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3 Tips for Selecting the Right Reach Schools

By U.S. News & World Report

According to the Department of Education, there are roughly 3,000 four-year colleges in America. You likely should not apply to all of them.

In fact, you should leave the majority of them off of your short list. Each school that you apply to during senior year of high school will cost you time, effort and money, so it is important to choose colleges carefully.

We have previously discussed how to create a short list of one or two safety schools, four or five target schools and one or two reach schools. Of these three categories, identifying your reach schools may be the most difficult. Here are three tips to help you with this task.

[Follow five steps to choose how many college applications to send.]

1. Consider your personal statistics — to a degree: Your GPA and standardized test scores are both the most and least important factors to keep in mind as you choose reach schools.

They are important in the sense that your academic statistics should be within range of those for the college in question. If your GPA and standardized test scores are well above the school’s average, you may find yourself lacking motivation. If they’re too far below, you may struggle in your classes.

With that said, many admissions departments will give greater weight to your essays, letters of recommendation and other evidence of excellence such as leadership in extracurricular activities and meaningful volunteer commitments. Challenging course work, such as AP or IB classes, can also help to balance a somewhat lower GPA.

Simply put, do not be afraid to apply to colleges and universities that are slightly above your statistical range. However, do not apply to schools that are dramatically out of reach. For instance, a 2.8 GPA will not qualify you for a college with an average accepted student GPA of 3.8.

[Consider the downside of attending a reach school.]

2. Look beyond the Ivy League: For many high school students, an Ivy League university is the quintessential reach school. If attending Brown University or Cornell University is your dream, then by all means apply. But if you are submitting an application just because it is a prestigious school, look elsewhere.

If you dream of studying marine biology, for example, the University of California–Santa Cruz hosts the Institute of Marine Sciences, a world-renowned center for research. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute is also close by and offers many opportunities for collaborative studies and summer internships.

Although U.S. News ranks UCSC as tied for No. 82 overall among National Universities, most out-of-state freshmen will have a minimum GPA of 3.4, with an emphasis on science and math.

[Find ways to weigh passion and practicality in your college search.]

3. Leverage extracurricular interests: If you can demonstrate long-term engagement in an area that falls outside the traditional academic arena, seek out those colleges and universities that are just out of reach academically, but that also have an existing interest in your skill set.

For example, if you have competed in a national singing competition, choose a reach school that has a renowned choir. Bucknell University, for example, is a selective, private liberal arts school with a strong music program that offers a number of merit-based scholarships.

Next, ask your choral director or singing instructor for a recommendation letter that commends your dedication and enthusiasm.

You can also mention this interest in your college application essay, as well as contact the program coordinator at the school in question. Identifying an advocate among the faculty or staff at your target reach school may prove advantageous come decision time.

The three strategies discussed here are not magical solutions. They will not guarantee you entry to the most competitive colleges or universities in the U.S. However, they may position you to receive an acceptance letter from a school that you may have never dreamed of attending otherwise.

More from U.S. News

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3 Tips for Selecting the Right Reach Schools originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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