<p>What is the correct number of schools to apply to?</p>
<p>I've paid the fee for my son for 2 schools, but is there a certain recommended number to apply to?</p>
<p>I think that the number changes for each individual. </p>
<p>My son will be applying to be a sophomore and he needs significant financial aid so we are applying to at least 6 schools. I am hoping that at least one of them will offer him the aid we need to send him.</p>
<p>We are also applying to a range of schools that interest him. The top 2 will really be a stretch for him based on his ssat scores. But we have included a few that from what I can tell he will fit nicely into.</p>
<p>I don't know if this helps you with your question!</p>
<p>Usually the typical number of prep/private/boarding schools one applies to is 6-8. However I've heard some people who've applied to as little as 2 and as many as 12. It's really your choice how many schools you apply to.</p>
<p>I'm only applying to 3, because of financial aid (the schools are very generous) and I love them. You can't apply to a "safety school" for a prep school because if you're not a good fit, then you'll be unhappy, no matter how easy it was to get in.</p>
<p>Notnim: Welcome to the forum....don't worry that you may be starting on the late side of things. Great outcomes are still possible!</p>
<p>The number of schools to which you apply depends on your back-up plan. If there is a public or private day school that is a great alternative to any possible boarding school, then maybe only 3 or 4. However, if you (for whatever reasons) really want a boarding school,then 6 to 8 is probably better. There were several students here last year who only applied to the 5 or 6 most competitive schools, and ended up not getting in anywhere, despite being great applicants. So, you need to choose those 6 carefully. Try to find some good schools that seem a match for your student and that also have acceptance rates in the 40-50% range. </p>
<p>I think only applying to three schools, particularly ones that have acceptance rates of only 20%, is risky, unless the student will be okay with the back-up plan.</p>
<p>Since you are starting later, you may not be able to get all of your interviews in before the application deadlines, but some schools will let you have the interviews after the application deadline. Some do, some don't, so check carefully!</p>
<p>Good luck with your search.</p>
<p>It all depends on the schools and your child. Two seems a bit low - three or four is probably a bit better.</p>
<p>Thanks All.</p>
<p>I've only paid the fee to 2, but he has already interviewed at 2 and will complete 2 more interviews just after Thanksgiving. S is fine applying to 4 schools, but all 4 have acceptance rates<25%</p>
<p>BrooklynGuy -- The schools with acceptance rates of 40-50% just don't seem like a good fit. I have found 2 in the 35-40% range I like, but S isn't sure of them. Really I think he just isn't keen on completing more Applications!</p>
<p>My S is fine with the back-up plans, but the more we look into BS the less I am ok with the back-up!</p>
<p>I can understand the reluctance to apply to schools with higher acceptance rates that don't seem like a good fit: more time visiting, interviewing, filling out applications, as well as the need to muster sufficient enthusiasm for the applicant to present themselves well in the application process. Nevertheless, come March, it can be very nice if the applicant has a range of choices - revisits can be illuminating (and pleasantly surprising) and can provide a good basis for comparison. Choosing between (and revisiting, if possible) several schools can help the applicant (and family) identify what's most important to them. And many, many of the schools with higher acceptance rates offer great programs/experiences!</p>
<p>Many schools accept the common application TABS:</a> How to Apply. I don't suggest it for the most competitive schools, but I am guessing that it would be welcomed by many schools from an outstanding applicant. </p>
<p>I agree with snowedin in the posting above.</p>
<p>My personal experience was one daughter applied to 3 schools and was not accepted at any of them - not even the one that should have been a shoe-in. Second daughter applied to eight, was accepted at three including her first choice school. It's so hard to tell what will happen. Theoretically if daughter 2 had only applied to her first choice school she still would have gotten in, but how were we to know that in advance. Daughter 1 had a viable back-up plan that she wound up executing, daughter 2 did not.</p>
<p>Depends upon your situation. For example, if your local public schools are a solid option for your son, then applying to two private schools is enough. My son applied to three boarding schools & two day schools because public schools were not an option that we were willing to consider, but we knew that he was admitted to a nearby Catholic school (one of our day school options). My son had to apply because his Catholic school only went through grade 8.</p>
<p>My 1st applied to 9, accepted with FA at 1. Accepted but WL for FA at 2. WL at 1. Rejected from the rest.</p>
<p>My 2nd applied to 4. Accepted with FA at 3. (We withdrew the app for #4 when they called and said he would NOT be awarded FA even if accepted. They WL him although we'd withdrawn. Must have helped their admissions rates to consider him still applied)</p>
<p>Baseballmom, could the more successful experience of your second child reflect your greater knowledge of the process and schools?</p>
<p>I only applied to one school and I needed a lot of financial aid, but I made it.</p>
<p>Periwinkle--Yes, that is correct. It was heartbreaking for all of us when our D was rejected from all of her dream schools. With S, we took a more realistic approach and worked at finding match schools. We soon realized that these schools were just as amazing as the elites.</p>
<p>That's why I encourage CC'ers to look beyond the tier one schools. Every year there are kids on CC who are frequent posters and who apply only to the top preps and then quietly disappear once March 10 rolls around.</p>
<p>It's better to have your post-March 10 anxiety involve choosing the right school from all the ones that accepted you, rather than anguishing over wishing you'd applied to other schools that might have admitted you! (I don't think that's proper English, but I hope you get my drift!)</p>
<p>baseballmom- I have enjoyed reading your posts. Would you mind if I private messaged you about your experiences with your S? My S seems to have some similarities and we need some help!</p>
<p>Sure, please do!</p>