College Search Help

To get the most out of College Search, please browse these frequently asked questions and tips. If you have questions that aren't answered here, please email collegesearch@collegeboard.com.

Signing In

Do I have to sign in to use College Search?

You can use much of College Search without signing in to a collegeboard.com account. But an account is free and gives you more control over your college planning:

Save up to five searches
Track schools in a personal "My College List"
Change your search preferences at any time
Use your college matches for quick reference
Access other key College Board services, such as SAT^® registration

You can sign up whenever you want, but you'll save time if you do so before you start your search. You need to be signed up and signed in before you save your search or add a college to your list.

What if I forgot my user name or password?

We'll help you remember -- it's easy, fast, and secure. Just use the "Forgot your password?" link on any sign-in page and then follow the instructions that appear.

If you forgot your password:

Enter your user name.
Answer a security question to verify that you are really you.
Check your mailbox for a link to reset your password.
Follow the link and choose a new password.

If you forgot your user name:

Enter your email address.
Enter your date of birth.
Check your mailbox for your user name. You'll receive a separate email for every user name associated with your email address. Please note that all email will go to the address associated with your account.

College Profiles

Where does the college information come from?

All of the college profile information is based on the College Board's Survey of Colleges, which is continually updated by official college representatives.

We've made every effort to display college information accurately and completely. However, for the most up-to-date information please visit the Web site of a chosen college. You can get to the college's Web site from our College Search profile page.

Why isn't a particular college listed?

College Search includes two- and four-year undergraduate colleges in the U.S. To be included, an institution must be accredited by a national accrediting association recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and offer associate and/or bachelor degrees. Thirty institutions outside the U.S. are included on the basis of their membership in the College Board.

If the college you're looking for meets these conditions but it still won't come up in the results:

Double check the spelling of the college's name.
Use the college's full name, not an abbreviation or nickname.
Try browsing alphabetically, by clicking on the first letter of the college's name.
Avoid using any special punctuation, like dashes or colons.

How do I print a college's whole profile without going page-by-page?

Now you can print a college's full set of profile information with one simple click. Just click the "Print Full Detail (PDF)" button that's found atop every college profile page. That will launch a document that combines all of the profile pages into one print-friendly file. This document is in PDF (.pdf) format to make it easier to print.

Please note that you'll need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to open and print a PDF.

How do I open and print a PDF?

If a file has a ".pdf" extension, it means that the document is a PDF and you must have the free Adobe Reader installed in order to open or print it. PDF is just a file format that lets you view and print a file exactly as the author designed it, without needing to have the same application or fonts used to create the file. Go to Adobe's Web site to download the reader for free.

Please note that you must use the Adobe Reader's print button to print a .pdf document. It's the button with the printer icon on it. Do not use your browser's print button to print the document.

Why are photos available for some colleges, but not others?

The College Board encourages colleges to participate in its special "Spotlight" program, whereby photographs, student quotes, and other highlights are featured throughout the college's profile. This way you get a better sense of what the college and campus are all about. We're adding new colleges to the program all of the time, but not every college participates.

If a college has a small camera icon next to its name in search results, then that college will have photographs and other extra information available for you to explore.

If you're from a college and would like to participate in this program, please email info@atl.collegeboard.com.

What does the "--" mean after a college's information?

When we display "--" it means that the college didn't provide a particular piece of information. For example, let's say the profile says "Application fee: --." That doesn't mean that the application fee is zero. It means that the college didn't provide that information.

How do I update my college's data?

To maintain the highest level of quality, we accept requests for change only from a college's official representative. If you are that representative, please email collegesearch@collegeboard.com. If you're not connected with the college, and think the data should be updated, please direct your request to staff at that college.

How can my company license the college data?

The College Board licenses its college information for published and research use. We also license our Scholarship Data Base. If you're interested in licensing arrangements, please submit this form.

QuickFinder

How do I use QuickFinder?

