<p>I've been on cc for quite a while now but never figured out how you determine low match/ reach/ etc so how exactly do you do it?</p>
<p>If you have access to a website that gives out scattergrams, where you can chart applicants’ credentials (GPA vs. SAT/ACT is most useful) against their admission decisions, that is very helpful for the first part.</p>
<p>The second part looks very much like what an admissions officer would do in the absence of essays; since I take on lots of requests for non-elite schools, they serve mostly as a function of fine-tuning a verdict.</p>
<p>^Exactly. I personally put a lot of thought into every response I give to “chance” posts. If I know a lot about a school, I’ll chance them immediately, but if I don’t, I’ll research the college (using Cappex, Parchment, US News, About.com, the college’s website, and other sources) until I get a fairly good idea of 1) what grades, test scores, and classes are required/recommended, and 2) how the college views ECs, volunteering, the essays, etc.</p>
<p>The final thing I make sure to do ALWAYS is proof-read my post for any rude tonality; after seeing countless posts on CC that are passive-aggressive, and even downright mean, I always make sure that although my advice is realistic, I stay optimistic and friendly throughout the post. It’s good to reinforce positive things and help people kindly, not to immediately dash their hopes. We’re all in this together–as members of the same generation, and even on a smaller level, as members of CC–so we need to always remain respectful and genuinely care about other CCers. Otherwise, what’s even the point of being on this site?</p>