Admissions guide

College Admissions Chances: How to Read the Numbers

Most "chance calculators" are entertainment. Real planning comes from reading a few numbers correctly and building a balanced list.

The three numbers that matter

Admit rate: what share of applicants were admitted. Under 10% is unpredictable for everyone.
Middle 50% (25th–75th): test scores of enrolled students — not a cutoff, and not "admitted" students.
Net price: the average amount students actually pay after aid, which is what your family budget should be built on.

Safety, match, reach — without the myths

A school is a match when your scores sit inside its middle 50% and your GPA is typical. A safety is one where you are comfortably above the 75th percentile and admission is likely. A reach is not just "famous" — it is any school where your numbers are below the 25th percentile or the admit rate is very low.

Use the data, then visit

Admit rates describe last year, not you. Grades, rigor, essays, and context decide close calls. FunSAT's College screen lets you search 300+ four-year colleges, see reported ranges, and compare your score against each school's data. Compare colleges free →

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