<p>what is the average number of colleges a person applies too? is applying to too many bad or just bad b/c its expensive?</p>
<p>bump.......................</p>
<p>If you apply to a lot, you'll probably have to spend less time on each application. The downside would be that your essays might not be as good (unless you were able to use the same essay for multiple universities, in which case, I don't think it would really matter).</p>
<p>It seems that kids apply to two very safe schools, such as their state colleges, three or four matches, and three or four reaches. I think 7 or 8 is average at my son's high school.</p>
<p>I say narrow it down as much as humanly possible before senior year. I did it and appplied to 4 schools. A safety, two matchs, and a reach. Got into all except the reach. I expected to get into the ones I did get into and this was because I had done my research and I knew what they wanted, and what I wanted. In my mind applying to 7 or 8 makes it way too confusing come decision time. Narrow down your choices and picks early. That way you can choose where you want to go based on your own criteria. 7 or 8 just shows you did little research and in reality you have no clue. This is just my opinion.</p>
<p>I think it's great to narrow it down as much as possible, but in this climate, since nothing is certain, I think a few more is better unless you really, really like your safety as much as your matches and reaches. If you're lucky enough to have a lot of choices at the end, great, but these days it's only the very top applicants who find themselves in that enviable position. I guess if someone goes in thinking they will have 7 or 8 choices at the end, they haven't really reached. (which is fine - kids shouldn't feel they have to attend a "reach" school.)</p>