Safety colleges are colleges where you are well above the average GPA & ACT/SAT scores and where you are very sure of being admitted.

Target colleges are institutions where you are in the middle 50% of GPA & ACT/SAT scores. You have a good chance of being admitted, but it's not a sure thing.

Finally, you should take a shot at some reach colleges-- colleges where you probably won't get into, but it's definitely worth a shot!

It's very important to apply to the right mix of public & private universities. We recommend applying to at least 3 public universities in your home state (a safety, a target, and a reach school) so that you have financially safe options. However, its also a good idea to apply to affordable private universities as well. Sometimes private schools can be just as affordable as public colleges, so do the net price calculators and give private colleges a shot as well.

Look for colleges that are your academic match & that fit you socially, academically, and based on location & environment. In other words, don't just consider where you can get in. Visiting the school and seeing how you like the other students and the campus atmosphere is also really important. At the same time, don't just apply to a local college where you feel comfortable. Also apply to colleges where the majority of students match your academic abilities.

Three is the minimum (a safety, target, & reach pubic, in-state university), but I recommend applying to at least 5 because I believe that there is value to applying to a couple private colleges as well. Students looking to study out-of-state, who are looking for the most competitive & selective colleges, and those with special circumstances (such as DACA status) should apply to more universities, usually 8-12.

College acceptance gets more competitive every year. For most colleges, your chances improve if you apply through early decision (binding) or early action (non-binding). For the best chance of getting admitted to the most selective colleges in the country, apply to your top choice through early decision, and (if you don't get in), apply to your 2nd choice through early decision II. You should also apply to all of your public college options by their early action deadline for maximal financial aid consideration!

If paying for college is a concern for your family, then you should apply to at least one financial safety option. What does this mean?

financial safety = an affordable safety college

A) a college that you know you will be accepted to (safety)

B) a college that you know you will be able to afford (affordable)

Usually financial (affordable) safety colleges are in-state public universities, especially ones in commuting distance. However, some private colleges that are in commuting distance can also be affordable safety colleges.

EFC= Expected Family Contribution

Basically, this is the amount that many colleges will expect your family to be able to pay for one year of college. You will get when you complete the FAFSA and you can also estimate it ahead of time using the FAFSA Forecaster.

Ability to Pay is your family's ability to pay for each year of college and it is based on your family finances.

If your EFC matches closely with your family's ability to pay for college, then college affordability is much simpler.

However, if your EFC is much higher than your family's actual ability to pay for college, then things can get more complicated.

Although the general advice is that in-state public universities are generally the financial safety options for lower-income students, the affordability of public universities varies by state.

Some states have generally very affordable public universities, while others do not. Your application strategy should change depending on which state you live in. For more, see our page on Public Affordability.