How to build a balanced college list
Don’t find yourself in a bind when acceptance letters arrive; give yourself the highest chance of success by applying to a balanced list of colleges. In this blog post, we’ll break down how to identify the best colleges to apply to so that when spring comes around, you’ll be satisfied with wherever you end up.
Step 1: Brainstorm a list of must-haves
Is location important? Academic offerings? Financial aid? If you want to become a biomedical engineer and apply to colleges without checking their academic offerings, you’ll be in a tough spot once the school year actually starts. Avoid this pitfall by making a list of university must-haves first, and building your college list around them, rather than applying blindly.
Some things to explore: school location (City? Countryside? Distance from home?), school size, research opportunities (does most funding go to graduate students? Or do undergraduates have a fair shot at funding, too?), academic programs, dorm life (or lack thereof), and financial aid.
Step 2: Create your list
Traditionally, we sort universities into three tiers:
Safeties: Schools where you have a VERY high, almost guaranteed, chance of admission. Here, your stats are above average, and the acceptance rate is quite high.
Targets: Schools where your stats are within the “average” range of acceptance, and your admission is likely, but not guaranteed.
Reaches: Schools where your stats are at or (ideally not) below the accepted range. The school is also highly selective. All Ivies should be considered reaches, regardless of your grades and test scores.
We recommend applying to a healthy mix of each. Generally, we recommend applying to 2-3 safety schools, 3-4 target schools, and 4-5 reach schools.
Note: At Persimmon, if you are applying to one Ivy, we generally recommend you apply to most (if not all) of them. There is so much overlap between the supplemental essay topics that it’s very easy to apply to multiple. Plus, it increases your chances of dream school acceptance!
Step 3: Consider additional factors
Are you an athlete looking for Division 1 schools? Make sure your list keeps that in mind. Are you applying to a STEM major? Schools often have STEM acceptance rates that differ from their overall acceptance rate. Do you plan on applying Early Decision? It can boost your chances at some schools, but acceptance is binding, so you won’t be able to compare offers.
Step 4: Continually refine your list
Visit campuses, talk to current students, and do online tours to ensure the college is somewhere you truly see yourself thriving!
Questions? Let our admissions team help you craft a narrative that best represents you at each tier of school. Contact us today.
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