Figuring Out the Right List of Colleges to Apply To

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello everyone! I am a high school junior trying to figure out a list of colleges to apply to. I want to make sure that my list of colleges that I will be applying to is realistic. I have a few ivy league schools that I want to apply to (though I realize they are reaches). I'm not going to take the time to post all of my stats. My grades, gpa, course load, standardized test scores, and extracurriculars are high enough to apply and see what happens. I am also a URM and a legacy at one of the ivys I am going to apply to (Both my parents went to University of Pennsylvania.).</p>

<p>Anyway, I realize that I shouldn't get my heart set on the ivy league. I am applying to two safeties that I really like. They both have around an 80% acceptance rate. I would hope that would be considered "safe"... I found a few small liberal arts colleges that I really like. They have between a 30-45% acceptance rate</p>

<p>So here are my questions.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>How many schools should a student apply to? Are about 3 reaches, 2 matches, and two safeties good enough, or should I apply to more matches and safeties?</p></li>
<li><p>Can a school with a 30-45% acceptance rate be considered a match?</p></li>
<li><p>Any other tips, or examples of match schools along the east coast?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Thank you in advance!</p>

2

<p>I don’t know if this makes much of a difference, but for the schools that I consider matches, my test scores and gpa are above the average that the schools publish.</p>

3

<p>Is financial aid going to be a factor in your decision?</p>

4

<p>If you have safeties you would be happy attending then the rest you apply to are gravy. My DDs both applied to five schools. I’ve seen some students posting on CC that applied to more than 20. It all falls under YMMV.</p>

5

<p>Financial aid isn’t much of a factor.</p>

6

<p>Sorry, but what is YMMV?</p>

7

<p>KeDIX, YMMV stands for “your mileage may vary.” In other words, your experience/outcome/priorities may not be the same as others’.</p>