Agree that a limit of 5 schools is unreasonable. Seems that 9 is a more reasonable number–especially if divided into 3 reaches, 3 match schools & 3 safeties.
Our school limits the common app to 10 schools and suggests that if a student wants to apply to more that they use the common app for the schools that need recommendations and use direct-to-college applications for those that have statistical-based admissions (such as minimum GPA and test scores) and don’t require letters and interviews.
4 out of the 5 schools we applied to. I actually thought that was the norm, but we didn’t apply to any private schools.
I would call and ask for clarification. I have found that things tend to get lost in translation when going through my son sometimes… Five does sound like a really low number even for students not shooting for elite reaches.
Seems like SUNY should look at some other states where applying to state universities does not add to counselor workload (no recommendations, use of SRAR instead of transcripts on application, fee waivers based on FA information or by self-reported income level later verified by FA information later) or do so only in uncommon circumstances, rather than making busywork for the counselors for every student who applies to SUNY.
I’m primarily familiar with NYC public HS’s, so this may or may not apply to others, but every school I’m familiar with issues a guide, usually called a “College Handbook” giving details on the HS’s procedures for processing college applications with detailed timelines, and any limits on the number of applications. Son’s NYC limited US private school applications to 8 + unlimited publics.
I will say…IF your high school really does limit the applications to only 5 (which I. Think is a misunderstanding)…I would strongly suggest that your student pick NOT just reach schools!
Our s’s school, back in te day, said any more than 6 applications they would charge $50 per school to send the materials, adn the requests would go to the back of the line. No idea what the current limit is.
We are not planning to use fee waivers, and my son isn’t attending college during the school year, other than to take classes he can take the AP test for st the end of the year. There are 3 total counselors for 400 kids, and only about 100 are Seniors. Most will go to a 4 year college, but not all will. I guess I don’t fully understand the Common app. Someone did confirm that the teacher recommendation letters automatically link once the invite is sent once, but I thought the same was true with the mid year report? What more is on her plate with my son applying to more schools?
Also, shouldn’t the GC have advised the students at the end of the Jr. year that there was a limit to the number they could apply to? To tell someone who spent the majority of their August completing essay supplements that they were not allowed to apply to that many schools seems unfair.
I think we’re at an impasse until you ask (or have your son ask first) for a clarification. I truly believe that either your son misheard, or the GC misspoke, or the GC is mistaken or some combination thereof. If the office puts out a college counseling handbook/pamphlet, that might be a good place to look.But really, a face to face is warranted. I get not wanting to be that parent, but there is a difference between bitching that Johnny did not get the 7 AP classes he requested and asking for an understanding on a process to help to shape your son’s long-term future. A process (and outcome), I might add, that you will be paying a lot of money for.
I don’t see how a limit of five applications would fly in my area. I’ve been following our school board elections for a long time. They tend be very vocal, get decent (but not great) turnout, and there are always several more people running than there are seats. That almost certainly would have been a campaign issue had parents felt the need to make it one. The guidance department is as stretched as it is in any other public, but even so, the schools in our district all have noticably large administrative staffs. Limit applications and folks would start asking what we’re paying all those people for. The unions certainly don’t want that.
I wouldn’t be opposed to setting a reasonable limit (say 10) applications, and then charging a processing fee for each one after that. Although a $50 processing fee seems excessive, and would favor weathier students.
The $50 per school surcharges I heard about a long while ago were at private schools, not public schools.
I believe we paid for transcripts to be sent, but this was before common Application, a everything being electronic. It was maybe $1 a transcript. We had a registrar at the HS and all she did was send out transcripts. Back in the day (2003 and 2006)
If there is a limit, or fee for “excessive” applications, it should be based on number of unique recommendations or other items that add burden to the counselor, teachers, or school. I.e. the recommendation for SUNY should count as one, as should the recommendation for The Common Application.
Another who agrees 5 feels thin and 10 feels reasonable. I think charging for school efforts above 10 doesn’t feel quite right although it families most likely to have the financial where-with-all that would be launching a national search and might need more than 10.
Sometimes the restrictions don’t change with the times. Ten applications used to be a lot of work for the schools, but with the common app, states allowing multiple schools on one app, self reporting of grades and rank, doing 10 apps often isn’t more work (for the student or GC) than 5.
Maybe it’s an old rule that can change with the times. My sister applied to only 5 schools in the 1970s and it was a ton of work for all involved - written essays, written recs, stamps, mailings. Now it is much easier to do 10 applications.
I would think that if the 5 application rule were in effect for decades, that someone in the last decade or so would have made a stink. A lot of guesswork is in place here, but there is only one way to find out. If the OP wants to give me the number, I’ll call the school to get to the bottom of this. 
I have confirmed with my son that his GC said he ‘may’ be limited to the number of apps that he can submit, but a specific number was not provided. They reached an impasse in their conversation about the common app when she was trying to convince my son he had to send separate invites to each teacher from each college, and he was trying to explain that we believed he only needed to send one. She told him it wasn’t possible. Anyway, their entire conversation shifted to discussion of his Senior project.
My question is, since his applications are finished, except for Counselor and teacher recommendations, and music supplements (He is not a conservatory applicant—just a regular BA) couldn’t we submit the applications, since the reality is we were never advised we couldn’t?
Good for your son for getting these applications done!! It will make his senior year so nice not to have this hanging over his head.
You can submit the application, but those supporting documents will need to be uploaded and sent at some point. I think you need to find out when this new GC plans to get this done.
Has your son requested his letters of reference, and are they all written?
Someone more familiar with the common ap will need to chime in here…and tell you what’s next…
@thumper1 is correct - you can submit the application before the recs, and I’d posit that most applicants do. However, the application will be considered incomplete by the college until all the required materials are submitted. A college may (and this depends upon the college) begin to review incomplete applications, but they will not make a decision until it is complete.
I’d just caution your son to make sure that he has proofed, reproofed, run spellcheck, had someone else proof the application before submission. And also be aware that a small number of colleges have earlier deadlines for arts supplements.
And as mentioned above, the schools/counselors often have later deadlines for submission than the student. BUT it is the student’s responsibility to be sure the application is complete.