Don’t treat a ‘safety’ college like a ‘spare’

There’s no such thing as a “safety” college anymore. Even high-flying students aren’t a shoo-in at many flagship universities. 

 

It’s sad when students who get into their “safety” colleges keep looking for something better. It’s like having a date for the prom, but keeping an eye out for a better one. That “safety” college becomes a spare. 

 

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, recently wrote an entire book, called “Spare,” expressing how it feels to not be strictly needed, like a pair of old glasses. 

 

It’s wise to apply to a variety of colleges, including those where a student’s credentials are on par or above average, and fit the student’s needs. But once a “safety college” sends out an admission offer, some wait around for more selective colleges to come through and treat their “safeties” like a spare tire.

 

Applying where one’s grades and scores rank in the lower part of the applicant pool is a recipe for getting denied, deferred or wait-listed. The interim waiting period can be stressful. Besides, there’s no guarantee that those “reach colleges” will be a better match, and the cost will certainly be higher. There, they may get prestige but not scholarships.

 

If colleges, especially the elite, have their own ideas of which students to accept and love, (rarely coincides with what the student and parents want) then students should leverage their grades, scores, talents at colleges that value them. 

 

At those colleges, students likely receive more love in the form of scholarships and tuition discounts. They may not be elite flagships or “name” schools, but it’s better to get into your first-choice program than into an under-subscribed major the elite is trying to fill. 

 

More scholarships are available at small, private colleges, such as the ones listed in Lauren Pope’s book “Colleges that Change Lives.” When the campus has between 1,500 to 2,500 students, each student is a person of note. These colleges typically offer a cohesive, familial, supportive environment where many students thrive.

 

Elite colleges, starting with the Ivy League, get a superabundance of love and adoration. They don’t care that you’re in love with them. Their brand recognition and market differentiation started centuries ago, founded on rigorous academics, and/or football. The former has nothing to do with the latter, but a winning athletic season reaps increased enrollment, and with it, increased academic selectivity. 

 

If a “safety” college sends an admission offer to a student, it means it recognizes and respects the student’s academic effort and activities. It will likely provide support for the student’s academic and social growth, and better scholarships.

 

In conclusion, a “safety” college is not a “spare.” Don’t waste your love on those colleges that could care less. Don’t throw your love away. If a “safety” college sent you a Valentine, consider it, treat it with respect, and not as a “spare.” 

 

C. Claire Law is a long-time resident of Daniel Island who loves to work with teens. She’s the author of “Find The Perfect College For You” (amzn.to/34znzrf) and “Control Your College Costs” (amzn.to/3t3c19s) available on Amazon.