Hey everyone, I'm a junior working on my college list. Do you suggest including a mix of reach, match, and safety schools or just focusing on a few schools that I feel confident about? Any advice is appreciated.
Hey there! When building your college list, it is indeed wise to apply to a mix of reach, match, and safety schools. It's critical to have balance, as this increases your chances of being admitted to a college that both suits your needs and will push you to grow academically and personally.
Usually, your list should be about 8-10 schools, with something like 2-3 reaches, 3-4 matches, and 2 safeties. If you're too heavy on reaches, you may end up without an option you're excited about, whereas if you overemphasize safeties, you might ultimately realize that you don't think these schools will encourage your growth in the way you want.
In summary, by applying to a variety of schools, you'll maximize your chances of having options when it's time to choose where to attend. Remember that you can focus on and show significant interest in your top choices while having some backup options. Best of luck!
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