As college applications approach, it is important to take the time to make a college list. A college list is a curated selection of reach, match, and safety schools tailored to a student’s academic goals, personal preferences, and financial needs.
With a thoughtful college list, you will have a feasible goal to hold yourself accountable as you balance the piles of supplemental essays with making the most of your senior year. More importantly, building a college list entails a much deeper and more important part of the admissions process: research.
The place you will be spending the next four years is a big deal. You want to make sure where you attend is not just impressive on paper, but actually a good fit. If you want a deeper breakdown of what truly matters when choosing schools, review our guide on the 3 Most Important College List Factors.
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How to Pick Schools for Your College List
And more importantly, how to decide where you want to go to college. If you want a step-by-step framework for structuring your overall strategy, you can also read our full guide on Creating the Perfect College List.
Choose Your Major (Academics) and Research How to Apply for Specific Majors
While it is perfectly alright to enter college without a definite major, it is very beneficial to have at least a loose idea of which academic direction you might pursue.
First, understand the type of institution you’re applying to. Not all colleges are structured the same way.
Research Universities vs. Liberal Arts Colleges
- Research Universities (e.g., Columbia, Stanford) are typically large institutions composed of multiple undergraduate schools (such as engineering, arts & sciences, business, etc.). They often emphasize research output and may require you to apply directly to a specific school within the university.
- Liberal Arts Colleges (e.g., Bowdoin) are usually smaller, undergraduate-focused institutions centered on broad-based learning across disciplines.
- Technical Institutes (e.g., MIT) specialize heavily in STEM fields and applied sciences.
For example, the undergraduate section of Columbia University comprises Columbia College and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. When you apply to Columbia, you must select which school you are applying to. If you apply to the Engineering school (commonly referred to as SEAS), you can only major in the majors offered at that school. You would not have the option to major in English, for instance, without internally transferring schools to Columbia College.
However, this is not the case at all universities. At Stanford, for example, you are free to major in whatever you want after admission and are not locked into a specific undergraduate school during the application process.
If you apply to a non-university institution, such as a liberal arts college like Bowdoin or a technical institute like MIT, it functions as a single school. As long as they offer the majors you may pursue, then you’re set.
Understanding these structural differences is crucial before you even begin ranking schools.
If You Are Undecided on Your Major, You Can Still Apply for College
If you do have a major (or multiple majors) in mind, then it’s time to research strategically.
Simply Googling “best schools for [x] major” will not give you optimal responses. Often, you will receive graduate school rankings that are not indicative of undergraduate program strength.
Instead, look specifically for undergraduate rankings. Platforms like Niche and data from The College Board can help you compare schools based on undergraduate academics, student satisfaction, and outcomes. For a curated breakdown of reliable research platforms and databases, review our guide on Resources to Use When Researching Colleges.
My process for finding suitable schools for a major is:
- Find a ranking specifically for undergraduate programs.
- Make a list of schools that look strong upon a brief overview.
- Add schools that appeal to you even if their ranking isn’t perfect.
- Plan to do deeper research later, because ranking isn’t everything.
If you don’t have a major in mind, you have two solid options:
- Choose schools based on strong overall academics.
- Narrow your interests to a handful of potential majors and choose schools that support flexibility across those areas.
The goal is to keep your options open without being directionless.
Research Colleges Based on Financial Aid
A classmate of mine had a dream school they were set on throughout high school. Senior year came, they applied, and they received a well-deserved acceptance letter.
Then came the financial aid package.
A $35,000 annual price tag is completely unaffordable.
Needless to say, it is vital to ensure that the schools on your list are financially realistic for you and your family. Avoiding preventable disappointment is part of smart planning, and one of the core principles we outline in our article on the 3 Most Important College List Factors.
How do I check if a college is affordable?
Here’s a simple step-by-step approach:
- Check if the school meets full demonstrated need. Look up whether the college claims to offer full need-based financial aid. Many reputable institutions clearly state this on their financial aid websites.
- Review official financial aid policies. Search “[school name] financial aid policies” and read the school’s official explanation of how they determine need.
