Building Your College List? Check out the "Colleges That Change Lives"

High school juniors who are planning to apply to colleges next fall should be working on building a list of colleges that seem to be a good match for their individual interests and career goals.  But there are so many colleges to consider, how do you narrow down the list?

You might want to read the book, Colleges That Change Lives, by Loren Pope which profiles 40 small, student-focused liberal arts colleges known for offering life changing educational experiences. Rather than emphasizing rankings or prestige, the book highlights how these schools promote intellectual curiosity, close faculty mentorship, and supportive learning environments that help students grow academically and personally. It’s widely considered a valuable resource when building a college list, especially for students looking beyond the most well-known schools to find places where they can truly thrive.

There’s also an updated Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL) website which now has 45 colleges that students and families can easily explore, to get more information on the academic offerings, unique programs, sports teams, upcoming events, and more. 

As an Educational Consultant, working closely with students and families to find the best personal choice for colleges to apply to, I have visited several of the CTCL colleges (Beloit College, Eckerd College, Guilford College, and St. John’s College)!

Here’s why I find this CTCL list to be valuable:

• Focus on fit, not prestige: CTCL highlights schools that prioritize teaching, mentorship, and student growth rather than rankings. This helps students think more intentionally about what environments help them thrive.

  
  

• Spotlights lesser-known gems: Many of the CTCL colleges are not household names, yet they have strong outcomes, supportive communities, and distinctive programs that may be overlooked in traditional searches.

  
  

• Holistic, narrative-style profiles: The CTCL list offers context that goes beyond numbers — giving a sense of each school’s culture, values, and learning environment.

  
  

• Encourages student-centered exploration: CTCL’s philosophy helps students reflect on what they want from college, not just where they “should” apply.

  
  

At Confident College Planning we help students and families find the colleges and universities which match up best with their interests and experiences by supporting clients with college list development, application steps, and essay formation and editing.  There are many options out there and we can help minimize the stress often felt during the college selection process by taking a planful approach.  Email me at confidentcollegeplanning@gmail.com to have a conversation about ways I can help!