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
chico san fran capex
3. To get your admissions scattergram, put in the required information on
the following site:
https://www.cappex.com
(Scroll down to Admissions Chances)
Majors Im interested in
(Select up to 5)
Interior Design
Linguistics
Philosophy
Ethnic, Cultural Minority,
Gender, and Group

For each major, find 3 colleges that have the major and
seem like a fit for you:
Academy of Art University, California State University:
Long Beach, San Francisco State University
California State University: Monterey Bay, University
of California: Davis
California Polytechnic State University: San Luis
Obispo, California State University: Chico, St. Mary's
College of California
Biola University, Humboldt State University, Stanford
University

Studies
Social Work

Chapman University, University of California: Berkeley,

California State University: Los Angeles

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 California:
Berkeley
California Polytechnic
State University:

Social Work

For this major and this

college, my Admissions
Scattergram indicates:
Accepted

Philosophy

Accepted

San Francisco State

University

Interior Design

Accepted

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

Admit
Rate
%

Avera
ge
SAT
Score

Avera
ge
ACT
Score

# of
SAT
Subjec
t Tests
Requir
ed

# of
Teache
r Recs
Requir
ed

# of
Essays
Requir
ed

App
deadli
ne

Safety
,
Matc
h or
Reach
???

1. University
of California:
Berkeley
2.California
Polytechnic
State
University:
San Luis
Obispo
3.Chapman
University
4.St. Mary's
College of
California
5.California
State
University:
Los Angeles
6.Academy of
Art University

14.8%

2055

30

Aug. 1

Reach

30.9%

1232

28

Oct. 31 Reach

44.7%

1940

28

Oct. 15 Reach

75.2%

1120

21

Jan. 15

Match

17.3%

1941

28

Nov.
30

Match

100%

N/A

N/A

N/A

7.California
State
University:
Chico
8.California
State
University:
Long Beach
9.San
Francisco
State
University

67.2%

1013

19

No
Match
Deadli
ne
Oct. 15 Safety

36.1%

1027

24

Nov.
30

Safety

66%

995

20

Nov.
30

Safety