<p>It seems like many people on CC have had the problem of not applying to any safety schools. However, I did the opposite. Now that the admissions process is over, I realize I didn't apply to a single reach school! I had a 2270, 4.0 unweighted, and don't think I applied anywhere in the US News top 40. </p>
<p>Was this a mistake on my part? I don't really feel like it was, I'm happy with my choice. What do you guys think?? Has anyone else done this?</p>
<p>Well since you can only go to one college and you’re happy with that option, I don’t see what the problem is.</p>
<p>If it never occurred to you to apply to some of the top schools, it means you didn’t really want to go to them so it’s fine you didn’t apply. I sort of didn’t apply to reaches, no Ivies or super prestigious private schools even though I probably could’ve gotten into at least one, I was just aiming for the best public schools in my state and I’m also satisfied with how it turned out.</p>
<p>Reach schools are never mandatory. As long as you have safeties that you like, the rest of your application list should consist only of schools that you prefer over your safeties. If your top choices happen to be safeties, then there may not be any reason to apply to any other schools.</p>
<p>I have a 2390, 4.0 uw and only applied to two reaches (on my parents’ prompting). I’m now happily enrolled at my first choice, a tiny liberal arts college ranked 50-100 on USNWR, an admissions safe-ish match. As long as you’re happy and excited about your choice, forget what magazines say. They don’t know you!</p>
<p>I didn’t apply to any reaches when I went to college, either. Just a match and a couple of safeties at which I knew I could get merit aid. I got very large merit awards and attended a “safety” on a full merit scholarship; it was also my top choice. I loved it; I felt challenged and pushed, grew up a lot and got into a top-5 Ivy League PhD program from there. I’m finishing up my PhD now, about to move on to a postdoctoral fellowship, and I still give every year to my alma mater.</p>
<p>So no, it doesn’t matter that you didn’t apply to any reach schools. As long as you are happy wherever you go, you’ll be completely fine.</p>