Finding safeties

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:+3 I think there is some confusion about what a safety school is, especially in the current time.

A safety school is one that you are extremely likely to be admitted - like at least 70% and for some up to 99% (there is no 100 of course).

That is partially a measure of your credentials compared to typical admits, but also a measure of the school's process - which of course is never fully known.

Just an example, Miami of Ohio received 26,844 applications (from 2020-2021 common data set). They admitted 24,684, over 90%.

So we know they are not highly selective, and we likely know that if your credentials compare favorably to their typical applicant, you are highly likely to be admitted. They also have a low ultimate yield, because they had 3800 enrollments from that 24,684 admitted number.

That is a safety school for a lot of people.

Tulane at 9% or even 15% admittance rate is not a typical safety. It may be for very high achieving students, but for most it is not a guaranteed admittance.

Plus, keep in mind that an AO can also sniff out if they think a student is serious about attending, right? What if they perceive your non-early RD application as over-qualified and might reject to protect their yield? So even on the highest end you are not guaranteed anything.

Tulane has been perhaps the most aggressive school out there at drumming up applications so they can lower their acceptance rate. They send postcards to people with a pulse.

+

My kid with a 2.8 and 22 ACT has been getting inundated with stuff from Tulane.

That means nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just one opinion, but here is a basic process to consider:

1. Start with the things about a school that cannot be changed - size, location, weather, course of study. If you know you want northeast and no midwest, that helps narrow the list. If your student wants a finance program (and not economics), that narrows the list of some liberal arts colleges for example. If you do not want snow, etc. These are all items that cannot be changed about the university.

2. Once you have a narrower list, consider the common data sets for each university. They are all publicly available and give an idea of the benchmarks for admission - gpa, tests, what items are important or not for admission, such as essays or work experience. They also give you what % of applicants are admitted then choose to enroll - a decent proxy for competitiveness.

These two steps should help with a shorter list. You can also read reviews - I think Niche is pretty good as is Unigo - in moderation. Remember that an unhappy student/person is far more likely to review than the group of positive people, just like a bad restaurant.

Eventually you will want to see some of these campuses if possible - especially if not cost prohibitive - and with students on campus.

Again just one perspective, good luck!

TY. DC has a pretty good list - an extensive spread sheet with her key criteria, etc. She has some a few schools to which she is applying EA as suggested by her school counselor - already working on the supplements, etc. Hasn't made a final decision on ED. Her counselor has her looking at schools in the most/extremely selective categories for reaches/targets. The question with yield protection, however, are there any safeties these days?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It should be obvious that the fact a school turns down a lot of applicants does not make it a safety.

Some schools, Tulane included, are heading toward filling their classes before the RD round. That needs to be considered as well in evaluating a safety, because, even if you apply EA, you may have a timeline that makes it problematic. Looking at Tulane's numbers, the acceptance for RD appears to be below 5%.

Again, that does not mean it is substantially more selective, it just means it drives you towards ED, which means it is hard to make it a safety.

So what is a safety?

[Anonymous]

We toured Lawrence, Macalester and St. Olaf. DS liked St. Olaf but not the other two. Still looking for more targets and safeties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:+3 I think there is some confusion about what a safety school is, especially in the current time.

A safety school is one that you are extremely likely to be admitted - like at least 70% and for some up to 99% (there is no 100 of course).

That is partially a measure of your credentials compared to typical admits, but also a measure of the school's process - which of course is never fully known.

Just an example, Miami of Ohio received 26,844 applications (from 2020-2021 common data set). They admitted 24,684, over 90%.

So we know they are not highly selective, and we likely know that if your credentials compare favorably to their typical applicant, you are highly likely to be admitted. They also have a low ultimate yield, because they had 3800 enrollments from that 24,684 admitted number.

That is a safety school for a lot of people.

Tulane at 9% or even 15% admittance rate is not a typical safety. It may be for very high achieving students, but for most it is not a guaranteed admittance.

Plus, keep in mind that an AO can also sniff out if they think a student is serious about attending, right? What if they perceive your non-early RD application as over-qualified and might reject to protect their yield? So even on the highest end you are not guaranteed anything.

Tulane has been perhaps the most aggressive school out there at drumming up applications so they can lower their acceptance rate. They send postcards to people with a pulse.

+

My kid with a 2.8 and 22 ACT has been getting inundated with stuff from Tulane.

That means nothing.

Agree. My DC has a 3.99 u/w and a 34 ACT and gets packets from all the Ivies...and we also think it means nothing.

[Anonymous]

I second the Towson’s and St Mary’s suggestions for MD. Here are a few other possibilities for your son to consider.


MD
St Mary’s (actually a top ranked public liberal arts college) (acceptance rate 81%)

Towson (part of U MD system, first training college for teachers in MD so strong in education) (acceptance rate 76%)

UMBC (UMD honors college in Baltimore County that is considerably easier to get into then the flag shop UMCP (44.%) but has some higher ranked programs) (acceptance rate 61%). Do need average 3.9 GPA though.

