<p>Hey all,</p>
<p>I was just reading some old CC threads that say colleges get a list with the CSS Profile of other colleges you are applying to. Now, ignoring the fact that this is incredibly unfair, how much of an affect does it have on each individual application for colleges? (especially top tier colleges)</p>
<p>I applied to 17 colleges. Which is completely absurd, I get it. But as an international student, I'm completely aware of the brutally selective nature of some of these colleges (especially since I'm applying for Financial Aid too,) and I had to apply to as many colleges as I could. Of course I have a few where I will be ecstatic to go to, but I'm also confident that I would be happy at any of these colleges. But now I'm worried some admission officers would look on this negatively and assume that I mindlessly picked a list of colleges, and their college just happened to make the list as a long shot.</p>
<p>So I would really appreciate any insight on this!</p>
<p>Colleges don’t know what other colleges you have applied to on the Common App. That’s a myth. Just check with the people at the Common App yourself if you don’t believe me.</p>
<p>Kelly, the OP is not saying they can tell on the Common App. He is saying on the financial aid forms (the CSS Profile for schools that take it). I actually think it is the FAFSA that lists this… and college CAN see where else you applied for FA through this. And presumably for most students where you applied in general, as most students apply for FA at all schools if they apply for FA at any. I think colleges expect that many students, especially those needing a lot of aid, apply to a lot of schools. I would not worry about it. As long as your application reflected a true interest in the school, it should not make a difference.</p>
<p>I knew a young student who applied to over 20 something colleges, and yes, she did fill out FAFSA for all of them and PROFILE for those that required it. It was interesting what the outcomes were, as they were not necessarily in selectivity order. </p>
<p>The biggest problem with applying to that many schools is that problems do pop up and when you have that many schools involved, more chances of issues and you also have to be organized to keep track of everything. FOr schools that take demonstrated interest into account, you could be cutting yourself short due to time and money constraints at some of the schools.</p>
<p>Colleges don’t care how many schools you apply to. </p>
<p>IMO the biggest problem with applying to many schools is the reduced amount of time and personalization that you give to each individual school, which can affect your admissions decisions.</p>
<p>@cptofthehouse: could you please elaborate on what you mean that “they were not necessarily in selectivity order.”? does that mean she was accepted in selective schools and denied at less selective schools?</p>
<p>@entomom: That makes me feel much better. I hope you’re right. As for application quality, I started the application process early July, and tried my best to make sure that each and every application is personalized.</p>
<p>Thank you for the input everyone!</p>
<p>OP - my son applied to 20 schools. He has been accepted at 19 of them waiting for the rejection from Harvard in the spring:( I don’t think the schools look at what other colleges you apply to.</p>