Question: Assessing Matches, Reaches and Probables using Naviance

TooOld4School
Tue, 30 Jun 2015 17:16:52 +0000

I am disappointed with the information that Naviance provides, at least for my son’s school. It is fairly small so the number of data points is small as well, and most of the colleges are “restricted to protect student privacy”. There are plenty for the top 20 colleges and state schools but not much for most LAC’s.

Here is what you should be able to glean from the graphs:

1. Relative importance of Test Score vs GPA: If you see a vertical cluster, you know test scores are more important, horizontal GPA, and a clump both. You should be able to gauge a floor (GPA/Test) or an area with a mix of declines/ acceptance. If you circle falls here (where there a only a few acceptances) , it is the reach area.

2. Value of EC’s, legacies etc… A widely spaced group with seemingly random denials and acceptances - circles in this area I’d call high reach if it is in the near the upper right limits. Everyone who applies is qualified, it’s just a matter of how much they like them.

3. Match - Your circle falls in the middle of the accepted range

The Naviance acceptance figures are pretty useful. They reflect how a particular schools admissions department sees your child’s school. At our state’s flagship, 78% of students were admitted last year vs 68% over the past 5 years, Stanford admitted 11% of applicants over the past 5 years but 25% of applicants last year. These percentages rose despite the overall acceptance rate at those colleges falling. It could be noise, but I’d infer that the (high) school is becoming better know to their admission offices. By contrast, Penn only accepted 7% overall and 0% last year. A pattern like that could be quite useful in terms of possible acceptance/denial and were to travel.

Under ‘school stats’ you can see if it makes sense to apply early too. I’d do so if it is not restrictive. The 'Overlaps" will help you with a peer group where other students have applied, and you can compare acceptance rates (I found this very useful as it encompasses matches, safeties and reaches)