Understanding Reach Schools

Hi everyone, I'm kind of new to this college applications process and was wondering about what 'reach schools' are. Do they refer to schools that are harder to get into or something else? How important is it to apply to reach schools?

Hello! You're right on point! A 'reach school' is indeed a college or university that could be challenging for a student to gain acceptance into based on their academic profile. When you're creating your college list, it's a great strategy to include a mix of reach, match, and safety schools.

Reach schools are typically those where your academic credentials - like your GPA, standardized test scores (if the school still requires them), class rank, etc., - fall below the average range for students accepted in the past year. However, these numerical figures aren't the only factors that institutions consider. For instance, your extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation also play a part in your application strengths.

Including reach schools in your application portfolio is important because it can provide an opportunity to attend a school that may seem slightly out of your typical range. And, who knows, you might end up surprising yourself! Colleges do sometimes accept students whose test scores and grades might be a bit lower than their average.

Just keep in mind the following:

1) Applying to reach schools shouldn't be done at the expense of applying to match and safety schools. Make sure you're also highly considering and applying to these schools that better fit your academic profile, in case your reach applications don't pan out as hoped.

2) Applying to a large number of reach schools can considerable time and effort, especially due to their typically more rigorous application requirements (like supplemental essays). So, balance is key.

Best of luck with your college applications!