If you know the name of a college, you can quickly jump to its profile. Just type the college's full name in the box and hit the "GO" button, or click on a letter of the alphabet. Tips:

Try to avoid abbreviated college names.
Be specific -- enter as many parts of the college's name as you know.
Check your spelling.
Capitalization doesn't matter.
Your results will come up in alphabetical order.
When your results come up, click on a college's name to jump to its profile.

I entered a college's name, but it won't come up in the results -- why?

If the college you're looking for meets these conditions but it still won't come up in the results:

Double check the spelling of the college's name.
Use the college's full name, not an abbreviation or nickname.
Try browsing alphabetically, by clicking on the first letter of the college's name.
Avoid using any special punctuation, like dashes or colons.

Why is there a camera icon next to some colleges?

If a college has a small camera icon next to its name in search results, then that college participates in our special "Spotlight" program, whereby photographs, student quotes, and other highlights are featured throughout the college's profile. This way you get a better sense of what the college and campus are all about. We're adding new colleges to the program all of the time, but not every college participates.

If you're from a college and would like to participate in this program, please email info@atl.collegeboard.com.

College MatchMaker

How do I use the MatchMaker?

Answer questions about your preferences -- from location, test scores, and majors to application deadlines -- and find colleges that match. You can get to the Advanced Search from any page of College Search.

Advanced Search tips:

Answer questions in any order.
Answer as many -- or as few -- questions as you want.
The more questions you answer, the narrower your search, and the fewer matches you'll get. Keep an eye on the number of matches you have as you go through the search.
When you search by college major, try using one major at a time. College Search is going to look for colleges that offer ALL of the majors you choose.
Save your MatchMaker search to come back to it later. You can save up to five searches.

Why don't I get many -- or any -- matches?

For a college to appear as a match, it must match every single one of your preferences. So, the more questions you answer, the narrower your search.

If you don't receive any college matches after completing the College Search questionnaire (or you receive too few matches), consider these tips:

Double check the questions - see if you have conflicting answers or if you can expand your search.
Keep an eye on your "Searching on..." box, to see if you've narrowed your search too much. It always displays your current number of matches.
Some questions will limit your search more than others. Consider doing some -- such as Majors, Deadlines, and Tests -- as separate, mini-searches.
When you search by college major, try using one major at a time. College Search is going to look for colleges that offer ALL of the majors you choose.
Want to start from scratch? Click the "clear all" link below your "Searching on..." box.

How do I search by specific U.S. state?

You can search by region (to keep your search broad) or by specific state(s). To search by state:

Go to the Location page of the Advanced Search.
Scroll down below the map and click on the "more detail: show states" link.
When the page reloads, check the box next to each of your state selections.
Get your search results or answer other questions about your preferences.

How do I search by college major?

Searching by major is as easy as 1-2-3.

Go to the Majors & Academics page of the Advanced College Search.
Find the major that interests you. You can browse by category or keyword.
Highlight the right major and add it to your search list.

Tips:

The search will return colleges that offer ALL of the majors on your search list. So, the more majors you add, the narrower your search. Start with one or two important majors.
The keyword you enter must match a major's keyword in order to return a match. If you don't get the results you expect, check your spelling or try a variation.
If you enter more than one keyword, College Search will return majors that match all of them. Putting quotes around items or using +/- symbols to refine your search will not have any effect.
You can always refer to a college's profile page to see all of the majors offered, in case you don't want to limit your search.

Can I save my search?

You can save up to five MatchMaker searches. There's always a "save" link at your fingertips. Save by clicking the link in the top menu, the "Save" button on a college's page, or "save" on your "Searching on..." box.

In order to save a search, you must be signed in to your collegeboard.com account. If you haven't created an account yet, save time and do it now -- it's fast, free, and easy.

Do I have to answer all of the questions? In order?

You don't have to go in any order, and you can skip any questions or pages that you like. Keep an eye on your "Searching on..." box to see how many matches you have. Some types of searches will narrow your results more than others. Consider doing these as separate, mini-searches.

College Majors
SAT Scores
CLEP® Exams
Deadlines

Can I change my answers?

