<p>So it's my junior year of high school, and I've had an idea of what my ideal colleges are and why I want to pursue them. However, I'm aware that the odds are against me, so I've been spending my free time researching potential safety universities, all of them happening to be quite awesome, in my opinion. </p>
<p>How do you think I should go about determining "matches" for myself? I mean, one can never be too sure.</p>
<p>The safety schools I am researching have at least a 50% admission rate and increase from there.</p>
<p>Reaches are schools where the odds are against you: either your scores, GPA, etc. fall below the median for admitted students or they're a crapshoot for everyone.</p>
<p>Matches are usually schools where your stats fall somewhere around the middle 50% of kids that are admitted (or slightly above/below).</p>
<p>Safeties are usually schools where your statistics put you in the upper 75% or so for students accepted.</p>
<p>^ All of these are very general, though. Ask your counselor if you're really not sure.</p>