At the start of the college search we recommend you cast a wide net of possible options. In doing so, you will feel more comfortable and confident with the final college list. It is importance to pick schools you can see yourself attending. As you move toward a more curated list the goal is to create a balanced list of colleges that fall into four categories. The terms we use - likely, target, reach, far reach - are relative, not absolute. In determining where a given college falls for a particular student, we use our best judgment based on experience with recent LHS graduates, national trends, and institutional changes. We offer frank advice to help you evaluate your chances of admission at a particular college - not as a judgment of your performance during your time at LHS or your potential as a college student. Ideally, your final list should be constructed so that you will be admitted to most of the colleges on your college list. In the “worst” case, you should still have at least two or three good choices. LHS keeps extensive statistical data on college results.
The majority of your colleges should be in the Target and Likely category. Selective colleges have so many qualified applicants, they are focused on creating a class of students who will bring unique talents to their colleges to supplement their stellar academic performance. Your counselor will be able to help you understand why certain colleges fall in a particular category. Remember that the selectivity of a college often has little bearing on the quality of the education and experience that it can offer you.
Reach: LHS students with similar grades and test scores are less likely to be admitted, except in cases where extenuating circumstances (athletic recruitment, alumni/legacy connections) affect the decision. A school may also be a reach because it's a reach for everyone based on the low acceptance rate.
Target: LHS students with similar grades and test scores are sometimes admitted, sometimes waitlisted, and occasionally denied.
Likely: A school where students from LHS with similar academic profiles are almost always accepted. Still not guaranteed admission, so make sure to give those applications the time and attention needed.