we still have three more colleges to visit but we’re getting close with my D’s list of schools. From what I can see, the challenge is around finding matches that are not really reaches and safeties that are not really matches. Would love feedback if we’ve classified the schools correctly. She won’t apply to all these schools, right now just looking for feedback.
thanks for the help!
basic stats:
caucasian female
4.0 unw, 8aps, two languages
act - 33, 34 superscore
ecs - ok
no hooks
safety
mcgill
university of vermont
tulane
case western
rochester
Remember that cost considerations could move a school to a different category. For example, if a school is unaffordable unless a highly competitive merit scholarship is earned, it becomes a reach.
Some of the “safeties” listed above consider “level of applicant’s interest”, so they may not be as safe as assumed.
@doschicos
we chose those two as reaches (as opposed to far reaches) on the basis of naviance data: seem friendly to our school and they’ve consistently accepted similar candidates.
@sybbie719
yes, I’m concerned about the matches (including colby). here’s the naviance data:
emory - in the last 10 years, emory hasn’t rejected an applicant with a 95.5 and a 2100 sat. D’s gpa and act score are > than those stats. also, emory superscores the act, the 75th percentile is a 32. so our thinking is match but would appreciate opinions to the contrary.
u mich - much more problematic, they were taking 75% of applicants from our school and then two years ago it fell to 1 for 9 with just the salutatorian gaining admittance. fwiw, her brother attends, may give her a little leg up.
You know, there are always what ifs. Getting WL or rejected by safeties to protect yield, didn’t feel the love. Maybe a school is a low reach instead of a match, etc. Regardless, I think you’ve built a balanced list with a variety of selectivity, size, geographic location and other attributes. Just because a school is categorized as matches and safeties there could be some she doesn’t get into, that’s why you apply to more than 1 in each category.
With the list you have built, your daughter WILL get into multiple colleges and she WILL have choices. I wouldn’t sweat it any more than that.
I think your school’s naviance is a much better estimator of admissions chances than CC. If she likes all of them you are good to go. She does have s safety she likes?
Tulane may think your D is using them as a safety. To ward against a wl there, make sure she shows a lot of interest and writes strong, targeted supplements.
Applying ED to Wash U would likely move it to a match
Unless at least one of those on the safety list guarantees admission for students with her stats, and that particular institution also is fully affordable for your family without any aid other than guaranteed merit aid and/or guaranteed state or federal aid, then she doesn’t have a real safety. Have her work on that issue.
My son’s school’s Naviance was 100% accurate as far as admission is concerned. Cost is a completely different issue. If you are chasing merit money it can be quite variable, and for middle to upper middle class families you may see tuition (without FA) of $60-$70K. FA can vary wildly depending on things you may not have considered such as: # of siblings, #of siblings in private schools, # of siblings in college for undergraduate, home equity, and your pre-tax retirement contributions, even capital gains and dividends.
I never felt the need for a 100% stat safety school. My older son heard from his safety before Thanksgiving that he was in via a priority application. If any of those schools have EA - getting in early is the ultimate safety. When my kids were applying Emory had pretty unpredictable admissions. I think your daughter will have plenty of good choices with that list.
As for what is a match - a match doesn’t mean you will get in. Just that you have a decent chance of getting in. That’s why you have safeties.
My philosophy is have two safeties you are happy with and don’t worry about the rest of the list.
@wisteria100 she was thinking the same thing about wash u but her dream school is Duke, Dartmouth a close 2nd. At least right now, she doesn’t want to give up a very long shot at Duke ED (and then dartmouth rd) for a surer bet at wash u. She’d be very happy attending any of her matches so she’s more willing to roll the dice.
@happymomof1 we think mcgill is a guarantee. The others have been very friendly to our hs though I am concerned, as others have pointed out, about yield protection.
for those that asked about the need for merit aid, we’re going to be full pay.
UVM gives merit aid to out-of-state students with certain stats, and I think you’re right that it’s a safety for your daughter. If she liked it, I suggest keeping it on your list.
Intended major? Some schools, CMU for sure, have VERY different acceptance rates for different colleges/majors. For ex, at CMU, computer science rate is ~5%, vs A&S ~20%. Just something to keep in mind.