<p>I’ve heard that once you have amazing academic stats that all your schools are either reaches or safeties. So what are some matches. </p>
<p>Just to give you an idea:
SAT: 760 CR 760 M 800 W 12 essay
Subjects: 800 M2 780 Bio M 770 US History
4.0 UW GPA
valedictorian of 432</p>
<p>leadership and ECs are pretty good.</p>
<p>In the same boat as you here. I personally consider most universities ranked between 10-30 in the US by U.S. News to be “matches,” though exceptions exist (Brown cannot be considered a match, for instance). Universities below that ranking veer closer to safety territory, in my view.</p>
<p>When it comes to liberal arts colleges, consult middle-50% metrics and use your best judgement.</p>
<p>Bear in mind that some colleges that may seem like matches to high-stats applicants have anecdotally been known to reject said applicants due to a lack of demonstrated interest–this is yield protection, referred to as “Tufts Syndrome” on this site.</p>
<p>Berkeley and UCLA are probably admission matches if what the departed UC Statfinder said for 2008-2009 is still true (that students with your stats have a likely, but not certain, chance of admission, probably even in engineering). However, if you are not a California resident, they may be too expensive, as their financial aid does not cover the $23,000 additional out-of-state tuition.</p>
<p>USC, a private school in Los Angeles, appears to be just a bit less selective than UCLA, but less predictable in admissions when looking at stats of admitted and rejected applicants.</p>
<p>Check the school’s common data set or admission tab on [CollegeData:</a> College Search, Financial Aid, College Application, College Scholarship, Student Loan, FAFSA Info, Common Application](<a href=“http://www.collegedata.com%5DCollegeData:”>http://www.collegedata.com) to see if it considers “level of applicant’s interest” in admissions. If it does, do not consider it a safety, and figure out what you have to do to “show interest”.</p>
<p>Tufts does not currently consider “level of applicant’s interest”:
[Tufts</a> University Admissions Information - CollegeData College Profile](<a href=“http://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg02_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=155]Tufts”>Tufts University Acceptance Rate | CollegeData)</p>
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<p>Something like that is a fairly good rule of thumb for admissions, although I’d slide the range down a bit. I suppose it depends on how cautious you are.</p>
<p>Note that National Universities that claim to meet full need are ranked as low as 30-something (Boston College). On the LAC side, full-need colleges are ranked as low as 40-something (Connecticut College, Occidental) or even 50-something (St. Olaf). Some expensive schools that fall within (or even a below) these ranges (but don’t meet full need) might not be good safeties for a high stats, high need applicant. Even the “full need” schools may not cover as much as you’d like. If your need is high enough, or if you cannot cover the Expected Family Contribution, then your true admission & financial safeties may need to include public schools within commuting distance from home. No school is a real safety if you cannot afford it.</p>
<p>Holy Cross-top25 LAC is need-blind(meets 100% demonstrated financial aid).</p>