Creating Your List of Colleges

Once you've figured out what you want and how much you can afford to spend, you can start your inital list of colleges. This list should include colleges you're interested in and want to research. Don't worry about how many schools are on your initial list. We have tips and tools to help you narrow it down.

While you're searching for schools, be sure to consider all your options:

• Don't rule out a college just because you've never heard of it.
• Remember you can save money by commuting to a local college or university.
• You might consider going to a community college for two years to save money and then transferring to a four-year school.
• You might even think about taking a year off before college.

Some great ways to get started on your list include:

Fiske Interactive

Available as an iPad app and as an Online version, Fiske Interactive allows you to search through profiles and pictures of more than 300 schools included in the #1 bestselling Fiske Guide to Colleges. You can even take notes, sort schools into lists, and bookmark schools you want to further research.

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Frank Palmasani's Categorical Fits

Frank Palmasani has organized colleges into eight categories based on cost. Figure out which categories you can afford in the Paying for College section.

Fiske's Best Buys

All Fiske's Best Buys schools, both private and public, fall into the inexpensive or moderate price category, and most have a four- or five-star Fiske academic rating.

Fiske's List of Colleges with LD support

Schools on this list, both major universities and small colleges, are known to have good learning disability support.

Internet Seaches

The following websites have customizable searches that allow you to select from and input specific criteria.

SuperMatch at College Confidential

College Navigator

College Board

U.S.News