<p>So I wasn't matched with any schools, and of course I am a bit nervous right now. I applied to 6 for the match process, and I see that applying regular decision still grants fee waivers for finalists. Are there any problems or disadvantages short of writing a bunch of essays of forwarding my application to say, 9 QB partner schools, and applying to some 4 others with an alternate common app (I want to change my essay)? Just wondering if anyone has ever done that - I imagine all it will do is increase chances on acceptance, right? Is there anything wrong with doing this? Applying to ~13 schools? I mean, if I'm not paying any money to do it, then why not.</p>
<p>That’s perfectly fine.</p>
<p>I’ll be applying to fourteen schools after not being matched. I initially questioned it too, but I feel like there’s no real down fall with cost being a non-issue.</p>
<p>I’m on the same boat as you and malenonfare, I think the final count was 11QB schools. I saw no downside at all. If you are able to finish the supplements and send the scores then all the best to ya. My mentality is that at least ONE of the eleven schools have to accept me. =)</p>
<p>There are two downsides. One is cost. While the application fees may be waived, you only have a limited number of fee waivers for sending your test scores. You also have to pay for the CSS Profile. Families with very low assets and incomes will automatically receive up to six Profile fee waivers based on the information on they enter when completing the Profile.* But a lot of you won’t qualify for those. </p>
<p>The second is quality of writing can diminish. My oldest applied to 12 colleges. Our thoughts after doing so was that for him that twelfth school was really a push. He just felt “essayed out” after having put so much work into so many. I felt his “why College X” essay for that school was his weakest. He is an outstanding writer who really put a lot of work into his essays. He was accepted to 11 out of the 12 and waitlisted at that twelfth school. I realize this is anecdotal but think you can take away the lesson that essay writing quality can drop off. </p>
<p>The big upside is that you have a better chance at getting accepted with an affordable FA package. If you can swing the cost of sending the test scores and Profile, the potential payoff makes it worthwhile. </p>
<p>So, my advice is to think strategically as you as you complete your applications. Always, always, always start with a financial safety school. Don’t let your dreams of Yale or Harvard stop you from applying to your state U, community college, etc. Make sure you are applying somewhere you know you will be accepted and able to afford to attend.</p>
<p>Then prioritize as you complete the rest of the apps. First write the essays for the ones you want most. If your essays improve you can always go back and revise them, but if you get burned out, you want them done first. Second, as carolyn, one of our CC posters, says, “Think like a marketer.” Ask yourself what you have to offer to schools. Applying to schools who don’t get many applicants from your state can give you a bit of an admissions boost. So can applying to where your test scores put you in the upper quartile, where your ethnic background can make you stand out, etc. Figure out where you think you have the greatest shot at acceptance and make those schools a priority. Third, you might want to minimize the number of essays you have to write. If you have two schools you like equally and you have to drop one of them, your essays might be one of your considerations when making that decision. Of course, it shouldn’t be the only factor, but it can play a role.</p>
<p>*CSS Profile costs $25 for the initial application and first school report and $16 for each additional school report. If parents have assets in excess of $34,120, no fee waivers are granted. You can read the information regarding Profile fee waivers here: <a href=“http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/PROFILE_fees.pdf[/url]”>http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/PROFILE_fees.pdf</a></p>
<p>Another thought to keep in mind is sometimes colleges will match FA packages of a comparable school with whom they vie for students. For example, matching is common between Harvard, Yale and Princeton. Amherst and Williams are examples of comparable schools. So even if you have a preferred school, it can pay to apply to its competition. </p>
<p>An important thing to know is that a need-only school will not match a merit offer from another school.</p>