<p>Father of the Boarder....I can't speak for everywhere but I know the counselors in our school TRY to get, kids to be realistic about their chances of being admitted and pick two schools from each of the "reach", "match", and "safety" categories but it amazes me how unrealistic students and parents can be. Even when confronted with numbers htat show the student to be well below the average admission stats they insist on applying. Don't jump to conclusions that counselors are encouraging kids to apply to schools over their heads. The last thing most parents in America want right now is to be told that their kid can't do something!!!</p>