Competition is high for top universities and acceptance rates are low. Thus, it is necessary to be realistic about the chances of admission. Students must be able to evaluate their academic performance and extracurriculars objectively to that of others admitted to various universities. It is crucial to choose the right balance of target, safety and reach universities while applying for admissions. Depending on the student’s grades, this categorization is done. Thus, a reach university for an average student is considered a university that may be easily achievable for a good student.
It is a long, involved, and exciting process to prepare for university admissions. Always, there is anticipation coupled with anxiety at the uncertainties about the future before starting a new phase of life. In the admission process, there are several common factors such as grades, test scores, essays, and letters of recommendation.
However, firstly, the most important thing is to identify universities that match the academic profile, financial stability, interests, and long-term objectives of the students. Having an initial university list helps in focused preparation. Moreover, the chances of success are improved.
What is the Major that you want to pursue?
You must be clear about your long-term goals before choosing subjects for grades XI and XII. You must answer various questions such as:
- Are you interested in becoming a doctor?
- Do you wish to pursue law?
- Do you wish to start your own business eventually?
- Are you planning on pursuing a higher degree like MS, MBA etc.?
It is crucial to answering these questions to effectively pursue the admissions journey. You must be sure that your choice of subject closely aligns with your choice of major. Moreover, it must also match the career you eventually plan to pursue.
Where do you wish to study?
Next, you have to define your geographical preference.
- Do you wish to work in Silicon Valley?
- Are you excited to work at Wall Street as an aspiring finance professional?
- Do you wish to start your own business in Bangalore?
- Do you wish to pursue medicine abroad but are not sure where to practice?
Answering the questions on what to study and where to study can help you move to the next steps.
Create a list of Universities
At the beginning of Grade XI itself, students should try to create a long list of universities. Students will have their grade X results by this time and they must use this performance in order to develop an initial list of target universities. Through this longlist, students will be able to understand the way their efforts over the next 15 – 18 months can impact their admission results. Moreover, this will help them prioritize their activities.
Several other factors such as academic performance in grade XI, advanced placement grades, standardized test scores, art portfolio, research papers, extracurricular activities, etc., can be finalized only by the beginning of grade XII. Therefore, from the initial longlist, the university shortlist can be created at that time.
Contact the representatives of universities
In order to find out information about a university, the best way is to speak to people associated with it. A useful insight into college life can be provided by Current or past students by sharing their experiences. Moreover, university representatives and admission officers are also excited to provide extra information and answer questions. Through email, students can reach out to them and clarify their doubts.
Understand and scrutinize your ability
Competition is high for top universities and acceptance rates are low. Thus, it is necessary to be realistic about the chances of admission. Students must be able to evaluate their academic performance and extracurriculars objectively to that of others admitted to various universities. It is crucial to choose the right balance of target, safety and reach universities while applying for admissions. Depending on the student’s grades, this categorization is done. Thus, a reach university for an average student is considered a university that may be easily achievable for a good student.
SAFETY UNIVERSITIES
Safety Universities are considered as those universities in which the grades of the students fall in the top 25 percentile of the admitted students based on prior years’ data. If a student has a strong chance of admission, then they are called safety universities. A student must typically apply to two to three safety universities. Many students, as their safety options, select large public universities or lower-ranked private universities that have substantial intakes.
TARGET UNIVERSITIES
Universities in which the grades of the students fall between the 25th percentile and 75th percentile of the students admitted in prior years are called target universities. In order to get into their target universities, a student should have a reasonable chance of admission. Most students, generally, apply to five or six target universities. These universities usually include private and public medium-ranked universities.
REACH UNIVERSITIES
Those universities in which the grades of the students fall in the bottom 25th percentile of the students admitted in prior years are called reach universities. Highly selective schools such as Ivy Leagues, Oxbridge, Stanford, MIT, Caltech, CMU, and top public universities that rely on several factors including academics for admissions are included in this category. Having stellar grades alone is not adequate for these institutions. Moreover, the student must also have shown an interest in their favorite subject, exceptional achievement in extracurricular activities, or leadership skills.
You must never forget that a Target school for a student with excellent grades could be a Reach school for an average student. Submit your applications as per the deadlines once you have created your university shortlist. The submission of multiple university applications is allowed by several countries through their portals such as Common App, Coalition App, UCAS, etc.
An extensive and time-consuming process is required in the preparation for admission to a top global university. However, only with a single step, the longest journey begins. Having a clear idea of what you wish to achieve and working hard for your goal starting at the right time is necessary to achieve success.
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