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What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
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UCLA
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Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Creating a school list?

Hey there! I'm having trouble figuring out how to create a list of schools to apply to next year. Can you all give me some tips or advice on how to start building my list and finding the right fit for me?

11 months ago

Sure, I'd be happy to help you with creating your college list! The process involves considering multiple factors to find schools that align with your values, academic profile, and extracurricular interests. Here are some steps to get you started:

1. Assess your priorities: Reflect on what you value most in a college experience. Think about aspects like location, size, campus culture, academic rigor, available majors, extracurricular opportunities, and financial aid. Deciding what's most important to you will help narrow your search.

2. Research schools: Look up schools that fit your criteria from step 1. Start with some broad resources like CollegeVine or the College Board’s BigFuture search tool to identify universities which align with your preferences. Additionally, attend college fairs, virtual events, and admissions presentations to hear directly from colleges and have your questions answered.

3. Consider academic fit: Evaluate the compatibility of your academic profile (GPA, test scores, course rigor) with the admissions requirements and avergages at the schools you're interested in. Keep in mind that selective schools use the Academic Index, which weighs your academic standing against their accepted students' profiles. This helps you gauge your competitiveness for each college.

4. Categorize your list: Divide your list into three categories: safety, match, and reach schools. Safeties have a high likelihood of admitting you, while reach schools are more selective with lower odds of acceptance. Match schools fall in the middle, where your profile lines up well with their averages. Aiming for 2-4 schools in each category is a good guideline to follow.

5. Visit campuses: While not always possible, visiting campuses can provide invaluable insights into the atmosphere and feel of a college. Consider both official tours and unofficial walk-arounds for a well-rounded perspective. If you can't visit in person, take advantage of virtual tours and online resources to get a sense of the campus culture.

6. Seek input: Talk to friends, family, and current college students, who can share their insights and experiences with the schools on your list. Your school counselor can also be a valuable resource, as they may have connections to various colleges and can offer personalized advice based on your academic and personal background.

7. Refine your list: As you gather more information about each school on your list, continually reassess whether it's still a good fit for you. Don't be afraid to remove or add schools as you learn more about them. Aim to have a final list of 8-12 colleges with a balance of safety, match, and reach schools.

Remember, finding the right college for you takes time and research, so be patient and open-minded throughout the process. Best of luck in creating your college list!

11 months ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.