A grand historical architecture in a middle of field with framing trees.

Archway Quest

Strategic International Enrollment & Asia-Pacific Education Intelligence

Explore

↓

List Building Guide

Your Complete Toolkit for Finding Universities Where You’ll Thrive

From Andrew’s Member Area
Former Admissions Officer • Cultural Bridge Builder • Your Stress-Free Guide

Contents:

  • Part 1: Understanding University Types
  • Part 2: Research Framework – Beyond Rankings
  • Part 3: Research Methods That Work
  • Part 4: Building Your Balanced List
  • Part 5: Research Worksheets
  • Part 6: Decision-Making Framework
  • Part 7: Managing Family Expectations
  • Part 8: Common Research Mistakes to Avoid
  • Part 9: Maintaining Perspective
  • Part 10: Action Steps

Introduction: Research That Actually Matters

Stop obsessing over rankings. This guide will help you research universities based on what actually determines your happiness and success during your four years in the US.

Remember: The goal isn’t to find the most prestigious name. It’s to find where you’ll genuinely thrive as both a student and a person.

Subscribe to get access

Read more of this content when you subscribe today.

Subscribe

Part 1: Understanding University Types

Public Universities

Characteristics:

  • State-funded institutions
  • Larger student populations (often 20,000-50,000+)
  • More affordable tuition for residents
  • Strong research opportunities
  • Diverse academic offerings

Examples: UC Berkeley, University of Michigan, University of Virginia

Good fit if you:

  • Thrive in larger, dynamic environments
  • Want extensive research opportunities
  • Prefer more independence and self-direction
  • Value diversity of student experiences

Private Universities

Characteristics:

  • Privately funded institutions
  • Often smaller than public universities
  • Higher tuition but potentially better financial aid
  • More intimate campus communities
  • Strong alumni networks

Examples: Stanford, Northwestern, Duke

Good fit if you:

  • Prefer smaller class sizes
  • Value close relationships with professors
  • Want strong institutional support systems
  • Appreciate tradition and campus culture

Liberal Arts Colleges

Characteristics:

  • Small student populations (often 1,000-3,000)
  • Teaching-focused (not research-focused)
  • Professors know you personally
  • Strong sense of community
  • Broad academic exploration encouraged

Examples: Williams, Pomona, Swarthmore

Good fit if you:

  • Learn best through discussion and interaction
  • Want professors to know your name
  • Value intellectual exploration over pre-professional training
  • Prefer tight-knit community environments

Religious Institutions

Characteristics:

  • Founded by religious organizations
  • Often welcome students of all backgrounds
  • Strong sense of community and values
  • May have specific cultural or ethical emphases
  • Can offer excellent education regardless of your religious beliefs

Examples: Notre Dame, Georgetown, Brandeis

Good fit if you:

  • Value community service and ethical development
  • Appreciate values-based education
  • Want supportive, caring environments
  • Are comfortable with (but don’t necessarily share) religious traditions

Part 2: Research Framework – Beyond Rankings

Academic Factors to Investigate

Your Intended Major:

  • How strong is the department? (Look at faculty credentials, not just rankings)
  • What opportunities exist for undergraduates? (Research, internships, study abroad)
  • Are there special programs or concentrations within your major?
  • What do graduates from this program typically do after college?

Teaching Style and Class Size:

  • Average class sizes in your major
  • Student-to-faculty ratio
  • Discussion-based vs. lecture-based learning
  • Accessibility of professors outside of class

Academic Flexibility:

  • How easy is it to change majors?
  • Can you double major or minor easily?
  • Are there interdisciplinary opportunities?
  • What are general education requirements like?

Campus Environment Factors

Location Considerations:

  • Urban, suburban, or rural setting?
  • Climate and seasonal changes
  • Distance from major cities or airports
  • Cost of living in the surrounding area

Campus Culture:

  • Competitive vs. collaborative atmosphere
  • Work-hard-play-hard vs. more academically focused
  • How do students spend their free time?
  • What traditions or events define the campus experience?

Diversity and Inclusion:

  • International student population percentage
  • Cultural organizations and support systems
  • How welcoming is the campus to different backgrounds?
  • Are there mentorship programs for international students?

