<p>^ It’s all relative. Duke/Cornell/Chicago aren’t even reasonable reaches for most people. </p>
<p>The average high school student has a B average, no AP classes, and a 1500 SAT. Such a student would be a reach at plenty of state schools. </p>
<p>Schools like Duke and Cornell are reaches for virtually everyone. The acceptance rates are around 20% because mostly top students apply.</p>
<p>That’s why you need to wait for high school. Until you establish a record of grades/scores/activities, you have no direction to take your college search. For all we know, you could either be a reach for Michigan State or a match at Duke. We just don’t know yet.</p>