<p>Unless you find a financial/admissions safety that you feel is right for you, you should apply to as many schools that you can without causing you too much stress, and without sacrificing much quality in the app process. It is a delicate balance and what is too much for one person is just fine for another. You may want to apply to a combination of school types. The 100% of need met schools with generous grants are in a category, then the generous merit aid schools are in another. Then you have schools that have low sticker prices. You should touch each category.</p>