declaring schools as 'matches'

College Search & Selection
1

<p>ok, I am having some trouble deciding if a school is really a match for me. I'm worried that I'll be applying to too many reaches and safeties because none of my so-called matches are truly matches. How can one truly decide when they are dealing with upper-tier schools? For example, schools such as UVA, Tufts, Williams, NYU. I don't want to assume too much when considering these schools because we all know they are tough to get into, but not exactly as tough as Ivies, Duke, whatever. So can I safely assume, that if I fall above the 75th percentile for their SAT scores (assuming a great GPA & high school record, pretty good ec's, essays, and recs) that they are a match, even though they are generally hard to get into? Even though their middle 25-75 percentile is really good, anyway... and that I will most likely get in? </p>

<p>Please help, I am trying to narrow down my college list and start the apps, I just want to make sure I have a good list compiled.</p>

2

<p>I would say that if your stats place you above the 75th percentile AND the school accepts more than 30% of the applicants, you can probably consider it a match. If the acceptance rate is lower than that, I think you need to put it in the reach category.</p>

3

<p>Just don't forget about those true safeties...make sure you have one and that you would be happy going there.</p>

4

<p>don't worry i have safeties i love lol. ok so is the 30 % of applicants deal a general consensus then, because if I remember correctly, Tufts and UVA are both a little over 30%...</p>

5

<p>Tufts isn't a safety b/c they reject overqualified applicants.</p>