How do I decide whether to apply to a college as a reach, match, or safety?

Hey everyone! I'm a high school junior, and I've been trying to categorize the colleges I'm interested in as reach, match, or safety schools. How do I decide which category a college falls into, and how many of each should I apply to? Any advice would be super helpful! Thanks!

Hey there! It's great that you're already thinking about categorizing your college list. It's important to have a good mix of reach, match, and safety schools in order to maximize your chances of getting into a college that's right for you. Here's a rough guideline on how to categorize them:

1. Reach schools: These are colleges where your GPA, test scores, and extracurricular achievements are below the average of admitted students. It doesn't mean you won't get in, but it'll be more competitive for you. It's generally recommended to apply to 2-3 reach schools.

2. Match schools: These are colleges where your GPA, test scores, and extracurricular achievements are around the average of admitted students. You have a reasonable chance of being admitted, but it's not guaranteed. It's a good idea to apply to 3-4 match schools.

3. Safety schools: These are colleges where your GPA, test scores, and extracurricular achievements are above the average of admitted students. You have a high likelihood of being admitted. It's recommended to apply to at least 2 safety schools.

Remember, this is just a rough guideline, and it's important to consider other factors like fit, location, and financial aid when making your college list. Good luck with your college search, and I hope this helps!