There’s the occasional moment in a junior meeting where I can see the pressure mounting — students staring at a blank college list, parents eager to suggest the alma mater or the “top” school they read about in U.S. News, and me trying to bring the focus back to fit. Because the truth is:
A college list isn’t a wishlist. It’s a strategy.
It should reflect a student’s goals, values, academic profile, and financial reality — not just what sounds impressive in a group text or looks good on a bumper sticker.
A few of my previous posts touch on the college list like the post about student ownership or another on finding the right fit. This post will focus specifically on constructing the list, but the others may help with background.
Why I don’t use “reach” and “safety”
I’ve moved away from the traditional reach/match/safety language. Those words carry baggage. They subtly reinforce a hierarchy and the idea of “good” schools and “other” schools — as if the “reach” schools are the best and the “safeties” are where you’ll land if things go wrong.
Instead, I use:
- Aspirational – A stretch, but not impossible. Think competitive/selective, not out of reach.
- Target – Solid academic alignment; the student’s profile fits well.
- Likely – The student is stronger than the average admitted class.
- Anchor – A school that is financially and academically realistic and one the student would be excited to attend. The best case scenario is when this is the student’s #1 .
This language keeps the focus where it belongs: on the student and the data, not on rankings or ego.
The Importance of an Anchor ⚓
Every student should have at least one anchor on their list when possible. I use this term intentionally — not as a fallback, but as the school that keeps the entire college list grounded and secure.
An anchor school is one where:
- The student is likely to be admitted
- The student can afford to attend (based on net price calculators, aid packages, or in-state tuition)
- The student would be genuinely happy to attend
Why? Because life happens. Financial aid awards aren’t always what we expect. Plans change. The anchor school ensures that no matter what happens, the student has an affordable, exciting option they can say yes to. Of course, this is not always possible but I try to help students identify one anchor.
It’s not about settling. It’s about being smart — because hope is a big part of the process, but so is having a smart plan.
What a Balanced List Looks Like
While there’s no perfect formula and it depends on circumstances, I usually recommend applying to 6 – 12 schools:
- 2–3 Aspirational
- 3–5 Target
- 2+ Likely (including at least one Anchor)
The most important part of this is the 3-5 target schools and the anchor school. Having extra aspirational and likely institutions can be helpful. Regardless, every school on the list should pass the “Would I be happy to enroll here tomorrow?” test. If the answer’s no — cross it off. Even if it’s a “reach.”
Downloadable Tools to Help You Build a Strong List
I’ve created a free, easy-to-use tool you can use with students or in family meetings:
- 📘 Organized College List Template
Clean, categorized by Aspirational, Target, Likely, and Anchor. Includes space for reflection and deadlines.
These tools are designed to make the list-building process more thoughtful and student-driven — without overcomplicating it.
💬 Final Thought
Helping students build a smart, personalized college list is one of the most powerful things we can do as counselors. When the list is balanced, realistic, and full of genuine fit, the rest of the admissions process becomes a lot less overwhelming — and a lot more empowering.
It is fun for students to fill the list with highly-ranked colleges or ones they heard about on social media, but that often leads to imbalance, uncertainty, and disappointment when the decisions start coming in.