<p>How? tk: you read Fiske or PR or similar. Yes they are also profit-motivated, but comprehensive- not a pyramid, not a listing of 30. You check your scores, interests, various strengths at colleges, then go to the college’s own websites for detail and an idea of what they tout. These books also list “like” colleges. After that, check depts and course lists. For heaven’s sake why use USNWR or Forbes for this? How could one blindly place him/herself via that? What do you learn about Amherst, Bowdoin or Stanford from USNWR? Do you learn if your program is exceptional there? The variety of leadership opps, career-related support, faculty availability? There is no one-size-fits-all.</p>