There is a lot of confusion about safety schools. What constitutes a safety school, given your individual candidacy? Should everyone apply to a safety? If so, when and how many? I encourage North Star’s clients to apply to a range of programs, and to follow these guidelines when identifying their target schools:
- It’s not a safety if you wouldn’t go there.
Don’t apply to a program just because you think that you can get in. If a school isn’t a good fit, isn’t worth the investment or otherwise doesn’t offer what you are looking for, it’s not worth applying.
- If you are too overqualified, you may not get in.
Schools are concerned about yield, and they do not want to offer seats in the class to people who are unlikely to matriculate. Choose a safety program where your grades, experience and test scores are a bit above the average, but not so far above that the admissions committee denies your application because they assume that you will go to a more selective school.
- Apply early, so that you can focus on your top choice schools.
It is a huge relief to know that you can attend a school that you are excited about, even if it’s not your dream program. Applying early in the cycle (and getting in) means that you do not have to send out as many applications, and allows you to concentrate on honing your candidacy for the more aspirational schools on your list.
- Options are good.
What if you were offered full tuition at a less selective program, but one that you would still be happy to attend? Even if you decide to enroll elsewhere, it’s always great to have choices.
- There is no such thing as a true safety.
Admissions demographics fluctuate year to year. Also, the best applications are about much more than numbers, which means that you can’t rely on your grades and tests scores alone. Since you are putting in so much work refining your candidacy, it makes sense apply to a range of schools.
