How Do You Define Reach Colleges?

Hey there! I'm going through the process of creating my college list and have seen people talking about 'reach' colleges. How do you define a reach college? Is it based on my GPA, test scores, or something else? Also, how many reach schools should I apply to? Any advice would be awesome!

Hello! A "reach" college is generally defined as a school where your chances of admission are lower because your academic profile falls below the middle 50% of admitted students or the school has a highly competitive acceptance rate. When determining if a college is a reach for you, it's essential to consider factors such as your GPA, test scores (if applicable), and the overall competitiveness of the school.

For example, if a school has a 10% acceptance rate and the middle 50% of admitted students have a 3.8-4.0 GPA and 1450-1550 SAT scores, it would be considered a reach if your GPA is 3.6 and your SAT score is 1400. Keep in mind that a college being a reach for you doesn't mean it's impossible to get in; it simply indicates that your likelihood of acceptance is lower, and you should be prepared for the possibility of not being admitted.

When building your college list, it's a good idea to have a mix of reach, match, and safety schools. Reach schools should comprise about 20-40% of your total applications. Applying to multiple reach colleges can increase your chances of being accepted into at least one, but it's crucial to remain realistic and have a balanced list.

A balanced college list should include:

- Reach schools: These are colleges where your chances are lower, but you're still interested in attending if accepted.

- Match schools: These are colleges where your academic profile aligns with the middle 50% of admitted students, and you have a reasonable chance of being admitted.

- Safety schools: These are colleges where your academic profile is significantly beyond the middle 50% of admitted students, virtually assuring your acceptance.

Remember that in addition to your academic qualifications, other factors like extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendation letters also play a crucial role in the admissions process. Therefore, while a college might seem like a reach, a strong application as a whole can still sway the odds in your favor. Good luck with your college search!