Question: Assessing Matches, Reaches and Probables using Naviance

porcupine98
Tue, 30 Jun 2015 15:43:54 +0000

@ucbalumnus Obviously, there are exceptions to every rule and each school has its own character and emphasis. I’m not looking for black and white answers. (Nor are we currently focusing on schools that require applying to a specific program.)

And yes, maybe the kid will want to attend a school where the circle is way far off off to the upper right, but so far that hasn’t been the case after visiting, and that isn’t the area where I’m looking for answers. We’ve identified a number of reasonably satisfactory “probables” already, where the graph isn’t quite so skewed.

What I am looking for are some general guidelines on interpreting the scatter charts to help us assess where to focus the bulk of our attention in terms of visits, interviews and applications. I know better than to waste a lot of time on the fantasy schools, but after that, there’s quite the sliding scale, and it’s confusing, especially figuring out what’s really a reasonable match, or what’s a worthwhile reach and what’s an extreme reach.

So again, GENERALLY SPEAKING, any thoughts on…

If the circle representing my kid falls mostly with other acceptances, but below the box signalling the stats of the average acceptance? Reach, yes? How to distinguish between high and low reach?

If the circle falls outside/above the box signaling average acceptance? Match? At what point does it tip into "probable?"

How should we factor in acceptance rate?

What other variables should we consider?

Thanks to anyone who has any thoughts on this.