Match vs. Reach

Applying to College
1

<p>I have never really recognized the distinction between a match school and a reach school. It seems that for any top student (think solid gpa and scores) that the line distinguishing the two is very thin. What makes one school a match and another a reach.</p>

<p>At this level what should one consider a match/reach???</p>

2

<p>Reach are those who’s 50% percentile students averages are higher then yours, or you are below. (Ivy’s/Stanford/MIT are exceptions. They are reaches even if you exceed the 50 percentile). </p>

<p>Matches are when you fit the 50 percentile average from the students.</p>