Building your college list – Admissions Blog

Grace McMahan

October 2, 2026

Building your college list can be a daunting task, especially for high school students. The process involves considering various factors to find the right fit. While some students may have a clear idea of their dream university, others might struggle to narrow down their choices. This blog post aims to provide guidance on how to build a well-rounded college list.

First and foremost, college is a place to pursue education. It’s crucial to apply to schools that offer programs and opportunities that will allow you to have the richest academic experience possible. If you’re confident in your career goals, explore different majors offered at various schools. Read descriptions of courses and research what university graduates in your field of interest have accomplished. Some universities even offer special programs like Combined Degree Programs, which can help you towards a higher degree while completing your undergraduate education.

For many students, deciding on a career path can be daunting. Instead of focusing solely on future careers, consider how a college will allow you to explore a variety of academic opportunities. For instance, if you want to do undergraduate research but aren’t sure what field of study you want to pursue, you could start by exploring the differences between research universities and liberal arts colleges. Comparing the curriculum requirements for different colleges can also be helpful. Many schools have general education requirements or major declaration requirements that can make it harder to take courses across disciplines. For me, and for many students, deciding on a career path feels daunting as a teenager. Instead, it can be helpful to focus on how a college will allow you to explore a variety of academic opportunities.

Another important factor to consider is where you’ll live. College is not just about going to school; it’s also about the physical location where you’ll spend the majority of your four years. Think about where you want to be—how far from home is too far? Do you prefer to be driving distance or across the country? Universities can be in city environments with no enclosed campus or more rural and far from metropolitan areas. Consider where you grew up or places you’ve visited and what aspects you like and what you wish was different. Being on a campus near a city or suburb was important to me when choosing a college, and now exploring downtown Rochester is one of my favorite things to do.

Another aspect of physical location is campus size. Some schools feel like small cities, with thousands of students on campus and buses from one side of campus to the other. Others are the size of many public high schools. It can be really helpful to visit schools in different types of areas and of different sizes at the beginning of your college journey. For example, if you discover that you really like the experience of a huge university with a large student population and campus, that can help narrow your search for schools.

The most ambiguous factor in building a college list is the culture. Unfortunately, campus culture is also something that is difficult to define. It can include everything from school spirit to fraternity and sorority life to student organizations to religious and cultural groups. Each of these helps make universities unique and different from one another. It can also be helpful to think about how you spend your leisure time and what you value spending time on. Do you love attending sports events? Look for schools with strong athletic programs and school spirit. Are you looking to meet other students with a shared background or culture? Check out the demographic statistics and cultural groups available for students at a school. Is it important for you to join a Greek life organization? Make sure schools you apply to offer that opportunity.

While it is difficult to pinpoint the specific “vibe” of a particular school, being able to picture yourself walking the campus or joining specific clubs is a signal that a campus culture might be a good fit. Visiting campus is a great way to get a feel for a school. Sign up for a URochester campus tour during your application process. During my application process, I appreciated that URochester student organizations advertise and organize tons of volunteer opportunities, like this walk supporting Alzheimer’s awareness.

Trust your gut. I heard the saying “there is no best college, only the best college for you” often during my college admission process. While it is certainly true that there is no best university, I would have loved for someone to tell me that it’s also okay if you don’t feel like any school on your list is exactly right. During your exploration process, it can be easy to think everyone else has their perfect school figured out or get caught up in classmates’ college application plans. Outside voices, even from loved ones and trusted friends, can often cloud your own thoughts. The biggest tip I can offer is to listen to your gut. No one’s input matters more than the person who gets to live, learn, and grow at college— you!

Return to the top of the page

See maps and directions

Rochester, NY 14627

Search rochester.edu

Accessibility Nondiscrimination Feedback Privacy Copyright Emergency Information © University of Rochester 1996-2026

official portal

News is prepared from public university announcements for general guidance. Policies change frequently; confirm current details with each university admissions office.