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TESTIMONIALS
The College Finder is long-established as a seminal work in college planning, used by counsellors and students worldwide to help research US university options. With Steven’s huge expertise and connections, this new edition will build on these great successes and will surely find its place on the bookshelves of college counsellors the world over.
David Hawkins, Director
The University Guys Consulting, London, England, Global University Applications Specialists
For more than two decades The College Finder has been a staple resource of my college counseling work. The Fifth Edition takes it to the next level with meticulously curated lists, thoughtful organization, and expert insights making it a must-have guide for navigating the ever-changing landscape of higher education. The expanded sections on affordability, international schools, and lifestyle interests make this edition especially relevant, empowering students to envision and pursue their best college options with confidence. Steve and Jay’s collaborative approach ensures that this guide remains a trusted and comprehensive tool for families seeking clarity in an often overwhelming process.
Kristina L. Dooley, Certified Educational Planner
Independent Educational Consultants Association, Past President
The College Finder is highly recommended! It is a wonderful resource that I’ve used for many years. It brings together the collective wisdom of experienced counselors to help with list building and matching students with best-fit colleges.
Robert Von Hagen
Director of College Counseling, Marist School, Brookhaven, Georgia
Many times, I see students and counselors ask, “What is the best college for...?”. Rather than depending on random responses, Antonoff and McCann have updated this book by asking many experienced counselors to give their input. Rather than just majors, the book focuses on many other aspects of college that should be important to students. This is a great resource for students, parents, and counselors!
Bill Dingledine, Certified Educational Planner, Founder, Educational Directions, Inc., Greenville, SC
Past-President, Southern Association for College Admission Consultants
For the past several decades, American parents have been obsessed with their children attending an elite college, without any supporting research that these “brand-named” schools will lead to lifelong success. For the past four decades, however, Dr. Antonoff has taken a different approach. He understands the “whole student” and collects volumes of information from schools across the country to help each student choose the right college for their unique needs and desires. College Finder 5 is not about the name of the school, but the right fit for each student. My now surgeon son used the original version of College Finder to guide his college choice!
Craig A. Knippenberg, LCSW, M.Div., Family Therapist
Author, Shame-Free Parenting: Building Resiliency in Times of Hardship, Guns and Social Media and Wired and Connected: Brain-Based Solutions To Ensure Your Child’s Social and Emotional Success
Carolyn Geldermann, MBA, Certified Educational Planner
Founder, Geldermann College Consulting, Lake Forest, IL
The College Finder is my go-to resource for list-building in my college consulting practice. The provided categories reveal so much more than just the basics (size/location/majors) found in most online searches and books. I love the unique categories that describe the vibe and affordability of a school—ultimately helping me determine the best fit for my students. I look forward to this even more comprehensive Fifth Edition and highly recommend this “must-have” resource!
The College Finder opens doors to possibilities! Finder offers information not available elsewhere. Here you'll find an insider's perspective on topics such as affordability, academics, extracurriculars, and international colleges. This book combines college knowledge with student knowledge, providing a practical, actionable road map for students, parents and advisors to follow in a search for higher education options. I recommend this and many of Dr. Antonoff ’s books for my courses at UCLA. Steven has extensive knowledge of colleges and universities and a deep understanding of the college planning process.
Cyndy McDonald, MA, Certified Educational Planner
The College Counselor’s Coach, Visalia, CA | Instructor, college counseling classes, UCLA Extension
The College Finder and Dr. Antonoff’s resources have always been my go to tools to help families along the path to finding the perfect college. This invaluable guide demystifies the overwhelming process of selecting a school, guiding students and families with pertinent information from vetted experts. The simple and structured format of organizing colleges into lists based on meaningful characteristics such as accessibility of professors, financial aid opportunities, academic areas of interest, offers a personalized approach. This book will empower the reader to make confident and informed decisions based on academic excellence, social fit, affordability, and more.
Carmen Tercilla, CT College Tactics, Miami, FL
Past Member of the Board of Directors, Independent Educational Consultants Association
Jan Kerchner, MBA, Certified Educational Planner
CEO and Founder, The College Blueprint, LLC, Irvine, California
The College Finder is a must-have resource for every reader who is approaching the college search process. It is an indispensable guide for both parents and students navigating the complex journey of finding the perfect college fit. For students and parents — along with counselors and educational consultants — it is an invaluable tool for guiding students through this multifaceted process. Thoroughly researched, The College Finder offers well-organized lists to help readers identify colleges aligned with their academic goals, preferred environment, and desired lifestyle.
I manage a practice of 18 tremendously seasoned college counselors, and we all lean heavily on the concise, sage counsel provided by Dr. Antonoff, who religiously updates his data to match the ever-changing college landscape. The past several years, our students have hailed from over 35 states and 70 countries, and every type of candidate has benefited from the practical and philosophical guidance provided by The College Finder.
Don McMillan, CEO, McMillan Education, Boston, MA
This updated, expanded Fifth Edition of The College Finder is destined to be as dog-eared as my previous copies. The College Finder has long been an indispensable tool for those of us guiding students to their best-fit colleges. This Edition features fresh insights, robust lists, and contributions from experts nationwide—remains an essential resource for every serious college planner. Dr. Antonoff is the father of Independent Educational Consulting and a mentor to so many of us who guide students through the college search. The College Finder has long been one of his greatest contributions—a vital resource in its earlier editions, and now, in this expanded Fifth Edition, an indispensable cornerstone for college planners and students alike.
