<p>My daughter's professor told her that he thinks she will be accepted to most programs that she applies to, except the top 4, which is a crap shoot for anyone. But that professor had not seen her gpa or gre. DD assumes she will get a stellar recco. She has research experience. And TA experience.</p>
<p>Of course she is, aside from top 4, looking only to schools where there is a prof in her area of interest. Most are top 20.</p>
<p>But how many? the prof who advised her applied to 18, but was accepted (and went) to MIT. But that prof is from overseas, though he got his undergrad in US.</p>
<p>Which is more important to your daughter: Going to grad school next year, period, or going to some place she <em>really</em> likes?</p>
<p>If the latter, she should only apply to places she <em>really</em> likes. If she doesn't get in, she can try again in a later year, after building her resume a bit more, if she still wants to go. If the former, she should apply to more schools and safer schools.</p>
<p>I prefer the more selective approach myself, but it is not a right/wrong answer question, just a matter of individual circumstance and priorities.</p>
<p>I'm not sure, I will talk to her about those distinctions. I guess it makes sense that she will apply to all she is interested in, but not those she is not interested in. But there must be some on that list more desirable. She is being careful to find school with professors who specialize in the CS math issues that interest her. If she is not accepted, I think she will do the 5 year masters offered at her school.</p>
<p>And for noface, I don't know the answer to that question. Like I said, this particular prof said 18. That seems like too many to me, but perhaps that prof was determined to find a program. However that prof went to MIT so maybe that was too many if that person was so qualified. Again, that prof is overseas applicant and may have worse odds. Perhaps schools are more interested in qualified applicants who are female and US citizens? Not sure. But I don't know if average application number is relevant.</p>