Hey everyone, I'm a junior starting to create my college list and I'm having trouble deciding which schools should be considered reaches, targets, or safeties. How do I determine which category a school falls into? Should I look at acceptance rates, test scores, or something else? Any advice would be great. Thank you!
Hello! It's great that you're starting to plan your college list. Classifying schools as reaches, targets, or safeties is an important part of the process. To determine which category a school falls into, you should consider several factors, including acceptance rates, test scores, GPA, and other aspects of your application. Here's a general guideline for each category:
1. Reach schools: These are colleges where your academic profile (GPA, test scores, etc.) falls below the school's average admitted student profile. Acceptance rates are typically low, making admission more competitive.
2. Target schools: These are colleges where your academic profile is in line with the school's average admitted student profile. You have a reasonable chance of being admitted, but it's not guaranteed.
3. Safety schools: These are colleges where your academic profile is above the school's average admitted student profile, and the acceptance rate is relatively high. You have a strong chance of being admitted.
Keep in mind that these categories are not set in stone, and you should also consider factors like extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations. It's a good idea to have a balanced list of reach, target, and safety schools to maximize your chances of finding the best fit. Good luck!
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