--- title: "College List Builder: Reach, Match & Likely | Elite Prep" description: "A free college search workbook: your academic profile, what you want from college, and a list of eight colleges sorted into reach, match and likely." url: "https://eliteprep.com/college-list-builder/" image: "https://eliteprep.com/og/tool/en/college-list-builder.png" language: "en" source: "eliteprep build" --- # 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](https://eliteprep.com/gpa-calculator/), or compare SAT and ACT scores with the [score converter](https://eliteprep.com/sat-act-score-conversion/). 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 Step 5 ## What Are You Looking For in a College? Answer each question, then mark how much it matters to you. The "very important" ones are the ones to check first on every college's website. How far from home would you like to be? Close by Within a 2-hour drive Accessible by plane How important? Very important Somewhat important Which environment do you prefer? Large city Suburb Small city or town Rural How important? Very important Somewhat important Do you want to live in or near a particular city or town? How important? Very important Somewhat important Does the weather matter to you? I prefer to see the sun year-round I prefer to experience all four seasons How important? Very important Somewhat important What size college do you prefer? Small (under 2,500) Medium (under 10,000) Large (under 20,000) Very large (over 20,000) How important? Very important Somewhat important What are your housing preferences? Live off campus after freshman year Live on campus for all four years How important? Very important Somewhat important How diverse a campus do you want? Very diverse Moderately diverse How important? Very important Somewhat important Do you want a campus with a special focus? Religious Women only Military academy How important? Very important Somewhat important Are there specific majors or courses that you want a college to offer? How important? Very important Somewhat important Which classroom environment do you prefer? Small classes (under 20 students) Large classes (over 150 students) A mix of class sizes How important? Very important Somewhat important Are there any special learning opportunities you are looking for? Core curriculum Open curriculum Honors programs Study abroad Undergraduate science research Internships Co-ops How important? Very important Somewhat important What kind of intellectual environment do you prefer? Very rigorous Midrange Less intense How important? Very important Somewhat important How important is it for you to apply to a top-ranked college? Top 15 Top 25 Top 50 Top 100 How important? Very important Somewhat important Are there particular extracurricular activities or special facilities you’re looking for? How important? Very important Somewhat important How are you planning to participate in sports in college? Division I Division II Division III Club or intramural sports How important? Very important Somewhat important How important is the availability of scholarships? Merit Need-based How important? Very important Somewhat important Step 6 ## Your College List Up to eight colleges, with the admission statistics, requirements and deadlines from each one's website. Answer the three fit questions and each card shows a rough estimate: a **reach** when the college admits fewer than 20% or your numbers are below its averages, **likely** when they are above, and a **match** otherwise. A balanced list has some of each. **College 1 Fit not estimated Reach Match Likely** College or university Location Undergraduate enrollment Admission rate Average GPA of admitted students Average SAT/ACT score of admitted students Majors offered that interest you Early application deadline Regular decision deadline Scholarship deadline Annual cost of attendance (tuition + room and board) SAT/ACT scores Required Optional Not considered Teacher recommendations required 0 1 2 Optional supplemental materials Portfolio Interview Video introduction Your GPA compared with its average admitted GPA Above About the same Below Your SAT/ACT compared with its average admitted score Above About the same Below Not sending a score It admits fewer than 20% of applicants Notes **College 2 Fit not estimated Reach Match Likely** College or university Location Undergraduate enrollment Admission rate Average GPA of admitted students Average SAT/ACT score of admitted students Majors offered that interest you Early application deadline Regular decision deadline Scholarship deadline Annual cost of attendance (tuition + room and board) SAT/ACT scores Required Optional Not considered Teacher recommendations required 0 1 2 Optional supplemental materials Portfolio Interview Video introduction Your GPA compared with its average admitted GPA Above About the same Below Your SAT/ACT compared with its average admitted score Above About the same Below Not sending a score It admits fewer than 