Can someone please define these terms more clearly?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello, all. </p>

<p>I've been trolling these forums for a while, and have, of course, come across plenty of chance threads. Being but a lowly rising junior, I don't have a great understanding of words like "low match," or "high reach," etc. Obviously, I realize the general ideas of these phrases, that a safety is generally guaranteed, while a reach is exactly that, and whatnot. </p>

<p>I know there are threads out there like this one, but I was wondering what these terms are based on. Percentiles? Can each term be assigned a range of probability of acceptance (e.g., would a match be something like a 60% chance of admittance?)?</p>

<p>Thanks for your help.</p>

2

<p>It’s too hard to be as specific as to actually give percentage values, because admissions are sometimes (especially to higher-end colleges) very unpredictable. For instance, a 2400, 4.0 student who did medical research over the summer may be rejected from his top universities while a 2000, 3.6, mediocre-EC student may get in. Most admissions are very holistic - meaning they place a lot of importance beyond your numbers and really get to know you as a person (through essays and recs) in order to find out if you’re a potentially good match for their institution. Therefore, we like to chance based on the safety-high reach scale, as follows, as opposed to specific percentages. </p>

<p>Safety: admission guaranteed; usually means you are well above average in that school </p>

<p>High Match: you will <em>most likely</em> get into this school, though it is not exactly a safety; usually means you have a fairly decent chance and can expect to get in, but nothing is assured. </p>

<p>Match/Low Reach: this school is definitely a realistic possibility, but your chances of getting in are only average. Its about 50/50 - you may get in, you may not get in. These schools are still worth a try but you cannot be too confident of admission. </p>

<p>Reach: This school is still in your spectrum of possibility, but it’s way at the top - meaning you <em>do</em> have a shot at this school, but your chances are below average. It’s worth a try, but be prepared for a no. </p>

<p>High Reach: This is the very end of your possibility spectrum - it is <em>most likely</em> that you will not get into this school, meaning your chances are incredibly slim. These schools are not always worth a shot, and financial standing, etc., contributes into whether or now you should apply. Sometimes its better to save the money and ED possibility for another school, but if you really really really LOVE this school you can still go for it. However, you should really expect a definite no. The way you’d get into this school is through getting very lucky - in other words, by chance. </p>

<p>Hope this clears up your confusion with the terms, and good luck in whatever educational career you decide to pursue!</p>

3

<p>Low and high matches have different definitions depending on the chancers.</p>

<p>As for me (and you will see many of those from me):</p>

<p>Low match: you will <em>most likely</em> get into this school, though it is not exactly a safety; usually means you have a fairly decent chance and can expect to get in, but nothing is assured. </p>

<p>High match: Not exactly a reach, a better shot than at a reach but still somewhat below average</p>