What is the role of the “College List Development” service, and how do you determine “best fit” schools?

The College List Development service is arguably the most strategic part of our college consulting. The goal isn’t just to list prestigious names; it’s to create a balanced, personalized list that maximizes your child’s success and happiness or what we call the best fit. Our educational consultants begin with a holistic approach, thoroughly assessing your student’s academic strengths, personal interests, and desired geographic location. We then categorize schools into target, reach, and safety schools, using current admissions data to ensure an appropriate balance. We look beyond basic ranking, focusing on factors like departmental specialization, student culture, and job placement rates within their specific area of interest. This meticulous strategic planning prevents wasted time on schools that are poor fits and dramatically improves the effectiveness of every other part of the college application process.