<p>I am going through all the schools out there with my daughter, trying to find schools that might fit what we are looking for. I have a pretty long list, but feel it is too long. My daughter is about average on these forums for grades etc, almost straight A's, speaks 2 languages, loves art, does volunteer work.... so I am sure she will be a good candidate at any school she applies to. </p>
<p>But how many applications become too many? How many interviews are too many? Etc?</p>
<p>So far it is narrowed down to 4 all-girl schools, and 5 co-ed schools that are in the US, and 2 schools in Canada both co-ed. I do believe she has a fantastic chance of getting into 2 of these schools, and that 3 might be reaching high (1 of which is all of our first choice).</p>
<p>I applied to 6 schools and found it a little exhausting, but well, I had no previous experience with Essays, Sat’s/Ssat’s or the Toefl (Intl)</p>
<p>As for the interviews, It depends on each school, and how close it is from the next one, most of my interviews were 1/day and I had 2 in one day, I felt the day pretty heavy, because the first one was in a well known school and my appointment was early in the morning (the only one available for that day) and the next one about 3 hours after, and the town of the 2nd school was just 30 minutes away.</p>
<p>*You should take a look at each school’s requirements and make a list of the total of essays/short answers your D will have to write, organization is a good help, I was not organized, and the result was that I was both pressured by my essays, the deadlines and by my school.</p>
<p>@van, how many schools should be driven by a number of factors:</p>
<p>1) What are the priorities for switching school?<br> PUSH factors:
graduating from middle school, so must go elsewhere
issues w present school: bullying, poor academics, PULL factors:
seeking greater prestige
a specific program offered</p>
<p>2) STATUS QUO: Is there a reasonable fallback option, i.e. acceptable local school?</p>
<p>3) FINANCIAL AID: how critical is it?</p>
<p>If enrolling in the new school is urgent, then be sure to apply to a likely school, keeping in mind that a school with a 28% acceptance rate is not a safety school for one with an 18% acceptance rate.</p>
<p>My daughter will be graduating from grade 8 and have to switch schools, we ONLY have a public school here and I don’t think she can reach her full potential there.</p>
<p>Of the schools on our list 1 has an 80% acceptance rate (which I was stunned to learn, since it has an IB program - but it only offers a max of 50% FA), one has 65 and one has 60 so I think one of those should want her.</p>
<p>At this point financial aid is critical, without it she WILL attend the public school. And while I am sure she will do just fine wherever she goes, I want what is best for her on every level. Our household income is below 75000 per year. I am hopeful that it will change for the better soon (just waiting for someone to retire to move up the ladder), but even then we would still be under 100K per year. So while we can contribute, we certainly can not afford 50K a year on our own.</p>
<p>Since you mention schools in both U.S. & Canada and you mention IB, is your daughter an int’l applicant to either the Candadian or American schools? If so, be aware that for all but a few schools, FA for int’l applicants is limited. </p>
<p>You need to check w each school individually to find out about their policy for int’ls.</p>
<p>We live in Canada, but my daughter is a dual citizen, and I pay US taxes because I am American. I have actually spoken to a few of the schools already (to find out which applications to fill out and which fee I have to pay for those applications) and basically it seems as long as she does not need immigration documents she counts as a domestic student.</p>
<p>Lucky for you that she will be a “domestic” applicant! As FA is absolutely critical, then it is strategically prudent to apply to a greater number of schools. </p>
<p>The corollary to the relationship between school endowment size and the number of applicants is the Willy Sutton story. When asked why he robbed banks, he said “Because that’s where the money is”</p>
<p>I applied to 4, which was a lot of work but managable. If you’re looking at FA as well, I would apply to more than this to maximise your chances. It’s worth remembering that the more schools you apply to, the less time each application will get.</p>
<p>We were very surprised by some of the decisions we received, and I cannot express how glad we are to have cast a LARGE, BROAD net this year. </p>
<p>For example, the two “safety” schools my daughter applied to admitted her, but admitted her without aid. Fortunately she was admitted WITH aid to other (more competitive) schools, but it is incredibly hard to predict where the chips will fall in the end, especially when there is a financial aid component.</p>
<p>Re FA - I think I’ve said this before but the school with the largest endowment (by far) that we applied to was the only one to offer ZERO FA. YMMV. I think endowment doesn’t matter as much as fit and whether the school thinks your kid would add to their community.</p>
