Lesson · United States
Choosing a university
How do I shortlist without a consultancy?
Shortlist on fit—program, year-one money, city, international support, and honest outcomes—then save schools in Shortlist and decide with written offers. Rankings alone are not a plan.
Need it when
- You have not paid a consultancy deposit yet
- You are still comparing more than ~5 schools
- You have an offer letter and need a fair comparison
Confirm you will write your own shortlist criteria before paying any consultancy deposit.
Mark at least three fit dimensions (0/5 so far) before you start applying.
No filled schools in Shortlist yet—open the tool when you have 2–3 programs to save.
Must know · fit
Five questions before any application fee
Tap each dimension when you understand it. This is not Shortlist— that tool stores the schools.
Research sources
Named places to verify—not WhatsApp forwards
University program page + handbook PDF
Source of truth for credits, thesis vs coursework, internship requirements, and language of teaching.
International student services / DSO
CPT/OPT support and arrival advising matter as much as rankings for F-1 students.
Campus city cost of living
Open toolRent groups and Cost calculator for that city—not “USA average.”
Official admissions / apply portal
Deadlines, fee waivers, and document lists—bookmark the .edu domain, not a third-party form farm.
Practice · order of work
- 1Lock your fit criteriaMark the five dimensions below so you know what you will not compromise on.Review fit
- 2Save schools in ShortlistEnter program, city, deadline, cost, and why—so you are not comparing screenshots in WhatsApp.Open Shortlist
- 3Run city costsPrice living costs for the cities on your shortlist before you pay application fees.Cost calculator
- 4Decide with written offersWhen letters arrive, use Compare offers for deposits, conditions, and accept/decline.Compare offers
Common mistakes
Paying a consultancy before you have your own shortlist
A consultant can help with forms later. They should not own your school list. Write your fit criteria first.
Ranking-only shortlists
A top-50 name in an unaffordable city can be worse than a strong regional program you can finish.
One-school applications
Aim for a balanced set (reach / match / safer)—usually about 6–10 programs, not a single “dream.”
Counting scholarships you do not have in writing
Until the award letter exists, treat aid as $0 in Cost calculator and Funding path.
Confusing an offer with a decision
Offers go into Compare offers for deposits, conditions, and accept/decline—not gut feel alone.
Do next
Build your shortlist
Save program, city, deadline, cost, and why for each school. When offers arrive, Compare offers handles accept/decline— this lesson stays about fit.
Also useful
Official source check
Verify changing information before you act
These links are checked server-side from an allowlisted set of government and official study authorities. Availability is not confirmation of eligibility.