Schools out there do not just take whoever applies at random. No way. They're much more methodical than that. Just as you are looking for specific qualities in a school, they are looking for specific qualities in their future students. And not all schools are looking for the same thing. Sure it doesn't hurt to have straight A's, a whopping SAT or ACT score, and a three-page list of extracurricular activities and awards. But a big buzz word among schools' admissions offices is "diversity." Meaning, when they put together a freshman class, they are looking for all kinds of different students—a mix that will ultimately display a range of strengths and abilities they've pieced together carefully to create a class that truly reflects their school as a whole.

So really, your quest for a school should not only lead you to a school that's everything you want it to be and more, but also a school that's genuinely excited about having you there as well. You want to know that you are exactly the kind of individual whom they want.

In the past, it's been mostly up to students to research and find schools. But PrincetonReview.com lets schools find you, too. So the connection can work both ways. The Princeton Review has relationships with schools worldwide, and we've got the system to bring the two of you together.

How? You supply us with your information—not only your GPA, test scores, and other academic info, but also the type of school you're interested in including size, location, activities, majors, and more. At the same time, schools come to us seeking students that match specific criteria. Then we make the match. Yes, rather like a dating service. But much less stressful!

This student-and-school match process can potentially save you time and headache, by getting you in touch with schools that actually offer all of the things you see as part of your ideal college experience. Once you complete your profile, the ball is in their court. And it feels pretty good to sit back, relax, and be "recruited." But, you can also reach out to schools that aren't pounding down your door by emailing them. We have email addresses for every school!

Here's how to get started:

1. Sign in. If you're already a user, just sign in with your user name and password. If not, it only takes a minute to register. Then you'll have full access to all of the tools, info, and resources on our site.
2. Tell us a bit about you. We've made it easier than ever for you to tell us what schools want to know. Simply fill out the questions in Counselor-O-Matic. Not only will we tell you what schools are Good Matches, Reaches, and Safeties based on your data, you'll also be able to share that data with schools. Just look for the information about allowing schools to contact you. It'll be at the top of the Counselor-O-Matic results page. If you've already done Counselor-O-Matic, go back there and go to the results page. Full information will be at the top.
3. Kick back. Periodically check your email or your PrincetonReview.com Mailbox for emails from interested schools. (Access the mailbox from My Review). We send the emails on behalf of the schools and ask you if you would like this school to contact you directly. You reply with a yes or no. And it goes from there. Keep an open mind, even with those schools you're not as familiar with. By only investigating the schools you know about, you risk cutting yourself off to new experiences, opportunities, and challenges.

Now that you know what to do…

Here's what you can expect:

• Don't expect email right away. Schools recruit on their own schedules, so email may trickle in once you're signed up.
• Don't expect a lot of correspondence during the summer. Schools more or less go on summer break so their staff is limited and not working at full capacity. Schools look for you when you're looking for them: in the fall. So the bulk of your emails will arrive between August and December.
• Do explore all of your options. We may put you in touch with schools you hadn't considered that may be a good match for you. Think about exploring them in greater depth. At the same time, you may not hear from a school you are very interested in. This doesn't mean you're not a great person, or even that you're not who they're looking for. They were simply looking for matches based on other criteria. This is not connected to whether or not you will get in. Definitely still consider applying to those in which you have a real interest.
• When you say "yes" to having the school contact you directly, they will then be sent your email address and will be able to communicate with you about your specific interests or questions. You can be in touch with as many or as few schools as you choose and are under no obligation to apply.

Our unique system is just one road to finding your dream school. But it's a road that's easy, high-tech, and runs both ways—both students and schools can find what they're looking for. It opens the doors to people and places both may not have otherwise found, and makes a reality-based connection between schools and students who are looking for each other. Happy hunting!

A Word About Privacy
You don't have to worry about your privacy. We won't divulge your name and specific data until you respond to the email we send from each school and let us know you want to hear more. Also, you can opt out of this free service. Just sign in to My Review, click on Account Profiles and select the Registration Profile and uncheck the box (or return to Counselor-O-Matic to update your contact information to opt-out). Read our Privacy Policy for more details.