Chris Bell, MS, Certified Educational Planner, Bell College Consulting
Chair, American Institute of Certified Educational Planners, Boulder, CO
The Fifth Edition of The College Finder will be a welcome addition to the bookshelf of every college admissions professional and college applicant. Dr. Steven Antonoff is a towering figure in the field of college admissions consulting, and his books have been go-to resources for families and professionals alike for decades. The College Finder is one of these invaluable resources, and Antonoff—along with co-author Jay McCann—have managed to update it beautifully. Whatever you’re seeking in a college, you’ll find it here, with over 1,200 lists that capture a vast range of interests and needs.
Eric Endlich, Ph.D.
Founder, Top College Consultants, Walnut Creek, CA
I came into the joy of working with students on the college search from another field, one with very differentiated products and clear market segmentation. So, in my first few years, I endlessly asked colleagues how they developed their college knowledge. Enter Steven Antonoff’s The College Finder. Though educational institutions are delightfully complex, Steven, Jay and their legions of collaborators provide useful frameworks to consider the differences and similarities. This allows students, counselors, educational consultants, parents and others to bring more nuance and understanding into the college selection journey.
Amy McVeigh, MBA, Harvard University
Founder, Smart College Selection, Frankfort, MI | Instructional Designer and Instructor, University of California, Berkeley, College Admissions Certificate Programs
Searching for and applying to college should be a time to celebrate opportunity, grow personally, and explore purpose. Too often the hype and big business that surround admission, distract applicants from what really matters. Instead of focusing on mission and self-awareness, selectivity, rankings and perceived prestige intrude on this experience. The College Finder is just what students and their supporters need to cut through the noise of the “admission industrial complex.” The authors empower applicants to explore what is best for them and provides the resources to identify colleges that will match their strengths, interests and goals.
Brennan Barnard
Co-author of The Truth About College Admission: A Family Guide to Getting In and Staying Together
You absolutely NEED this book in your counseling resources! I’m constantly discovering new gems within its pages. Steve and Jay have created the most comprehensive college guide I’ve ever seen, with lists for every niche - from top majors to schools for athletes, students with learning differences, colleges for budget-conscious families and summer and gap year programs. It’s overflowing with invaluable advice and resources. Trust me, this book is a game-changer for any counselor serious about guiding students to their perfect college match!
Diane Campbell
Liberty Common High School, Director of College Counseling (CO)
President, Rocky Mountain Association of College Admission Counseling
The College Finder is more than a reference — it’s a catalyst for discovery. It consistently helps me uncover additional college options that might not immediately come to mind, while offering invaluable insights into campus culture, student life, and community fit. Whether it’s exploring schools abroad, diving into affordability and financial aid, or learning about programs that nurture a student’s unique character and work ethic, this book is truly indispensable. As a seasoned college counselor, it has been my go-to resource, always within arm’s reach during the busy spring season as I work with juniors and their families. What truly sets this guide apart is its rich variety of fun and unique categories—like colleges for beachgoers, campuses with respected art museums, vibrant college cities with music scenes, and even colleges with golf courses or programs for budding entrepreneurs. These creative options encourage students to think more carefully and deeply about colleges that align not just with their academic interests but also with their hobbies, personality, values, and aspirations.
Randy Mills
Director of College Counseling at Greenhill School (TX)
The College Finder is hands down one of the most essential tools in the toolbox for anyone that is supporting a prospective student through the college search! When I began my career as a school-based college counselor, The College Finder was the first resource that I sought out because it was highly recommended by every counselor that I had met in my career as an admission counselor. The wide variety of lists provided in the book have helped me produce more well-rounded college lists that match my students’ quickly evolving interests throughout their college search. This is a book that should be on the bookshelf of every college counseling professional across the country.
Julio Mata
Director of College Counseling, Francis Parker School (CA)
Past President, Western Association of College Admission Counseling
The College Finder is more than a resource; it’s a must-have guide for making the college search process clearer and more meaningful. The College Finder has been my go-to resource for creating personalized college lists throughout my time counseling students. Jay and Steve have put together an incredibly useful tool, backed by expert advice, to help students explore their options. It does more than list colleges—it encourages students to think deeply about their academic and personal priorities. In its fifth edition, the book offers an even broader, more student-focused approach to finding the best college fit.
Juan Salvador Acosta
Director of College Counseling at The Paideia School (GA)
Past Board of Directors, Southern Association of College Admission Counseling
The College Finder is a valuable resource for educators, students, and families exploring the various opportunities colleges offer for a well-rounded and transformative college experience. With the evolving landscape of higher education, college admissions have become more complex than ever. It’s important to reconsider what success really means when choosing a college or university. The ideal institution should not focus solely on rankings, prestigious names, or family expectations; instead, it should provide an environment where you can thrive and grow.
Timothy Fields, Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduate Admission, Emory University
Co-Author of Black Families Guide to College Admission
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