What's the best way to create a college list?

I'm in the process of creating my college list, and I'm not sure how many schools I should apply to or how to categorize them (safety, target, reach). What's the best way to approach this process? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Hey there! Creating a college list can be an exciting yet overwhelming process. Let me share some tips that helped my child when they were in the same situation. First, consider the factors that are most important to you in a college, such as location, size, majors offered, and campus culture. This will help narrow down your choices. Next, research each college that interests you and take note of their admission requirements, such as average GPA and standardized test scores. Based on this information, categorize the schools as safety, target, or reach. Safety schools are those where your credentials are well above the average admitted student's, target schools are those where your credentials are similar to the average admitted student's, and reach schools are those where your credentials are below the average admitted student's. It's a good idea to have a balanced list of schools in each category. A common recommendation is to apply to around 8-12 schools, with a mix of safety, target, and reach schools. Don't forget to also consider financial aid and scholarships when creating your list. Lastly, visit the campuses if possible, as this can give you valuable insight into the environment and help you make a more informed decision. Good luck with your college search!