The Student-Centered College Search

Keep the college search student-centered. Consider interests, strengths, and values, and reflect on what truly matters to you—academic programs, campus atmosphere, available support and resources, and extracurricular activities that align with your goals for personal and professional growth.

Explore colleges where you can connect with classmates and faculty and engage in high-impact educational experiences that empower you to shape your future.

Focusing on what inspires and motivates you will help you find college communities where you will thrive.

2026 College Fairs and Counselor Events

Jumpstart or continue your college search with CTCL in 2026!

We’re bringing our information session and college fairs to 17 cities this spring and summer. You’ll learn how to keep YOU at the center of the search and have a chance to connect with admission officers from our distinctly different CTCL member institutions.

All events are FREE and open to the public.

We're also excited to invite High School Counselors, College Advisors, IECs, and college access professionals to join us for coffee and connection at a Counselor Breakfast & Roundtable program in Philadelphia (March 10), San Diego (July 30), or Dallas - Fort Worth (August 17).

Pre-registration for all events is encouraged.

2026 Scholarship

The 2026 CTCL Scholarship is open!

The Colleges That Change Lives Scholarship was established in 2016 to honor the 20th anniversary of the publication of the first edition of Loren Pope’s classic book and the 10th anniversary of the non-profit organization, Colleges That Change Lives.

CTCL will award two $6,000 scholarships in 2026.

The scholarship is open to ALL current high school seniors and others who plan to enroll at a CTCL member institution as first-time undergraduates for the 2026 - 2027 academic year. Part I is due by 11:59 pm ET March 13 and Part II is due by 11:59 pm ET, April 10.

College Profiles