<p>Because the difference between a school ranked say 30 where you might be a “match” admissions wise and a school ranked 5 where you are a “reach” admissions wise doesn’t mean you aren’t capable of succeeding at that place.</p>
<p>In other words, I highly doubt the academic environment at Duke is much different than that at a lower ranked school like Wake Forest, even though Duke is much harder to get into. However, a degree from Duke is worth much more than a degree from Wake. So why not reach for that more valuable degree?</p>