Jul 23, 2024 · A strategically constructed school list weighs your desire to attend reach schools—the institutions you dream about going to—along with safety schools where you’re very likely to secure admission.

Wondering what a reach school means in elite college admissions? There are three types of schools: reaches, matches, and safeties. Learn more!

In this article, I will define the thresholds and factors for target, reach, and safety schools. I'll also explain why you should have a mix of all of them in your college list.

Jan 26, 2022 · A reach school is a college where you have a lower than 25% chance of acceptance. Bear in mind that there are some highly selective schools, such as the Ivies and top 10 colleges and universities in U.S. News , that are …

Feb 3, 2025 · Understanding what a reach school will prove critical to crafting a balanced and effective college list. In this guide, we’ll explore the definition of a reach school compared to safety schools, how to identify them, and strategies for applying successfully.

A reach school is a college that is not likely to admit you, generally offering you less than a 30% chance of admission. Use the admissions rate of a college and its average GPA and standardized test scores to determine if its a reach school for you. The most selective colleges are reach schools for everyone.

A safety school is one where your chances of admission are very high, whereas a reach school is one where your chances are lower. A target school is one where the typical admitted student has stats that are similar to yours.

A reach school is typically a college where your academic qualifications (like GPA, standardized test scores) fall below the school's average range for the cohort of students accepted the previous year.

Jan 4, 2025 · What Are Reach, Target, and Safety Schools? Why Choosing the Right Colleges Matters; Four Ways to Find Your Best-Fit School; How to Categorize Schools into Reach, Target, and Safety; Tips for Getting Accepted into Your Dream Schools; The Importance of Making Intentional Choices

However, a school that’s a reach for one student may be a target school for another. Your college list should include reach, target, and safety schools. That way, you have the best chance of getting into somewhere that’s a perfect college match for you.