<p>As the end of junior year is coming closer, it's time to seriously start looking at colleges. A problem I have, though, is how to determine matches, reaches, and safeties. I was hoping that all the wonderful people here on CC could share some techniques or offer advice? Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>the simplest way is to compare your SAT and GPA to those accepted at a school. Some high schools offer the data for people accepted from your school; that can be really helpful. </p>
<p>Safeties are schools where you are substantially above the IQR. Make sure you like it though; you might end up there. Also when looking for safeties, you should try to make them cheap (maybe in-state or scholarships or need based aid). get about 2 of them.</p>
<p>Matches are schools that you have a good chance at getting in, say 40-60% chance. You will probably be in the IQR, maybe near the median. This should be the bulk of your focus. try to get 3-5. In-state is often a very good first place to look.</p>
<p>Reaches are schools where your chances are small. If you get in, then you will probably want to go there. You might be at the bottom end of the IQR, or they may just be very selective. They tend to be higher ranked. Maybe they are top ranked in your field of study. If you have the scores for it, feel free to go for the big name schools here. 2-4 of these</p>
<p>What to look at in ALL schools. Do they have your intended major? If you are undecided on major, do they have a good selection of majors? can you afford the cost? Do you like the environment/atmosphere(try to visit when class is in session)? Do you like cities, or rural? do you prefer a certain region on the country? aim for 5-12 total apps.</p>
<p>Here is my list as a sample(i’m 3.7/1490/2190. Kind of a high SAT with a lesser GPA):</p>
<p>Va polytech (in-state) (safety)</p>
<p>Ga Tech (low match)
the College of William and Mary(in-state - lowish match)
U of Michigan(oos - match)
Wake Forest(private - match)
UVA(in-state - match)</p>
<p>WashU(private - low reach)
Cornell(private - reach)
UChicago(private - reach)
UPenn(private - high reach)</p>
<p>I was rejected at my four reaches; i got in everywhere else.</p>
<p>good luck!!</p>
<p>*A problem I have, though, is how to determine matches, reaches, and safeties. *</p>
<p>What are your test scores? What is your GPA?</p>
<p>Your stats will determine whether a school is a reach or match.</p>
<p>A safety is a school where you’re certain that you will get accepted to AND you’re certain that you have all costs covered by ASSURED grants/scholarships, small federal student loans, and/or family funds. If you’re not certain that a certain school is affordable, then it’s not a safety.</p>
<p>So, along with your stats…knowing how much your family will pay will also play a role in your list.</p>
<p>Thanks for the quick responses, these will be really helpful!</p>
<p>Safety, Match and Reach are a function of where you sit statistically vis a vis the average for a particular school while also factoring in the admissions rate. For example if you are statistically above the 75th%-tile for a college that has a 60%+ admit rate, then that school can reasonably be called a safety. Conversely, the same statistical position at Stanford would be considered a reach due to its sub-7% admit rate. </p>
<p>To my way of thinking if you are above the 50th%-tile for a school with a greater than 50% admit rate, that’s a safety (obviously the further above the mid-point you are and the closer to 100% admission rate the more of a safety a particular school is). Schools with 25-50% admit rates where you are about average or higher are matches. Any school where the admit rate is lower than 25% or where your stats are below the 33rd%-tile is a reach. Your GPA and SAT/ACT aren’t the only factors in admissions, but they do provide a very good “first cut”. These are my criteria, others doubtlessly have a different outlook.</p>
<p>As a starting point I suggest going to the College Search link on the left hand-side of this page and entering your criteria. There is an option for selectivity; play around with the sensitivities and see how it changes the results. After you have a list you can adjust for major, geography, financial aid generosity etc.</p>