Can someone please explain reach, match, and safety schools?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior in high school, and I'm starting to put together my college list, but I'm a bit confused about the terminology. Can someone please clarify what reach, match, and safety schools are? Thanks!

Hey there! It's great that you're already working on your college list. I'd be happy to help you understand what reach, match, and safety schools are and how they can help you strategize your applications.

Reach schools: These are colleges where your academic credentials (GPA, test scores, etc.) fall below the school's average for admitted students. Getting into a reach school might be challenging, but it's not impossible if you have a strong application and showcase your unique qualities. For example, an Ivy League school may be a reach for many students.

Match schools: These institutions have an average acceptance rate, and your academic profile is similar to that of typically admitted students. You have a fair chance of being accepted, but it's not guaranteed. For example, a highly-ranked state university may be a match for you.

Safety schools: Your academic credentials are above the average for admitted students at these schools, and there's a high likelihood that you'll be accepted. It's wise to have a few safety schools on your list to ensure you have options.

For more information and tips, I'd recommend checking out this CollegeVine blog post: https://blog.collegevine.com/10-considerations-for-making-your-college-list/. Good luck!