The research for the Legend app focused on understanding the challenges high school juniors face in their college search process and identifying opportunities for improving the user experience through personalized matching.

RESEARCH

Through 1-on-1 interviews with four high school juniors, we gathered insights into user behavior, challenges, and priorities on their college search journey. Many students rely heavily on general search engines like Google to find college-related information, but the results are often fragmented and not tailored to their individual profiles

1-on-1 interviews insights

We analyzed the mobile experiences of Common App, Scoir, Niche, and Loper to identify industry benchmarks and areas for differentiation. Key features such as compare, in-app application functionality, personalized recommendations, and acceptance probability insights directly influenced our design process.

  • Competitors like Niche offer tools for college search but lack the depth of personalized AI-driven recommendations and detailed profile matching that Legend provides.

  • While some platforms provide reviews and rankings, they do not offer actionable insights on how students can enhance their profiles to improve their chances of acceptance.

  • Most competitive platforms offer limited customization, focusing primarily on general search and filters. Few provide detailed breakdowns of college matches based on the student's academic and extracurricular profiles.

competitive analyses insights

cares

  • Finding the Right College

  • Affordability & Financial Aids

  • Guidance on College Search

loves

  • Personalized Recommendations

  • Acceptance Chance

  • Flexibility to Compare

pains

  • Overwhelming information

  • Matching Requirements

  • Lack of Personalized Feedback

research findings

GOALS

  • Find a College Match

  • Receive Personalized Guidance

  • Understand College Requirements

Through a combination of qualitative interviews, competitive analysis, and market research, we gained a comprehensive understanding of students' goals and pain points in their college search. These insights directly informed the design and development of Legend, ensuring the app provides personalized guidance and matches tailored to the unique needs of high school juniors.

pains

  • Information Overload

  • Lack of Personalization

  • Uncertainty in Profile Matching