Last week, I gave a presentation to parents of rising seniors, and one question came up more than any other: how do we actually build a good college list? Here are the five things I check for in every list I help build, regardless of the student, from an honest read on where they stand to a real reason for every school that makes the cut.

Your student has multiple college acceptances—now what? Former Harvard Admissions Officer Nathalie Galindo Lee shares a practical framework for navigating decision season, comparing financial aid packages, and helping your student choose the right school before the May 1 deadline.