The Importance of Balance
I almost screamed at my computer screen when I saw Devi from Netflix’s show Never Have I Ever apply to only Ivy Leagues after she was deferred from Princeton in the Early Action round. I wanted to jump into the scene and tell her exactly what she needed to hear: “You are about to get rejected from every one of these schools.” Yes, she was ultimately accepted to Princeton after being deferred and later waitlisted, but that storyline could’ve ended up very differently, since, realistically, getting off the waitlist at an Ivy League isn’t very likely.
I hope Devi’s college application journey helped many students realize that, no matter how gifted you are, you cannot put all of your eggs in one application basket. Additionally, you might miss incredible schools if you only focus on the most “famous” or “prestigious” ones. To find your best-fit school and truly give yourself the best odds during your college application round, you must have a balanced college list. Don’t know where to start? Don’t worry. Keep reading for the steps you have to take to ensure your college list is ready for success.
Step 1: Self Reflection
Big party or small hang out? Big-city vibes or small-town charm? Large lecture halls or intimate classroom discussions?
There are many kinds of colleges, and you need to think about how you fit into each one. The broader categories are “Big Public Schools” and “Small Private Schools”, and I think that’s a good place to start some self-reflection. Think about how you study, what you want to study, where you would feel most comfortable living for four years, what kind of teachers and peers you want surrounding you, and what you would like to be doing in your free time.
Some questions to start asking yourself are:
What are my academic strengths and weaknesses?
What type of campus environment do I prefer?
What extracurricular activities are important to me?
Step 2: Researching Colleges
Once you’re done with your self-reflection and have some basic parameters established for the kind of schools you’re looking for, start researching. Using database websites like Niche or Collegeboard’s Big Future can help you efficiently create a list of colleges that match the criteria you want. Talking to current students, attending online or in-person information sessions, and visiting campuses virtually or physically are also good ways to familiarize yourself with colleges.
Step 3: Categorizing Schools
Safety, Match, and Reach. These are terms used in the college applications community to describe a student’s fit into a certain college based on that college’s academic statistics.
Safety schools are generally thought of as a school you will most probably get into because your academic credentials are above the school's average admitted student profile. For example, if you have a 3.8 GPA and a 1380 SAT, and a certain school’s average is a 3.1 GPA and 1210 SAT, then this school could be a safety school for you.
Match schools are defined as colleges where your academic credentials are within the average range of the school's admitted students. For a 3.8 GPA and a 1380 SAT, a match school could be one with an average GPA of 3.7 and an SAT of 1400. This isn’t an exact number, of course. Often, schools provide statistical ranges; if you fall in this range, then the school is a match for you.
Finally, reach schools are schools where your academic credentials are below the school's average admitted student profile. For most students, these will also be their initial “dream” schools or those colleges they’ve always heard about because of their prestige and small admission percentage. As an example, a 3.8 GPA and 1380 SAT student could consider a reach school to be one with an average 4.3 GPA (averages often include weighted GPAs) and a 1510 SAT.
With that in mind, classify the schools you're interested in into these three categories. Some websites, such as the ones suggested earlier, can do that for you!
Step 4: Balancing Your List
A diverse list that contains a good ratio of safeties, matches, and reaches is important. Having such a list can increase chances of acceptance and even of getting a scholarship. For the most balanced list, consider including 2-3 safety schools, 3-4 match schools, and 2-3 reach schools. You can of course apply to more schools, but try to keep a similar ratio.
Step 5: Considering Other Factors
If, like me, your initial college list is 54 schools long (yes, I am serious; my Notion table was holding on for dear life), then thinking of additional factors such as location, size, programs, and financials can help you narrow it down. Liking a school’s surrounding area is very important since you will be living there for the next four years. The size of a college’s student body might also be important to you if you prefer smaller classes and a cozier campus. Also, making sure your school has a strong program for your academic interest can be important to post-graduation success. Finally, analyzing financial options like financial aid and scholarships as well as average and full costs can be a deciding factor in whether you apply to a certain school.
Pictured: A glimpse of my too-long Notion database.
Step 6: Finalizing Your List
Once you’ve thought of, researched, categorized, balanced, and filtered colleges, you’re ready to finalize your list. If you want an additional opinion on your list, consider sharing it with a counselor or your friends and family. And remember to always trust your instincts; you know yourself best, and if you don’t think you can fit in at a school, then it’s probably not the college for you!
Now You’re Ready
Creating a balanced list is an essential part of a successful application process. With these tips in mind, you are ready to start writing your college list. With applications typically opening in August, the summer months are the perfect time to tackle this part of the application process. By understanding what you like and where you work best, you can create a list that enhances both your admission chances and your success with your personal goals.
As you start the next chapter of your academic life, trust that the right school is out there for you and that you will end up exactly where you need to be!
Need help with crafting your college list or applications?
At The Five Percents, we understand the complexities of a modern college application process. As recent applicants and admits to UChicago and Harvard, we are here to help you through this fun, chaotic, and exciting process. Whether you need help brainstorming, researching, or finalizing your list, essays, or applications, we're here to support you every step of the way.
Visit our website to book a mentorship session and take the first step toward achieving your college dreams. Let us help you shine and make your college journey as smooth and rewarding as possible.
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