Our answer can feel overwhelming, but it is genuine: as many as possible.

If a student is initially drawn to a particular major or field of study, we encourage them to explore what that interest looks like across a range of settings—a small private college, a large public university, a school in the northeast, or a campus in a major city. Seeing how the same academic path takes shape in different environments can be incredibly illuminating.

With so many questions to consider, it’s valuable to learn about campus life through visits or virtual experiences that reflect the programs and communities they hope to join. For example, what research opportunities are available to undergraduates? How and when does fraternity and sorority recruitment take place? What is the application process like for a program such as Mock Trial? Exploring these details helps students begin to identify the specific qualities and opportunities that matter most to them, which in turn helps them build a more personalized list of priorities.

By starting with a broad range of schools and experiences, students can more effectively compare and contrast different environments. By the time senior fall arrives, they’re evaluating their college list with a clearer sense of who they are and what they’re looking for. Casting a wide initial net lays the groundwork for the next step: shaping a thoughtful, balanced college list.

Ultimately, our goal is to help every senior at Menlo work toward a process that includes the following:

Loveable Likelies

Every college on the list should be one that you would attend! Take the time to find a fit with each school. Whether the probability of being admitted is sub 5% or over 80%, you should be equally excited to attend based on the similarities the campus offers relative to the more selective colleges on your list.

Plentiful Choices

The most positive college application experiences tend to come from students who take the time to build a thoughtful list—one that gives them a range of options to choose from among the colleges where they’re admitted. Rather than waiting on just one school’s decision or “putting all of your eggs in one basket,” we encourage you to diversify your college application list with the goal of yielding multiple positive admissions decisions from which to choose.

Thoughtful Timing Strategies

It’s also important to build a list balanced by application deadlines. Don’t focus solely on your Early Decision (ED) or Restrictive Early Action (REA) school. Instead, consider applying to a range of target and likely schools that offer Early Action (EA) to help space out your application deadlines. You can also pace your application submissions rather than saving them all for late December and early January. Balancing when you apply will help you manage your workload and stress level, supporting your well-being in this process.

Building a Balanced List

As students begin to narrow their choices come fall, each selection of schools should reflect the student behind it. We’re here to partner with you as you build a list that’s truly your own. Your friends may apply to some of the same schools, but your best-fit colleges may look different—and that’s not just okay, it’s a good thing.

We’re excited to build this list alongside you and learn what you’re discovering you enjoy in a college experience—and, just as importantly, what you don’t.