Hey there, guys. When it comes to my college applications, I'm seeing this term 'reach school' quite a lot. Could somebody clarify what it exactly means? And how should I determine which of my school choices fall into this category?
A 'reach school' is typically defined as a college or university where your academic credentials — such as your GPA, test scores, and class rank — fall below the typical range of admitted students. In other words, your likelihood of getting accepted into these institutions might be lower, due to the fact that your academic profile does not match or exceed the average admitted student's profile.
Determining which of your school choices fall into this category requires a bit of research. You'll want to compare your GPA, SAT or ACT scores, and class rank with the middle 50% range of admitted students, which many schools publish on their admissions website. The middle 50% range gives you an idea of the qualifications of the majority of students who were admitted. For example, if your GPA is 3.6 and a college that you're considering has a middle 50% GPA range of 3.8-4.0, then that college would likely be a ‘reach school’ for you.
That being said, it's important to note that admissions decisions aren't solely based on academic credentials. Other aspects of your application, such as your extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations, also contribute to their decision-making process. Thus, even if a school seems like a 'reach' based on your academics, it doesn't outrightly mean you'll not be admitted. Always remember the importance of having balance in your college list, which includes having 'reach', 'match', and 'safety' schools.
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