20% of applicants Notes **College 3 Fit not estimated Reach Match Likely** College or university Location Undergraduate enrollment Admission rate Average GPA of admitted students Average SAT/ACT score of admitted students Majors offered that interest you Early application deadline Regular decision deadline Scholarship deadline Annual cost of attendance (tuition + room and board) SAT/ACT scores Required Optional Not considered Teacher recommendations required 0 1 2 Optional supplemental materials Portfolio Interview Video introduction Your GPA compared with its average admitted GPA Above About the same Below Your SAT/ACT compared with its average admitted score Above About the same Below Not sending a score It admits fewer than 20% of applicants Notes **College 4 Fit not estimated Reach Match Likely** College or university Location Undergraduate enrollment Admission rate Average GPA of admitted students Average SAT/ACT score of admitted students Majors offered that interest you Early application deadline Regular decision deadline Scholarship deadline Annual cost of attendance (tuition + room and board) SAT/ACT scores Required Optional Not considered Teacher recommendations required 0 1 2 Optional supplemental materials Portfolio Interview Video introduction Your GPA compared with its average admitted GPA Above About the same Below Your SAT/ACT compared with its average admitted score Above About the same Below Not sending a score It admits fewer than 20% of applicants Notes **College 5 Fit not estimated Reach Match Likely** College or university Location Undergraduate enrollment Admission rate Average GPA of admitted students Average SAT/ACT score of admitted students Majors offered that interest you Early application deadline Regular decision deadline Scholarship deadline Annual cost of attendance (tuition + room and board) SAT/ACT scores Required Optional Not considered Teacher recommendations required 0 1 2 Optional supplemental materials Portfolio Interview Video introduction Your GPA compared with its average admitted GPA Above About the same Below Your SAT/ACT compared with its average admitted score Above About the same Below Not sending a score It admits fewer than 20% of applicants Notes **College 6 Fit not estimated Reach Match Likely** College or university Location Undergraduate enrollment Admission rate Average GPA of admitted students Average SAT/ACT score of admitted students Majors offered that interest you Early application deadline Regular decision deadline Scholarship deadline Annual cost of attendance (tuition + room and board) SAT/ACT scores Required Optional Not considered Teacher recommendations required 0 1 2 Optional supplemental materials Portfolio Interview Video introduction Your GPA compared with its average admitted GPA Above About the same Below Your SAT/ACT compared with its average admitted score Above About the same Below Not sending a score It admits fewer than 20% of applicants Notes **College 7 Fit not estimated Reach Match Likely** College or university Location Undergraduate enrollment Admission rate Average GPA of admitted students Average SAT/ACT score of admitted students Majors offered that interest you Early application deadline Regular decision deadline Scholarship deadline Annual cost of attendance (tuition + room and board) SAT/ACT scores Required Optional Not considered Teacher recommendations required 0 1 2 Optional supplemental materials Portfolio Interview Video introduction Your GPA compared with its average admitted GPA Above About the same Below Your SAT/ACT compared with its average admitted score Above About the same Below Not sending a score It admits fewer than 20% of applicants Notes **College 8 Fit not estimated Reach Match Likely** College or university Location Undergraduate enrollment Admission rate Average GPA of admitted students Average SAT/ACT score of admitted students Majors offered that interest you Early application deadline Regular decision deadline Scholarship deadline Annual cost of attendance (tuition + room and board) SAT/ACT scores Required Optional Not considered Teacher recommendations required 0 1 2 Optional supplemental materials Portfolio Interview Video introduction Your GPA compared with its average admitted GPA Above About the same Below Your SAT/ACT compared with its average admitted score Above About the same Below Not sending a score It admits fewer than 20% of applicants Notes What you enter lasts until you close this page. Nothing is sent anywhere. To work on paper, print this page: every college prints open, with lines to write on. ## 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](https://eliteprep.com/consulting/) [Open the college visit worksheet](https://eliteprep.com/college-visit-worksheet/) [Should you apply early?](https://eliteprep.com/early-decision-vs-early-action/) [Download the workbook as a printable PDF](https://media.eliteprep.com/documents/Brochure-11x8522-Elite_Prep_College_List_Builder_05-01-2025.pdf)