Hi, Reader!

One of the biggest mistakes students sometimes make in the college application process is having an unbalanced college list — either too many reach schools, not enough financial safeties, or schools that aren’t actually a great fit. (It doesn’t help that schools are always changing what they’re looking for in a student, what they’re asking of students, and how many students they’re looking to accept.)

Here are some strategies for building a well-rounded list that increases both admission and scholarship opportunities.

Step 1: Understand the Three Types of Schools

A solid college list includes a mix of the following:

• Reach Schools
  • These are highly competitive schools, like those in the Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, Duke, or any school with an acceptance rate below 15%.
  • For you, reach schools might be schools where your GPA and test scores are on the lower end of the school's admitted student range.
  • It’s good to apply to a couple of these, but don’t rely on them too heavily. Some of these schools are reaches for all students — regardless of GPA, test scores, and extracurriculars.
• Match Schools
  • These are schools where your academic stats are right in the middle of the admitted student range.
  • You have a solid chance of getting in, but it’s still not a guarantee.
  • Examples: Many state flagship universities, mid-sized private colleges, and strong liberal arts schools.
• Safety Schools
  • Your GPA and test scores are higher than the school’s typical admitted student range.
  • These should include schools that are financially feasible in case other options don’t work out.
  • Bonus: Some safety schools offer automatic merit aid for strong academic profiles.

Step 2: Research Key Factors Beyond Prestige

College rankings don’t tell the whole story. Students should also consider:
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✅ Location — Urban vs. rural, close to home vs. far away
✅ Size & Campus Culture — Small liberal arts colleges vs. large public universities
✅ Majors & Programs — Does the school specialize in your area of interest?
✅ Cost & Scholarships — Can you afford it? What’s the average financial aid package?
✅ Career Outcomes — What are the job placement rates, internship opportunities, and alumni networks like?

Step 3: Use Online Tools to Find Schools That Fit

• ​BigFuture (College Board) — Search by major, location, size, and financial aid availability.
• ​CollegeData — Get real admissions stats and financial aid breakdowns.
• ​Niche — Read student reviews about campus life and academics.
• Colleges’ Common Data Set — See acceptance rates and what each school prioritizes. (Just Google [school name] Common Data Set to find it.)

Step 4: Finalize Your List

Aim for 8-12 schools with a balance of reach, match, and safety schools. A good mix might look like:

• 3-4 Reach Schools
• 3-4 Match Schools
• 2-3 Safety Schools

Bonus tip: Demonstrating your interest in a school sometimes matters! Some schools track whether you’ve visited campus, opened their emails, or attended virtual sessions. Engaging early and often may boost your chances. (Google the school’s Common Data Set to see if Demonstrated Interest is something they track.)

What tips do you have for students who are building college lists? I'd love to hear!

Happy Writing!

Julia

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