<p>What should my ratio of safety/target/reach schools that I'm applying to be? For example, should I have more target or reach schools? and how do you determine for sure whether a college is considered safety/target/reach? Because the only thing we can base it on are the school's freshman profile of rankings, GPA and test scores. the rest like extracurriculars, essays, recs are all up to the admissions office.</p>
<p>I'd say 3 reaches, 3 matches, 2 safeties.</p>
<p>Talk to your GC, post a chances thread, or pay 89$ for the professional CC evaluation, or all three.</p>
<p>There is no one answer to that question. You can apply to just one college, if you are fairly sure of getting in and can afford it. You can apply to two or three, if you are willing to scramble and pay full tuition at schools that accept applicants late in spring and even summer if things fall through. But, in general, mj93 gave good advice. You can reduce that number if you are not interested in reaches and are pretty sure of your matches (and do not need financial aid). If you play conservatively, two or three matches and a safety should do it. But, most applicants take mj93's approach. It's quite a bit of work, but not that much money.</p>