Why applicants overreach and are disappointed in April...

[ucbalumnus]

@bclintonk

The problem comes in when some students, including many who are perfectly capable of doing the work, apply to only a narrow band of super-selective colleges thinking that of course the colleges will recognize their individual brilliance and admit them, and then face a rude awakening when they’re rejected across the board. That’s overreach.

Note that this is not limited to those applying to super-selective schools. Some students apply to a less selective range of schools, but still aim too high relative to their college admission credentials, so that their intended “safeties” are really reaches.