Build a college list.
Give the next step
a direction.
Help your teen explore college possibilities and build a working list—while there’s time to research, reflect, and refine.
An online course for 10th & 11th graders. Useful for seniors, too.
They don’t need to know exactly where they want to go. They need a thoughtful place to begin.
From “I don’t know”
to “Let’s explore.”
A starting point. Room to grow.
THE LADDER METHOD · COLLEGE EXPLORATION
Starting early gives
curiosity some room.
College conversations can feel big. Where do we begin? What should we research? What if my teen doesn’t have a dream school?
You can begin without having every answer. An early working list creates something concrete to explore together—and leaves room for ideas to change.
The goal isn’t to decide your teen’s entire future.
It’s to make the next conversation, and the next step, a little clearer.
Turn possibilities
into a place to start.
Three connected steps to help students move beyond a few familiar college names.
Brainstorm
Begin exploring college ideas. Open the conversation even when your student isn’t sure what they want yet.
Research
Learn where and how to look for colleges, so a working list can begin to take shape.
Refine
Revisit the options, narrow the focus, and understand where to put further research and effort.
A head start.
Not a final decision.
Make room to explore.
Begin a college conversation before the busiest part of the process. Get familiar with researching options and let an initial list evolve as your student learns more.
Give planning a direction.
Turn college ideas into a working list. Use research to focus the next steps, including conversations about SAT/ACT goals and preparation.
Bring the options into focus.
Seniors can use the course to organize or revisit their college options. The course provides a starting framework; check each college’s current deadlines directly.
Know what you’re
working toward.
College research can help make score goals more informed—and give studying a clearer purpose. That’s why we recommend beginning this exploration before SAT/ACT preparation.
Score goals are planning tools, not admissions guarantees. Always check each college’s current testing policies directly.
The college process
starts with
the possibilities.
College List Kickstarter helps your family begin with exploration, research, and a working list—rather than waiting until every decision feels urgent.
From Candice Lapin, founder of The Ladder Method. A structured starting point for a conversation that matters.
College List Kickstarter
- Brainstorm college possibilities
- Learn where and how to research
- Refine a working college list
- Connect exploration with your next steps
Continue to checkout on Teachable.
A few helpful
answers.
Does my teen need a dream school already?
No. Brainstorming and researching possibilities are part of the process. You’re starting a working list, which can change as your teen learns more.
When is the best time to take this?
The primary audience is 10th and 11th graders. Starting before SAT/ACT preparation can help students connect their college research with informed preparation goals.
Can a senior use it?
Yes. Seniors can use the course to organize or revisit their options, although it is primarily positioned for sophomores and juniors getting started.
Is this an SAT/ACT prep course?
The focus is college exploration and list-building. It can help establish a direction for preparation, but it does not replace subject instruction or individual test preparation.
Will this guarantee admission or a particular score?
No. A working list and a score goal support planning. They are not promises of an admission decision or a test result.
Where do we enroll and access the course?
Every enrollment button takes you directly to checkout on Teachable. Course access is provided through Teachable after enrollment.