How has the admissions game changed in the past 5 years? And a request for guidance.

[ucbalumnus]

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@Alumother

1. An EA reach because better not to regret trying. In full understanding of the chances. Might be Dartmouth, might be Carleton.

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<p>Both of these schools offer ED, not EA. ED is best used for a school that is his clear first choice without needing to compare financial aid and scholarship offers with other schools.</p>

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@Alumother

2. State schools in his two home states.
3. ~ 5 schools in the nicely put, "The OP’s “target” (or low reach) schools, in my opinion, fall roughly in the 20-40 national universities range (CMU, Tufts, BC, Rochester, CWRU, Lehigh)
4. ~5 schools in the also well put, “or a little higher than that, say 15-35, for national LACs (such as Wesleyan, Bates, Colgate, Richmond).”
5. Might throw one more crapshoot app in there just because.

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<p>Has he identified his safeties? Or will he be happy starting at community college if he gets shut out?</p>