The Language of College Lists
Years ago when you were applying to a college that you were quite certain you would be admitted to, the term “safety” was used. Now college counselors prefer terms like “likely” or “back up” when referring to a school that a student has a high chance of being admitted to. Unfortunately, some of these terms come with baggage or negative connotations. This makes it hard for students, families, and even counselors to navigate creating balanced college lists and finding schools that students feel good about applying to and potentially attending. Similar to judging a book by its cover,” it’s hard not to “judge a school by its list category.”
Before we can create a balanced list, it helps to define our terms to figure out how to categorize all of our potential schools:
What does the term “likely” really mean? “Likely” means you have a strong shot of getting in, and your profile is above the prospective colleges’ profile. It doesn’t mean it’s a guarantee or a slam dunk because every college is becoming increasingly competitive for admissions. Starting your college list with a few schools in the “likely” category ensures a balanced list. However, the term and the schools you use to describe it should not be viewed negatively. While this is a sort of insurance policy, you want to be prepared for any scenario when applying for college, including attending one of these “likely” schools.
Many students underestimate “likely”’schools because they don’t come with the same name recognition as their “reach” counterparts. However, after some exploration, students often find that their “likely” schools offer unique opportunities for scholarships, honors programs, or programs tailored to their interests—benefits that might not be as accessible at more competitive institutions.
The next category commonly used when building a college admissions list is the “target” group. Targets are important! When you’re building a sandwich, you want a thick sandwich as opposed to just two slices of bread, right? Schools referred to as “targets” are sometimes complicated. The term could mean you have a 50/50 shot of getting in, or are spot-on as a candidate for one of these schools. I always define “target” schools as those where your profile and stats, such as your GPA and test scores, match up with the average of that school. A school that’s a “target” is not the same as a “likely,” because many other students will inevitably have those same average stats, so mathematically, it’s still about a 50/50 shot at admissions.
The term “target” often leaves students feeling a sense of uncertainty—being in the middle of the spectrum can feel less secure than “likely” and less thrilling than “reach.” It’s important to remember that many “target”’ schools are a strong fit academically and offer just the right level of challenge. These are the schools where you’re likely to find a great fit and have the opportunity to thrive during your college experience.
The next category, or group we use when building a college list is the “reach.” It’s hard not to love the reaches. They are such a big part of the American ethos. Strive, reach, achieve, set a high bar, set your sights high… we could go on indefinitely with these slogans. Today, in the world of college admissions, an increasing number of schools now lie in the “reach” category. Many of the top U.S. universities, including Vanderbilt, Northwestern, and Rice, admission rates have recently dropped below 10% due to a surge in applications, which means even the strongest of students may have a less likely chance of admission. Because of this, at Premium Prep, we also have a “high reach” category for our most selective schools, like CalTech, Duke, and the Ivies, which have become “high reaches” for essentially every student. Most students have plenty of dream schools in this category, and there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, many of our students get into one of their “reach” schools. But again, we always emphasize the importance of having a balanced list, a list that consists of a few schools in each group.
We want our students to challenge themselves and strive to achieve their college admissions dreams, but we also want them to be informed, prepared, and open to all options. Many students have worked really hard in high school and want to go to what they deem to be a “great” school. If only we could determine greatness by fit alone and not by one of these categories. However, this is part of the process, part of the deeper education around having a well-rounded college application list.
So what are the takeaways? Despite how you may hear a specific school categorized, whether it be a “likely” school or “extreme-risk” school, try not to be biased against the school based on its label. Look at the fit in terms of what you want in a school and judge it on that basis. Be smart and apply to different schools in each group that you can get excited about. You never know, with some strategic coaching and valuable insight from your Premium Prep counselor, those “reach” schools may not be so far away after all.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by these categories or unsure where to start, schedule a meeting with a Premium Prep counselor. We can help you navigate the complexities of creating a well-rounded college list, ensuring you feel confident and prepared to apply to schools that are a great fit for you academically, socially, and personally. A balanced list not only increases your chances of admission but also ensures that every school you apply to is one you’d be excited to attend.