<p>one final thought ... I do agree with the thought that BY FAR the best chance to get into any school is if the student has produced a killer application specific to that school ... and the trick is how many killer apps can one student produce.</p>
<p>Taking this thought and my believe in the lottery aspect of the process to the extreme with my daughter who absolutely thrives in tougher and tougher academic settings (not true yet of my other kids) I'd might suggest this ... in year one she apply to a couple matches she loves and also spend her time on creating a bunch (8-10) of killer apps for reach schools (she'll meet the standards but be in the big hopper with everyone else). If that strikes out take a gap year (and I know she'd do something useful) and then year two take a more traditional safety, match, reach approach. </p>
<p>The more I read CC the more I dislike only taking 2-3 cracks at reach schools for those who thrive when thrown in with more (a higher percentage of) hi level students.</p>