Safety, Match and Reach?

College Search & Selection
1

So I’m a graduating senior this year at a public high school in New England. My GPA is a 4.3 out of a 4.0 scale, I’m 7th in my class out of 300 students, I have a 32 on the ACT and a 1380 (690 in math and 690 in English) on the SAT, I got a 710 on the Literature SAT II and high 600s on the Biology SAT II, I took 4 AP classes last year (and got all 4s and 5s), I’m taking 4 AP classes again this year, I am very involved with the performing arts at my school and in my community through the school band, and I’m a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Tri M Music Honor Society at my school. I’m struggling to understand what types of schools would be considered safeties, matches and reaches, based on my academics and other merits. If anyone has suggestions as to any colleges that would be fit for me to apply to, I would greatly appreciate it. The only requirement is that the school has to be in New England or in the East, have a marching band and music department, and be good for Biology and other health sciences. Thanks!

Right now, my list looks like this:
University of Connecticut
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Boston College
Boston University
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Brown University
Harvard College

2

This is somewhat subjective but I’d say reach is anything that you are in the 25-50th percentile score wise, and or a School with a below 25% acceptance rate. Match is if you are in the 75th percentile in a 25% or more acceptance rate. Safety is 75th percentile scores with 50% or more acceptance rate. Check out the acceptance rates and percentiles on sites like niche. These also include price so make sure you know how much your family is willing to pay and how much aid you can get from schools.

3

A safety is a school you are virtually assured of admission, would be Happy to attend, and your family can afford. I have no idea if those schools meet those criteria for you.

4

Reach: Harvard, Brown, UNC
Match: BC, BU
Safety: U Conn, UMass Lowell

More matches to consider: Villanova, GWU, Brandeis, Northeastern, U Rochester, Lehigh (all have marching bands. They are all good schools and as bio is a core subject they probably all have at least decent programs, but you’ll have to check out the bio departments yourself to see if they have what you need.)