How to Cut Down?

vinceh
Mon, 16 Jul 2012 10:51:12 +0000

M’sMom, I like your strategy but it strikes me that someone who’s struggling to cut down a list of 18 may not be in a position to commit to an ED choice.

Strategy suggestion 1. For the rest of the summer take a day for each school and walk around telling yourself “I’m going to XYZ U.” You might find that some schools don’t “fit” when you try wearing them.

Strategy suggestion 2. Group your schools by Safety, Match and Reach (be brutally honest). Set a goal of how many schools from each group you want (my recommendation is 2 safety, 4-5 match, 2 reach, but YMMV). Then remorselessly compare and contrast the schools within each group. Cost. Geography. Distance. Major. Size. Diversity. Intangibles. Rank them then whittle away.

Strategy 3. Three bags - Safety, Match & Reach. Put the names of the schools in the appropriate bag. Draw from the bags until you have the pre-decided number of colleges. If all 18 of your schools truly are interchangeable then any will do.