- Use the Net Price Calculator (NPC). Virtually every college provides a Net Price Calculator. Many use tools connected to The College Board. You’ll enter financial information (often from your parents’ 1040 tax returns), and the calculator estimates what you might actually pay.
- Compare multiple schools. Even among schools that meet full need, the definition of “need” varies. Typically, more well-resourced institutions assign more generous aid.
For the Net Price Calculator, you likely just need your parents’ 1040 federal income tax returns from the last year or two. For actual financial aid applications, you’ll also need W-2s and potentially other documentation.
Do not skip this step. A school is not truly on your list until it passes the affordability test.
Calculate How to Afford College Applications
When making your college list, you must also account for application costs.
On average, application fees range from $40 to $90:
- Public universities are usually on the lower end.
- Private universities are often more expensive.
Strategically investing in applications can significantly increase your chances of landing at a school that gives you the best academic, financial, and professional outcomes. At the same time, your college list should align with your overall application strategy, including how your extracurricular profile and achievements are presented. If you need help strengthening that foundation, review our guide on How to Build a High School Resume for College Applications.
Still, for many students, even a few hundred dollars in application fees is not realistic. Thankfully, there are options.
Will Schools Waive the Application Fee?
One valuable option is utilizing fee waivers, either through the Common App or through a school’s individual process.
Who qualifies for a Common App fee waiver?
If any of the following apply to you, you may qualify for a fee waiver that makes your applications through the Common Application completely free:
- You have received or are eligible to receive an ACT or SAT testing fee waiver
- You are enrolled in or eligible to participate in the federal free or reduced-price lunch program (FRPL)
- Your annual family income falls within the income eligibility guidelines set by the USDA for SNAP or other assistance programs
- You are enrolled in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families (e.g., TRIO programs such as Upward Bound)
- Your family receives public assistance
- You live in federally subsidized public housing, a foster home, or are homeless
- You are a ward of the state or an orphan
- You can provide a supporting statement from a school official, counselor, financial aid officer, or community leader
To obtain a Common App fee waiver, follow these steps.
Additionally:
- Some colleges offer their own institutional fee waivers.
- Some schools (such as Carleton College) simply do not charge an application fee at all.
And then there’s the CSS Profile.
For your first CSS Profile submission, you will pay $25. Each additional school costs $16. This is another expense to factor into your overall application strategy.
The key takeaway: build your college list with financial reality in mind, not just tuition, but application costs too.
Researching Tough Colleges: Better Schools & Competitive Programs
If a school is decently ranked for your major (or overall), financially feasible, and structurally aligned with your academic interests, it’s time to dig deeper.
Step 1: Start with Official Sources
Begin with the school’s official website. Review:
- Major requirements
- Course offerings
- Research opportunities
- Study abroad options
- Internship pipelines
- Career placement statistics
Use high-authority sources such as:
- The College Board
- Niche
- Official university data pages
- The Common App school profiles
For a comprehensive breakdown of platforms and databases that can elevate your research process, revisit our guide on Resources to Use When Researching Colleges.
Step 2: Add Student Perspectives
After gathering surface-level information, turn to student experiences.
For example, if I were researching Cornell’s computer science program, I would Google:
“cornell computer science reddit”
Nine times out of ten, several Reddit forum posts will pop up with firsthand experiences.
Similarly, if you’re curious about student culture at UChicago, try:
“uchicago culture reddit”
Reddit can provide valuable insight into campus culture, workload, competitiveness, and student life.
That said: anonymous internet posts are not definitive truth. One negative experience does not define an institution. Use student forums as a supplement—not your primary source.
Building a Balanced College List
Once a school:
- Aligns with your academic interests
- Fits your financial situation
- Has a culture that resonates with you
- Offers strong opportunities in your field
Go ahead and add it to your college list.
Repeat this process eight to twelve times, ensuring you have a mix of:
- Reach schools
- Match schools
- Safety schools
A thoughtful, well-researched college list dramatically increases your odds of both admission and long-term satisfaction. For a deeper dive into how to balance ambition with realism, revisit Creating the Perfect College List.
If you need personalized guidance building your college list, refining your academic strategy, or strengthening your overall application narrative, schedule a free consultation with our team at Dewey Smart. Strategic planning today leads to confident decisions tomorrow.