<p>Many students (and parents) don't understand the meaning behind the stats, hence they apply thinking they are a "fit." For example, they look at a scattergram that shows themself at about the 50th percentile of accepted students and take it as a "match." What they don't realize is that this school has a 25% acceptance rate so it is really a "reach." Another school with the exact same stats but an acceptance rate of 75% would be a safety/match.</p>
<p>I know students who think as long as they are anywhere within the 25/75 spread, they're as good as there.</p>
<p>When colleges get rid of ED, and show stats sans legacies, athletes, URMs, celebrities, etc- then people will be able to make better choices.</p>