Senior year and all I have is a list of reach schools, help?

<p>Quick Facts About Me:
-American citizen living abroad in China (8 years)
-Average score of 85~90ish
-SAT1 1940(CR 580 WR 650 M 710) SAT2 M1 650 LIT 590
(Arghhh my scores suck!!)
- Due to health reasons my mother does not work, low income family</p>

<p>Schools I'm Looking At:
Brown (high reach?)
Middlebury (high reach?)
Wellesley (high reach?)
Bryn Mawr (match?)
Boston College (reach/match?)
U Michigan-Ann Arbor (match?)</p>

<p>Questions:
1) Is there a clearer definition for "reach" "match" and "safety" schools?
For ex. if a college reported their average SAT scores to be somewhere between 1800~1900 would this be considered a match or a safety?
2) How badly will my SAT CR score and SAT2 scores hurt me if I don't retake?
3) Any suggestions for match and safety schools?
I'm hoping for a medium sized school in a sub-urban area, close to NY or Boston.
But I'm not picky.
An open curriculum is a more important factor.
Financial aid is also very important.</p>

<p>Sorry that this is a bit long and thank you so much for your time!</p>

<p>Safeties are the most important. A safety school has the following characteristics:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>It is suitable for your academic goals and one which you will be happy to attend.</p></li>
<li><p>You will be admitted to that school.</p></li>
<li><p>You definitely can afford to attend that school, based on net cost after assured non-loan financial aid.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Have you tried the college search feature here? [College</a> Search - College Confidential](<a href=“http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_search/]College”>http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_search/)</p>

<p>It might give you some ideas of schools that are more of a “match” rather than “reach” for your scores. What are you interested in studying?</p>

<p>Answers:</p>

<p>1) Here is a link:<br>
[Match</a>, Reach and Safety Schools](<a href=“http://www.princetonreview.com/college/match-reach-safety.aspx]Match”>How to Choose Dream, Target, and Safety Schools | The Princeton Review)</p>

<p>2) Your SAT scores will affect you, if you dont retake it</p>

<p>3) Here are some schools to consider:</p>

<p>Skidmore-match
The College of New Jersey-match
RIT-match
CUNY Hunters College-safety
Baylor-safety</p>

<p>Maybe you should consider taking the ACT</p>

<p>If the school has 25-75 percentiles at 1800-1900 and you have a 1940, it’s still a match. A real safety is the kind of school where you’re in the 90th percentile, e.g. a 2100 SAT at the 1800-1900 school. It’s the kind of school where you simply don’t have to worry about being turned down at all.</p>

<p>But yes, all of those schools look like high matches and reaches, though I’m not 100% sure how to interpret your 85-90 average on a 4 point GPA scale. Your stats aren’t that great, but being an American citizen living in China is actually a pretty good boost, since you offer diversity but you’re not placed in the <em>massively</em> more competitive international applicant pool.</p>

<p>Here are some options for ya! They might be a bit smaller than you want, in which case, feel free to ignore. :]
Bucknell University in Pennsylvania
Franklin & Marshall College in Pennsylvania
Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania
Syracuse University in NY
University of Rochester in NY
Boston University (self-explanatory)</p>

<p>Brown is probably a serious reach, but I think your last two schools listed are definite possibilities. All of the schools I listed are probably in the safety/match category. They’re all great schools, though, so hopefully you’ll be able to find one you really like! Best of luck!!!</p>

<p>BC and University of Rochester are reach
Boston University match or safe.
State U. in MA and NY are safe’s</p>

<p>Thank you for all your help!</p>

<p>I have tried the college search but the answers change all the time…
I’m thinking of studying psychology, but I’m not sure and I would like more space and time to explore more possibilities.
I think I will consider taking the ACT though…</p>

<p>What state are you considered a resident of?</p>

<p>Given that financial aid is important, you need to look for schools that meet full need. I don’t know if you will be considered an International student or not, that will be important to determine.</p>

<p>[Need-blind</a> admission - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“Need-blind admission - Wikipedia”>Need-blind admission - Wikipedia)</p>

<p>Brandeis and Holy Cross are near Boston. BC seems like a reach. </p>

<p>Some full-need schools that come to mind for your stats, but outside of the NY/Boston area are: U. Richmond, Denison, U. Miami.</p>

<p>I really think brown is too large of a reach for you but like someone said earlier the college of new jersey seems like a perfect match for you unless of course you bring those sat scores up here is some info about brown you might find useful I don’t want to discourage you but it is the truth Drexel u Delaware and Rowan also seem good for you <a href=“Undergraduate Admission | Brown University”>Undergraduate Admission | Brown University;

<p>Holy Cross</p>

<p>Here’s an interesting thread from about a year ago: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1004717-if-you-like-selective-school-you-might-like.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1004717-if-you-like-selective-school-you-might-like.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>@tsdad: New York, but I’d prefer to go somewhere else…</p>

<p>I know that Brown is a large reach, but I am planning to retake and bring my scores up to 2100. Wish me luck xD</p>