Our Process | Forget The Rankings

What is it?

Forget the Rankings is more than a card sort—it's a transformative tool empowering students to prioritize their well-being and discover colleges that align with their values. Each deck contains 47 cards as part of our unique 2-part criteria and values-based card sorting activities.

But that's just the beginning. Your membership, included with Forget the Rankings: The Values-Driven College Search, unlocks our exclusive web platform, featuring curated college lists tailored to your top values, detailed profiles of each institution, and a treasure trove of resources. We have over 300 colleges featured! From our comprehensive Forget the Rankings Handbook to application timelines, standardized testing information, letters of recommendation from teachers and counselors, and advice for diverse student needs, we've got you covered.

You'll also gain access to invaluable tools like our Values-Based College Essay Guide, Interview Tips, and targeted questions for admission officers. Whether you're navigating financial aid and scholarships, NCAA or NAIA regulations, or seeking support as an underrepresented student, our platform provides the insights and guidance to make your college search not just manageable, but genuinely enlightening.

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How does it work?

Explore Practical Factors through the Criteria Sort

You'll receive 16 criteria cards covering a variety of topics.
Consider the reflective questions on the back of each card.
Sort the cards into piles based on how important they are to you.

Discover What Matters to You through the Values Sort

Next comes the heart of our process: the values sort. You'll get 26 value cards. Think deeply about what matters most to you.
Sort the cards into piles based on how important each value is to you.

Find Your College Matches

Focus on the values you consider to be most important to you.
Scan the QR code on the back of each card to access the members-only section of our website.
You will now have access to our curated collection of colleges that embrace that value (including reasons why) as well as a wealth of information about each school.

Navigate Your College Process

Harness our comprehensive toolkit, from the Forget the Rankings Handbook to specialized guides for every stage of your search. With our resources covering key aspects of the college journey, you'll have valuable support to navigate the process with clarity and intention.

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Who is it for?

Forget the Rankings provides a fresh perspective for:

High School Students:

Who want to find a college where they can thrive
Access comprehensive resources for every step of the application process
Receive guidance on crafting compelling college essays
Who feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of college options
Struggle to differentiate themselves in competitive applicant pools
Worry about choosing the "wrong" college and regretting their decision
Feel pressured to apply to prestigious schools regardless of fit

Parents and Guardians:

Who feel overwhelmed by the college process
Discover "hidden gem" colleges that may be a perfect match for their student
Are looking for a tool to help them connect with their high schoolers on a deeper level
Gain insights on how to support their child through the process
Access financial aid and scholarship information
Who are concerned about the rising costs of college education
Feel out of touch with the current college application landscape
Worry about their child's stress levels during the application process

School Counselors:

Who are looking for a new and interactive way to support their students in building college lists
Obtain resources to help students with various aspects of college applications
Support students' mental health throughout the college search process
Introduce students to colleges that are often overlooked but may be excellent fits
Utilize structured timelines and to-do lists to keep students on track
Who are overworked by large caseloads and unable (but desire!) to provide individualized attention to each student
Struggle to keep up with changing admission trends and requirements
Need efficient ways to guide students through the entire application process
Want to promote equity and access for all students, regardless of background

Independent Admission Consultants:

Who are looking for an innovative way to expand their students' mindsets around what makes a college a "good" one
Access curated questions to help students engage meaningfully with admission offices
Utilize value-sorting activities to create personalized college lists
Incorporate mental health considerations into the college search process
Seek ways to stand out from other consultants with unique methodologies

Transfer Students:

Who find themselves searching for something different than their current college experience
Who feel like they're starting the stressful college search process all over again
Need to reassess their priorities after having actual college experience
Explore a wide range of colleges that might better suit their evolving needs
Access resources specific to the transfer application process

to those who have placed their worth in the hands of a college admission officer, you are

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FOR SCHOOL COUNSELORS + IECS

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How do colleges make our list?

At Forget the Rankings, we craft our college lists with over 25 years of combined expertise in college counseling across public and private schools, college access organizations, and college admissions. Our curated lists reflect this wealth of knowledge and are rooted in core values. Colleges do not pay to be featured on our lists.

Our process:

Draws from extensive experience recommending schools to students and families
Integrates insights from extensive campus visits, counselor advisory board participation, and ongoing dialogue with admission professionals
Encompasses regular attendance at educational conferences and college admission events
Incorporates in-depth research on each institution
Culminates in 8 months of rigorous list refinement

For inclusion in our value-based lists, colleges must demonstrate strong evidence of the value in:

Academics (majors, classes, research opportunities)
Student organizations (clubs, activities)
Campus culture (programming, events, student support)

Each listing on our website provides a comprehensive description of how the value manifests on campus, with links to real-world examples.

Why a membership?

A membership with Forget the Rankings, included with Forget the Rankings: The Values-Driven College Search, opens the door to a comprehensive, values-driven approach to college admissions. You'll gain access to our carefully curated list of colleges that align with your personal values, along with detailed information about each institution based on the criteria you've identified as most important.

Our exclusive Forget the Rankings Handbook serves as your roadmap, complemented by essential tools like application timelines, checklists, and guides for standardized tests, including SATs, ACTs, AP Exams, TOEFL, and more. We also provide valuable insights on test-optional policies, the financial aid process, scholarship opportunities, teacher and counselor letters of recommendation, and NCAA/NAIA procedures.

To ensure your authentic voice shines through, we offer guidance on values-based essays, interviews, and conversations with admission officers. Transferring? We also support students rethinking their original undergraduate choice. Our resources for students interested in gap years, study abroad and away opportunities, students with disabilities, and underrepresented groups, coupled with advice for current college students, round out a suite of materials designed to support you at every step of your journey.

Once you become a member, you can book one-on-one college counseling sessions with a member of our team (this service is not included in the initial purchase but comes as an add-on).

With Forget the Rankings, you're not just applying to college; you're embarking on a path that truly reflects who you are and what you aspire to become.

Join Forget the Rankings, and let's make your journey count.

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What is it?