If you’ve started thinking about your college list, chances are you’ve come across the term “reach school.” But what does it actually mean? And should you have reach schools on your college list?
Understanding what it means for a college to be a “reach” is an important step in creating a balanced college list. It’s also important to understand why a specific college might be a reach. Let’s dive into what makes colleges a reach for some (or all!) students and how you can determine if a college is a reach for you.
A reach school is essentially a college or university where your chances of admission are slim. This doesn’t mean you have no chance at all (although it can feel like it when you see single-digit acceptance rates!), but rather that your acceptance is less likely based on certain criteria that we’ll discuss later.
Reach schools are typically more selective, with lower acceptance rates and higher academic standards, but there are other reasons that might make a college a reach even if it doesn’t appear that way at first glance.
Including a few reach schools in your college list can be exciting, as these are often “dream schools,” but an unbalanced college list with too many reach schools can lead to disappointment. It's important to balance your college list with target and likely schools where you have a medium to high chance of admission to set yourself up for a successful application process.
HOW TO DETERMINE IF A COLLEGE IS A REACH
Grades and Test Scores
Probably the most common way to determine if a college is a reach school is to compare your academic credentials with the college’s admitted student profile. If your GPA and standardized test scores fall below the 25th percentile of the college’s recent admits, it’s likely a reach.
Colleges often publish these statistics on their admissions pages or in their Common Data Set, and we recommend looking for a middle 50% range rather than just an average GPA or test score.
Remember, in college admissions, very little outweighs strong grades. While strong essays and extracurriculars can sometimes help in holistic admissions, falling below these academic benchmarks generally means the school as a reach.
Acceptance Rates
Colleges with extremely low acceptance rates, typically under 20%, are considered reach schools for nearly all applicants. Some of our industry colleagues call these schools “highly rejective” instead of “highly selective.”
These institutions receive thousands of applications from highly qualified students, making admission incredibly competitive. Schools like Stanford, Harvard, and MIT fall into this category.
This is about math and not about you or your application. There are around 20,000 high schools in the United States. That’s 20,000 valedictorians (with another 20,000 saluditorians). By comparison, Harvard admits around 2,000 students with a <5% acceptance rate. They cannot possibly admit every qualified student—even if they wanted to!
If a college has an acceptance rate this low, it's a reach regardless of how strong your application may be.
Impacted Majors
Applying to a heavily impacted or competitive major can also make a school a reach. This is mainly the case for schools that admit by major. For example, in North Carolina, NC State University admits by major, and some are much more competitive than others; UNC Chapel Hill does not admit by major.
Certain programs—such as engineering, business, computer science, and nursing—often have much lower acceptance rates than the college overall. Research the selectivity of the major you’re interested in, as it can significantly influence your chances of admission.
Early Decision vs Regular Decision
Acceptance rates can vary significantly between Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA) or Regular Decision (RD) applicants. Some colleges admit a higher percentage of their ED applicants, as these students are committed to attending if accepted.
Additionally, every ED admit is a seat that is no longer open for EA or RD applicants. Some colleges fill around half of their incoming class with ED applicants, so the much larger EA/RD application pools are vying for a smaller number of open seats.
Here’s a chart that shows ED data for a handful of competitive colleges:
Acceptance rates for the Class of 2026
If you’re considering a reach school, applying ED might increase your chances. However, ED is binding, so you must be certain that the school is your top choice and that you can afford to attend.
Out-of-State Residency
For public universities, your residency status can also affect your chances of admission. Many state schools prioritize in-state students and have lower acceptance rates for out-of-state applicants.
This can work in your favor if you are applying to a public university in your state of residence. For example, in North Carolina, 82% of incoming students must be in-state residents. College acceptance is much more difficult for an out-of-state applicant than a student living in North Carolina.
But for students applying to public universities in a different state, the opposite can be true. This doesn't mean you shouldn't apply, but be aware that out-of-state status can make a school more of a reach.
Colleges often publish the percentage of in-state vs out-of-state students somewhere on their admissions website. While this isn’t always the case, colleges with very high percentages of in-state students may be a reach for students from another state.
Additional Factors
Several other factors can tip the scales when determining if a school is a reach. Look up a college’s Common Data Set to see what admission factors are important to each institution. Extracurricular activities, essays, demonstrated interest, and interviews can play significant roles. Additionally, legacy status can influence your application at colleges that consider it; being related to an alumnus can improve your chances at some institutions.
HOW TO RESEARCH AND EVALUATE SCHOOLS
Gathering accurate data is key to assessing whether a school is a reach. There’s a lot of information out there, so make sure you are collecting up-to-date data from official sources.
Use resources like the college’s official website and the Common Data Set to find statistics on GPA, test scores, and acceptance rates. Visiting campuses and attending information sessions can also provide valuable insights. And don’t forget that admissions officers do more than evaluate applications! They are there to help you engage with the college and answer your thoughtful questions.
As you build your college list, make sure you factor in balance. Your list should include likely and target schools as well to ensure you have options come decision time.
Identifying and understanding reach schools is a critical part of building your college list. While it’s exciting to dream big and apply to selective institutions if they are the right fit for you, it’s equally important to be realistic and strategic.
Remember, the ultimate goal is to find a college where you can thrive academically and personally. Approach the process with an open mind and a balanced perspective, and you’ll be well on your way to success!