Understanding Safety Schools Better

Yo everyone, I'm trying to finalize my list of colleges and the term 'safety school' has cropped up. What exactly does it mean? Like, is it a college where I'm guaranteed admission because of my stats or something else? A little bit worried so any info would be really helpful.

Hey there! In the college application process, a "safety school" is typically referred to as a college or university where your academic qualifications (like GPA and test scores, if applicable) significantly exceed those of an average admitted student, so you have a high probability of being admitted. However, it's important to note that there are never any absolutes or guarantees during the college admission process.

The concept of a safety school generally serves two purposes. First, it's a kind of insurance policy for you. If for some reason you aren't accepted to your top-choice schools, you have a good chance of being admitted to your safety schools so that you have options when deciding where to enroll. Second, safety schools can sometimes be less expensive than other schools on your list, providing a good fallback option for those concerned about college costs.

Although a safety school might not be your dream institution, you should still ensure it's a school where you would enjoy spending your college years. To do so, consider factors other than just admission rates, such as the academic programs, campus culture, location, and extracurricular opportunities.

In terms of your stats, here's a handy rule-of-thumb: if your standardized test scores (if you plan on submitting them) and/or your GPA are in the top 25% of admitted students, typically that school can be considered a safety school. However, remember to also look at the school's acceptance rate, because even if your stats are in the top 25%, if the school's acceptance rate is very low (like less than 20%), it can't be considered a true safety.

I hope this clears things up! Good luck with finalizing your college list.