You can return to any question and change your answer at any time. Just click on a category (e.g., Location) or an item in your "Searching on..." box. Even after you've saved your search, you can change your preferences. That way your college list evolves as you get closer to making final decisions or organizing your application information.

What makes a college a 100 percent match?

For a college to come up in your initial list of search results, it must match every single one of your preferences. That's why it's important to start broadly and then refine your results. And why it makes sense to do very focused searches -- such as SAT scores or majors -- as separate, mini-searches.

Why is there a camera icon next to some colleges?

If you're from a college and would like to participate in this program, please email info@atl.collegeboard.com.

Why isn't the search saving any of my responses?

Are you going page by page and answering questions, but the search isn't saving any answers? If so, it probably means that you have cookies disabled in your browser settings. A "cookie" is a small piece of information that Web sites store in order to customize information for you. When cookies are disabled, the system can't save information from page to page. Once you enable cookies, College Search should work for you.

You must have cookies enabled in order to use other key parts of collegeboard.com, too, such as SAT Registration and CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE. You must also have cookies enabled in order to create or sign in to your collegeboard.com account.

The security of your information is important to us -- enabling cookies will not compromise that security or privacy. You can allow your browser to accept cookies and then turn them off again, if you wish, after leaving our site.

LikeFinder

What does LikeFinder do?

LikeFinder helps you find colleges that share basic, objective characteristics. It does not match the "feel" of a college -- it's more like a search shortcut or quick starting point. You can start your search with LikeFinder, or link from a college's profile page.

Let's say you already feel that College X's basic information -- price, location, size, etc. -- is a good fit. With the click of a button, you can find colleges that match those characteristics (if available):

region
type of college
size
campus setting
selectivity
SAT score ranges
tuition

You can refine your LikeFinder search by using the checkboxes next to your college's information. Turn off or uncheck a characteristic to expand your search. Do you want a college like College X, but in any region? Uncheck region. That's a public university? Uncheck private. It's easy -- give it a whirl.

How does the tuition search work in LikeFinder?

LikeFinder matches colleges with tuition in a similar range (approximately plus or minus $5,000) and matches on either in-state or out-of-state costs. It searches on a college's tuition and fees only, for a full-time student (however the college defines that status). This amount does not include other expenses, such as room and board or books and supplies. Go to the college's profile to see a breakdown of the total cost.

Remember, cost may seem like a limiting factor, but virtually all colleges work to make sure that academically gifted students from every economic circumstance can find financial aid that allows them to attend.

How does the SAT search work in LikeFinder?

The SAT score ranges represent the middle 50 percent of first-year students' scores for that college. So, this isn't an average or mean score, but the score range within which half of last year's class fell.

LikeFinder matches colleges with similar score ranges. If the middle point of a college's score range is in another school's score range, then that school will match. Colleges will appear in results if either the math or verbal score matches.

Why are certain colleges appearing in my LikeFinder list?

Look at the snapshot of your college's basic information. Colleges that come up in your LikeFinder list all match those exact characteristics. Expand your LikeFinder search by unchecking some of the college's information.

For example, if your college is located in a small town, only colleges located in small towns will appear in your list. If, however, you uncheck the "small town" box, you'll find similar colleges in all types of locations.

Side-by-Side Comparison

What does the Side-by-Side Comparison actually compare?

For two or three colleges, you can compare basic information side-by-side:

location
type
religious affiliation
selectivity
test scores
in-state and out-of-state tuition
room and board

When you add your colleges and hit the COMPARE button, a chart will appear. You can access a print-friendly version of this chart for future reference.

How do I add colleges to my Compare list?

First you have to select the college you want to compare, by searching by name or browsing by the first letter of its name. When you see the college name, click the "add" button below it. That will add it to the "School 1" slot of your compare list. Do the same with another school, or two more schools, then hit the "compare" button.

You'll see your colleges next to each other, so you can eyeball the basic differences (or similarities). You can access a print-friendly version of this chart for future reference.

Why can't I add more than one college to the compare list?

