Basically, I am your average asian male (4.0, 1550, 3 800s, 12 APs, mediocre ECs) and I plan on applying to all reaches except for 2 safeties. The safeties are University of Florida and Florida State University. Because of National Merit, I would get full rides to UF and FSU and would literally have to pay almost nothing. So, I was thinking that I would just apply to the T20s that I like and UF and FSU because I would be happy and at either safety and a T20 is worth paying for imo. I am not applying to match schools because I believe that the price to pay (25k/year) would not be worth it and I would rather just go to UF or FSU. Do you guys think it is a mistake to not apply to any match schools?
Not if you’'d be happy with UF or FSU.
But even if your mind is made up and you’re only going after reach schools, I would still analyze them for fit – academic, environmental, social – and use that as the basis for choosing those to which you will apply.
For instance, a person who would fit well at Dartmouth or Cornell might not be as comfy at Columbia, UPenn, Harvard or UChicago for the vast difference in environment. And a UChicago person and a Brown person might not like the curriculum of the other. There are many things that make schools differ from one another; it’s up to you to figure out what your key fit variables are, honestly analyze those highly selective private universities (and don’t forget LACs, which can be awesome too…) for fit, and choose accordingly.
Just in case you won’t get into any reach, won’t there be any college that you would prefer over the two safety, yet possibly offer compatible financial aid?
I think that your plan is very reasonable.
Your safeties are very good universities. If you have very good safeties, then there is no point in applying anywhere else unless it is attractive enough that you would actually go there in preference to your safeties.
@SculptorDad does have a reasonable question. However, I do know students whose safeties were such a good fit that they either didn’t apply anywhere else or only applied to safeties and one reach.
^^ I also think the plan makes sense.
Go with your plan. It makes sense.
If you’re going to graduate school, it makes more sense to take the full ride now and head for the ivies in four years - unless money is no object and you can graduate debt-free from a T20. Congrats on some excellent stats, though!
LOL…nothing “average” about those stats. :-bd
Your plan sounds fine, Good Luck!
Do apply to the Honors College at both (I heard UF is revamping it, which should make it even better due to Benacquisto).
Include top 25 LACs, too.
But with UF as your safety (or FSU Honors), it’s hard to see better match options at such a low cost.