Campus Life:

  • Housing options (required on-campus years, types available)
  • Dining options and quality
  • Transportation around campus and to nearby areas
  • Recreation and fitness facilities

Practical Considerations

Financial Reality:

  • Total cost of attendance (tuition + room/board + fees + personal expenses)
  • Average debt load of graduates
  • Financial aid policies for international students
  • Work-study opportunities for international students

Career Services:

  • Job placement rates for your intended field
  • Alumni network strength in your areas of interest
  • Internship programs and corporate partnerships
  • Graduate school placement rates (if relevant)

International Student Support:

  • Dedicated international student services office
  • Orientation programs for international students
  • Cultural adjustment support programs
  • Academic support (writing centers, tutoring)

Part 3: Research Methods That Work

Primary Research Sources

University Websites:

  • Official admissions pages
  • Department pages for your intended major
  • Student life sections
  • International student resources

Virtual Campus Tours:

  • Official university virtual tours
  • Student-led tour videos on YouTube
  • Live virtual information sessions

Direct Contact:

  • Email admissions offices with specific questions
  • Connect with current students through Instagram or university groups
  • Attend virtual college fairs and information sessions

Secondary Research Sources

College Guidebooks and Websites:

  • The Fiske Guide to Colleges
  • Princeton Review college profiles
  • College Confidential forums (but take with a grain of salt)
  • Niche.com for student reviews

Social Media Research:

  • University Instagram accounts for campus life insights
  • Student takeover accounts
  • TikTok videos from current students
  • LinkedIn for alumni career outcomes

Questions to Ask Current Students

Academic Experience:

  • “What’s your favorite and least favorite thing about academics here?”
  • “How accessible are professors for help outside of class?”
  • “What’s the workload like compared to what you expected?”

Social Life:

  • “How easy is it to make friends here?”
  • “What do people do for fun on weekends?”
  • “How inclusive does the campus feel for international students?”

Practical Matters:

  • “What do you wish you had known before coming here?”
  • “How expensive is daily life beyond tuition and housing?”
  • “What’s the career services support actually like?”

Part 4: Building Your Balanced List

The Strategic Approach: Reach, Match, Safety

Reach Universities (3-4 schools):

  • Your academic credentials are below their typical admitted student profile
  • Admission is competitive given your statistics
  • Apply because you’re genuinely excited about these schools, not just because they’re prestigious
  • Think of these as “wonderful surprises” if you get in

Match Universities (4-6 schools):

  • Your academic credentials align with their typical admitted student profile
  • You have a reasonable chance of admission
  • You’d be genuinely excited to attend any of these
  • These should be the core of your list

Safety Universities (2-3 schools):

  • Your academic credentials exceed their typical admitted student profile
  • Admission is very likely
  • CRUCIAL: You can genuinely see yourself being happy there
  • These aren’t “backup” schools – they’re solid choices where you’ll thrive

Red Flags to Avoid

Don’t apply to a university if:

  • You only know its ranking, not what makes it special
  • You can’t articulate why it’s a good fit for you specifically
  • You wouldn’t be happy attending (especially for safety schools)
  • You’re applying just because your parents have heard of it
  • The financial cost would create significant family hardship

Green Flags to Seek

Apply to universities where:

  • You can clearly explain why it’s a good fit for your goals
  • The campus culture aligns with your personality
  • You’re excited about specific opportunities available there
  • The academic environment matches how you learn best
  • You feel comfortable with the location and setting

Part 5: Research Worksheets

University Research Template

Basic Information:

  • University Name: ________________
  • Location: ________________
  • Type: Public / Private / Liberal Arts / Religious
  • Size: ________________ students
  • Setting: Urban / Suburban / Rural

Academic Factors:

  • Strength in your intended major (1-5 scale): ____
  • Class sizes in your major: ________________
  • Special programs of interest: ________________
  • Study abroad opportunities: ________________

Campus Environment:

  • Overall campus culture: ________________
  • International student percentage: ____%
  • Cultural organizations available: ________________
  • Housing requirements: ________________

Financial Considerations:

  • Total cost of attendance: $________________
  • Financial aid available to international students: Yes / No / Limited
  • Average debt of graduates: $________________

Fit Assessment:

  • Why this university interests you: ________________
  • How it aligns with your goals: ________________
  • Potential concerns: ________________
  • Overall excitement level (1-5): ____

List Building Strategy Worksheet

Step 1: Self-Assessment

  • What type of learning environment helps you thrive?
  • What size community feels most comfortable to you?
  • What climate and location preferences do you have?
  • What are your non-negotiable requirements?
  • What are your nice-to-have preferences?

Step 2: Initial Research

  • List 20-25 universities that initially interest you
  • Research each using the template above
  • Eliminate universities that don’t meet your non-negotiables

Step 3: Categorization Based on your academic profile, categorize your remaining schools:

Reach Schools (aim for 3-4):

Match Schools (aim for 4-6):

Safety Schools (aim for 2-3):

Step 4: Final Refinement

  • Can you articulate why each school is a good fit?
  • Are you genuinely excited about all your safety schools?
  • Is your list geographically diverse (if that matters to you)?
  • Is your list financially realistic for your family?

