<p>A popular topic in CC forums are chance me posts. I understand why students want to know their chances, but the only true way to chanceyourself is to look at the academic profile of accepted students at a particular institution. Most-selective colleges do not have a test score, high school transcript, or list of extracurricular activities that ensure admission or denial. However, the further you deviate from an institutions academic profile, the more of an academic reach that school becomes for you. Just because a school is a reach should not discourage you from applying. If a school is a good fit, then consider also applying to other schools which share similar qualities to your reach school and are an academic match. </p>
<p>Putting your entire academic record for open debate on College Confidential will typically not give you clarification on whether you will be competitive/not competitive at a most-selective college. You would not expect an admissions officer to render a decision on your application based solely upon your academic record & list of your extracurriculars/awards/accomplishments. As Im sure you already know, most-selective admissions is a comprehensive process with many pieces and parts. Admissions is not as simple as raising you SAT score by 20 points or adding an additional community service activity. When you ask someone who does not work in college admissions to chance you, it will often lead to misleading information. </p>
<p>Fit should be the most important criteria in determining where you apply the college. There are the logistics of fit (size of the school, academic programs, location, the student body, etc) and the emotional component. Finding that school that clicks, that place where you say I could see myself spending the next four years here and being really happy. If you find that place, then you should not let anything dissuade you. Embrace this feeling and know that its ok to have more than one school thats a good fit for you.</p>