Build Your College List

Reach, Match, Safety

Between the end of junior year and the beginning of senior year, students should begin to build a list of schools to which they may apply.

Organize the list of schools into Safeties, Matches, and Reaches.

Term	Definition
Safety School	Schools that admitted students who have lower grade point average and test scores than yours.
Match School	School that admitted students who have the same grade point average and test scores as yours.
Reach School	Schools that admitted students who have higher grade point average and test scores than yours.

The 5 P's

Use the 5P's to help you build your list. Click on the top right below to see the full document.

Selecting a College - Finding the Right Fit

There are nearly 4,000 colleges and universities in this country, with a wide variety of features to serve diverse student interests. With so many choices you may wonder how to find a college that is a “good fit” for you. Although there is no right or wrong way to research colleges, many students find it helpful to visit a few schools that differ in size, location, academic programs, or selectivity to see which characteristics are important to them. Listed below are the 5 P’s of Post-Secondary Planning - criteria to consider in selecting a college:

Person

This is YOU!

You are identified by many things: transcript (including rigor of courses, grades, GPA), ACT/SAT scores, co-curricular activities (in and out of school), learning style (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, or combination), extenuating circumstances (illness, personal/family struggles)), and personality to name a few.

Take time to reflect on your academic credentials, your personality and your high school and life journeys. This will help in finding the right fit.

People

Student body: Do your personality and values mesh well with the other students?

Fraternities and sororities: Is there a Greek system on campus? Does this matter to you? Is a high percentage of students in fraternities or sororities?

Religious orientation: Is the institution affiliated with an organized religion? Does the academic and social life reflect this?

Sports/Activities: Does the school have the sports or extra-curricular programs you are interested in? How easy is it to join?

Program

Admissions: How selective is the school? The lower the admit rate, the stronger your application will need to be. Do your HS classes match the school’s requirements for admission? Is your GPA and ACT/SAT typical of accepted students? Is the school test-optional or is testing required for admissions consideration?

Curriculum: Does the college offer the major that interests you? Is there a core curriculum required and what does it look like? What research or internship opportunities are available to you in your field of interest?

Place

Size of the school: Would you like to attend a large (>15,000 students), medium, or small (<3,000 students) school? Visit each type before narrowing your choice.

Geographical location: Do you want to attend college in the Chicago area, in Illinois, or out of state? What transportation is available?

Size of the community: Is the campus setting urban, suburban or rural? What are the advantages and disadvantages for you?

Price

Cost: What is the total cost of attendance for one year (tuition, room, board, books, travel, etc?) Can you afford this school? Look at the school’s Net Price Calculator for more detailed estimates of cost.

Remember, do not rule out a school based on the listed price. What is important is the cost AFTER scholarships and financial aid that may be available. Families can estimate the true cost of a college by using the Net Price Calculator on the school’s website, any available scholarship information, as well as the Federal Student Aid Estimator. You should have an honest and open conversation with your family well before senior year to make sure you agree on what your family can afford.