College Search & Create Your College List
The College Search process can take an hour or may require a longer research process. We have included resources to help you with your search to create a college list.
Items marked with a red asterisk * are required. Students are not required to complete items that do not have the red asterisk.
Introduction
When completing Common App, you will need to create a list in your account of all the colleges where you are applying.
You will use the College Search section to create your college list.
Resources
To complete the College Search section, you will need:
- The names of the colleges and universities where you plan to apply
- To create a college list using the College Search section of Common App, which you will then populate in My Colleges.
If you are still in the process of selecting colleges where you want to apply, the Important Information & Resources page can help you find colleges that are a good match for you.
Videos
In this video, Rob Alexander, Vice Provost and Dean for Enrollment Management, explains the value of finding a good college match.
In this video, we discuss using the College Search section to list the colleges where you will apply using Common App. This section should take 10 – 20 minutes to complete.
Tips & Reminders
- If you do not know which colleges to apply to, use these excellent search engines to create your list. On these websites, you can search for colleges based on criteria such as the college’s location, majors offered, size, and other factors.
- In the Financial Aid & Resources section of the AXS Companion, the video titled Financial Aid Information for College: Building a Smart College List discusses how to identify colleges that will be affordable for you and your family.
- In this section, find colleges that:
- Meet 90% of financial need or more
- Are generous with merit aid or that have lower sticker prices
Big J Educational Consulting’s Domestic Financial Aid Chart
Collegedata.com
- Common App can be used to apply to over 1,000 colleges and universities, but some colleges and universities, such as the University of California and the Cal State system, do not accept Common App
- If there are additional questions, Common App Solutions Center has information for applicants, counselors, and recommenders.
A major is a specific subject that you will choose to focus on while getting your college degree. In general, between one-third and half of the courses you take in college will be in your major or related to it. Examples of majors include Anthropology, Biology, Communications, Chemical Engineering, Business Administration, and Public Health.
Merit aid is non-need-based financial aid that is awarded based on achievements related to things like academics, athletics, music, or civic participation. Merit aid awards are not based on a family’s ability to pay.