615: How NOT to Build Your College List

Building a college list can feel overwhelming—and it’s easy to get it wrong. In this episode of The College Prep Podcast , Megan and Erin break down the most common mistakes students and families make when creating a college list and explain how to avoid last-minute stress and disappointment. Rather than focusing on the “perfect” way to build a list, the hosts walk through how not to do it . They discuss why waiting until senior year is a recipe for panic, why rankings and prestige don’t tell you whether a school is actually a good fit, and how ignoring financial realities can derail the process later. Megan and Erin also unpack risky strategies like applying to only one or two schools, choosing colleges for superficial reasons or location alone, and basing an entire list on a prospective major—even though many students change majors once they’re enrolled. The conversation also tackles relationship-driven decisions, such as following friends or romantic partners to college, and why those choices so often lead to regret. Along the way, the hosts share real stories from their work with students and families to illustrate what can go wrong when the college list isn’t built thoughtfully. This episode is a must-listen for parents and students who want to start the college search earlier, make realistic and informed choices, and build a balanced list that reflects fit, finances, and flexibility—not panic or prestige. The post 615: How NOT to Build Your College List appeared first on The College Prep Podcast .

You can listen to 615: How NOT to Build Your College List online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

615: How NOT to Build Your College List is an episode from The College Prep Podcast by Megan Dorsey & Gretchen Wegner.

This episode is 18:06 long.

This episode was published on Feb 2, 2026.

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