Finding the right fit.TIME TO
START YOUR SEARCH

The main goal of the college search process is finding a school that is a right fit for you. Likewise, admissions officers are looking to admit students who are a great fit for their school and who are really going to thrive on their campus.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO ME

Academic Interests
Class size
large vs small
Activities & Areas of Interest
such as politics, religion, art
Name and Prestige of an Institution
Personal Preferences
athletics, performing arts, distance from home or relatives, cost, public/private, religious affiliation, specific programs, and interdisciplinary majors
Social & Cultural Environment
Location & Climate
School Size
Large school and large auditorium class vs the personal attention from professors at a smaller school where participation is expected
Programs Offered
Architecture, Music, Fashion etc.
Calendar
semesters vs quarters
Position in the Incoming Class
Less rigor to be top 10% or more rigor and less emphasis on your rank or availability of an honors program to create a small cohort in a large school
Co-Curricular Activities
Sports, orchestra, an award-winning student newspaper, or important guest speakers
Academic Atmosphere
Competitive or individually driven progress, high or low academic expectations, opportunities for recreational and cultural activities to supplement academics, honor systems and academic discipline codes.
Social Structure & Campus Lifestyle
Residential campus vs commuter school, weekend social life on and off campus, types of entertainment favored by the student, choice of fraternities and sororities, and student rules such as strict curfews.

Reach, Match, and Safety SchoolsCREATING YOUR SCHOOL LIST

REACH SCHOOLS

Reach schools are schools whose applications will require the most energy and effort, as they will be the hardest to get into. Ivy league and other highly selective schools will be on this list, as even the most highly qualified students face slim chances of acceptance. Also on this list are schools whose SAT/ACT and GPA averages you fall just slightly under, where a carefully crafted essay or letter of recommendation might make the difference to sway admissions officers. You should plan on applying to 2-4 reach schools.

MATCH SCHOOLS

Match schools are schools where your transcript and profile fits in with those of the average admitted student. You should feel confident about your chances of acceptance, but also feel assured and excited about how you’d fit onto their campus. You should have a list of 3-5 match schools you plan on applying to. Keep in mind, of course, that there are no guarantees in college admissions, and even match schools aren’t a sure thing.

SAFETY SCHOOLS

Your safety schools are schools where you exceed the average qualifications in your transcript and application. While your chances of being admitted are significantly higher, it’s important that you still feel enthusiastic about the school itself and can actually see yourself as a student there. You should plan on applying to 2-3 safety schools.

REACH SCHOOLS

Reach schools are schools whose applications will require the most energy and effort, as they will be the hardest to get into. Ivy league and other highly selective schools will be on this list, as even the most highly qualified students face slim chances of acceptance. Also on this list are schools whose SAT/ACT and GPA averages you fall just slightly under, where a carefully crafted essay or letter of recommendation might make the difference to sway admissions officers. You should plan on applying to 2-4 reach schools.

MATCH SCHOOLS

Match schools are schools where your transcript and profile fits in with those of the average admitted student. You should feel confident about your chances of acceptance, but also feel assured and excited about how you’d fit onto their campus. You should have a list of 3-5 match schools you plan on applying to. Keep in mind, of course, that there are no guarantees in college admissions, and even match schools aren’t a sure thing.

SAFETY SCHOOLS

Your safety schools are schools where you exceed the average qualifications in your transcript and application. While your chances of being admitted are significantly higher, it’s important that you still feel enthusiastic about the school itself and can actually see yourself as a student there. You should plan on applying to 2-3 safety schools.

While creating your list of reach, match, and safety schools is a great strategy for helping you tailor your college applications, remember that the college admissions process will always be full of surprising rejections and unexpected acceptances. At the end of the day, it’s important that each school you’re applying to is a place where you would feel happy and successful for the next four years.