pen and paperAfter two decades of college counseling, I’ve had countless conversations with students about building balanced college lists. Most understand the importance of applying to a mix of high-, medium-, and low-chance schools. They’re clear-headed about what “reach schools” really means—that admission is more likely than not to result in denial—yet they feel excited about trying. And I support this approach because stretching for admission to challenging schools often results in pleasant surprises.

However, I regularly encounter students who take this concept too far. They insist on applying to colleges that aren’t simply “reaches,” but are frankly impossible for them to gain admission to. This mindset presents one of my greatest challenges as a counselor.

The “You-Never-Know” Mentality

Students facing impossible odds to get into a particular college often respond with familiar refrains: “Well, you never know,” or “I’ve always wanted to apply there,” or “I have a non-zero chance of getting in.” Though, the harsh truth that I sometimes hesitate to say for fear of hurting someone’s feelings is this: actually, your chance of admission to that particular school is, in fact, zero or less than zero.

I’ve seen this pattern countless times. A student with a 2.8 GPA is insisting on applying to Harvard. A student with no demonstrated interest in engineering is applying to MIT because “it’s prestigious.” This isn’t stretching for “reach schools”—it’s reveling in fantasies that consume valuable time, energy, and application fees while setting students up for guaranteed disappointment.

What makes this particularly challenging is navigating these conversations respectfully while maintaining the counseling relationship between me and the students. I must find ways to redirect them without crushing their spirits, even when the academic mismatch is glaring or when a single impressive credential masks fundamental weaknesses in their overall application profile.

When “Missing Shots” Doesn’t Apply

I understand why students and families gravitate toward the “you miss 100% of the shots you never take” philosophy. In many areas of life, this attitude serves people well. Taking chances despite slim odds can lead to unexpected opportunities and personal growth.

But college admissions work differently. There’s something fundamentally distinct between trying for something that seems quite out of reach versus trying for something that is, without question, out of reach.

The Crucial Difference Between “Reach” and “Impossible”

“Reach schools” represent genuine stretches where a student’s academic profile falls in the lower range of admitted students, but still within the realm of possibility. These applications make sense because admission officers evaluate candidates holistically.

“Impossible schools,” however, represent applications where no combination of essays, recommendations, or extracurricular activities can overcome fundamental academic deficiencies. When a student’s credentials are drastically below a college’s standards, they’re applying to a school that simply won’t consider their application seriously.

Why does the distinction matter? Because, likely, your resources are finite. Every impossible application represents time and money that could have been invested in researching schools where your student could actually thrive.

The Real Cost of Impossible Dreams

Beyond wasted resources, impossible applications create harmful psychological patterns. Students become invested in outcomes that were never realistic, leading to unnecessary disappointment and potential damage to self-confidence. Worse, the focus on “impossible schools” often prevents them from getting genuinely excited about realistic options where they could excel.

I’ve watched students dismiss excellent colleges that would welcome them enthusiastically, simply because they were fixated on institutions that would never seriously consider their applications.

A Better Approach to Dreaming Big

This doesn’t mean, as a student, you should abandon ambition or stop challenging yourself. Instead, I want to encourage you to channel your reach mentality toward schools that represent genuine stretches, rather than impossibilities.

The smartest risk-taking means applying to a few “reach schools” that are genuinely within your range—not statistical impossibilities. That way, we’re building confidence through strategic optimism rather than setting you up for disappointment.

Research colleges where your academic profile places you in the bottom 25% of admitted students rather than completely outside their range. Look for institutions known for holistic admissions processes that value unique perspectives and experiences. And focus on schools where your particular combination of strengths might make you stand out, even if your overall profile appears challenging.

True “reach schools” should inspire you to craft compelling applications that showcase your authentic self. “Impossible schools,” by contrast, require you to pretend to be someone you’re not.

Finding Your Realistic Stretch

The goal isn’t to eliminate dreams but to ground them in reality. Work with a counselor who can help you identify colleges that represent meaningful challenges without crossing into fantasy territory.

Remember, the most transformative college experience happens when you attend a school that both challenges and supports you—not one that never seriously considered your application in the first place.

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Navigating the difference between ambitious goals and impossible dreams requires honest assessment and experienced guidance. If you’d like help identifying colleges that represent genuine opportunities for growth and challenge within your academic reality, I’m here to help you build a list that’s both aspirational and achievable. Please feel free to contact me.