<p>With the exception of the top 40 or so colleges, any college can technically be a safety for a very well qualified student. For example, a student with 4.0 GPA, 1600 SAT, strong ECs, essays, and recommendations can call all but the top colleges a “safety”. In fact, this student would probably be a match (however you define it) at the most selective institutions. However, most people are not like this.</p>