<p>I applied to eleven colleges. The high matches and low reaches kind of blend together, but two of the schools were definitely safeties, three were definitely matches, two were definitely reaches, and four were somewhere between high match-low reach. I got into the safeties, one of the definite reaches, and a few of the matches/match-reaches, for a total of seven acceptances, three waitlists, and a rejection. (I hope this makes at least a little sense.)</p>
<p>Eleven was a good number. I don’t think I could produced quality applications for 15+ schools; I had my hands full producing good work for the nine schools for which I actually had to write essays. Incidentally, nine of my schools were on the common app. Let me just add that it’s good to apply to as many reaches as you want to attend, as long as you have enough matches/a safety, but at the same time I would be having an even harder time deciding had I received any more acceptances to my top schools.</p>
<p>I didn’t apply anywhere early because I didn’t want to go anywhere with EA and I couldn’t decide between my ED schools. On the one hand, it would have been really nice to get the process over with in December, and it certainly gives applicants an edge; on the other hand, receiving a bunch of college decisions in late March-April 1st is incredibly exciting and I highly recommend it.</p>
<p>That’s all the wisdom I can pour out right now. Good luck!</p>
<p>1) I applied to 11 colleges too. 3 reaches: ND (rejection), UVA OOS (waitlist), WUSTL (waitlist). 4 matches: USC (spring admit) UCLA, Berkeley, UCSD (all acceptances) 4 safeties: U-Dub, UC Irvine, UC Davis, & Northeastern EA (all accepted). </p>
<p>2) If i would have done it again i wouldn’t have applied to Northeastern, U-Dub, or WUSTL. I would’ve applied to more high matches/low reaches such as UNC-Chapel Hill, Vandy, and maybe an LAC. These days I think 10 apps is a reasonable number because I hate saying admissions is a crapshoot, but it sort of is. Come on someone on this thread got into HYPS but got denied at UMich!!! (probably yield protection) </p>
<p>3) I EA’d to Northeastern U and regret it because I was probably never going to go there and I already had guarenteed admission to UC Davis. If I was redoing the app process I would’ve EA’ed to more schools because EA is awesome and I should’ve taken advantage of it. @OP and future applicants, EA to some match and safety schools to get some decisions under your belt and maybe have a safety in your pocket.</p>
<p>-I applied to 9 colleges–2 reaches: Brown (1st choice, accepted!), Dartmouth (waitlisted), 2 low reaches: WashU (waitlisted), JHU (rejected), 4 matches: USC (accepted), UCLA (accepted), UCB (accepted), Case Western (accepted), 1 safety: UCSD (accepted)</p>
<p>-I felt like 9 was a good number of schools to have, although if I had done it again, I would not apply to Dartmouth, since it’s just not a good fit for me. I might have looked at a few more top schools.</p>
<p>-I didn’t do early action.</p>