<p>Here's my advice. Throw away the list you have and start over. From scratch.</p>
<p>Let me explain why. You're a sophomore, for gosh sake. You don't need a list this month, or this year for that matter. You have a luxury a lot of kids don't, the time to think carefully about what you want in college and then spend the time to find places that offer it and that you can afford. This is a luxury denied to the kids that start thinking about college in, say, September of their senior year. Your counselor has handed you a golden opportunity, so don't waste it by rushing things!!</p>
<p>You write "I cannot really say what i want in a college" and that should be a dead clue you're NOT ready to pick colleges. What would you say to someone who was going car-shopping but couldn't say what they wanted in a car? Who didn't know if they wanted new or used, pickup or car, what color, what brands, etc? Well, you're in the same boat with regards to college. How will you know when you've found what you're after if you can't explain what it is you're looking for in the first place?</p>
<p>Now a lot of kids are worried about college because they hear about the 10% accept rates and figure they're lucky to get in anywhere, assume all the power is in the hands of the colleges. Not true!!! Outside of the same 50-75 colleges everyone is chasing after, the truth (believe it or not) is that the rest accept most of their applicants. The key, then, isn't blindly choosing one of the competitive colleges just because that's what everyone else is doing. One of them may be right for you, but then again, maybe not. You won't know until you actually know what you want in college.</p>
<p>I'd start by reading a book or two about the college admission process. I'd suggest "Looking Beyond the Ivy League" by Pope (although the book has a bias towards LACs), and "Admission Matters : What Students and Parents Need to Know About Getting Into College" by Franck. The latter if you read only one. A good online article is at <a href="http://media.wiley.com/product_data/excerpt/78/07879796/0787979678.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://media.wiley.com/product_data/excerpt/78/07879796/0787979678.pdf</a></p>
<p>Then read thru the thread <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=41480%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=41480</a> because Carolyn gives some great advice on thinking about what you want in college. </p>
<p>Use this as a springboard to figure out what you're ideal college looks like. Just like the ideal car or ideal mate, it may not exist (or may not be obtainable). But with an ideal in mind you can evaluate options, make tradeoffs, etc. This is also the point to talk finances with your parents; have them fill out one of the financial-aid estimators online and discuss with them what you're family can afford. Keep in mind that many colleges will meet all demonstrated financial need with a mix of loans and grants, so money doesn't have to keep you out of private colleges.</p>
<p>And as you're deciding be sure to visit samples of various types of colleges to help get a feel for what is right for you. Visit a school in a city, one in the burbs, a rural campus. A LAC, a U. One with primarily commuters, one where everyone lives on/near campus. They don't have to be the ones you're interested in, you just want to get the flavor of the different types out there.</p>
<p>As a soph you have plenty of time to make a good decision. And you don't need to finalize anything at 16!! Keep an open mind and be willing to rethink things if need be. See what your older friends think as they go off to college, and factor in their experiences.</p>