Part 6: Decision-Making Framework

The “Happiness Test”

For each university on your list, honestly answer:

  1. Can I see myself thriving here academically?
    • Will the teaching style work for me?
    • Are the opportunities I want available?
    • Will I be challenged but not overwhelmed?
  2. Can I see myself being happy here socially?
    • Will I find my community here?
    • Do the social opportunities appeal to me?
    • Will I feel included and valued?
  3. Can I see myself growing here personally?
    • Will this environment help me develop as a person?
    • Are there opportunities to explore new interests?
    • Will I feel supported during challenges?
  4. Is this financially sustainable for my family?
    • Can we afford this without creating significant hardship?
    • Are there realistic financial aid opportunities?
    • Is the potential debt load manageable?

If you can’t answer “yes” to all four questions, reconsider whether this university belongs on your list.

The “Gut Check” Exercise

After all your research, sit quietly and imagine yourself:

  • Walking across campus on a typical Tuesday
  • Sitting in a class discussion
  • Eating in the dining hall
  • Hanging out with friends on the weekend
  • Calling home to tell your family about your day

If imagining these scenarios makes you feel excited and comfortable, that’s a good sign. If you feel anxious or uncertain, dig deeper into what’s causing those feelings.

Part 7: Managing Family Expectations

Educating Your Family About Fit vs. Prestige

Help your family understand:

  • Success happens at many different types of universities
  • Fit is more important than rankings for long-term happiness
  • Employers care more about what you accomplished than where you went
  • The “best” university is the one where you’ll thrive, not necessarily the most famous one

Having Productive Conversations

When discussing your list with family:

  • Share your research process and decision-making framework
  • Explain why each school is a good fit for your specific goals
  • Acknowledge their concerns while advocating for your priorities
  • Suggest they research your schools too, beyond just rankings

Sample conversation starter: “I’ve been doing extensive research on universities, and I’d love to share what I’ve learned about fit and why these schools are great matches for my goals. Can I walk you through my research process?”

Part 8: Common Research Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Ranking Obsession

Instead of: Only looking at top-ranked schools Do this: Research schools across different selectivity levels that match your interests

Mistake #2: Insufficient Safety School Research

Instead of: Treating safety schools as afterthoughts Do this: Research safety schools as thoroughly as reach schools

Mistake #3: Geographic Limitations

Instead of: Only considering schools in certain states or regions Do this: Be open to different locations that might offer great opportunities

Mistake #4: Ignoring Financial Reality

Instead of: Assuming financial aid will make everything affordable Do this: Have honest conversations about what your family can realistically afford

Mistake #5: Following Others’ Choices

Instead of: Applying where friends are applying or where others recommend Do this: Make choices based on your own research and preferences

Part 9: Maintaining Perspective

Remember: Multiple Paths to Success

  • There are hundreds of excellent universities in the US
  • Students succeed and thrive at institutions across all selectivity levels
  • Your effort and engagement matter more than the name on your diploma
  • The “best” education is the one that helps you grow academically and personally

Managing Research Overwhelm

If research feels overwhelming:

  • Set specific research goals for each session (e.g., “Today I’ll research 3 universities”)
  • Take breaks between research sessions
  • Focus on fit factors rather than trying to rank everything
  • Remember that most universities will offer you excellent opportunities

Trust the process:

  • Good research takes time, but it leads to better decisions
  • It’s okay to change your mind about schools as you learn more
  • The goal is finding good fits, not finding the “perfect” school
  • Multiple schools on your final list should be places where you’d be happy

Part 10: Action Steps

This Week:

  • Complete the self-assessment questions in Part 5
  • Create your initial list of 20-25 universities to research
  • Set up a research organization system (spreadsheet, notebook, etc.)

Next Two Weeks:

  • Use the research template to investigate your initial list
  • Eliminate universities that don’t meet your non-negotiables
  • Begin categorizing remaining schools into reach/match/safety

Following Two Weeks:

  • Apply the “Happiness Test” to each remaining university
  • Refine your list to 9-13 total universities
  • Share your research process and findings with family

Ongoing:

  • Attend virtual information sessions for your top choices
  • Connect with current students at universities of high interest
  • Continue refining your list based on new information

Conclusion: Trust Your Research

You’ve done the work. You’ve thought carefully about fit, explored different options, and considered multiple factors beyond prestige. Trust that this process will lead you to universities where you’ll genuinely thrive.

Remember: The goal isn’t to find the most impressive name to announce to others. It’s to find places where you’ll spend four transformative years growing academically, personally, and socially.

Your research matters. Your preferences matter. Your happiness matters.

Trust yourself, trust the process, and trust that there are multiple wonderful paths ahead of you.

This guide is part of Andrew’s Member Area resources. For personalized guidance on your specific university research questions, submit a question through the member Q&A system.

Need more individualized support? Consider booking a consultation session for personalized list-building guidance tailored to your specific profile and goals.