Introduction to College Application Strategy
Before I started in college counseling, I worked at a public middle school in New York City helping eighth graders apply to high school. I must have used the phrase “balanced list of schools” one million times. If you only apply to the most popular high schools with the most stringent requirements, you might wind up without a high school match at the end of the cycle, leaving the Department of Education to choose a school for you. Each of my students had to have “reach,” “target” and “likely match” schools on their lists.
The Importance of a Balanced College List
Thankfully, there are so many colleges to choose from that students will find it easy to select a range of schools to apply to. Even the most stellar student should have reach, target, and likely match (sometimes called “safety”) schools on their lists. Your academic record and application profile can help us determine how many of each you should apply to. But everyone needs to create a balanced list.
Understanding Reach, Target, and Likely Match Schools
How can you tell if a school is a reach, a target, or a likely match? Look at the acceptance rates. A school with a 40% acceptance rate accepts 40 out of every 100 students who apply—it does not mean that you have a 40% chance of being accepted. Your odds may be higher or lower, depending on how you compare with the average accepted student. A school with a 60% early acceptance rate does not mean you have a 60% chance of being accepted through early decision. Early decisions rates are inflated by “special admits” who get in through that round—admits like recruited athletes and legacies.
Personalizing Your College List
When we work together, we will brainstorm lists of schools that align with your interests and preferences while also varying in admissions rates. We will make sure you visit some of your “likely match” schools, especially those that track demonstrated interest. Since colleges are focused on their “yield” numbers (the number of offers that turn into acceptances), they want to know you are seriously considering their school, not just filling your list with safeties. Oftentimes, students are pleasantly surprised by how much they like the target and likely match schools they explore.
Even if you wind up accepting an offer to a reach school, knowing you will be happy at your target and likely match schools will help ease the pressure you feel at decision time, making the whole college process less stressful.
