Help Students Make the Most Out of Their Reach School Applications
What constitutes a “reach” school actually depends on the student applying. A reach school is a college or university that a student has a long shot of getting into because their ACT®/SAT® test scores, class rank, and/or their high school academic performance fail to meet the school’s academic demands. For every student, there are a number of schools that are just that - out of reach.
Schools that qualify as reach schools:
Any and all of the top US colleges and universities. It’s safe to place these top-tier schools in the reach-school bracket. These schools have particularly high academic standards and extremely low acceptance rates, which make admission for even high-performing students a reach.
If the student’s ACT® or SAT® score is below the 50% range accepted by the school. To figure out each school’s acceptable standardized college admittance test score range, students should look into each school’s college profile data.
If a student’s high school GPA is below the requirement for admissions consideration. Again, to figure this out, students should look into each prospective school’s college profile data.
If Reach Schools Are So Challenging to Get Into, Why Bother?
Just because a student falls short in one of these above-mentioned areas, it’s important for students to not belittle their past academic performance, underestimate their potential for future academic success, and dismiss prospective schools that could actually be a really great fit for them. Just because a student doesn’t think that they can get into a school doesn’t mean that it’s not worth trying to - with realistic expectations, of course!
Students applying to any of their reach schools must be reasonable in their considerations. If their ACT®/SAT® composite test scores are not up to snuff, they’ve coasted through high school on B’s and C’s, and haven’t an extracurricular activity on their resume, then they need to understand that they’re bringing very little to the table for most colleges to give them even a look. These students should not be reaching for top-tier schools like Yale or MIT.
That said, no matter where a student’s academic performance falls on the score and grade spectrum, there are many colleges and universities that could be a perfect academic fit for them. To find these schools, students should spend sufficient time looking through school profiles to find which schools could potentially be a great match for them - even if it’s a reach!
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying to Reach Schools
Applying to reach schools takes careful consideration, time, and effort. Here are the areas that matter most for students applying to their reach schools:
Not paying attention to average composite ACT®/SAT® scores. Every school, whether it is “test-optional” or not, seriously considers a submitted standardized college admittance test score. In either case, presenting a solid ACT®/SAT® score can make a huge difference in applying to a reach school.
If the school requires a standardized college admittance test score, then they are looking for applicants with composite scores no lower than the middle 50% range accepted by the school. It’s important for students to know if their test score would warrant a serious look when submitted to their reach school(s).
Not tailoring your college essays. Each college application should include a custom-written essay with that specific school in mind. Particularly when applying to a reach school, students must take the time and effort to clearly and thoughtfully express how that school is a great match for them based on their personal and academic interests and goals. This is a prime opportunity for students to demonstrate to admissions the unique value they would bring to the school and the program(s) that they are interested in.
Applying to schools based solely on prestige and not on academic fit. What’s in a name? Shakespeare’s Juliet wouldn’t have chosen her school based on its name, and neither should your students. Sure, maybe it would be impressive to tout, “I attended Cornell University back in my day” at a cocktail party (are cocktail parties still a thing?), but anyone worth their salt would be just as impressed if that same somebody attended, say, Ithaca College. Why? Because people rarely care about where someone went to college; they care more about what they got out of their college experience. And if your students are serious about their higher education, then they will choose which colleges to apply to based on their academic fit and not on the college’s name.
Academic fit is based on the probability of a student having academic success while attending a particular college. This measurement compares a student’s standardized college admittance test scores and high school GPA to the average range of that school’s current enrolled students (freshman class) to determine that student’s estimated success rate.
Needless to say, academic fit is the key for students in narrowing down which schools - even reach schools - are a good match for their potential academic performance and higher education goals.
Students who do not consider academic fit risk ending up in a school that is not a good match. For many students that means struggling to tread water (academically speaking) or fit in until they eventually wash out or transfer. That is a waste of time, effort, and money that could be avoided with a more personalized school choice.
Not making sure the reach school is a place that they want to attend. Beyond academic fit, students must consider everything that a school has to offer - from programs and campus life to clubs and organizations.
