Guides ยท Building your list
How do I build a balanced college list?
The short answer
Most students do well with 8 to 12 colleges: about 3 likely, 4 target and 3 reach. Make sure at least one likely college is one you'd be happy to attend and can afford even with no merit aid.
What likely, target and reach mean
Each label comes from our estimate of your chance, built from the college's admit rate and score range plus your grades and scores.
- Likely: even the low end of our estimate is 60% or more, and the college admits at least 25% of applicants.
- Target: our estimate is 30% or more.
- Reach: our estimate is under 30%, or the college admits under 15%.
- Long shot: our estimate is under 12%, or the college admits under 12%.
These labels are a planning tool, not a promise. A college that admits 10% of applicants is a long shot for everyone, including students with perfect scores.
How to sort your list
- Add your GPA and SAT or ACT in My list. It stays on your phone.
- Every college page then shows Likely, Target, Reach or Long shot, with the reason.
- If more than half your list is Reach or Long shot, add targets before you add more reaches.
Not sure how long the list should be? See how many colleges to apply to, with the odds worked out.
Common mistakes
- Treating every selective college as the same. One that admits 25% is very different from one that admits 5%.
- Picking likely colleges you wouldn't actually go to.
- Leaving off a college you can afford without merit aid. That's your safety net.
- Missing an early deadline. Some early rounds close November 1. See every checked deadline.
Add your GPA and scores once and every college shows your odds and what families like yours paid. Free, no sign-up, stays on your phone. Build my list