Building Your College List: Three Types of Schools To Consider

Applying to college is an exciting but complex process, and one of the biggest challenges is deciding where to apply. With tens of thousands of colleges to choose from, how do you build a balanced college list that includes schools where you’ll thrive—without applying to too many or too few?

When building your college list, it’s essential to find schools that fit your academic profile, personal preferences, areas of interest, and financial needs. Beyond these characteristics, a well-crafted college list includes a mix of likely, target, and reach schools, ensuring that you have strong options when decision time arrives. But keep in mind—unless a college explicitly publishes that they offer automatic acceptance based on certain GPAs and/or test scores, there are no guarantees. Even students with top grades and scores may not be admitted to a school they assume is a “likely” choice.

Let’s break down these categories and how to approach building your list.

Understanding the Three Types of Schools

Target Schools: A Solid Match

These are schools where your academic profile—GPA, coursework, and (if applicable) test scores—falls within the middle 50% range of admitted students. While admission isn’t guaranteed, you are a competitive applicant.

But it’s not just about the numbers! Many colleges take a holistic approach to admissions, meaning they consider much more than just grades and test scores. Activities, letters of recommendation, essays, demonstrated interest, exploration of your intended major, and the rigor of your coursework can all play a role.

What can you do?

• Look beyond stats: Visit the admissions page for each school on your list. Many colleges share details about how they review applicants, what factors matter most, and what they’re looking for in a student.

• Attend an information session (in person or virtual): Admissions officers often explain their review process in depth, which can help you determine if a school is truly a target for you.

• Consider major competitiveness: Some programs—such as business, engineering, and nursing—are more selective than the overall school, meaning they could be a reach even if your stats match the general admitted student profile.

By looking at the full picture, you’ll better understand where you stand and make more informed decisions when building your balanced college list.

Reach Schools: Aiming High

Reach schools are those where your academic credentials are below the school’s typical admitted student profile or where the acceptance rate is highly selective (often below 25-30%).

What makes a school a reach?

• If your GPA and test scores are lower than the middle 50% of admitted students, it’s likely a reach.

• Some schools are considered reaches for everyone, such as Ivy League universities and other top-ranked institutions with single-digit acceptance rates. These institutions are often called wildcards because admission can be unpredictable, even for the most outstanding students. Even if you meet or exceed the school’s averages, there simply aren’t enough spots for all the qualified applicants. Consider how many valedictorians exist nationwide—far more than any single college can admit! If you’re applying to a highly competitive major, expect admissions to be even more selective than the overall school’s acceptance rate.

 Likely Schools: Strong Confidence, Not a Guarantee

A likely school is one where your academic credentials are well above the school’s averages, and the acceptance rate is typically 70% or higher. These schools provide a strong chance of admission, but as with all college admissions, nothing is ever 100% certain.

Choosing the right likely schools:

• Make sure this is a school you’d be happy attending! A likely school should be one where you can see yourself thriving academically and socially.

• Research scholarships and financial aid—many likely schools offer generous merit awards for high-achieving students.

How Many Schools Should Be on Your List?

A balanced list typically includes:

• 2-3 likely schools

• 3-5 target schools

• 2-3 reach schools

For students applying to highly competitive programs or aiming for selective schools, it may be wise to increase the number of target and likely schools to ensure solid options.

Final Thoughts

A balanced college list gives you the best of both worlds—options that are both ambitious and attainable. While it’s exciting to apply to prestigious schools, it’s just as important to include options where you’re likely to be admitted and happy. The goal is to have choices you’re genuinely excited about when decisions roll in.

Need guidance in building the perfect list? We’re here to help!