<p>Apply to the safety(ies) first. Then apply to the remaining 17 or 18 in order of preference. The order of HIS preference, not some guide book or magazine’s rank of prestige. Then, if he burns out after 12 apps, it’s OK to stop. Among the top schools, they’ll all provide a great education. It’s really splitting hairs to be concerned about whether he gets in to #8 or #18.</p>