in, less likely to be assigned papers/essays in large General Education courses, more competitive to get to know professors who can write you letters of recommendation
  • Small: more discussion-based classes where the professor knows your name and
    if/when you are absent, more personal
• Admission acceptance rate
• Chance of acceptance based on your GPA/test scores (Scoir's scattergrams can help with this)

This article on the different types of higher education can help you identify what's most important to you in a college.

7. Reviews of the campus from alumni

It's always a benefit to connect with an alumnus of a college and ask for that individual's experience at the university you're considering.

8. Merit scholarship opportunities 

Research this information especially for colleges that do not meet full financial need, or if your family is not eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. Colleges should list these opportunities on their website. 

Use This Checklist to Narrow Your College List

Doing your homework before applying to colleges can help increase your chances of receiving favorable financial aid packages. The colleges left on your list after you narrow it down should both be a good fit for you and you should be a good fit for them, meaning you are a desirable student for that college. When both of these lineup, you should be well-positioned to receive a financial offer that is beneficial for you!

This article was originally published on February 21, 2020. It was updated on August 7, 2024 for accuracy and comprehensiveness.