How can I decide which schools to apply to?

Hi all! I'm a junior and I'm trying to create my college list. How can I decide which schools to apply to? Are there any strategies for narrowing down my options? Thanks for any advice!

Hello! I'm glad you're thinking about your college list early. To help you decide which schools to apply to, consider the following factors: academic programs, location, campus size, and financial aid options. You may also want to consider school culture, extracurricular activities, and internship/job opportunities. Start by researching different schools and their programs online, and visiting college fairs or attending information sessions at your school. As you learn more about each school, create a list of pros and cons to help you weigh your options. Additionally, consider your own preferences and long-term goals. It's important to choose schools that align with your interests and aspirations. A helpful strategy for narrowing down your choices is to categorize schools into reach, match, and safety schools based on your GPA, standardized test scores, and other factors. Reach schools are highly competitive, match schools align with your credentials, and safety schools are those where you have a high chance of being accepted. Make sure to include a balanced mix of these categories in your final list. Good luck with your college search and application process!