Super Reach vs Reach (Where should I try for?)

Question

Just wondering, I've done submitting for two reach (dream) schools, and am wondering about whether I should submit to a super reach school - Stanford, or should I just submit to another reach school?

I'm submitting to one possible school and one backup school in R2.... so, if I start now, I've got enough for 3 schools in R3... is it worth the shot for Stanford?

Your advice counts!

edit: Whoops. My bad... I meant, R2 instead of R3... so, 3 schools in R2

R.E.D. · Answer

I would give a try to Stanford, why not try to get there? You could be the one, they lack so much.

lepium · Answer

While a few people are admitted in R3, the odds are way below average. I personally thought of R3 as either a waste of time and money or the last chance to throw in an app at a backup - backup school if all else had gone wrong and I still wanted to go that year.

The counter argument goes: if I don't send anything, my chances are 0, if I do submit an app. my chances (while small) are still above 0.

L.

kryzak · Answer

adc, it depends on how much you want to go to Stanford, and whether you'll have the "what could have been" syndrome later on in life. If you ever had that doubt before, I would suggest submitting to Stanford, just so you know definitively whether you can get in or not. If you're not the type of person to wonder, then I would go for two reach schools to maximize your chances at getting into your top schools.

My 2 cents.

rhyme · Answer

You (sort of) only get to do this once .... Live not with "What ifs?".....

But of course, be realistic. You know your own profile best. If applying to Stanford is akin to your becoming an astronaut and going to the moon, maybe your efforts are better focused elsewhere. That said, a year and a half ago I would have put the GSB right next to "dream on buddy", so go figure.

riverripper · Answer

The higher the school the better your execution has to be. That said, if you execute your application to perfection, having essays that market yourself well and are very convincing...then your chances are going to be far better. Honestly I think the quality of an application can depend on a persons fit to the questions asked. I know that I find some schools essays great for what I want to get across where others like MIT just don't let my passion come through. Yes I have 4 solid examples to use for their essays but it just doesnt work as well as my Kellogg or Chicago essays where my goals and passions are much easier to get across because of the format.

So in my opinion if you feel you can put together a great package aimed at what a school is looking for, then go for it. Why live life with regrets. I know my first 4 schools for R1 are all very tough and I will need luck to get accepted to any of them but thats why my R2 schools are slightly less and god forbid if I need to R3 will be for a GMAT whore school that will take me because I got a 740.

kidderek · Answer

I think you underestimate your credentials.

As for reach schools, I would stick to ONE, whether it be a mildly reach or super reach. If you apply to 3 reach schools, your dispersed desire will show in your applications.

Super Reach vs Reach (Where should I try for?)

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards