<p>I get frustrated with these college couselors (reference the article from NACAC) who recommend several “reach” schools. This is rediculous. Reach schools are no longer reach schools - they’re UNreachable schools. Such counselors set good students up for disappointment. I don’t suggest you lower your standards, but try being more practical. If you want to apply to a reach school, go ahead, but do it with the high possibility that it’s not in the cards for you. Plus, you’ll get more schools to offer you aid packages that won’t come from reach schools because their aid will go to their best candidates, not to you.</p>