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Narrow Your School List
TASK: After casting a wide net and making a long list of schools that sound like a match, it is time to create a narrowed, more official "list" of the schools to which you will apply. This list will also serve as the schools you intend to visit in the future.
WHY: As much as you think you will have time to apply to 1,001 schools, realistically, with homework and activities and tests - not to mention the essay writing and all the steps required to write the applications and forms - you will need a focused group of schools that match your personality and ability.
METHOD: Take your large list and make new columns by your academic and activity profile:
• Reach Schools: any schools with extremely selective admissions or schools where you do not have a high chance of admission as your profile is below the average admitted student
• Solid Schools: where you fit into the rough average student profile
• Safety Schools: where your data essentially assures you a spot (usually at least one state school)
Develop a new list of about 10 to 20 schools combining a majority of Safety and Solid Schools with a few favorite Reach Schools. You will narrow the list again later, but try to get this to the list of schools you will really be investigating.
Web Resources
For more questions to ask yourself as you narrow your list, click to Suite 101's article: www.suite101.com - Narrowing Your College Search
News from Princeton
Princeton University may send about 10 percent of its incoming students outside the U.S. for a "bridge year" of public service, according to a statement released by the school.
HoH Tips
As you narrow your list, consider schools of the same genre (size, atmosphere, location, academic focus) that you want. If you want a small school, focus only on the small ones. If you want quiet, do not apply to urban campuses. Applying to the entire Ivy League is silly - they are quite different schools.