Changing College List Categories from Reaches/Safeties to Unlikely/Extremely Likely

[CMA22]

I like the proposed new language because it puts the focus on the institution and the spots it makes available, rather than putting the focus on applicants and framing it as if they successfully meet some unknowable threshold of criteria or not. I tried to incorporate the new language in my response to a recent thread about “safety” (aka “likely”) schools:

No Safeties....are we ok or not?

I think your kids stand excellent chances of getting into a school on their lists, but I also think every student should have a few schools where it is very likely to get in — bonus points if they are very affordable, too. I know my own kid has grown to love schools that accepted her early. She has received scholarships and admission to honors colleges and special programs while waiting to hear from other schools that are possible, but not likely admits for anyone. As she has visited the schools that already accepted her, her vision of what she wants has evolved. She’s like your child who wants to be among friendly students and not a cut-throat atmosphere and she’s finding her “people” in unexpected places. The schools she has grown more fond of are not necessarily the highest ranked overall, but she sees opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities with less competition while still getting rigorous academics in honors courses and other programs designed for high-achiev…