College List Builder

The college search ends with finding colleges that fit you academically, socially and financially, where you will grow and reach your goals. It begins with understanding you: what you want from college, and how competitive you are as an applicant. Work through this page in order, over as many sittings as you need.

Step 1

Your Academic Profile

Colleges consider a host of academic and non-academic factors in selecting the first-year class. Take a moment to jot down yours.

Your GPA, unweighted (grades 9–11)

Your GPA, weighted (grades 9–11)

Number of AP classes (grades 9–12)

SAT or ACT composite score

AP exam scores (subjects and scores)

Extracurricular activities: your top 3, including leadership roles and your highest achievement in each

Not sure of your GPA? Work it out with the GPA calculator, or compare SAT and ACT scores with the score converter.

Step 2

What Do You Want From College?

1.Why do you want to go to college? In other words, what do you want to get out of college?
2.If you have an intended major or career, what types of activities would you like to do in college to pursue your academic and career goals?
3.Aside from academics, what extracurricular activities on and off campus would you like to engage in during college?
4.What are three things you do that you want to be able to continue to do in college?
5.What three things would you like to do that you’ve never done before during your college years?
6.What parts of your hometown do you like and not like? Are you looking for a similar or different environment during college?

Step 3

Your Interests and Where They Lead

Students are often told to follow their passion. Start by listing what you enjoy in school and outside it, why, and the careers each could lead to. Do you see overlaps or connections?

Courses or subjects you enjoy at school

Why do you enjoy these subjects?

Possible careers

An interest you have outside of class

Why do you enjoy this activity?

Possible careers

Another interest you have outside of class

Why do you enjoy this activity?

Possible careers

Research Three Careers

The knowledge and skills a career needs tell you which majors and opportunities to look for in a college. Look up the work environment, the salary, and where people are after ten years.

Career 1

Education required (undergraduate degree, or graduate/professional degree)

Knowledge you will need

Skills you should develop

Work environment

Salary after 5 years

What position do people have after 10 years?

Career 2

Education required (undergraduate degree, or graduate/professional degree)

Knowledge you will need

Skills you should develop

Work environment

Salary after 5 years

What position do people have after 10 years?

Career 3

Education required (undergraduate degree, or graduate/professional degree)

Knowledge you will need

Skills you should develop

Work environment

Salary after 5 years

What position do people have after 10 years?

Step 4

Types of Colleges and Universities

Public Universities vs. Private Colleges and Universities

Public universities tend to be large (some have student enrollment as large as 40,000 students), and private colleges and universities may range from 1,500 to 15,000 or more students.

Tuition at public universities tends to be more affordable than that at private colleges, especially for in-state students. By contrast, tuition at private colleges and universities is the same regardless of where the student resides.

Public universities

Supported by taxpayers in the state
In-state residents pay less than non-residents (students from out of state and international students)
University of California tuition in 2025: about $15,000 for residents and $49,000 for non-residents
Large student body: 15,000–40,000 undergraduates
No religious affiliation

Private colleges and universities

Main sources of income are tuition and investments
Not supported by taxpayers in the state, so all students pay the same tuition
Tuition is much higher than at public universities: $55,000 and up in 2025
Small to large student body: 1,500–15,000 undergraduates
Many are religiously affiliated

Research Universities vs. Liberal Arts Colleges

Research universities offer both undergraduate and graduate degree programs as well as professional programs in business, engineering, medicine, and law. Their professors tend to spend considerable time and effort conducting research across disciplines from the sciences to the social sciences to the humanities.

Liberal arts colleges, on the other hand, tend to focus more on the undergraduate educational experience. Hallmarks of a liberal arts education include wide-ranging curricula, smaller class sizes, and tight-knit communities.

Research universities

Over 100 majors (many choices, easier to change majors)
Research opportunities with professors who are experts in their fields (they wrote the textbook)
Strong engineering programs
Diverse student body (racially, ethnically, geographically, etc.)
Many on-campus activities (hundreds of student organizations, major sports programs, concerts organized by the university)
On-campus housing not guaranteed after the first year

Liberal arts colleges

Focus on undergraduate education (classes are taught by professors who care about teaching)
Small class sizes (typically fewer than 20 students) promote the sharing of ideas and connecting with peers
Close interaction with professors in and outside of class (makes it easier to get recommendation letters for graduate school)
Residential colleges (on-campus housing for all four years)
No need to compete with graduate students for research opportunities with professors

From a List to Applications

Visit the colleges you can, and use the college visit worksheet to compare them. An Elite Prep counselor can help you balance the list and plan each application.

Talk to a college counselor Open the college visit worksheet Should you apply early?

Download the workbook as a printable PDF

College List Builder

Your Academic Profile

What Do You Want From College?

Your Interests and Where They Lead

Research Three Careers

Types of Colleges and Universities

Public Universities vs. Private Colleges and Universities

Public universities

Private colleges and universities

Research Universities vs. Liberal Arts Colleges

Research universities

Liberal arts colleges

What Are You Looking For in a College?

Your College List

From a List to Applications