It is essential to keep in mind that colleges welcome applications.
More Applications means Lower Acceptance Rate in turn means Perception of Higher Prestige
Students often create a random college list without much planning and get into colleges that they are not at all excited about. The Common App has also made it simple to apply to many colleges.
Even an impressive academic record, with numerous AP courses, a high GPA, strong SAT scores, and a wealth of extracurricular activities cannot guarantee you admission into Ivy Leagues or highly selective colleges.
Thus preparation of a well-considered college list becomes a challenging aspect of the college application process
So what do you do?
Be REALISTIC about your entire application when creating a college list!
Aim for Reach schools, schools where acceptance may be a bit of a stretch but not impossible. Also, include likely-to-get-in schools. And, yes, we must have Safety schools, even though we might not like that term. The key here is that your child should genuinely be willing to attend these schools, rather than feeling devastated if the Safeties end up being the only option.
And by all means, it’s okay to throw in a “super reach” school or two to explore the possibilities and avoid lingering doubts about missed opportunities.
Furthermore, remember that colleges often possess more insights than we realize. There are often discussions going on around students, for example, getting into Harvard but being rejected by Columbia. The point is that if a college believes you’re likely to get into a school significantly more prestigious, they may choose to reject your application. Colleges also need to manage their yield rate – the percentage of admitted students who enroll.
Thus, creating a well-strategized college list is an integral part of the college application process. So, let’s approach this process with pragmatism, flexibility, and a comprehensive understanding of your unique profile.
