How do I know what my safety schools are for college?

I'm starting my college list and trying to figure out which schools should be my safest. How do I identify schools where I have a high chance of getting in while still being places I'd want to attend?

Identifying safety schools is a balance between academic fit and personal preference.

First, consider your academic profile. Analyze your GPA, standardized test scores (if you're submitting them), and class rank compared to the averages at the colleges you're interested in. If your GPA and test scores are notably above the 75th percentile for a specific college, it could be considered a safety school for you. This means if the 75th percentile GPA at a certain school is 3.5 and yours is 3.8, that school could potentially be a safety. Keep in mind that this is a very rough estimate, and a higher-than-average GPA/score doesn't guarantee admission.

Specify your criteria for a good fit, such as size, location, major offerings, campus culture, financial factors, etc. You want to ensure that you'll enjoy attending your safety schools, should you not get into your first choices.

Put in the research to find schools that meet both your personal and academic criteria. Look at college websites, use CollegeVine's college search tool, and do online searches. Remember, each person's list of safety, match, and reach schools will be unique to them.

Lastly, apply to more than one safety school. It's always a good idea to have a few options. Also, keep in mind that while you might have a higher chance of acceptance, no admission is guaranteed. Having multiple safety schools can offer a safety net.

Here's an example: Let's say you have a 3.9 GPA, and you're interested in studying business in a big city. You could research urban universities with strong business programs where the average GPA for accepted students is around 3.5 or lower - these could be your safety schools. Remember to also consider whether these schools provide the social and extracurricular experiences you're hoping for in a college experience.