DC
Catholic University of America (urban liberal arts) (85% acceptance rate)


Va

https://study.com/articles/careers-and-education/what-are-the-easiest-colleges-to-get-into-in-virginia.html

Mary Baldwin University - 100%
Sweet Briar College - 96%
Bluefield College - 94%
University of Lynchburg - 92%
Virginia State University - 91%
Longwood University - 90%
Norfolk State University - 90%
Randolph College - 90%


Niche has “best colleges in ___ (State ) with high acceptance rates” - so suggest your son check those schools out in the states that he is interested in. Let him research the individual colleges listed to decide whether he might like to apply to those as “safeties”

Eg South Carolina

2022 Best Colleges with High Acceptance Rates in South Carolina
Bob Jones University. ...
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College.
University of South Carolina
Union.Spartanburg Community College.
Columbia College
South Carolina.
Horry-Georgetown Technical College.
Piedmont Technical College.


I strongly suggested that our son apply to a good number of solid safeties so that he felt like he had decent options. He appreciated it after a brutal round of rejections despite being a top athlete scholar at a good school. The competition from this area is fierce.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:+3 I think there is some confusion about what a safety school is, especially in the current time.

A safety school is one that you are extremely likely to be admitted - like at least 70% and for some up to 99% (there is no 100 of course).

That is partially a measure of your credentials compared to typical admits, but also a measure of the school's process - which of course is never fully known.

Just an example, Miami of Ohio received 26,844 applications (from 2020-2021 common data set). They admitted 24,684, over 90%.

So we know they are not highly selective, and we likely know that if your credentials compare favorably to their typical applicant, you are highly likely to be admitted. They also have a low ultimate yield, because they had 3800 enrollments from that 24,684 admitted number.

That is a safety school for a lot of people.

Tulane at 9% or even 15% admittance rate is not a typical safety. It may be for very high achieving students, but for most it is not a guaranteed admittance.

Plus, keep in mind that an AO can also sniff out if they think a student is serious about attending, right? What if they perceive your non-early RD application as over-qualified and might reject to protect their yield? So even on the highest end you are not guaranteed anything.

Tulane has been perhaps the most aggressive school out there at drumming up applications so they can lower their acceptance rate. They send postcards to people with a pulse.

+

My kid with a 2.8 and 22 ACT has been getting inundated with stuff from Tulane.

That means nothing.

Agree. My DC has a 3.99 u/w and a 34 ACT and gets packets from all the Ivies...and we also think it means nothing.

Totally agree - we had enough college solicitations to fill a book store (and many gifts) to encourage our athlete scholar junior to apply to ivies/ top schools/ eager to get ahead schools. It all meant nothing as they are mainly interested in keeping their admission stats low and showing off in humble brag how many very bright students they are able to reject.

Our DC had a great college experience but all those admissions rejections were brutal. High achieving students are the norm in this area. It is critical to encourage your children to apply to a wide range of schools where they can be happy, challenged and able to work towards their goals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I second the Towson’s and St Mary’s suggestions for MD. Here are a few other possibilities for your son to consider.


MD
St Mary’s (actually a top ranked public liberal arts college) (acceptance rate 81%)

Towson (part of U MD system, first training college for teachers in MD so strong in education) (acceptance rate 76%)

UMBC (UMD honors college in Baltimore County that is considerably easier to get into then the flag shop UMCP (44.%) but has some higher ranked programs) (acceptance rate 61%). Do need average 3.9 GPA though.

DC
Catholic University of America (urban liberal arts) (85% acceptance rate)


Va

https://study.com/articles/careers-and-education/what-are-the-easiest-colleges-to-get-into-in-virginia.html

Mary Baldwin University - 100%
Sweet Briar College - 96%
Bluefield College - 94%
University of Lynchburg - 92%
Virginia State University - 91%
Longwood University - 90%
Norfolk State University - 90%
Randolph College - 90%


Niche has “best colleges in ___ (State ) with high acceptance rates” - so suggest your son check those schools out in the states that he is interested in. Let him research the individual colleges listed to decide whether he might like to apply to those as “safeties”

Eg South Carolina

2022 Best Colleges with High Acceptance Rates in South Carolina
Bob Jones University. ...
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College.
University of South Carolina
Union.Spartanburg Community College.
Columbia College
South Carolina.
Horry-Georgetown Technical College.
Piedmont Technical College.


I strongly suggested that our son apply to a good number of solid safeties so that he felt like he had decent options. He appreciated it after a brutal round of rejections despite being a top athlete scholar at a good school. The competition from this area is fierce.

Good luck.

Bob Jones?? Definitely not a top school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I second the Towson’s and St Mary’s suggestions for MD. Here are a few other possibilities for your son to consider.