<p>I think that for an FA applicant, you should apply to at least 4 schools. I applied to seven; by the time I was done I was utterly exhausted. Any more than seven is overdoing it in my opinion, considering the amount of essays, school visits, and interviews that must be done. However, it is worthwhile to note that the more applications you complete, the easier the next one is, because you can recycle essays you have already written.</p>
<p>The featured thread in the Cafe section has almost the same title as your thread and I am sure you will find useful info in there. Nothing wrong with the advice given here! </p>
<p>FWIW I also have a child who received very good FA from a hidden gem with just a fraction of the big schools’ endowments and she was put on a FA waitlist at a more well known school that commits to meeting each admitted student’s financial need. </p>
<p>My philosophy is, you only need one good result so spread that net wide and include some that you think might not pan out, such as a school with small endowment, low average FA award, whatever. If your child really likes such a school go for it.</p>
<p>My children applied to 4-5 schools. We could not have dealt with a higher number, but if you think you can, go for that too.</p>
<p>It’s great to have a list of 11 schools of various levels of selectivity. It’s also great to have already considered affordability. Well done!</p>
<p>Now, start visiting. Use the summer to see schools at a time when it won’t interfere with school commitments. If a school interviews in the summer, interview. You will find the list will prune itself through visits. I would not be surprised if you end up with 4-6 schools your daughter loves at the end of the summer.</p>
<p>Remember to encourage your daughter to develop her own list of questions for each school before visiting, so they won’t all blur together, and she’ll be able to make a good impression in the interviews.</p>
<p>I should have elaborated more above. We started with a longer list of about 11 potential schools (day and boarding). S interviewed at 8 schools, and applied to 6.</p>
<p>We were scared by all the talk on this site about low acceptance rates, etc. and, as a result, applied to 6 schools. Two were HADES and the rest near-HADES level. Our list was culled from an initial list of 11. DD, who is a good all around candidate with 86% SSATs was, amazingly, accepted at all 6 (on March 9th of this year). This led to a very stressful, complicated, many revisits, much school missed 6-weeks as she chose the one school she would attend. We sold hard at all schools and it felt icky saying no to so many.</p>
<p>My takeaway is to pick a shorter list of schools that you have worked hard to determine are authentically good fits (not shooting for the stars schools or safeties) and then work them hard. We talked with coaches, went to school plays, sent in supporting recomendations and materials beyond what was aksed in the application materials, did hand written thank yous, etc. My strong suggestion is 4 schools is the right number to apply to. </p>
<p>If you look at straight stats, the admitance rates at selective schools look scary. Folks above will say its somewaht random who gets in. I argue that the odds of admitance at HADES schools is more like 50/50 for authentic indiviudals for whom the school is a good fit. Trust me, the fit is the basis of selection and there is no way you can fit well at four HADES schools (unless you an olympic rower with 98% SSATs who started a company now listed on the NYSE and recently finished a solo transatlantic trip in a rowboat – even then they might let you in but would it be a good fit?).</p>
<p>I applied to four schools and interviewed at 5. I would agree with the above poster that 4 is a good amount, but it’s ultimately up to you. I felt that writing four essays, applications, and short answers was overwhelming. However I didn’t space them out enough. Either way I was lucky enough to have 2 acceptances 1 waitlist and 1 rejection.</p>
<p>I think the question is: How badly do you want to go? The rule for FA is 12 schools and 8- 10 for FP. This is what I’ve been told by an EC who has been guiding families through this process for over 25 years. I’ve also been told this admission cycle has been brutal for many, many students- FA and FP. Devastating is a word I hear over and over. </p>
<p>I also don’t think a “safety” school exists anymore. The trick (or most strategic approach), in my opinion, is to compile a list of at least 10 schools and love all 10 when you apply. When students/ parents place all their hopes/ dreams on one, two or three schools, they’re bound to be disappointed M10.</p>
<p>As PhotographerMom said, it really depends how badly do you want or need to go to a BS. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t mind applying to 10-12 schools if you need FA, although it will be such an exhausting process. 3-4 safety schools with higher rate of FA. 3-4 schools that you believe your daughter have a fairly high chance, the rest being ‘reach’ schools. </p>
<p>Top level schools have ample endowment and among them there are need-blind schools which should also be a primary target.</p>