Sometimes, prospective students will already have a good idea of which is their ‘dream’ choice (‘Reach’ university) and which universities would be acceptable and realistic second (‘Target’), and third ‘Safety’ choices. However, it is actually quite difficult to know in advance where you would be happy studying. A-List Education has over twenty years’ experience supporting students to craft university lists that reflect their true passions and personalities.
We have created this guide as a starting point for your US university exploration, helping you determine the best factors to consider – from academic opportunities to student culture and campus traditions. For in-depth and personalised assistance, please get in touch with A-List’s University Advising service and we wouldd be delighted to help!
Know yourself and your priorities - then build a long list
Start big, end small. It is quite normal to include far more universities in your list in the first instance than you could ever feasibly apply to. That’s because it’s quite hard to know much beyond either word-of-mouth or published guides unless you speak with those who know the campuses well. That said, once you start thinking about the most importance factors, you will be able to whittle that list down in no time!
Personal fit
Remember that you are going to study there – whether or not a family member or friend has studied there, or will be studying there is, by and large, irrelevant. Other people’s past experiences are helpful for objective information (e.g. where buildings are in relation to each other, how many libraries there are, etc.) but not subjective information (e.g. whether you, personally, would be happy and thrive there).
Equally, don’t feel pressured by friends to choose where they’re heading as it could be right for them and not for you. Make sure your listed universities are a good personal fit for you and places you could genuinely see yourself thriving.
Campus environment & culture
While the university itself is all-important, you’ll still be existing apart from it for a significant amount of time, so you need to be sure that its location, amenities, and culture suit you. Conduct some research into where the institutions are, their transport links, the layout of accommodation and faculties, and what their student bodies are like.
You might find you’d appreciate quieter living arrangements while still being within easy reach of the bright lights of the city, so a university like Columbia with its New York campus could be a good option. Conversely, you might wish to be right in the heart of things at the University of Chicago or in a rural setting at the highly ranked Bowdoin. The choice is yours!
Lifestyle considerations
Don’t be afraid to prioritise according to your interests and lifestyle. These considerations are just as important as academic ones since you’ll be living away from home for several years and should be comfortable, happy, and fulfilled. By accounting for what you like doing and how you like living, you’ll find you’ll be far happier much faster when you embark on your studies.
If you’re really into music and the arts, Yale is well-known for having over 50 performance groups and 60 cultural associations. Equally, if excellent dining options are important to you, then UMass Amherst has a brilliant reputation in this regard, as do URichmond and UVA, which could make excellent Reach or Target schools depending on your profile.
Research and virtual tours
While we’d always recommend visiting a potential university choice in person, this isn’t always possible, and living in such a connected world means it’s easier than ever to travel from the comfort of your own home. If you can’t make it in person, look at your choices through drone tours, virtual visits, and even satellite imagery to see where buildings are in relation to one another and the layout of the campus. It’s often possible to do a virtual ‘walking tour’ of the campus or city, and those who have been in person will undoubtedly have recorded their visits for others to view; be careful of what they choose not to include in those videos, however.
Match your lifestyle
Introvert, extrovert, or someone in between – there’s something and somewhere for everyone. This is where research comes in. All universities’ student bodies will have elements of partying and socialising, but some have far more than others. If this would be important to you, look into the social events programmes of your choices. On the other hand, if you’re more interested in sports or the arts, research the teams and groups you could join when you get there.
Moreover, think about where and how you’d be living – some people prefer a small, self-contained campus to the high-rises of the city and vice versa – and how that might impact your lifestyle.
Categorising your choices - Reach, Target, and Safety
When deciding which universities should be your Reach, Target, and Safety options, you should take into account various factors that will allow you to make realistic choices and manage your expectations. You want to avoid disappointment but not unduly limit yourself, so the following considerations are key:
Academic data analysis
Look into the facts and figures of the most recently admitted cohorts of students at your chosen universities. Admissions statistics are a reliable indicator of your chances of success, so test scores, grade point averages, and similar will help you to determine whether you’re in a good position to apply.
Acceptance rates: use a tiered approach. This is not an exact science, but looking at universities’ acceptance rates will help you to figure out to some extent what are and are not realistic choices in light of your profile. The advice below is generalised, and acceptance rates naturally differ year-on-year, but we set out what is reasonable to expect. Websites such as US News & Report are a good starting point.
Reach
Schools with acceptance rates below 10% are typically very competitive, and should always be a Reach, regardless of your profile. These tend to be the ‘Ivies’ and smaller liberal arts colleges with excellent reputations. There’s no problem with applying to your dream university, but just remember to manage your expectations in line with how few applicants are ultimately admitted.
Target & Safety
If you have a stronger academic profile (e.g. predominantly 9s and predicted A*s), consider schools with acceptance rates of 15-25% your Target choices. That would leave schools with 26+% acceptance rate your Safety options.
If you have more 7-8s in your GCSEs and As in your predicted A-Level grades, then we would suggest making anything with an admissions rate below 20% a Reach choice, those with a rate of 25-45% a Target choice, and then those with a rate of 46+% a Safety choice.
When you come to draw up your final list, your choices should be a balance of academic aspirations and personal satisfaction, with due regard given to educational and personal aspects. Sometimes you might find this balance tips slightly in favour of one consideration over another, and that’s perfectly fine. The weighting will never be perfect, but the main thing is that you’d be happy to accept an offer from all your choices.
Extracurricular impact
It’s important to remember not to underestimate your overall value or to rule yourself out applying somewhere because you think your grades aren’t up to the mark. US universities value people ‘in the round’ and want to see you’re an engaging, willing, and interesting person, in addition to being an academic achiever.
Since they account for this, some universities that may have been ‘Reaches’ can suddenly become ‘Targets’ for you if you have an excellent extracurricular profile. It’s therefore vital to highlight what you’ve done outside the classroom, including sports and music accolades, volunteering, and work experience. Just remember to emphasise why it’s interesting and how it’s relevant to your application to study there.
Final tips and consideration
Customisation is key
When you come to draw up your final list, your choices should be a balance of academic aspirations and personal satisfaction, with due regard given to educational and personal aspects. Sometimes you might find this balance tips slightly in favour of one consideration over another, and that’s perfectly fine. The weighting will never be perfect, but the main thing is that you’d be happy to accept an offer from all your choices.
Flexibility
As previously mentioned, your list will get shorter as time moves on and you learn more about the institutions on it. It pays to do your research as far in advance as possible so you have time to review and appraise potential contenders as you discover more about them. Periodically reassess your list using your research and your refined priorities until you’ve settled on your Reach, Target, and Safety choices. Don’t be scared to revise your list even when you think it’s definitive – it’s important you know you’re making the right choice for you.
Holistic approach
Improve your chances of acceptance
We hope this article has been a helpful springboard for your future US university applications and will assist you when it comes to making that long list into a short one. Should you feel you would benefit from a bit more help navigating this process, A-List offers Private Consultations to help you choose your best-fit universities and strategically plan college applications for the US.
At A-List, our expert advisors offer personalised support in navigating your US application process from start to finish - from curating a list of universities that best suit you, crafting a compelling personal statement, maximising your test scores, to guiding you through acceptances, deferrals and rejections. Since 2005, we have helped thousands of students secure places in all 8 Ivy League and other Tier 1 US schools.
To enquire about A-List SAT support services, contact our Client Services team at +44 (0)20 3004 8101 or privateclient@alisteducation.co.uk, anytime during our office hours 9am - 6pm Monday - Friday. Not sure where to start? Book a complimentary Discovery Session with us today.
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