<p>I am having trouble determining safeties, matches, and reaches because of the range in my scores. I took the PSAT last fall: CR:80, W: 79, M: 64. I will be a senior this fall and will take the SAT in October. I am working on improving my math score, and hope to increase it to between 680-700. So, here is my problem: for a school like Wesleyan with 25/75 score ranges of CR:630-740 and M: 660-770, should I consider it a match or a safety? My CR scores are above, but my math scores will likely be in the lower-to-middle end. Thanks in advance for your help.
In case you need more info, keep reading:
World History Subject Test: 760
Literature Subject Test: 780
GPA: 3.9, unweighted
was in: AP Calc, AP World, AP Lang, Chemistry
will be in: Physics, AP Chem, AP Lit, APUS
I am interested in possibly pursuing science at a private liberal arts college...</p>
<p>Wesleyan is not a safety for anyone, regardless of their SAT scores, because of their low acceptance rate. Just looked it up and saw 28%. </p>
<p>Definitions of what qualifies as a safety vary, but in general, overall acceptance rate is important.</p>
<p>The better question is: Is Wesleyan a match or a reach for you? I would call it a high match, e.g. on the border between match and reach.</p>
<p>Sorry - bad example. I know that Wesleyan’s admit rate makes it a poor safety; I chose it to illustrate the type of trouble with the score ranges I have been having. Thanks for determination on Wesleyan. My broader question is: with any college with a score range where I am above with the verbal and middling with the math, how do I decide if it is a safety, match, or reach? (I know how to factor in admit rate, financial aid, etc. - I am just looking for clarity on the scores problem.)</p>
<p>There is no clear answer. Apply to a range of schools to reduce your risk.</p>
<p>Sorry for asking for too much.
How about this: can anyone recommend a couple match schools for me?</p>
<p>If your scores are similar to the 25/75 of a college, it is at very least a match (and possibly a reach based on those other factors you mentioned). For safeties, there should be no doubt that you’ll get it; your scores should probably be ~100 points higher than the 75% to call it a safety. Your score should be to the higher end of matches’ 25/75 and have a good admissions rate. If your score is mid/lower side of the 25/75 and/or a low admissions rate, then it’s probably a reach.</p>
<p>RyanMK: thank you so much - that information is just what I was looking for!</p>
<p>Look for schools where you total SAT score is above the 50th percentile to get an idea of what would be a match, assuming you don’t have any hooks. </p>
<p>What else are you looking for? Location? Urban or rural? </p>
<p>U. Richmond comes to mind.</p>
<p>Are you male or female? If female, would you consider women’s colleges? If male, you may get an admissions boost at coed schools (especially former women’s colleges) looking to keep their male/female ratio more balanced.</p>
<p>“Look for schools where you total SAT score is above the 50th percentile to get an idea of what would be a match, assuming you don’t have any hooks.”</p>
<p>sacchi - that’s a great idea (and you’re right, I don’t have any hooks. I’m not an athlete or a legacy.)</p>
<p>In terms of location, I’m really flexible. While being stuck in the middle of nowhere would be difficult (by which I mean no small-to-middle size city within 30-45 minutes), if the school was fantastic, it would be worth it. </p>
<p>What I’m really looking for is a great education - I want to attend a school where the students enjoy and are focused on learning (sorry if that comes across smarmy).</p>
<p>I’m female and there are several women’s colleges I’m interested in (Bryn Mawr, Barnard, Smith, Mt. Holyoke). </p>
<p>Thanks for the U. Richmond suggestion - that school was not on my radar.</p>