I go online and all my scores are in the mid/high median for the schools I want so theoretically that would make it target schools. I have a ridiculous amount of extra curricular too, but then my guidance counselor says some of them are reaches. Do you trust the scores or the counselor?
Scores don’t always predict how selective the college is. Also, it seems like in past years some of the mid-range to top schools have become even more selective, probably because there are more applicants, or people are finding better EC’s. I might go with your counselor. But still, if you’re interested in those schools, apply to them regardless of whether they’re target or reach schools.
From my daughter’s experience, the private school’s mid scores are about right for acceptance. However, the state schools are tougher than their published scores. Easy to figure out why. In this economy there are a lot more students wanting the lower tuition of the state schools while their tight budgets are forcing them to reduce the number of students.
Go ahead and apply. Tougher doesn’t mean zero chance. Do have a safety or two.
With many of the very selective schools, I’ve learned that there is literally nobody that can tell you with absolute certainty whether or not a given school is a reach or match.
I had scores on par with the averages of all of the schools I applied to, but like the above posters said, there’s so many other things that are taken into consideration during the admissions process. I say if your scores match up and you feel confident, apply–you won’t know until you try.
Average scores for schools mean nothing. I had scores that were well above average for some of the schools I applied to, and I was rejected. When it comes to top schools, all you can do is apply - even if your score is lower than the average - and see what happens. You might get in, you might not - but you won’t know unless you apply.