More Than a List: Turning College Search Tools Into Strategy
If you’re a high school junior, your day might look something like this: AP Lang essay due at 8:00 AM, a student council check-in during lunch, robotics club or track practice after school, and late-night prep for the Model UN conference or math competition next weekend.
Somewhere in between, someone asks: “So, where are you thinking about college?”
It’s a reasonable question—but in the middle of everything, finding time to seriously search for colleges can feel impossible. The good news? You don’t need to have all the answers right now. But you do need to start asking the right questions. And thanks to a handful of well-designed tools, it’s easier than ever to begin exploring in small, meaningful ways.
Searching with Purpose
Digital platforms have made it easier for students to explore colleges at their own pace—whether it’s while waiting for a ride home, winding down after practice, or scrolling through options on a Saturday morning. In U.S. News & World Report, Adam Nguyen, Ivy Link founder and former Columbia admissions reader, explained: “These apps help students figure out a number of important questions, such as what’s the best value, the best major. What about admission statistics and affordability?”
Apps like BigFuture, Common App, and Naviance allow students to compare schools based on academic offerings, cost, location, and more. For example, one student started searching for universities that had strong psychology programs and community-based internships—and was able to shortlist options that aligned with her career goals and budget. Another student used Naviance to see how his GPA stacked up against past applicants from his school and discovered a few target schools he hadn’t considered.
Nguyen also noted that some students are using tools like ChatGPT to summarize college websites or generate questions to ask during campus visits. These tools don’t replace the insight of a counselor, but they can help students organize their thinking and build momentum.
Finding the Right Fit
What all of these platforms have in common is this: they give you a place to start. They help you move from “I don’t know” to “I’m starting to get a sense of what I want”—and that’s powerful.
Still, the best college searches go beyond filters and lists. As we shared in our blog, “Where Will You Thrive?,” more than one-third of students transfer colleges due to poor fit. That’s why it’s important to think about more than just rankings or prestige. Ask yourself:
Do I want a collaborative, discussion-based classroom or a fast-paced lecture hall?
Would I rather be in a tight-knit campus town or a major city with internships close by?
Do I feel energized by large, diverse environments—or do I thrive in smaller communities?
The student who loves building rockets might want a campus with accessible engineering labs and professors who lead design competitions. The student running the school newspaper may care more about journalism fellowships and mentorship. Your goals shape your list—and that’s what makes it strategic.
When you're ready to move from exploration to execution—whether that's shaping a college list, planning out your application timeline, or preparing for the ACT or SAT—Ivy Link is here to help. Led by Adam Nguyen, our advising team offers personalized guidance that fits around your schedule and focuses on what matters most to you.
