<p>How do you determine which schools fit in each category?</p>
<p>Look up the Common Data Set for each school. Section C7 shows how much weight each school applies to applicant info. The sections below that will show the 25 and 75%ile for admitted students. See where you lie in that continuum. If you are above the 75%ile then you should be relatively safe. The other thing to look at are the % admitted (anything less than 25% means it’s probably a reach). And a true safety is one that you are willing to attend and can afford.</p>
<p>Also, if your HS has Naviance, that is a good tool to help you see where your stats are relative to others who got in/didn’t get in to a particular college from your HS.
And yes to agree with the poster above, a safety school must be BOTH a financial safety and an academic safety that you can be happy attending.</p>
<p>I know I’m gonna sound like a noob.
But what does each category mean?
I know match means that the school applying to matches your stats…but that’s it.</p>
<p>^^^ CDS sections C9-C11 show test, rank, and GPA data for enrolled students, not for admitted students. The averages may be higher for admitted students than for enrolled students. You can size yourself up against the enrolled students, just be aware that very selective schools do reject many students who are above that 75th percentile mark. So as Erin’s Dad says, any school with less than a certain admit rate should be considered a reach for nearly everyone.</p>
<p>“Reach” means admission is not highly likely; cost may be an issue, too.
“Match” means admission is likely, but not assured; cost may be an issue, too.
“Safety” means admission is virtually guaranteed for your qualifications, and you can afford to attend. A safety also should be a school you’re rather sure you’ll like.</p>