<p>Please share your experiences of gaining acceptance to a reach school. What do you think pushed you over the top?</p>
<p>IMO, it is a combination of factors that determines acceptances to most schools. I’m not big on “reaches” because primarily the reach is with respect to academics. If it turns out that the academics are overwhelming, then you have four years of a pressure cooker coupled with possible academic probation hanging over your head. Not a fun way to spend four years. Having said that and not meaning to demoralize one, there is always that environment that can potentially bring out the best in a student in which they thrive and excel. One does have to be realistic, the chance of a student having a total academic epiphany is rare. Sorry, didn’t really answer your question and rain on your parade.</p>
<p>You may get responses from students over winter break.</p>
<p>Bummmmpppp!</p>