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How to Create a “Balanced” College List
Crafting a well-balanced list is crucial when it comes to creating your final college list. This can maximize your chances of acceptance and ensure that you have plenty of options that match your preferences. Here are some tips for creating a balanced college list.
Understanding the Categories
Before you can balance your list, it’s important to understand what likely, target, reach, and far-reach schools mean:
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Likely Schools (Safety): These are colleges where your academic credentials (GPA, test scores) exceed the school’s average for the admitted freshmen class. You have a very high chance of acceptance.
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Target Schools (Match): Your academic credentials align closely with the school’s average admissions standards. You have a good chance of acceptance, but it’s not guaranteed.
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Reach Schools: These schools have admission standards that are a bit higher than your current academic profile. Your chances of acceptance are less certain.
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Far Reach Schools: These are highly selective schools where your academic credentials fall below the average range of the admitted freshman class. Admission is a long shot, but still a possibility.
Balance Your List: A well-rounded list typically includes at least three likely schools, four to eight target schools, and no more than five reach schools (including far-reach schools).
Importance of a Balanced List
Having a balanced list ensures that you’re realistic about your chances while still reaching for your goals. This approach should reduce anxiety about decisions and increase the likelihood that you’ll be happy with your final choice.
If funding college or the requirement for financial aid is a factor…
Work to make a Financially Balanced & Academically Balanced List of Colleges.
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Discuss with your family their budget.
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Go to each college you’re looking at applying to and check their Net Price Calculator.
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Create a list of schools that includes LIKELY, TARGET (Match), or REACHES for your family’s budget.
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Cross-reference this list with your academically balanced list of colleges.
Now, you’ve got a list of colleges where you should have viable options for admission and affordability!
Pro Tip: Do Not Cast Too Wide of a Net
By concentrating on a more targeted list of schools, you can invest more time and effort into each application. Remember, it’s quality over quantity. Focus on the schools that you are most interested in applying to. At the end of the day, you want to put forth the best possible application to select colleges rather than a mediocre effort to many.
Finalizing your college list is an important step in the college application journey. By ensuring that your list is balanced, you set yourself up for success.
