How to Build a Balanced College List with Reach, Target, and Safety Schools #collegeapps #college

What is the difference between a reach school, a target school, and a safety school?

When students build a college list, they should understand which schools are reach, target, and safety schools.

A reach school is a school where admission is less likely. That could be because the college is very selective, or because the student’s GPA, test scores, or overall profile are below the average admitted student at that school.

A target school is a school where the student has a more realistic chance of getting in. Their grades, course rigor, test scores, and activities are closer to what that college usually accepts.

A safety school is a school where the student has a strong chance of being admitted based on their academic profile. But a safety school still needs to be a school the student would actually be willing to attend.

The goal is to build a balanced college list. Students should have schools that challenge them, schools that are realistic, and schools where they have a strong chance of getting in.

Families also need to remember that admissions can change from year to year. A school that feels like a target may become more competitive depending on the major, the applicant pool, or the number of students applying.

So when you are building a college list, do not only focus on name recognition. Look at the student’s profile, the school’s admit rate, the major, the cost, and whether the student would actually be happy there.

If you need help building a balanced college list for your student, reach out to us.

Let College Help Squad be a part of your process.