<p>All of my friends have a set of criteria for their ideal college and have found many colleges that fit this list. Obviously, some fit better than others, but they know of five to fifteen schools that fit this list. I, on the other hand, was blessed/cursed enough to find one perfect school. I have been researching colleges for about six months, and I found only one college that really suits me.</p>
<p>This college has a 72% acceptance rate and an average GPA of 3.2. I have a 3.8 GPA UW, and I am in the top 10% of my class (weighted, not including this year, junior year, which, if all goes well, I will end up with a 4.0 UW for the year with 4 AP classes). I am also a likely National Achievement Scholar and I have been the President of the Future Educators Association since seventh grade, have tutored Special Ed and elementary schoolers since seventh grade, and I have been a reporter for the school newspaper and a member of the Book of the Month Club since ninth grade and the Best Buddies Club since eighth grade. (I go for longevity and commitment, in case you couldn't tell, lol.) I have already shown interest in and contacted the school. Assuming my SAT scores are acceptable and the interview during my visit goes well, I think I will be accepted; however, the realist in me knows I shouldn't blow my chances of attending a decent school for a good price because I think I should be accepted. It isn't my decision, after all.</p>
<p>My question to you all is this: how many other schools should I apply to? Since I have no other school that I have a burning desire to go to, it really is just a numbers game to increase my chances of getting into college.</p>
<p>Thank you, and sorry for the long post. :)</p>
<p>Always apply to more than one. You never know what might happen so its better to have choices. About 3-6 seems reasonable to me. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Choose around 1-2 schools that you are a perfect match for; your gpa is right on the average, you meet all requirements and overall, you have a good chance of getting in. </p></li>
<li><p>Choose 1-2 reach schools: your gpa is under the average and your other qualifications are a bit lower. It’ll be a long shot of getting in but you still have a chance. These are schools you would want to go to but are a little under qualified for. </p></li>
<li><p>Next, choose 1-2 safety schools. These are schools for which your gpa is above the average, it has a high acceptance rate, and you are almost guaranteed admission. Keep in mind, this school or schools should be places you wouldn’t mind attending.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thank you. Based on the information I provided (not including my burning desire to go to this school), how would you classify it? It’s kind of hard for me to be objective. I have more information, if you need it.</p>
<p>According the the info you provided, the college you’re interested in seems very doable for you. I’d classify it as a safety, assuming your ECs, essays, Recs, and SATs are good enough. Not knowing your scores or the college in question, I’d say anything above an 1850 on SAT reasoning would be sufficient for you. </p>
<p>You have a high GPA. Look at some other schools that you might be be a good match for. Your high school career counselor will be hugely beneficial.</p>
<p>It sounds like your <em>dream</em> school is a private one. I have read stories on CC about students who were rejected from their safeties probably because their safeties thought they would be accepted elsewhere and not attend anyway. If this were a public institution that pretty much accepted students according to their stats, you would probably be assured admission. I don’t think you should feel compelled to apply to so-called reach schools if you aren’t really interested in them. However, you should probably find several other schools you would be willing to attend <em>just in case</em>. If this favorite school of yours is in the Fiske Guide, note that the book also lists overlap schools, i.e. schools that received applications from students who applied to that particular school. It might lead you to other schools you would like.</p>
<p>Sounds like you have about a 99.5% chance of getting into this school, but it never hurts to apply to 1-3 others that you’re confident you could get into AND afford.</p>
<p>Experience: Apply to EVERY college you want to. All you’re losing is a few bucks but who knows, maybe you’ll end up some place great.</p>
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<p>I agree with intemister. 15 might be too much, but really, applications are not that hard. It’s mostly writing, and you can have fun with it. I app’ed to 10. Got rejected from my 4 reaches. There are a few more high-matches/low-reaches that i would have applied to had i been less lazy and a little more confident.</p>
<p>Yep, a healthy mix of reaches and matches with a few safeties is good. I swear, I regret not applying to better colleges soo much. Though I’m happy with my college, I sure would’ve liked a little more variety.
I searched for colleges that didn’t have supplemental essays. That was one of the biggest mistakes of my life.
I really mean it. More is Gooood.</p>
<p>I disagree with a lot of the advice above. </p>
<p>If this college is a safety and has early decision, you may only need to apply to one college and you’re done. Lucky you. </p>
<p>If it rejects qualified applicants, which it doesn’t sound like it does with a 72% admit rate, you might need a Plan B. </p>
<p>If there are financial issues, you need a plan B. </p>
<p>Basically, apply to enough schools so that there is total certainty that you have a place to go that you want to go. Factors that can create uncertainty are the chances that you won’t get in, the possibility that you can’t afford it, and the possibility that you change your mind and like something better.</p>
<p>If those contingencies can be met with just one school, than so be it.</p>
<p>I never knew private colleges rejected so-called “over qualified” applicants with the assumption that they won’t attend. That’s something to keep in mind during my interview.</p>
<p>I plan to apply early action/decision (whichever one isn’t binding; I forget). In January, if I get accepted, my acceptance letter will also come with my financial aid package. (Assuming I am a National Achievement Scholar, full scholarships for that aren’t released until February or March after a second interview.) Should I wait until I see this financial aid package in January before I apply anywhere else regular decision, or should I apply everywhere early nonbinding, if they all use the common app, anyway? Does it matter?</p>