<p>My GC told me anyone applying to more than 8 schools should narrow their list down. (He made fun of people who applied to more than 10 schools). The thing is, I want to apply to about 12 schools. I know this might sound a little too many, but I am freaking out and there are a lot of colleges I wouldn't mind going to. It seems like no u is a saftey these days....</p>
<p>I don't want to offend my GC. It would be kind of odd if I did apply to more than 8 when he made such a fuss about it.. How should I approach him?</p>
<p>And Please give me some general tips for handling GCs... Like.. is it appropriate to send a b-day card? Or would he think I am his stocker or something and freak out?</p>
<p>10 is a good number..the GC isn't always right. I'm only applying to 4 and then if i dont get in to any of those EA or ED(for 1(, then i have my second set of 4, my safeties. u should try this way. it's highly unlikely that u won't get into at least 1 of your top four...unless they're all ivies.</p>
<p>I think your GC is still operating in 1995. In this day and age no way would I be applying to less than 10, particularly if I were reaching for the Ivies and other top colleges.</p>
<p>Slipper,</p>
<p>I respectfully disagree as when My D graduated, there was a cap of 8 colleges (which is still in place today). </p>
<p>What it means is that you really sit down and think about your choices, why you want to attend a school, if admitted is it a financially feasible option for your family. We definitely had to talk about money because it was definitely an issue.</p>
<p>With only 8 applications, there is no such thing as applying for the hell of it, and no one applies to all 8 ivies (as if you do and are rejected it is really going to suck to be you). </p>
<p>My D operated from a perspective of "if this is the only school that you are accepted to, would you be happy to attend?" Using this as a criteria, she could not even come up with 8 schools to fill her list (only 7) and ended up being accepted every where she applied.</p>
<p>I think if money is a major issue and you need to maximize your chances of getting merit aid, you may need a few more schools, but even then, it will still come down to if this is the only school that you were admitted to would you attend?</p>
<p>Some colleges dont need anything from your GC. When I applied, only 1 college wanted a rec. from him. I pretty much went around him and did what I want, they're a joke in my school anyway. Just go to the front office to get your transcript...but theres no way he has to know you applied to 12 until you show him all those acceptance letters ;)</p>
<p>
[quote]
It seems like no u is a saftey these days....
[/quote]
Not at all true. Outside of the 100 or so schools in high demand, the rest of the 3000+ 4-year colleges accept the majority of their applicants! If you take the time to carefully select a safety you can find a college to which your acceptance is almost certain.</p>
<p>And I endorse sybbie719's advice. There may be "a lot of colleges you wouldn't mind going to" but in the end you're only going to enroll in one. Might as well start making difficult decisions now rather than postponing it; for the flip side of this, see the threads where people are debating whether it is ok to double-deposit after being accepted.</p>