Do you really need matches?

<p>What is the point of matches?</p>

<p>I have 1 or 2 safeties (including my state U) where I am guaranteed of getting in, but the rest of my list constitutes reaches (all top 20).</p>

<p>If you'd be happy at your safety, but would prefer a reach, why have a match?</p>

<p>Isn't it better to just have more reaches, on the assumption you should be able to get into at least one of them?</p>

<p>Applying to many reaches does not allow you to “assume” that you will get into at least one of them. Matches, which give you a 50/50 chance, do (to the extent that one can assume anything in college admissions). That said, if you truly love your safety (test: would you be disappointed if you didn’t get into any reaches?), you don’t need matches.</p>

<p>Keilexandra: Well, I think it’s slightly different when you’re “reaches” are at the top part of the pile.</p>

<p>The reason being that schools like HYPS aren’t really a “match” for anyone, even with perfect scores. However, they’re also not “reaches” in that its unlikely for you to get into any single one of them (given top 25% stats).</p>

<p>When you’re at the top of the pool, I guess I’m not sure how you find matches: everything is either below-caliber or an “automatic reach.”</p>

<p>But yes, I really do love my safety. Of course I’d be disappointed if I didn’t get into any reaches, but why would I even apply if I wouldn’t be disappointed? But I certainly wouldn’t be devastated and would look forward to spending 4 years at my safety.</p>

<p>I think that if you have two safeties both of which you would be happy to attend you would be fine without any matches. There is always a chance you won’t get into any of your reaches. Having two safeties means you will have a choice. The guidance counselors at our kids’ h.s. suggest that everyone have two safeties.</p>

<p>I’m also at the top of the pool, and have had no trouble defining reaches. Maybe differing definitions is the issue here–for an Ivy-caliber student, schools with acceptance rates ~30% I consider matches (~15% and below would be auto-reaches), and safeties >50%. This assumes SAT ranges correlate with selectivity.</p>

<p>If you really love your safety (and it’s also a financial safety), you should be fine. Too many kids on CC throw in-state safeties on as an afterthought and would not be happy attending.</p>

<p>Well, most of the schools on my list at between 5% of 30% selectivity, with a bias towards the ~15% mark. However, that also includes some places like McGill where my numbers should virtually guarantee admission.</p>

<p>I actually was thinking about my state university <em>before</em> anything else. I know I’d be very happy there, especially if I get into the honors college.</p>

<p>I have a friend who only applied to 2 safeties and then 5 reaches. AKA really big ones for anyong. Stanford, Dartmouth being the two i remember. He ended up not getting into any but his reaches. He was really really upset because he has worked very hard through all of high school and now he is going to a safety in which he feels he is going to be with kids that didnt work at all in high school.
So i think it is important on that level that you apply to a few matches can then you have the choice to go to a school that is at a higher level than a safety. and possibly reward your hard work. if you want to think about it that wya</p>

<p>Most students change their mind about where they want to be between Sep to May (location, size, major…). I would have minimum 3-5 different type of schools to choose from come April. For a lot of students, financial safety may also be very important.</p>

<p>Matches is nice to pick because they’re like better than safeties and leaves u with a better satisfaction than the safety</p>

<p>Keilexandra is right. If you truly love your safeties you don’t need any matches. While a match may have more students that are comparable to you as a student (through scores and grades) we have seen on many posts that you get out of college what you put into it. A safety can be as challenging as a match.</p>