<p>Why is there zero reason for a large application list? I wanted options, so I applied to a large list/wide variety of schools. I was accepted to certain schools (and to certain programs w/i schools), so I visited the schools, and then made a decision from quite a few options. Had I decided to only apply to a short list of schools (5), then I wouldn’tve considered some schools I almost attended. </p>
<p>Example: U.Va OOS, UNC Chapel Hill OOS, and Carnegie Mellon were thrown onto my list somewhat haphazardly due to my “low” SAT (2120). My final four choices (last day before decision was due)? UMD Honors College, U.Va as an Echols Scholar (top 2.5% of non-STEM students), UNC Chapel Hill Honors Carolina, and Carnegie Mellon University. Had I gotten scholarship $$$ from either U.Va or UNC (or fin aid from CMU), I wouldn’t be heading to UMD in the fall. </p>
<p>Also, money’s easy to predict for a traditional applicant, but I was offered full rides where I expected nothing (due to my SAT) because of my research (proposal on the efficiency of the Nordic model; UNC Chapel Hill also offered me a 10k stipend for living/research expenses to spend a summer abroad conducting the research) and business experience (founder and owner of international, online organization based on YouTube; I interacted with advertisers, drew up contracts, etc etc etc). As an untraditional applicant, it was hard to predict my cycle.</p>
<p>Large lists make sense for some applicants. OP, if it makes sense for you to have a larger list, then 17 might be the right number of schools for you. If not, then take a few safeties off. </p>