<p>I've posted on here a few times, mostly focusing on reach universities (which I have no problem finding and falling in love with), but I am having a difficult time coming up with reasonable safeties and even matches...</p>
<p>So, how does one go about this? My GPA is UW 4.0 and 4.83 W. My CR:730 M:740
Do I look for safeties by finding schools where my SAT scores are above the middle 50% or where the acceptance rate is high? Or what? Surely I can't be doing this right.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Safeties are usually not a problem; matches are harder. Safeties are usually either a large in-state university or a lower ranked private school that is good in your intended major. Matches are usually some school just below the top tier that you really like. For my son it was schools in the Patriot League because they tended to be good in both CS and econ which were majors he was trying to decide between, but for an English major there are lots of LAC’s that will have good programs. And, yes, I would look for schools where your SAT scores are above the middle 50%.</p>
<p>It would have to be both - where your stats are in the top 25% and the acceptance rate is high (higher than 50%). Being able to afford it is good too!!</p>
<p>A college that has already accepted you is also a safety. As a result, you can apply early in the process to a rolling admissions school that you like; once you are accepted, it is a safety for you.</p>
<p>There is a post elsewhere on CC on guaranteed scholarships based on grades and test scores. You might want to read that list to see whether you’d be interested in any of those colleges as well.</p>