Hi all! I'm a junior, and I'm working on putting together a balanced list of colleges to apply to. How do I decide if a college should be considered a reach, target, or safety school for me? Are there any specific guidelines I should follow? Thanks for your help!
Hello! It's great that you're working on creating a balanced list of colleges. When it comes to categorizing schools as reach, target, or safety, there are a few factors to consider, such as your academic profile, location preferences, and the school's acceptance rate. Here's a general guideline you can follow:
1. Reach schools: These are colleges where your academic profile (GPA, test scores, etc.) falls below the average admitted student's profile or where the acceptance rate is very low (typically below 25%). It's worth applying to a few of these, but you should be aware of the competitive nature.
2. Target schools: These are colleges where your academic profile is within the range of the average admitted student. The acceptance rate might be moderate to high, and you have a good chance of being admitted if your application is strong. These should make up the majority of your list.
3. Safety schools: These are colleges where your academic profile is above the average admitted student, and the acceptance rate is relatively high. You should have a high chance of being admitted and can consider these as backup options.
Remember that these categories are not set in stone, and you should also consider factors such as fit, cost, and available programs when deciding where to apply. Good luck with your college search!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.