SHS COUNSELING
  • Welcome
  • About/Contact
    • Mariana Nunes A-Chau Contact Form
    • Johnny Campos Chav-Cle, AVID A-K and EL students Contact Form
    • Christine Berg Coa-GL Contact Form
    • Nathan Theune Gn-Kor Contact Form
    • Maritza Partida Kos-Mas, AVID L-Z Contact Form
    • Carlos Estrada Mat-Pini Contact Form
    • Kristen Matsumoto Pino-Sol Contact Form
    • Valencia Applegate Som-Z Contact Form
    • Sandy Sullivan Contact Form
  • Academic
    • Prob Solv Dist Learn
    • 9th Grade >
      • Incoming Freshman Presentation
    • 10th Grade >
      • 10th grade Academic Advising and Registering for Classes
      • PSAT Info
    • 11th Grade >
      • 11th grade Academic Advising and Registering for Classes
    • 12th grade >
      • 12th grade Academic Advising and Registering for Classes
      • How to Order Transcripts
      • Class of 2021 College and Career Information
    • Help! My Student is Struggling >
      • Tutoring and Extra Help
    • Requesting a Letter of Recommendation
    • College Information >
      • The College Search Process
      • College Presentations
      • UC Information
      • California State University
      • Trade Schools
      • Community Colleges >
        • Norco Community College
        • Santiago Canyon College
      • College Search Tips
    • SAT & ACT
    • NCAA ELIGIBILITY
    • Graduation and College Admission Requirments
    • Summer School
    • Dual Enrollment
  • Personal
    • Clubs on Campus
    • Intervention Resources
    • LGBTQ Resources
    • Community Referrals
    • CNUSD Clinician Referral List
    • Support Groups
    • Ways to Cope
  • Financial Aid
    • Financial Aid and FAFSA
    • Scholarship Information
    • Types of Loans
  • Resources
    • Teacher Name and Email Addresses
    • SHS Counselor Classrooms
    • Shark Scheduler-Class Descriptions
    • Forms
    • Cal Grant Info

The College Search Process

How Many Colleges Should I Research?

Many school counselors suggest putting together a list of ten to twelve schools, with three to four in each of the following categories:

Likely or Safety Schools:
  • Your GPA  and Test Scores are above the school's ranges for GPA and test scores
Target or Foundational Schools:
  • You are solidly in the middle of the school's range for GPA and test scores
Reach or Dream Schools:
  • It would be a stretch to get accepted into one of these schools
Remember, many students start their college search in the fall with aspirational dreams that end in the spring with a cold reality:  you might only get into your "likely schools," so be sure they are colleges you would want to attend and not just placeholders on a list.

Organize Your Search


It's recommended to take some time and organize your search process.  Basic information regarding deadlines, academics, cost, acceptance rates and "to do" lists can be a little cumbersome.  The Santiago Counseling Department has put together a "College Search Spreadsheet" to help you out. 

You will want to:
1.  Click Here to access the College Search Spreadsheet.
2.  Once you have the Spreadsheet, click on "File" and "Make a copy".
3.  Rename the Spreadsheet (suggestion YOUR NAME's college search spreadsheet")

How Should I Research Colleges?

With so many colleges to choose from, how do you find the right one? 

The College Board has two excellent resources to utilize.  
  • BigFuture College Search: This college search engine will allow you to apply different "filters" to find colleges that match your personal requirements.  The filters include:
    • ​Test Scores & Selectivity
    • Type of School
    • Location
    • Campus and Housing
    • Majors and Learning Environment
    • Sports and Activities
    • Academic Credit
    • Paying
    • Additional Support Programs
    • Diversity
  • College Search Step-by-Step:  This search engine will ask you questions to help you:​
    • ​Learn about some key college search categories
    • Answer Questions to discover what's important to you
    • Get advice from college students and educators
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  • Welcome
  • About/Contact
    • Mariana Nunes A-Chau Contact Form
    • Johnny Campos Chav-Cle, AVID A-K and EL students Contact Form
    • Christine Berg Coa-GL Contact Form
    • Nathan Theune Gn-Kor Contact Form
    • Maritza Partida Kos-Mas, AVID L-Z Contact Form
    • Carlos Estrada Mat-Pini Contact Form
    • Kristen Matsumoto Pino-Sol Contact Form
    • Valencia Applegate Som-Z Contact Form
    • Sandy Sullivan Contact Form
  • Academic
    • Prob Solv Dist Learn
    • 9th Grade >
      • Incoming Freshman Presentation
    • 10th Grade >
      • 10th grade Academic Advising and Registering for Classes
      • PSAT Info
    • 11th Grade >
      • 11th grade Academic Advising and Registering for Classes
    • 12th grade >
      • 12th grade Academic Advising and Registering for Classes
      • How to Order Transcripts
      • Class of 2021 College and Career Information
    • Help! My Student is Struggling >
      • Tutoring and Extra Help
    • Requesting a Letter of Recommendation
    • College Information >
      • The College Search Process
      • College Presentations
      • UC Information
      • California State University
      • Trade Schools
      • Community Colleges >
        • Norco Community College
        • Santiago Canyon College
      • College Search Tips
    • SAT & ACT
    • NCAA ELIGIBILITY
    • Graduation and College Admission Requirments
    • Summer School
    • Dual Enrollment
  • Personal
    • Clubs on Campus
    • Intervention Resources
    • LGBTQ Resources
    • Community Referrals
    • CNUSD Clinician Referral List
    • Support Groups
    • Ways to Cope
  • Financial Aid
    • Financial Aid and FAFSA
    • Scholarship Information
    • Types of Loans
  • Resources
    • Teacher Name and Email Addresses
    • SHS Counselor Classrooms
    • Shark Scheduler-Class Descriptions
    • Forms
    • Cal Grant Info