What are considered reach colleges and how should I approach applying to them?

I've been hearing a lot about 'reach colleges' and I'm trying to figure out what exactly makes a college a reach for me. I understand it's based on acceptance rates and my stats compared to a school's profile, but I'm not sure how to categorize schools as reach, match, or safety.

Also, when applying to reach schools, should I focus on a few and spend more time on each application, or is it better to apply to more in hopes of getting accepted to at least one? Any advice on how to make my application stand out would be really appreciated!

A reach school is typically a college where your academic qualifications (like GPA, standardized test scores) fall below the school's average range for the cohort of students accepted the previous year. These schools are considered a 'reach' not because they are out of your league, but because they are generally selective and accept a small percentage of students who apply.

For instance, if you have a 3.5 GPA and the middle 50% GPA range for a college you're interested in is 3.7 to 4.0, it would be considered a reach school. However, a college being a 'reach' doesn't mean you won't get in. It simply means you should be aware that admission is less certain, and you'll need to put extra effort into different aspects of your application.

When you approach reach schools, it's important not to spread yourself too thin. Instead of applying to a large number of reach schools, focus on a few that truly interest you and spend time crafting strong applications for those.

Here are few tips to make your application stand out:

1. Highlight your story: The best way to catch an admission officer's attention is through a compelling personal narrative, especially in your essays. Try not to rehash your resume or accomplishments (those should be clear from the rest of your application). Instead, focus on experiences that truly define you and have shaped your perspectives. Avoid cliche stories and instead find a unique angle to your experience.

2. Show depth in extracurriculars: Instead of presenting a wide array of unrelated activities, use your extracurriculars to showcase your deep commitment to a few key areas. This can demonstrate your persistence, passion, and leadership skills.

3. Show your interest: Some colleges (though not highly selective ones) take demonstrated interest into account. Try to attend online webinars hosted by the college, sign up for email lists and follow their social media platforms, or connect with faculty, admissions officers, or students from that institution.

4. Letter of Recommendation: A glowing letter of recommendation from someone who knows you well can add another dimension to your application. Choose recommenders who can speak in detail about your contributions, work ethic, and personality.

5. Optional Application Components: If a reach school offers optional essays or application components, take advantage of these. They provide an extra opportunity to showcase aspects of your personality and interests that may not come through in the required parts of the application.

Remember, each part of your application should add something new to your overall story; repetition may lead to a flat, one-dimensional representation of who you are. Aim for coherence and depth over quantity in your applications.