If you can't add a college to the second or third compare slots, you probably have cookies disabled in your browser settings. A "cookie" is a small piece of information that Web sites store in order to customize information for you. When cookies are disabled, the system can't save information from page to page. Once you enable cookies, College Search and the compare tool should work for you.

Saving Searches

How do I save a search?

Just click any "save" link or button in Advanced Search. There's a "save search" link at the top of each page, plus a Save button on your "Searching on" box and on your results pages.

In order to save a search, you must be signed in to your collegeboard.com account. If you haven't created an account yet, save time and do it now -- it's fast, free, and easy.

When you hit "Save," you'll jump to a page where you manage your searches. There you can view details about a saved search, access a saved search, or delete old searches. Save up to five searches, naming them whatever you want.

What if I used all of my five saved search slots?

You can either delete one of your searches to make room, or write over an existing search. To write over an existing search, type over the old name and hit "Save."

How do I retrieve my saved searches?

You'll find a link to your saved searches on the following pages:

College Search home page
Advanced Search start page
My Organizer
My College List

In order to access a saved search, you must be signed in to your collegeboard.com account.

Using My College List

What is My College List?

My College List helps you build and refine a college wish list. It's an easy way to track the colleges you're interested in and manage key application requirements.

My College List features:

a list of colleges that interest you
a place to jot down notes about each college
a chance to add or remove colleges at any time, as you refine your top-choices
quick-jumps to important actions, such as applying to or contacting the college

You can even email your College List to friends and family.

How do I get to my list?

My College List is a part of "My Organizer." You can get to My Organizer by clicking its button on the top right corner of nearly every page. Keep in mind that you must be signed in to your collegeboard.com account to manage a list. If you haven't created an account yet, save time and do it now. It's fast, free, and easy.

How do I add colleges to my list?

Next to every college's name -- either on its profile page or in search results -- you'll see an "add to list" link. Click on this link to add a college to My College List. Keep in mind that you must be signed in to your collegeboard.com account to manage a list. If you haven't created an account yet, save time and do it now. It's fast, free, and easy.

How do I delete colleges from my list?

To delete a College from your College List, just click the "Delete from List" link on the My College List page. This link lives at the bottom of each college's section, on the left. You'll get a pop-up window that asks you to confirm the deletion. Note that you'll only see the delete option if the college's information is expanded. Use the "+" and "-" symbols next to college names to expand or collapse your list.

CollegeBoard

College Search Help

Signing In

College Profiles

QuickFinder

College MatchMaker

LikeFinder

Side-by-Side Comparison

Saving Searches

Using My College List

Signing In

Do I have to sign in to use College Search?

What if I forgot my user name or password?

College Profiles

Where does the college information come from?

Why isn't a particular college listed?

How do I print a college's whole profile without going page-by-page?

How do I open and print a PDF?

Why are photos available for some colleges, but not others?

What does the "--" mean after a college's information?

How do I update my college's data?

How can my company license the college data?

QuickFinder

How do I use QuickFinder?

I entered a college's name, but it won't come up in the results -- why?

Why is there a camera icon next to some colleges?

College MatchMaker

How do I use the MatchMaker?

Why don't I get many -- or any -- matches?

How do I search by specific U.S. state?

How do I search by college major?

Can I save my search?

Do I have to answer all of the questions? In order?

Can I change my answers?

What makes a college a 100 percent match?

Why is there a camera icon next to some colleges?

Why isn't the search saving any of my responses?

LikeFinder

What does LikeFinder do?

How does the tuition search work in LikeFinder?

How does the SAT search work in LikeFinder?

Why are certain colleges appearing in my LikeFinder list?

Side-by-Side Comparison

What does the Side-by-Side Comparison actually compare?

How do I add colleges to my Compare list?

Why can't I add more than one college to the compare list?

Saving Searches

How do I save a search?

What if I used all of my five saved search slots?

How do I retrieve my saved searches?

Using My College List

What is My College List?

How do I get to my list?

How do I add colleges to my list?

How do I delete colleges from my list?