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COLLEGE ROADMAP

At the Barbara & Bobby Price Legacy Fund, we know that college is an unchartered endeavor for many, especially first-generation students. We have made it our responsibility to help demystify the college application process and put together resources for the average college applicant.

 

Let's work together to create a brighter future.

BBPLF's College Application Steps

Anytime!

Learn the different Types of Colleges that match your preferences.

Spring/Summer

List out all the schools that interest you.

June

Create your BBPLF College Match Threshold

July

Narrow your College Match Threshold list to those that you will apply to. (Keep in mind application fees)

August - January

Start completing your CollegeBoard requirements and apply when ready!

October - February

Complete FAFSA and Financial Aid forms.

01. Types of Colleges

There are many factors to consider when choosing a post-secondary institution.

 

What field of study do you want to pursue? What location do you prefer? What type of campus life do you want (sports, clubs, school size)?

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A FREE and amazing college search database is offered through CollegeBoard! Play around and see exactly what schools have exactly what you are interested in.

Believe it or not, the vast majority of colleges use your financial status to help determine if you have earned a place in their school. 

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That’s why we recommend only schools that made one of the following committments:

NEED BLIND

24 colleges and universities have committed to only evaluating a student's academic and personal accomplishments in their admission process. All other schools use a student's parental income to help determine admissions.

FULLY FUNDING

20 colleges and universities have committed to fund 100% of a student's demonstrated financial need once accepted to their school.

NEED BLIND & FULLY FUNDING

91 colleges and universities have committed to both! That means students will get in on academic and personal merit while also being fully supported financially. 

02. Listing Schools of Interest

It is much easier to start out with a large selection then narrow it down rather than expanding from a select few. In this case, use the college search database to see what accredited schools fit your wants and needs. Then mark all of them down in a list of no particular order.

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Wondering how to focus in on what you want and need in a school?

Check out our 10 Essentials to consider when picking a college.

03. College Match

We have developed a one-of-a-kind accessible College Match Threshold ("CMT") calculator to estimate an applicant's Match Schools. This scale makes it clear which schools are a Reach (those with a higher CMT) or Safety (those with a lower CMT).

 

Find out your CMT now and compare it to our scale below!​

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What is the College Match Threshold?

We have developed a simple and accessible way to measure your application profile so that it is comparable to other colleges. Your personal CMT will provide you the name of a specific college or university that is looking for applicants just like you. Use them as a benchmark for similar schools as you apply.

What is a Reach, Match, or Safety School?

These terms are often used to describe the ease of an applicant being accepted based on their own application criteria. One reach school (an institution that is more difficult to be accepted into) may be another student's safety school (an institution that is easier to be accepted into). In general,

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Reach Schools are those where it is less likely that the applicant will be admitted.

Match Schools are those where it is likely that the applicant will be admitted.

Safety Schools are those where it is more likely that the applicant will be admitted.

Will this ensure college admission?

Each college application is unique and every college admission process is different. While the CMT does not guarantee college admission, it does provide useful insights into what a specific student's chances are to be admitted.

04. Narrow the List

You probably have a list of many schools by now and by using your CMT, you can roughly group them as Reach, Match, or Safety schools.

 

To narrow your list:

  1. Decide how many applications you are going to apply to. Read more on how to locate free applications and take advantage of some college cost savings!

  2. Apply to a balanced mix of schools!

Reach

Remaining applications

Many times, students do not apply to reach schools simply because they are below some entry-level statistics. However, every student application brings a unique personal case and we encourage all college applicants to take a chance on themselves!

50% of applications

The bulk of applications should be sent to match schools to provide students with a choice of schools that a pushing their boundaries. These schools typically accept similarly qualified students and have experience working with them on academics, financial aid, and others.

Match

Safety

2-3 applications

There should be some applications sent to safety schools as a backup choice should there be no other alternative or the price of other acceptances are too costly. These applications should only be two or three in number and leave more applications to other programs.

Sample Cases:​

  • 5 applications:

    • Reach = 1 application​

    • Match = 2 applications

    • Safety = 2 applications

  • 10 applications: 

    • Reach = 2 application​

    • Match = 5 applications

    • Safety = 3 applications

  • 15 applications: 

    • Reach = 5 application​

    • Match = 7 applications

    • Safety = 3 applications

05. Build Your App

CollegeBoard is the most popular college application website and they have streamlined the process as much as possible.

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06. Financial Aid

Depending on the state you live in, Financial Aid forms are available anytime starting from November (in the fall before you plan to enroll). It is important to complete and submit these forms prior to any college deadlines so that you are considered for the most amount of funding from your schools.

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Some key forms include:

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