Reach, Match and Safety Schools: How to Build Your College List

Building your college “list” is one of the most important steps in the application process – and it can also be one of the most overwhelming. With so many options, how do you narrow it down to a group that fits your academic profile, interests and goals?

The answer is to build a balanced college list using three key categories: reach, match and safety schools. Here is how to do it in a way that increases your chances of both getting accepted and ending up somewhere you can thrive.

Start With Some Self-Reflection

Before you even look at specific colleges, take a step back and think about what matters to you. Do you want a large campus or a small one? Are you interested in a specific major or program? Would you rather be in a city or a quieter town? What kind of social environment feels right to you?

The more honest you are with yourself at this stage, the more focused and meaningful your college list will be.

What Are Reach, Match and Safety Schools?

Reach schools are generally colleges where your academic credentials (such as your GPA and test scores) fall below the average for admitted students or schools. Alternatively, this list can also include certain highly selective schools – ones where even students with near-perfect transcripts aren’t guaranteed admission.

Match schools (sometimes called “target” schools), in comparison, are those where your academic profile is right in line with the average admitted student and admission is a little bit less competitive. While admission to one of these schools is not guaranteed, you feel comfortable about your prospects.

Finally, safety schools are those schools where your stats are well above those of the average admitted students. When you apply to a safety school, you should feel very confident about being admitted. While these are your “backup plan” in case you don’t get into a match or reach school, you still want them to be schools that align with your goals for the future.

Why Do You Need to Apply to All Three?

When you’re excited about your future and ready to go, it’s tempting to just “aim high” and stick to your dream school – but that’s a risky path to take.

Even if you’re a top student at your high school, selective schools in the Ivy League and top tier reject plenty of stellar applicants every year. Competition is fierce, even among the most qualified students. On the flip side, you don’t want to build a list comprised only of safeties either, because you might miss out on a school that fills all your hopes and desires for your higher education journey.

Having a mix ensures you’ve got real options when it comes time to make your final selection and enroll. A well-balanced list may include around six to 10 schools, divided into:

• 2–3 reach schools
• 3–4 match schools
• 2–3 safety schools

This gives you room to dream big, while still being strategic and realistic about your educational options. You’re not just applying to get in somewhere – you’re applying to places where you actually want to go.

How Do You Tell Which Category a School Falls Into?

Start by looking at each college’s middle 50% range for GPA and test scores. This is usually easy to find on their admissions or class profile page. Compare those numbers to your own academic stats and look at it like this:

• If you’re below the average range or at the bottom, it’s probably a reach.
• If you’re right in the middle of the school’s range, it’s likely a match.
• If you’re well above the school’s average, it’s likely a safety.

Keep in mind that admission isn’t based on numbers alone. Things like your extracurriculars, essays, recommendations and a show of demonstrated interest also play a role in admissions – especially at selective schools. But academics are a good place to start when building your list.

Don’t Forget About Fit

It’s not just about whether a college will accept you. You also must ask whether you will be happy there. Will you find the support you need? Can you see yourself growing there?

Look at each school’s programs, the campus vibe, student organizations, advising programs, internship opportunities and financial aid. A true safety school isn’t just a backup plan – it’s a place where you can still thrive if it ends up being your best option.

Final Thoughts

Your college list is about more than just getting accepted – it’s about making sure that you have choices that are good for you. Reach schools are exciting, match schools are encouraging, and safety schools are smart. Each category has value, and each one plays a role in your journey.