College Search Matrix

There is no rule that dictates how many colleges you may apply to. If you're willing
to pay the application fees, you can apply to dozens. But that's a poor strategy.
Take the time to research and you'll be able to whittle your initial list down to a
manageable number of schools.
SAFETY: A safety school is one where your academic credentials fall above the
school's range for the average freshman. You can be reasonably certain that you
will be admitted to your safety schools.
MATCH: A match school is one where your academic credentials fall well within
(or even exceed) the school's range for the average freshman. There are no
guarantees, but it's not unreasonable to be accepted to several of your match
schools.
REACH: A reach school is one where your academic credentials fall below the
school's range for the average freshman. Reach schools are longshots, but they
should still be possible. If you have a 2.0 GPA, Stanford is not a reach schoolit's a
dream.
Apply to a few schools from each category (many applicants apply to around three
reach schools, three match schools and three safety schools). Separating them will
help you manage your expectations throughout the admissions process. And it will
ensure that you set ambitious goals and give yourself some backup options.
DIRECTIONS: Using the three links below, start your college search then fill in
the information on the charts below.
1. To find majors and careers that interest you, go to:

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/majors-careers
2. To find colleges that have your major and narrow down your list of ideal

colleges, go to:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search
3. To get your admissions scattergram, put in the required information on the

following site:
https://www.cappex.com
Majors Im interested in
(Select up to 5)
Playwriting and
Screenwriting
Film Production
Psychology
Counseling Psychology
Acting

(Scroll down to Admissions Chances)

For each major, find 3 colleges that have the major and
seem like a fit for you:
Chapman University, Marymount Manhattan College,
University of Southern California
New York University, DePaul University, Brooklyn
College
University of Washington, DePaul University, Roosevelt
University
North Park University
University of Washington, Chapman University, Boston
University

Select your TOP three matches from above (3 schools that have the best options for
majors and are a good fit for you)
College

Major you are MOST

likely to go into

University of Washington

Acting/Psychology
(Double Major
Acting
Psychology

Chapman University
DePaul University

For this major and this

college, my Admissions
Scattergram indicates:
Safety
Match
Safety

Now that you are familiar with the websites, fill in the following matrix with 3
reach schools, 3 match schools and 3 safety schools ALL MUST BE 4 YEAR
COLLEGES!

Name of
College

1.

Admit
Rate
%

Avera
ge
SAT
Score

Avera
ge
ACT
Score

# of
SAT
Subjec
t Tests
Requir
ed

# of
Teach
er
Recs
Requir
ed

# of
Essays
Requir
ed

App
deadli
ne

Safety,
Match
or
Reach
???

28

Feb
1st

safet
y

2429
58% 600- 24699 29

Nov
1st
Dec
1st

Mat
ch
safet
y

6%

Jan
1st

Rea
ch

Nov
30th
Jan
1st
Jan
5th

Rea
ch
Rea
ch
Mat
ch

Jan
1st

Mat
ch

DePaul 68% 126

Univer
0
sity

2.
Chapman
3.Washing
ton
University
4.
Harvard
University
5. UC
Berkeley
6. Yale

45% 650

700- 30800 36

21% 650750
7% 700800
36% 650

3036
3135
2933

7.
University
of
Rochester
8.SUNY at 34% 550- 24Purchase
600 29
College

9.
Columbia
College
Chicago

94% N/A

N/A

Nov Safe
1st ty