MD
St Mary’s (actually a top ranked public liberal arts college) (acceptance rate 81%)

Towson (part of U MD system, first training college for teachers in MD so strong in education) (acceptance rate 76%)

UMBC (UMD honors college in Baltimore County that is considerably easier to get into then the flag shop UMCP (44.%) but has some higher ranked programs) (acceptance rate 61%). Do need average 3.9 GPA though.

DC
Catholic University of America (urban liberal arts) (85% acceptance rate)


Va

https://study.com/articles/careers-and-education/what-are-the-easiest-colleges-to-get-into-in-virginia.html

Mary Baldwin University - 100%
Sweet Briar College - 96%
Bluefield College - 94%
University of Lynchburg - 92%
Virginia State University - 91%
Longwood University - 90%
Norfolk State University - 90%
Randolph College - 90%


Niche has “best colleges in ___ (State ) with high acceptance rates” - so suggest your son check those schools out in the states that he is interested in. Let him research the individual colleges listed to decide whether he might like to apply to those as “safeties”

Eg South Carolina

2022 Best Colleges with High Acceptance Rates in South Carolina
Bob Jones University. ...
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College.
University of South Carolina
Union.Spartanburg Community College.
Columbia College
South Carolina.
Horry-Georgetown Technical College.
Piedmont Technical College.


I strongly suggested that our son apply to a good number of solid safeties so that he felt like he had decent options. He appreciated it after a brutal round of rejections despite being a top athlete scholar at a good school. The competition from this area is fierce.

Good luck.

Bob Jones?? Definitely not a top school

Not the point - that was an example of schools in South Carolina with high admission rates identified by Niche. Presumably, the OP does not
Know schools with high admission rates in southern states. The student would need to review the lists themselves and see whether any might work as a safety school for his needs and purposes.

[Anonymous]

It says best colleges with high acceptance rates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It says best colleges with high acceptance rates.

Yes but the advice was to have the son who is looking for unknown safeties, possibly in southern states, to evaluate the lists themselves. Finding good safeties is not a magic potion but requires due diligence.

Also I provided info on safeties in our area because I am more familiar with them. I am not familiar with safeties in the south myself so would just use Niche lists as a starting point to further research.

I actually believe that researching safeties carefully is really important because many students will only get to select from those colleges. Our area is brutal. Our DC went to a West Coast “safety” but only after we researched and visited it in advance and knew it had a lot to offer.

[Anonymous]

Curious which west coast safety if you do not mind sharing, thanks - and why you/student liked it. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious which west coast safety if you do not mind sharing, thanks - and why you/student liked it. Thanks.

Sorry i do not want to out my child who is very private but I can say it is in the California University system.

In fact, DC ended up choosing the West Coast “safety” over two more prestigious schools that are popular with students in our area but far less strong in preferred major. That school is probably no longer considered a “safety” for high achievers though - multiple friends’ talented seniors were outright rejected last year.

Admissions from our area has always been tough as there are so many high achievers from highly privileged families, and it is only getting worse. It depends other factors as well though (such as whether your student is a stereotypical candidate in a stem field when most colleges are trying hard to recruit more women and people of color). No sour grapes there as diversity matters. Main point: Having students invest in personal research for so called safety schools is wise. I shared this advice with hopes to spare some other high achievers who do all the right things from feeling crushed/ like they have failed if they end up choosing safety schools. Our DC thrived at his safety. Best wishes for best outcomes for your DC following this grueling process.

[Anonymous]

Very helpful, thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:+3 I think there is some confusion about what a safety school is, especially in the current time.

A safety school is one that you are extremely likely to be admitted - like at least 70% and for some up to 99% (there is no 100 of course).

That is partially a measure of your credentials compared to typical admits, but also a measure of the school's process - which of course is never fully known.

Just an example, Miami of Ohio received 26,844 applications (from 2020-2021 common data set). They admitted 24,684, over 90%.

So we know they are not highly selective, and we likely know that if your credentials compare favorably to their typical applicant, you are highly likely to be admitted. They also have a low ultimate yield, because they had 3800 enrollments from that 24,684 admitted number.

That is a safety school for a lot of people.

Tulane at 9% or even 15% admittance rate is not a typical safety. It may be for very high achieving students, but for most it is not a guaranteed admittance.

Plus, keep in mind that an AO can also sniff out if they think a student is serious about attending, right? What if they perceive your non-early RD application as over-qualified and might reject to protect their yield? So even on the highest end you are not guaranteed anything.

Tulane has been perhaps the most aggressive school out there at drumming up applications so they can lower their acceptance rate. They send postcards to people with a pulse.

+

My kid with a 2.8 and 22 ACT has been getting inundated with stuff from Tulane.

That means nothing.

Agree. My DC has a 3.99 u/w and a 34 ACT and gets packets from all the Ivies...and we also think it means nothing.

+1. Schools that are anxious to improve their selectivity scores for USN&WR don't care how qualified the applicants are - they just want ANYONE to apply in order to reject them thereby lowering the selectivity percentage.