The Final Four--Past and Present

Why use visualizations?

As I built the chart below, I reflected on the very purpose of charts and interactive graphics: you can gain big-picture knowledge without using much time or brain power.

I grew up with and dwell among college basketball fans. If you're born in early March and raised in Kentucky, you realize--in time--that the crowd gathered at the house on your birthday will sing to you and eat cake....but, you know, they're there to watch the SEC tournament. Duh. I digress.

The point is, anybody related to me could tell you who shot what jumper in what year to clinch which game. I don't want to know all that, but I'd like not to seem completely clueless during March Madness.

The UConn women's team lost a close one last night, but one glance above tells anyone that they've been a powerhouse for a long time and will surely be back.

And so it is with college information. Parents--even counselors-you don't have to know everything; you just need to identify the necessary information for the next step. Know what you don't know. Then find it.

That's why we're here. We promote an evidence-driven college search and provide the tools to drive it. In a world of overwhelm and confusion, we work to make it meaningful and manageable.

See you in the finals!

Leigh