Two Things Families Forget When Assessing Reach Schools

I was running my calculator that I use for clients and showed the student the results. He was not happy. I had his lowest acceptance rate for reaches at 27%. Of course, that probably stung.

He said he plans to apply to Stanford. 

What a College Acceptance Rate Calculator Actually Shows
I told him about the inputs to my calculations, which include the amount of AP courses, based on availability at his school. Now, I’m not faulting him for not taking AP French, but he did miss out on AP Lang.

I also took into consideration his standing in his class. The high school uses class rank, which is very helpful for these reasons. When I compared this to the school’s profile, it didn’t stand out. And it wouldn’t stand out to Stanford.

So, what if your student wants to apply to a college with a lower acceptance rate?

Why Your High School's School Profile Matters More Than You Think

When students apply to colleges, the school profile is sent by the counselor. This document shows the previous year’s 

• average GPA, 

• test scores, and what 

• courses available to students. 

It’s a good metric to see how your student will compare to others when applications are submitted. The documents aren’t standardized so one may look very different than another.

How to Read a Naviance Scattergram the Right Way

Depending on how well your school uses Naviance, it should show scattergrams for their graduates’ outcomes at each school. Naviance automatically takes data from College Board for your SAT scores.

• What the Scattergram Shows

  You can see how many students applied to each and maybe if they were accepted or denied, and whether or not they chose to attend. And the scattergram will assess your student’s chances based on GPA and test scores. 

The Most Overlooked Data Point in Naviance
The most overlooked part of the scattergram is if students who were accepted at your school chose to attend. 

• What It Means If Accepted Students Didn't Attend
  If students have applied and not attended this school, there is a good chance that a college will not make your application a priority. Students may be using this school as a target or likely, so when they get into another school, they drop them.

• What It Means If No Students Were Accepted

  Also, if a school does not accept students from your school at all, it could mean that it doesn’t believe that your school’s curriculum is very competitive. Make sure to reach out to your high school counselor with questions.

After you’ve reviewed this information, it’s time to really take a look at how your student’s high school is serving them and how much they have been able to take advantage of the opportunities provided.

How to Build a Realistic College List With Reach Schools
Then it’s time for a discussion about finding reach schools that are more realistic for your student.

• Have their GPA and test scores ready

• Look at accepted student’s GPA and test scores

• Look at their high school profile

• Put it into context.

Should you need further information on this topic, schedule a 20-minute strategy call.

FAQ Section

Q: What is a school profile in college admissions? A: A school profile is a document sent by your high school counselor alongside your application. It includes average GPA, test scores, and available courses, giving colleges context for how to evaluate your student.

Q: How do I use Naviance to evaluate reach schools? A: Look at the scattergram for your target school. Note how many students applied, how many were accepted, and crucially — how many chose to attend. Low attendance rates can signal that a college deprioritizes applicants from your school.

Q: Does class rank affect college admissions? A: Yes, especially at highly selective schools. Class rank helps colleges compare students within the same school and determine how competitive an applicant is relative to their peers.

Q: What AP courses do colleges look for? A: Colleges want to see that students challenged themselves with the most rigorous courses available at their school. Missing core AP courses like AP Language and Composition when they're offered can be a red flag at selective schools.