1) The “sure shots” (in-state public colleges, local community colleges, etc.) You know you will get accepted AND can afford these.

2) The “nicer” colleges. (In-state private colleges, out-of-state public colleges where your academic studies or athletic performance might get you accepted but not necessarily get you a scholarship).

3) The “long shots”. (The “really nice” colleges where you don’t even know if you’ll get accepted OR a scholarship.)

Send applications to all THREE groups. The worst Princeton can tell you is “Sorry, you’re not accepted,” or, “Please send us a ridiculous amount of money.” Then you look at a private college. The worst they can tell you is “Sorry, you’re not accepted.”

If worst comes to worst, remember, you can always go to your local public college, because you applied there (see group #1).