ST. VINCENT DE PAUL COLLEGE PREP COLLEGE CORNER
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college search

​Researching colleges can be a daunting process for many, but our hope is that you find this process to be exciting.   Each family proceeds through the college search process at their own pace. Some students are eager to get started, and others may want to avoid the conversation for as long as possible.  Many factors may influence the discussion. Opinions and suggestions will come from everywhere. Sorting it out can be a challenge.

A key aspect will be some self-reflection on the part of the student.   Often those who do best at this are those who truly think about who they are as a person and what kind of learner they are.  This is where the Maia Learning assessments help.  While the reputation of a college is important, to some extent, to most people the more critical question is whether a school is a good “fit” or not. 

Your beginning list of colleges should be the result of a team effort among student, parents, and counselor.  Each brings certain knowledge and expertise that is important to the planning. The list may be quite long at first, but over the course of a student’s junior year, and fall of senior year, as a result of campus visits and ongoing discussion among students, parents, and counselor, the list will evolve and eventually result in the group of schools the student will actually apply to.  Let’s remember, of course, that this is the student’s life we are talking about and s/he should decide where to look, apply, and attend after considering the thoughts of all concerned.

GROUPINGS OF COLLEGES

  • Western Undergraduate Exchange Universities (WUE)
    • List of WUE schools
    • WUE School Search based on major and location
  • California Private Colleges (Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities) 
  • Jesuit Colleges
  • Catholic Colleges (search by state or region)
  • Colleges that Change Lives
  • Great Value Colleges
    • 50 Great Affordable Colleges in the West
    • America's 50 most Underrated Colleges
    • 50 Most Affordable Colleges with High Acceptance Rates 2020
  • The Hundred-Seven - Searchable database of Historically Black Colleges and Universities academic programs
  • Campus Pride - Resources for the LGBTQ+ community 
  • Women’s Colleges - Colleges for female-identified students​
  • AICAD (The Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design)-  List of 42 colleges of art and design that allows you to search by major and by region

COLLEGE SEARCH SITES

Any one of these search sites will work to research college.  Find one that works for you!
Maia Learning (filter, search and add to colleges you are considering)
College Express (general college info, listings and more)
Niche.com (finding your best fit)
College Navigator (general info, net price info, financial aid)
CollegeBoard Big Future College Search (great starting tool)
Princeton Review College Search
College Confidential (student reviews and threads)
Unigo (Rankings, reviews, videos, photos and more by STUDENTS)

virtual campus visits

CampusTours.com (virtual college tours)
Campus Reel (student ambassador video tours of colleges)
YouVisit College Search (great virtual tours)
UC Campus Virtual Tours

building a college list

Building a Well Balanced College List 
College Essay Guy - How to Create a Great College List
CGN COLLEGE SEARCH SPREADSHEET
data spreadsheet to complete (save your own copy)
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  • Home
  • Events
    • 2025 Bay Area Case Study
    • SV Presentations
    • Other events
  • College Planning
    • Early College Planning
    • Maia Learning
    • Activities
    • College Search
    • Campus Visits
    • Majors and Careers
    • Community College
    • Athletics in College
    • Military Options
  • College Applications
    • Class of 2025
    • Who Does what?
    • Applications
    • Transcripts / Self Reported Grades
    • Essays
    • Letters of Recommendation
    • The Interview
  • TESTING
    • SAT / ACT
    • AP Testing
    • Test Prep Resources
    • testing accommodations
  • Financial Aid
    • financial aid overview
    • FAFSA
    • CSS Profile
    • Scholarships 2024-2025
    • SV Scholarships (grades 9-11)
    • Financial Aid Tools
  • links and resources
  • CONTACT US
  • Blog