<p>So im looking at colleges and i can tell which ones are reaches for me....the problem is for the rest i dont know whether or not they would be matches or safeties....basically i want to know where you draw the line between match and safety?</p>
<p>One very cut and dry way would be to look at your uw GPA and test scores. If you are in the 50 to 75 percent range for accepted applicants in each of those areas at a particular school then I’d say you are a match. If you are above (preferably well above) the 75 percent range of accepted applicants of a particular school in each of those areas, then that could be considered a safety school.</p>
<p>A match is a school that tends to accept students that are a lot like you – about the same stats, and the same general type of kid, perhaps – and if you’ve had a chance to visit that school, you feel strongly like you’re a perfect fit there (and vice versa). It matches who you are, what you want, and what you bring to the table. It may or may not be affordable without financial aid, but you know you fit there, in terms of both academics and “personality.” Even though that school accepts kids that are a lot like you – same sorts of stats and general “feel,” they may or may not have enough slots year after year to take every kid who is a perfect fit. You won’t necessarily get in. You won’t necessarily afford it. But the fact that you “fit” there is indisputable in your mind.</p>
<p>A safety is likewise, hopefully, a place where you feel comfortable, where you “fit,” where you can afford an education, AND where you can see yourself attending (also a good “fit,” even if it’s not your very favorite or your ideal). [A lot of people tend to overlook that part, btw. That’s a mistake! It must also be a good enough “fit!”]</p>
<p>The big difference between a match and a safety is, you’re pretty much a shoe-in at your safety. It’s a place you pretty much know will accept you and you pretty much know you can afford. It’s the school you’ll go to if all the other schools on your list don’t accept you for some strange, unlucky reason. And/or it’s the school you’ll go to if none of the other schools offer you a financial package you can afford.</p>
<p>For a lot of people, one of their state schools is often one of their safeties – simply because a lot of state schools are more affordable, offer a lot of academic and extracurricular options, and in many cases have standards that allow their state’s high school students to attend.</p>
<p>It’s extremely important that you find a really good safety or two! Make it someplace you will still be happy to attend, even if it’s not your absolute ideal.</p>
<p>Hope this helps. I was a little awkward with the wording. I’m really tired! ;-)</p>
<p>I mostly agree with Jshain but you also need to consider the acceptance percentage. If the acceptance percentage is high (>60%) and you’re above the 75% in GPA/class rank and scores, it should be more on the safety side. And you should take into account whether or not you can AFFORD the school (including merit aid).</p>
<p>Safety = Guaranteed Admission
Match = 50/50 Chance</p>