IvyWise KnowledgeBase
College Lists

“I got a B in AP Calculus,” a student recently said to me. “I guess I won’t have a shot at my dream schools, since I know colleges automatically reject students who don’t have straight A’s.” This is a conversation I often have with students this time of year. I assured my student that one B on his otherwise flawless transcript does not make it or break it. However, having worked in the admissions office at Columbia University — which has a 4.1% acceptance rate — I’m not naive about the selective review process.

When it comes to researching colleges, there is certainly not a lack of information available — so much so that it can be overwhelming to figure out which data points are most useful. Numerous ranked lists are published annually, there are websites that provide students’ reviews of colleges, and then there’s my personal favorite, the thick, desktop Bound-For-College Guidebook.

In S2 E1 of our podcast, IvyWise experts explain how the transfer admissions process works and share tips on how students can build their balanced college lists and perfect their application materials. Tune in here!

I’ve spent a lot of time over the past several years thinking about the answer to one (admittedly nerdy, very college counselor-y) question: If I could go to college all over again, which school would I choose? I attended a medium-sized research institution in a major city in the southern U.S. and had a very good experience.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are institutions of higher education in the United States that were established with the primary goal of providing educational opportunities for African Americans during a time of widespread racial segregation. HBCUs offer a diverse range of academic programs and contribute significantly to research, community development, and the overall advancement of knowledge. While HBCUs now admit students of all races, they continue to play a significant role in providing access to higher education for Black students.  

Students must weigh many considerations when compiling their list of best-fit colleges, including application fees. Many universities include a fee that prospective students must pay when submitting their applications unless the student qualifies for fee waivers.

When it comes to helping your student craft their college list, fit is the most important decision factor. This is especially true when your child has a disability and needs extra support and accommodations to be successful in college.

You have so many factors to consider during your college search. Students are thinking about everything from, “does this school offer the major I want to pursue?” to “will there be pick-up games of Ultimate frisbee on the quad?” Not to mention the cost of tuition, how far away from home campus will be, the selectivity and reputation of the school, and even how the size of the campus will impact all their priorities.

It’s important to dream big when planning for your future, but college bound students also need to dream smart when it comes to their college lists. A list too heavy on “reach” schools leads to an unbalanced college list and a greater chance of students being left with few offers of admission come decision day.

College rankings are often the first exposure that many students have to the concept of a “college list.” It’s easy to become familiar with a few “name brand” schools after seeing them at the top of a list, but what does that number actually mean? And should college rankings play a part in your college list research?