Lessons on the College List

Lessons on the College List Mark is a highly accomplished senior with excellent grades and stratospheric test scores.   He recalls a friend of similar class rank who was admitted into Princeton just last year, and as a consequence, believes that admission into an Ivy League school is a virtual lock.   He decides to apply to all 8 Ivy League institutions, and at the suggestion of a family friend, also submits applications to the University of North Carolina, the University of Virginia and the College of William MaryMark considers these three colleges to be his â€Å"safety† schools, despite their excellent reputation and competitive admissions process, especially for out-of-state students.April arrives and Mark is dismayed to learn that he is denied admission at each Ivy League school, and is also waitlisted at UNC, a university with an average SAT score well below his.  Ã‚   Although Mark is admitted into UVA and William Mary, he soon discovers that both schools are prohibitively expensive for ou t-of-state students.   As high school graduation nears, Mark is scrambling to find a list of colleges still accepting applications, and dreams of donning Tar Heel blue and white—colors that didn’t seem all that attractive only a few months ago.Lesson #1:   No matter your background or credentials, never assume admission into an Ivy League institution.   These schools receive applications from many more top-notch students than they are able to admit, so unless you’re an Olympic athlete with flawless academic credentials or the child of a U.S. president, there are no guarantees.   Always expand your list of prospective schools to include colleges outside of the Ivy League.Lesson #2: Earning entrance into out-of-state public colleges and universities can be more difficult than you think.  Ã‚   Several reputable institutions have admissions policies that overwhelmingly favor in-state residents, and as a result, reject a high number of elite, out-of-state r esidents every year.   It is not uncommon for students to earn admission into a college like Penn, Cornell or Wash U. and be denied admission at universities like UVA, UNC or UC-Berkeley.   Therefore, prior to finalizing your college list and regardless of your academic background, check to see if the public schools on your â€Å"safety† list give admission preference to in-state students.Lesson #3: Every college list should include at least 2-to-3 â€Å"safety† schools, where you are very likely to be admitted  and which you can afford.   Remember, your â€Å"safety† schools are not safe if there exist factors that may ultimately prevent your enrollment, whether personal, financial or admissions-related.   Make sure your list of prospective schools includes institutions that are accessible, affordable and truly desirable.