--- title: Default College Data Menu - Basics description: Default College Data Menu - Basics Choose College Data Menu Defaults --- [Skip to content](https://helpdesk.counselmore.com/default-college-data-menu-basics#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [![CounselMore College Planning Software Knowledge Base](https://helpdesk.counselmore.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logos/CMLogo_CCS_wide_trans-w2000-1.gif?width=1116&height=125&name=CMLogo_CCS_wide_trans-w2000-1.gif)](https://helpdesk.counselmore.com/?hsLang=en) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations Select below, or search by topic - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Knowledge Base : CounselMore Support](https://helpdesk.counselmore.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [SETTINGS MENU & CUSTOMIZATIONS](https://helpdesk.counselmore.com/settings-menu-customizations?hsLang=en) 3. [Settings - Default Data Columns](https://helpdesk.counselmore.com/settings-menu-customizations?hsLang=en#settings-default-data-columns) # Default College Data Menu - Basics ## Default College Data Menu - Basics Choose College Data Menu Defaults #### Most common selected data columns per list #### Most often selected data columns   Selecting the default data columns that will appear in every student's college list Which columns are most selected data columns ### **Default Data Columns** *columns that represent data points for each college* Let's add any college to our Sample Student's Counselor List. ![](https://helpdesk.counselmore.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jan-30-2025-09-40-16-6503-AM.png?width=1685&height=297&name=image-png-Jan-30-2025-09-40-16-6503-AM.png)  In the example above we see many columns. Each column represents a different data point associated with its given college. The columns that you see here are provided by default but can add other columns or remove some of these if we wish. ### **Selecting Your Default Data Columns** *Let's update the default columns for all our students* **Settings \> Data Manager**  ![](https://helpdesk.counselmore.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jan-30-2025-09-41-21-4283-AM.png?width=1915&height=855&name=image-png-Jan-30-2025-09-41-21-4283-AM.png)  When you get to the page above you've you'll notice several banners running down the page. These banner organize all the data points by category and you can see the full list by clicking on any banner. ![](https://helpdesk.counselmore.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jan-30-2025-09-42-23-1567-AM.png?width=1897&height=862&name=image-png-Jan-30-2025-09-42-23-1567-AM.png)   In the example above I've chosen to expand the Application Guidelines category. Next to the name, we'll see three icons. A parent, student, and App Tracker icon. In this case, these columns can appear in all 3 lists but this isn't always going to be the case. Go through the columns and select your preference by highlighting the appropriate icon(s). Once you have selected your defaults, **click "Merge With All Student" at the top to apply the new columns.** If you go back to the student record with this final step, you will no change. #### **What data points can I look at?** 1. #### Under each banner you will find several data points. Those data points fall under categories (banners). 2. Use the search bar at the top to search by keyword. However, a specific data point that you believe should be called "X" may actually be called "y". 3. For this reason, new members should open each banner, and read through the many options and get to know what is available. You will be almost shocked at how much there is to look at in the CounselMore college Data Menu. **Warning:** Merge With All Students will not remove any deselected columns. Please be sure to set your defaults before adding a large number of students.  #### **Reordering Columns** Once you've selected your default columns, you can reorder at the bottom of the same page. **Don't forget to click Merge With All Students** once done.    **Warning:** Any student record that **existed prior to the changes** made in defaults, will remain the same with any new columns added to the far the far right. If you were to add a New Student with a new list - then you would see removed columns if any.    MOST SELECTED DATA COLUMNS - [**SEE THIS ARTICLE**](https://helpdesk.counselmore.com/most-selected-data-columns?hsLang=en)   **Custom Columns Overview** #### **There are 2 types of Custom Columns:** 1. #### **Custom Data Column**:   An information column, that you create and is only seen by you. Track any unique college information in a separate column. Available to you as any other data point. 1. There are many information columns to choose from but what if there was something specific you'd liked track. A custom column would provide an empty editable column for you to keep that information. 2. **Custom Status Column**: Allows you to add editable columns for both you and your student in the Application tracker. 1. Many counselors have a proprietary application process. Although there are several status columns to choose from Do not use a **Custom data Column** for notes or tasks specific to a student. These are for you information keeping. Custom columns are only editable to you. The column is a general information column as is any data point on the menu. 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