Students must consider each school as a whole to find which one(s) are a good match for them personally and academically.
For instance, if a student feels completely lost and uncomfortable with the hustle and bustle of a city, then they most likely will want to apply to schools with a more rural setting.
If a student is majoring in engineering but is interested in music performance, they may want to find a school with something like a pep band. And so it goes for all interests and hobbies; these are part of what makes people unique, so encourage your students to find a school where they can enjoy a well-rounded college experience.
Applying to too many reach schools. While it may seem like a great idea to apply to as many reach schools as possible with the hope of getting admitted to at least one, doing so would be an absolute waste of time and effort. Getting admitted to a reach school is a long shot, so it is much more practical to dedicate time and attention to one or a few. There is no limit on how many schools a student can apply to, but they should choose wisely.
Helping Your Clients to Improve Their Chances at Reach Schools
As we’ve mentioned before, students shouldn’t shy away from applying to a reach school simply because they don’t think they can get in. If the school would be a great match for their academic and personal goals, then it’s worth the try.
Here are a few tips to help your reach school applicants:
Apply through Early Action (EA) or Early Decision (ED). Submitting an application to a reach school before the application deadline is a sure way to at least get a serious look from admissions. This is a great opportunity for students to convey their interest in the school. Admissions will typically see and appreciate that enthusiasm as a positive attribute.
Students need to bring their A-game to an EA or ED application - especially to reach schools. They need to really take care to submit an application that grabs the attention of an admissions panel and sets them apart from the regular applicant pool.
Write a tailored essay. This tip is so important that it’s worth mentioning again. Every college essay must express how and why the student believes that the school is the perfect match for them. Students must be specific and really make sure that their essay is unique to the school and the program(s) of interest.
Make the most of the application. In addition to writing a one-of-a-kind essay, students should take care to make their applications just as unique. Do they have a special talent? Athletes, artists, musicians, leaders - any and all special skills that make them stand apart from other applicants are essential to mention in their application. Do they have a fascinating personal story? Have they faced life-changing obstacles? These are the noteworthy qualities that can help make up for sub-optimal grades and/or test scores. Students want to capture the attention of the admissions panel and allow them to see beyond past academic performance.
Submit a solid ACT®/SAT® score. Yes, students will of course want any admissions panel to see them for more than just their grades and test scores, but that doesn’t change the fact that a solid test score makes a huge difference when it comes to admissions - no matter what type of school they're applying to. High test scores immediately prove to an admissions panel that the student is a good academic fit and will have success in their program(s).
Some Additional Advice for Your College-Bound Students
We’ve provided some essential tips to help you guide your students through the process of applying to reach schools, but it’s also imperative to think about backup plans. In addition to reach schools, students should also apply to several match and safety schools.
A match school (also called a “target” school) is just that - a college or university that is a match for a student’s academic performance. Students have a great chance of getting accepted to their match schools and may even find that they’re better suited to furthering their education. Regardless, it is important for students to apply to a few schools in this tier in case they get rejected by their reach school(s).
A safety school is a college or university where the student’s academic performance exceeds the typical range for acceptable grades and test scores. Students are almost guaranteed admittance to their safety schools because their high marks are considered above average and future academic success is a given.
Safety schools can also mean financial safety, in some cases. Students who apply to their safety schools may find that they are offered more financial aid or are able to afford to enroll without any need for financial assistance.
No matter how many reach, match, or safety schools a student applies to, they need to be realistic in their expectations. No matter the tier, the schools that they apply to must suit both their academic and personal goals and objectives in order for their education to thrive.
Fall is the perfect time to advise your clients about their reach schools. Setting attainable goals and mapping out a plan now will enable those students to achieve their college-application goals and deadlines. With a custom approach to test prep and college application support, your students have the best possible chance to get accepted to their choice schools - even if they seem out of reach.
If you’re looking for an individualized test-prep curriculum that you can tailor to your clients, then schedule a free demo to see what Clear Choice Prep’s 100% custom-branded test-prep materials can offer your test-prep business.
