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how many safety, target, and reach schools should someone apply to?
the title says it all so yeah
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6 answers
Updated
Tammy’s Answer
Doc’s answer is pretty thorough so not much to ad but having been a school counselor for many years at a college prep school, I will agree that you should apply to about 8 schools- 2 dream schools, 2 sure things and 4 middle ground. Keep in mind that EVERY school you apply to should be somewhere you actually want/could go based on your future plans and your college wish list. Don’t apply to a school if it doesn’t have your intended major and/or doesn’t check off the major things on your search lists. There’s always room to explore things just outside your perfect box and a school that’s a little outside that box is fine to apply just to explore the options but general rule, if you could see yourself studying, living, working and doing life in that place for the next 4-7 years then apply. If not, don’t worry about it.
thank u sm, tammy !!
allaya
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Allaya picking your match, safety, and reach schools is all about comparing your academic profile to that of the average number of admitted students each year. The average admitted student profile is typically just a short list of admission statistics for the current freshman class, with things like average SAT/ACT scores and GPA. You may find other student stats like geographic diversity or class rank also. Make sure you find the school’s overall acceptance rate as well. You should be able to find this info on virtually any college or university’s website. A simple Google search for "[college name] admitted student profile" usually does the trick. You can also find these statistics on college search sites (including CollegeXpress. Always look for the most recent admitted class profile.
If you’re unsure whether a college is a match, safety, or reach school for you, ask around. Your high school counselor can probably help. You can also ask people who know you well (such as family, friends, or mentors) for their opinion. But do not ask admission representatives if they think you’ll be admitted. They don’t like that, and they really can’t tell you on the fly anyway. Remember, the more research you put into your college search, the better you’ll know your Colleges and how your academic back-ground fits in with the campuses student population.
My recommendation Allaya is you should apply to about 6-8 colleges: 2-3 reach colleges, 2-3 match colleges, and 2 safety college s.
Hope this was helpful Allaya
Extracurricular activities are an important criteria colleges use when deciding who to accept and can account for as much as a quarter of an admissions decision. Extracurricular activities give colleges perspective into who students are outside of the classroom and highlight a student’s passions and interests. Try to focus on a few activities and dedicate yourself to them, rather than lightly involving yourself in a lot of different activities.
Essays can also make up to a quarter of admissions decisions. Essays provide students a chance to show off their writing skills, craft a narrative about themselves, and wow admissions officers—a winning essay is personal, demonstrates what makes you special, and will leave a college hoping to have you on campus. In cases where an admissions decision is between two competing candidates, a great essay is often the tiebreaker.
Letters of recommendation and interviews play a smaller role than factors like test scores, grades, and extracurricular activities in admissions—accounting for just 10% of an admissions decision. Having a relationship with a teacher, advisor, or coach who knows you personally and will tout your strengths can give your application a boost.
If you’re unsure whether a college is a match, safety, or reach school for you, ask around. Your high school counselor can probably help. You can also ask people who know you well (such as family, friends, or mentors) for their opinion. But do not ask admission representatives if they think you’ll be admitted. They don’t like that, and they really can’t tell you on the fly anyway. Remember, the more research you put into your college search, the better you’ll know your Colleges and how your academic back-ground fits in with the campuses student population.
My recommendation Allaya is you should apply to about 6-8 colleges: 2-3 reach colleges, 2-3 match colleges, and 2 safety college s.
Hope this was helpful Allaya
Doc recommends the following next steps:
thank u sm, doc !!
allaya
Updated
Job’s Answer
I would apply to at least 4 so you have a choice
thank u for sharing ur pov !!
allaya
Updated
Richard’s Answer
That all depends on how much money you have. I would say 3 or 4 max, with one being a reach and one being a sure thing. The middles would be your first choice. And don't fret by not getting in to your first choice school. Its about you, and how much you learn and grow, you can do that wherever you go. It is also possible you WILL get into your first choice, but they will not give you enough/any financial assistance, think long and hard about how much debt you will be in after 4 years. It may not be worth it. (If it is Yale, Princeton, Harvard or one of the ivies, it might be, because IMHO a degree from one of those schools practically guarantees a good job upon graduation). Anyplace else, think twice.
thank u for the advice !!
allaya
Updated
Lucas’s Answer
To be honest, apply for a bunch - I think I applied to around 12. Obviously, you may have financial constraints, but it's good to apply to more to cast a wide net, as well as to increase your chances of getting in somewhere (because, realistically, that's all you have to do). As mentioned, have a good balance of schools that might be a little easier to get into along with those that are a little harder. However, my main point would be that, while there are loads of universities out there, keep your mind open when choosing where to apply. It's impossible to know which school truly is the 'best' fit for you before you go there and, in all honesty, you'll hopefully have a good time wherever you go. College is fun. The extra work involved in actually filling out the applications will all soon be validated. I also wouldn't worry about only picking big schools, schools in the city, etc.. You never know how you might feel a year from now. Having the luxury to choose between different schools you got into is a good problem to have. Hope this helps!
thank u, lucas !!
allaya
Updated
Sarina’s Answer
Applying to college is a tough process, both emotionally and financially.
Take time to consider what you're goal is- your college degree will likely not define your career or your life.
Some people do over 20, some just 2.
If you can afford it, casting a wider net will give you more opportunity but if you can't/ if you get rejected from your choices, there are so many options out there.
If you don't get into any school, you can also go to a community college and transfer- that can be a great way to save money and still get a great education.
You can do some virtual campus tours or find alumni to see if you think would be a good fit before applying as well.
Good luck!
Take time to consider what you're goal is- your college degree will likely not define your career or your life.
Some people do over 20, some just 2.
If you can afford it, casting a wider net will give you more opportunity but if you can't/ if you get rejected from your choices, there are so many options out there.
If you don't get into any school, you can also go to a community college and transfer- that can be a great way to save money and still get a great education.
You can do some virtual campus tours or find alumni to see if you think would be a good fit before applying as well.
Good luck!