Every year, we help students plan for their higher education journey with Reach, Target, and Safety schools that align with their profiles, as well as their college and career goals, taking the mystery out of the equation.
A strategic college list is the foundation of a confident application season. At Dewey Smart, we don’t guess, we build balanced, data-informed college lists designed to maximize both opportunity and fit.
Before anything else, let’s define the terms clearly:
- Reach School: A college where a student’s academic profile (GPA, rigor, test scores) is below or at the lower end of the school’s admitted student averages. Admission is possible, but not predictable.
- Target School: A college where a student’s academic profile closely aligns with the median admitted student profile. These schools represent realistic, competitive opportunities.
- Safety School: A college where a student’s academic profile is well above the school’s average admitted student profile and where admission is highly likely.
A well-balanced list typically includes a thoughtful mix, often something like 2 reach, 3–4 target, and 2 safety schools. Students who apply only to ultra-selective institutions dramatically reduce their odds of acceptance. A diversified strategy increases the probability of multiple offers—and meaningful choice in the spring.
The Wrong School List Can Mean the Difference Between Acceptance & Rejection
The right college list is not a random selection of prestigious names. It is a strategic compilation grounded in academic data, institutional priorities, and personal fit.
Year after year, we see students with strong profiles denied across the board, not because they weren’t qualified, but because their lists were top-heavy. Conversely, students with balanced lists consistently secure multiple acceptances, merit scholarships, and honors program invitations.
Your college list should:
- Reflect your academic strengths
- Align with your long-term professional goals
- Account for selectivity realities
- Consider financial feasibility
- Match your preferred campus environment
And it doesn’t exist in isolation. A strong list must align with your academic narrative and extracurricular positioning. If you’re still building that foundation, start with your activity strategy in
How to Build a High School Resume for College Applications. A well-developed resume strengthens your candidacy across every tier, reach, target, and safety alike.
When your list is built correctly, you don’t just get accepted, you land somewhere you can thrive.
We Don’t Just Build Lists – We Compile Data & Develop Organized Dockets
From brainstorming to deep program research and long-term planning, Dewey Smart understands your Fit Factors for Choosing a School. Every recommendation is grounded in both qualitative and quantitative analysis.
We also guide you through Finding Target Schools by:
- Major and program strength
- Acceptance rates and GPA ranges
- Testing expectations (SAT/ACT test-optional policies included)
- Institutional priorities
- Scholarship availability
- Class size and faculty access
We support students applying to every type of institution:
Common Questions About Different School Types
What is a Community College?
Two-year institutions offering associate degrees and transfer pathways are often cost-effective and flexible.
What is a Liberal Arts College?
Smaller institutions focused on undergraduate teaching, interdisciplinary learning, and close faculty mentorship.
What is a Public University?
State-funded institutions (such as the University of California system) offer large campus communities, diverse majors, and in-state tuition benefits.
What is a Private University?
Independently funded institutions, often with smaller student-to-faculty ratios and unique institutional missions, are often located in the Northeast and Midwest.
What are Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)?
Institutions founded to serve Black students, with strong traditions of community, leadership development, and cultural empowerment.
What are Religious Schools?
Colleges affiliated with faith traditions, integrating spiritual life with academic rigor.
What are Military Academies?
Highly selective institutions combining academic education with military training and service commitments.
What are Art & Design Schools?
Specialized institutions focused on portfolio-based admission and creative disciplines.
No matter the size and shape of your ambition, we research with intention.
Location Preferences
Geographic location matters more than many students initially realize.
Choosing between in-state and out-of-state options involves cost analysis, climate preferences, cultural fit, and long-term career positioning. For example:
- Comparing the UC system in California to private universities in the Northeast
- Evaluating Southern flagship schools versus Midwest Big Ten campuses
- Weighing urban environments like New York or Boston against suburban campuses or rural college towns
We consider:
- Cost differences (in-state vs. out-of-state tuition)
- Climate and environment
- Sports culture and school spirit
- Class size preferences
- Urban, suburban, or rural setting
Your environment shapes your experience. We make sure it aligns with who you are.
Academic & Professional Paths
Not all schools invest equally in every field. Your college list must reflect your intended academic and professional direction.
We identify institutions known for strength in:
- Pre-Med pathways and research hospitals
- Pre-Law advising and debate programs
- Computer Science and AI labs
- Engineering innovation
- Liberal Arts and Humanities scholarship
- Visual Arts and portfolio development
- Social Sciences research
- Mathematics and quantitative rigor
- STEM advancement
- Business and entrepreneurship ecosystems
We examine faculty research output, internship pipelines, alumni networks, and graduate placement rates, because your future starts on campus.
And behind every strong academic path is a strategic counseling plan. Learn more about how our mentorship model supports this full journey in Dewey Smart College Counseling: Your Path to Admissions Success.
We Eat Data for Breakfast
Our team compiles and analyzes data from thousands of colleges nationwide. Understanding the quantitative side of admissions is essential to building a smart list.
We draw from recognized datasets and sources such as:
- The Common Data Set (CDS)
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System)
- College Board admissions and testing data
- Institutional admissions reports
- Published GPA and standardized testing percentiles
We analyze:
- Admit rates
- Middle 50% GPA and SAT/ACT ranges
- Early Decision and Early Action acceptance trends
- Yield rates
- Institutional priorities
This data-driven approach ensures your list reflects reality, not rumor.
We Have Mastered the Art of Organization
When we create your college list, we build a customized spreadsheet and strategic docket tailored entirely to you.
Every school includes:
- Academic profile comparison
- Application deadlines
- Testing policies
- Essay requirements
- Scholarship opportunities
- Financial aid considerations
All the data you need to make informed, confident decisions lives in one organized place.
Our Near-Peer Model
Our Near-Peer Model connects high school students with mentors who are current students or recent graduates of Ivy League and top universities.
This means:
- You learn about day-to-day campus life from someone living it
- You gain insider insight into academic rigor and opportunities
- You receive mentorship rooted in firsthand experience
Meet the mentors who live and breathe the campuses you aspire to attend—Visit Our Team.
We’re here to help you build a list that reflects both ambition and strategy.
Schedule a Free 30 Minute Consultation
If you’re worried about your college list and want professional advice from our team of Ivy League & Top University counselors, schedule a FREE 30 Minute Consultation for personal feedback and strategy.
Our team has helped thousands of students gain admission into their dream schools. Get started with our dedicated team of college counselors today!