<p>Some “easy” ways to trim the list:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Determine your solid (for sure admissions, for sure affordable, has your major(s), you like) safeties. Eliminate any school that you would not choose over your safeties under any circumstances.</p></li>
<li><p>After finding out the price limit and basic financial information from your parents, run net price calculators on all schools. For those not affordable on need-based aid, check for sufficient in-reach merit scholarships. Eliminate any school which cannot be affordable even with the biggest merit scholarships you can get.</p></li>
<li><p>Eliminate those schools which do not have the major(s) you are most likely to finally decide on.</p></li>
</ul>